The UK's Finest Independent Forum for Shooters and Gun Owners. Est 2010.

Hi - I'm seeking opinions / advice regarding obtaining a service rifle for semi-serious competitions.

My thoughts so far...

A #4 looks like the no-brainer choice really, but - meh - really.
A K98 I borrowsed recently 'felt' nicer when I tried it.
...Nagents look fun.
I'd ideally very very much like a SGC AR15 straight pull but am concerned about the possible ban on 'automatic looking' rifles. I know no one can see into the future - but Is anyone else worried about this?

Right now I have a pretty open mind about the above - although I do favour the AR.

Are there any contenders I've missed out? I'm sure there must be...

Any advice - however opinionated is very welcome.

Swiss K31
Swedish M96

...thanks - will look into these.

I was under the perhaps mistaken impression that the proposed ban was semi automatic rifles that looked like fully automatic ones.

Not straight pull rifles.

Just a thought.

I read http://www.fcsa.co.uk/news
"European Commission attempt to strengthen control of LEGAL firearms across the EU"

Making sense of "EU Commission - Proposal for amending Directive 91-477-EEC - Weapons - 15-11-19.pdf" is hard work - but I would tend to agree - it just seems to mention semi-autos.

So what are the FCSA on about? I hope they are wrong (in a good way).

Ello rattle socks.

You need to think about this a bit chap. What do you want to use it for?

There are several ways to shoot service rifle comps and it covers a lot of areas.

There are the historic shoots which tend to be a bit less running about but they do test you and the rifle.

Having only shot the Historic CSR day (as opposed to CSR with a historic) it was enjoyble and doable for most, but there are classes and whatever you chose you would have to be sure it was included.

having shot CSR historic with a No4, it was a hell of a buzz but the round count will be far higher as you shoot the same course of fire as the PO/SO/Irons. You are looking at 100+ which in anything .30 cal is going to sting and will raise the stress on the rifle. You will be one of about 4 as well which is why I went to SO with a straight pull AR so I can come last with style.

I also shoot SO CSR (Rifle with no bipod, trigger over 4.5lbs (IIRC) and a scope of 4x or less) which is heavilly attended and doable, particularly if you want to hand load.

I cant say that many I know are overly worried about the euro thing but if it happens, it happens.

It does not matter what you use but if you go competitive CSR then do your home work. Personally I would ask Mark Bradley for a rifle that is built for CSR and you cant go far wrong.

There is no need to bolt all manner of crap to them, they look silly, you will have the pi55 taken, and ultimately have more weight to lug about, bring on aim and maintain.

Or you could come out of the closet and fit a bloody bipod....we have special moderators armed with angle grinders for such transgressions...or just shoot PO (Practical optic)

Other AR builders are available but few have shot CSR as much as Mark. or Dave (Baldie) up north. If you go to Mark with a rifle problem (percieved or otherwise) he will be genuinely concerned and sort you out, as he often seems to do with other marques that appear on the CSR field.

Why not book a CSR experience day and either borrow or hire a rifle from the IRA?...I mean NRA

rattlesocks wrote:A #4 looks like the no-brainer choice really, but - meh - really.
Any advice - however opinionated is very welcome.

Meh.....funny that so many people compete with them though eh?

Whatever you choose, you need to look first and formemost at the requirements of any discipline you might want to compete in.

There will be a predominant rifle and usually for a reason.

The AR platfrom is popular for CSR because with the right fodder it is easy to handle, slick, and reliable. It wont lose its zero in the cold damp days, it shrugs off the rain and mud, and its proven and some.

The same goes for the No4....apart from the propensity to shift zero with the weather but in its own class it does well.

You can choose what you like but my advice would be to try before you buy if you can. Some rifles can be a total bitch when the light drops, the No4 is an example of one that fares better in terms of sight picture in a hurry or in low light.

The K98s etc have an internal 5 round mag which although you can load with stripper clips, you will be outclassed against a No4 or anything else with a 10 round mag (most COFs tend to be based on 10s or multiples of ten rounds).

I have a Kongsberg M67 which is based on a Kar98 action...its achilles heel in a McQueens or other practical type shoots is the infernal 5 round mag (particularly with a scope on the roof).

The K98s etc have an internal 5 round mag which although you can load with stripper clips, you will be outclassed against a No4 or anything else with a 10 round mag (most COFs tend to be based on 10s or multiples of ten rounds).


Or, if the Mauser action floats your boat, you could also consider a Gew98 with a 25 round trench mag!

ukrifleman

ukrifleman wrote:

SDC18662.JPG

The K98s etc have an internal 5 round mag which although you can load with stripper clips, you will be outclassed against a No4 or anything else with a 10 round mag (most COFs tend to be based on 10s or multiples of ten rounds).


Or, if the Mauser action floats your boat, you could also consider a Gew98 with a 25 round trench mag!

ukrifleman

Ah I wondered whan that would come up.....often talked about seldom seen...even the repros from the states.

Designed to keep up a sustained rate of harassing fire from a trench. No such stability in most comps and no such need to go over 10 rounds as a rule.

So you now add a large mag that you can still only load with the prescribed number of rounds or get pinged....genius

Viable but cutting your nose of to spite your face IF you are serious about competing....but then thats the caveat.

Or better still, get a straight pull Bren....you get more ammo, a bipod, great stability....try coming on aim with it from the standing alert or shooting an Agincourt.

Its called service rifle for a reason, like I pointed out, be carefull what you bolt to the thing (You would be better off simply re loading from a stripper) or load 5 then top up as I do with the M67 which is....yup....a mauser action.

Anyway, nuff said, each to their own.

Ah, I forgot to mention practice, you will need to do quite a bit so factor that into the running costs.

Thanks Maggot, very interesting

The comps I am interested in are fairly relaxed affairs where you can really use what ever you like (safely that is).

I will be definitely looking into the Bradley Arms offerings.

I've also been recommended to consider a Patriot or an M14 for use at >500yds as the .223 will lose it's way a bit so plenty to keep me busy for a while.