April 6, 2016

"The Outlander is a solid design.  The choice of a .300 Winchester Magnum as a test chambering seals the deal due to the torque and power generated in such a light package. The entire rifle without optics couldn't weigh much more than 7.5 pounds which, as you know, is an extremely light sporter for a powerhouse like the unbraked .300. I wouldn't give so much credence to the design if we were running a .223 or 6.5 Creedmoor. They would be much more forgiving. I like the straight comb with minimal drop. It's a simple thing to establish a good cheek weld without craning my neck or lifting my head to get on the scope; proper eye relief and head position easily achieved whether we're testing off the bench or shooting from more practical field positions.  The straight stock design is reminiscent of many rifles I've shot in the heavy African categories, i.e. 505 Gibbs, .500 Jeffrey, etc. These big guys will beat you to death if the stock has any appreciable drop. Also, muzzle rise is exaggerated making it difficult to get back on target for a fast followup shot. Most of your customers will simply be able to shoot more comfortably because the recoil has been mitigated through the design. The established length of pull (LOP) is 13.5" or slightly longer? This is a good 'one size fits all' number. Personally, I like the fit due to the fact I'm able to keep my shoulder square to the target. Longer LOPs force the shoulder back which is counterproductive in controlling recoil and shooting with precision which is my major concern. A well designed stock always shoots "softer."

You'll recall the remarks I made to you regarding my own .300 Win. Mag which took two years in the building. Your fusion tactical stock that it's bedded in now is giving me everything I'd wanted and more. The first stock in which it was bedded (let's call it Brand X) was found to have voids in the fill which, in my opinion, led to double grouping. That's all gone away; four 3 shot groups at 100 yards with an aggregate of .326, three groups at 200 yards averaging .497", followed by a windy day at 300 where the best I could do was .969". I couldn't be more pleased considering the fact  these were the same loads I'd tested in the first stock; full length sized brass and standard OAL of 3.340. Just SAAMI spec stuff. Nothing exotic. 

When you asked me what I liked about the shooting qualities of these stocks, both the long-range fusion offering and the Lightweight Hunter, I'd replied that other than good ergonomics, they felt "dead." This is a good quality and might be attributed to your current fill/matrix formula. I've shot many rifles stocked up with carbon fiber or Kevlar shells and lightweight fills that vibrated like tuning forks when I'd touch one off. These rifles were never capable of delivering the accuracy I was interested in. A good analogy would be taking an iron bar (or barrel) in hand and first striking an anvil, noting the shock and vibration transmitted through your hand and arm. Now strike a wooden log. Dead… If the stock material is stiff and stable and solid, there is no resonance, minimal vibration returned to the steel of the barreled action which affects harmonics and adversely affects accuracy.  

As you know, the usual formula for a truly accurate rifle is straight, square and heavy, but the most accurate rifles available today are finicky, expensive, custom creations the average shooter has no use for and, frankly, doesn't have the skills to appreciate. Pure accuracy realized with a purpose-built bench gun and a tuned load; sub .25 MOA. But such a rifle is as much a test fixture as anything, not a rifle you shoulder up for meat on the table or trophies on the wall. So from a practical standpoint, what's the standard of excellence for an affordable production sporting rifle? One MOA; one inch 3 to 5 shot groups rested at 100 yards or better with selected ammunition is a reasonable expectation.  It's my belief that that's what we have with this Remington 700 XCR II in your Grayboe Outlander stock. I'm looking forward to testing this rifle/stock combo a bit more. Note that with the .300 Winchester Magnum I usually go straight to the heavier projectiles such as the190, 200 and 220s and the slower burning powders. This has proven to be the usual way to go for long-range 12+ lb. rifles. In contrast this XCR has a 24" light sporter contour which will probably shine with bullet weights ranging between 165 and 180 grs. That seems to be it's preference. You'll recall our best groups to date were shot with the Berger 168 VLD. So far so good!"