KatoomDownUnder

Here's my AT-X .308 out in the hills just after Christmas. I've just got to do a little more fine tuning for load dev and she's all set for this years Precision Service Rifle competitions. Only got a couple of minor design gripes being, no quick adjust cheek piece and AI's KeySlot, ohh and the 1/4-28 grip screw because mixing metric and imperial is always a good idea. Other than those minor points it's a solidly put together bit of kit and a pleasure to shoot.

Correct, Correct, LOAD

It's interesting to see a few 300 PRCs being built over here too. If I were to add to the collection it's certainly a cartridge I'd seriously consider over the 300WinMag.

Ahhh yep makes sense.

Nice work Baldie, very nice indeed. If I can find it, I've got an old engineering paper at work on Muzzle Brake construction and effectiveness. Although it's based upon larger calibres (105mm) if I can find it I'll pass it on as it's quite interesting reading.

Quick question, other than to cool your brass down quickly why are you quenching your annealed brass?

I'm a fan of Spuhr mounts.......................... and Nightforce The new hunting series seem to be just as well made as the tactical ones. Whilst they aren't cheap I think you well and truly get good value for money.

Depends on what you're doing. If it's just going to be taken out and shot without sighting in etc then I'd leave the bore alone and just wipe everything else down but every now and then run a patch/felt through to get rid of carbon build up. If you're shooting competition with say an ISSF level rifle, then have a look at what the majority of the top shots do. You'll find they clean their rifles after each match but will generally only use patches or VFG Felts. They can get away with this as each match has a period for sighters, that and some will put rounds down range a day or two before a match. When I was competing I'd scrub the bore on my KK300 about twice a year to reduce the lead fouling but would put about 50-60 rounds through after to get it back on track before the next match. I was shooting an average of 3 training sessions/matches a week plus a monthly comp so 180-250 rounds a month min. I'd go with a one piece stainless rod and appropriate jags and brushes. A good quality gun oil is a must and there's plenty to choose from. Boretech's Rimfire blend is good for cleaning bores and Ballistol's Universal oil will do wonders but I'm not sure how it goes with lead. You'll get a thousand or more differing views on cleaning and a lot with come down to your experience and what you find works for you in your circumstances.

It's almost funny to see the same sort of issues that you've had over in the UK about the wishes of some to adopt the AR15/M4 style wpn system are almost mirrored over here. Here it's partly put down to SF envy where the line battalions see the SF lads with the cool gear and want it too. We've now got the latest home grown variant of the old Steyr AUG, the EF88 in service and it seems to have fixed a lot of the issues with the previous models around weight and modularity (is that a word). The SF lot will retain the M4 wpn systems as it better suits their needs, especially when you consider justification points like compatibility with allied forces supply systems etc. There's been a reasonably good paper written on the whole F88 introduction into service, its ongoing evolution and the ongoing angst it's caused in some sections of the Army, I'll try and find the link.

I've just added a Marlin 336 Dark Series in 30-30 to the safe and for a scrub gun it's not to badly put together. Certainly not the same quality levels as my AW or even my Pro Hunter but it's rugged and with a parkerised finish should survive getting dragged through the scrub chasing pigs and roos at close range. I've given some of the internals a going over with a very fine stone to remove some of the sharper edges left from the machining processes but stayed clear of the trigger. After about 250 rounds in a week it's starting to feel a lot smoother. I've heard the stories around the quality control and the "severe" dip in standards but from what I've seen and heard they seem to have recovered some what in that area. There's a couple of JM stamped Marlins over here for sale I might have a look at too if the budget allows.

Jeez these bring back memories of the Jungle Warfare school at Tully. If you want stoppages then these kits will give them no worries, mind you the crap .22 ammo used might have contributed.

Another option is to use a wet tumbler like a Thumbler or Lortone. https://www.aussiesapphire.com.au/tumbling/reloaders/ I use a Lortone 45C and it's capable of doing a max of 100 .308 cases. Another option is to use one of the cheap ones off fleabay.

My AW perched nicely in a borrowed Hog saddle on a very nice PRS tripod.