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Riflecraft TMR2

Riflecraft TMR2

Riflecraft built my first stalking rifle the LSR (Light Sporting Rifle) based around a standard but accurised Remington 700 ADL fitted with an HS Precision stock. They also made my 6.5 Grendel and heavy barrelled Winchester Model 70 in 300 WSM. Though a custom gunsmith they offer a number of standard, in-house models. The MSR (Medium Sporting Rifle) is essentially a heavy barrelled version of the LSR, the CPR (Compact Precision Rifle) uses the CZ527 chambered in either 22 or 6mm PPC, or in my case 6.5 Grendel. But if you want a precision machine then the TMR (Tactical Marksman Rifle) series is well worth a look.

The TMR is up to version #4, though the original Mk 1 with its ugly but efficient Plaister Ultimate Sniper stock is still said to be the most accurate, due to the depth and strength of the action void. However, by far the most popular is TMR2! The reason is simple as it uses the Accuracy International AICS (Accuracy International Chassis System) for the Remington 700 action. So the look is British Army, AW, sniper rifle complete with 5 and 10-round detachable box magazines etc.

Solid Spine

The AICS uses an inner aluminium body member that mounts the action and magazine system; this is the strength of the rifle. On the outside are synthetic shells that make up the external furniture to offer a free-float forend and thumbhole (TH) layout complete with spacer-adjustable LOP (length of pull) and a removable comb piece. This is a popular look, but personally I do not favour it, as and though liking TH layouts this one is not to my taste. Saying that it shoots well and I have pitted one against a real, 308 AW and both were very capable, easily keeping 5-shots in a 2x4” rectangle at 500-yards. Though the TMR2 shaved about £1500 off the price in comparison to the real AW, this and the identical performance did not please the owner that much either…

The Remy 700 action offers the usual, 2-position safety catch, rear right. Push forward to FIRE and reverse for SAFE with bolt operation. The standard ADL and BDL actions use integral magazines, the AICS stock adds a detachable box magazine that integrates with the 700 action and offers a press-forward release catch at the rear of the well.

To this Riflecraft fitted a 26”, 1 in 8 twist Border T1 contour barrel, which was threaded and fitted with an invisible protector and blueprinted the action. This trues up the locking lugs to achieve near 100% precise and consistent engagement. The trigger too has been sorted, which is easy enough on a Remy 700, or a replacement match-type unit can be substituted.

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Finishing touches include an adjustable monopod under the butt, a Harris BRS bipod and a Leupold 4.5-15x50 LRT scope with M1 turrets and TMR reticule. I was told that the rifle preferred 120-grain Lapua Scenar ammo, which was attested to by ¼” performance; not bad… I could not get any of this but the Lapua importers (Viking Arms Ltd) kindly supplied the 139-grain Scenar factory load.

Perfect Calibre?

Though the AW and for that matter a lot of TMR 2s are normally chambered in 308 Winchester, they are available in just about any calibre. What makes this rifle a little different is the fact the customer wanted it in 6.5x47mm Lapua. Though the generic 6.5mm/.264” bore size is well known to offer an efficient projectile as is attested to by the old 6.5x55mm Swedish cartridge and later 260 Remington. Which is very much the Swede packed into a 308-type, short-action platform, further development and research has gone into this to produce the 6.5x47mm Lapua.

It was developed specifically for long-range benchrest shooting by ammunition maker Nammo Lapua and rifle manufacturer Swiss Grünig & Elmiger AG in 2005. The chamber dimensions are optimized for target bullets, with pressure at 63090 psi. Barrel wear is reduced compared to 6mm Norma BR. The head diameter and COL (cartridge overall length) is identical to the generic 308 Win so allowing it to fit into that platform. Unusually Lapua opted for a small rifle primer, which should improve consistency a little.

6.5mm V .30 Cal

So in a world where we have always considered calibres like 308 Win and 300 Win Mag king, why switch to a 6.5mm? It’s mainly about the superior ballistic coefficient of the smaller bore that can when pushed at the right speed replicate or better a 300 Win Mags trajectory with less recoil than a .308. For example a generic 140-grain 6.5mm will offer less windage and drop than a heavy 308 bullet like a 168-grain even at 1000-yards. This is probably why we have such a wealth of 6.5mm calibres today – 6.5 Grendel, 260 Rem, 6.5 Swedish, 6.5x284, 6.5x57, the 6.5x47 Lapua and the latest 6.5 Creedmoor. So a case of less is really more. I decided on Hornady’s 6.5 Creedmoor as the figures look even better than the Lapua, and Riflecraft are in the process of building it.

In a heavy rifle like the TMR2 felt recoil is not an issue, it’s mild in 308 Win and even more so in 6.5x47. So maintaining the target throughout the shot is easy. The 139-grain load is distinctive by its exceptionally long bullet. Suffice to say accuracy was excellent with the Scenars printing ½” at worst and coming in an average of around 8mm. Not quite as tight as the 120s but out at longer ranges probably the better choice.

Over the chrono it was producing 2791 fps/2403 ft/lbs, with a 308 Win, 168-grain A-MAX load doing 2609 fps/2538 ft/lbs. At 1000-yards the 6.5 is doing 1336 fps/551 ft/lbs with a drop of 332” and 81” of windage (10 mph @ 3 o’clock). The 308 by comparison gives 1128 fps/521 ft/lbs, drop 409” and 105” of wind drift. So technically the better option with a lighter bullet and less powder used. Saying this the 6.5 x47 is not just a target round as with the proper bullets is equally as talented for hunting. I’d do double duty and go for the Hornady A-MAX in either 123 or 139-grain weights.

Calibre aside the TMR2 offers serious accuracy potential and if you are looking for a long range performer with that AW style then this is it…

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  • Riflecraft TMR2 - image {image:count}

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  • Riflecraft TMR2 - image {image:count}

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  • Riflecraft TMR2 - image {image:count}

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  • Riflecraft TMR2 - image {image:count}

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  • Riflecraft TMR2 - image {image:count}

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