Author Topic: Remington SPR18 (Read 79178 times)

jim huntington · « **Reply #30 on:** February 10, 2007, 09:44:49 AM »

Hi ya!
The rifle shoots real good!Im not a bench rest shooter but the rifle was accurate enough to put down a buck at 50 yrds.using iron sights.I had to move the rear sights to the left a little to bring it to the bullseye while sighting in.

hillbill · « **Reply #31 on:** March 01, 2007, 04:04:30 PM »

got the spr back from the smith yesterday, he did a awesum job of mounting the new scope mount. he drilled and tapped it and also milled the scope mount to fit over the dovetail original mount.mounted a cheap simmons scope on it with some decent rings but could not get the scope to boresite. ran out of adjustment. this is the same prob i ran into before with this rifle. anyway took it out and shot it anyway. at 50 yrds it would put 2 rounds practically in the same hole and then the next 2 1.5 in higher likewise. but they were all 3 in to the right and i was out of adjustment on my scope. this thing is getting to be a pain in the buttocks!i will get another scope and try that and see what happens, if that doesnt work i will take it back to my smith. he said specifically that the mount was square with the barrel so maybe its just my scope.will investigate further and see what happens but to be honest i wished i saved my money and got a cz in 7.62.

jim huntington · « **Reply #32 on:** March 01, 2007, 05:05:28 PM »

My .308 shoots real good with just iron sights. Didnt have the time or the money to put a scope on it before our deer season.I did manage to get a buck with it though and the spr did the job nicely.I hope to put a scope on it sometime soon. Just trying to deside what rings to go with. I am going to try one of those NCStar 3x9 x42 compact scopes on it, that i am sure.The rifle is lite and nimble.Its quick to point and recoil is almost none exsistant.Of coarse Im a big fella, that might have something to do with it.Idid find a place that said they had the .223s in stock so gave the imfo. to my buddy and he ordered one last week.It should be coming in soon I hope.I took three deer this year. One with my bow, one with my rossi .243, and one with the spr.308.I had a fourth tag for the muzzeloader but missed a doe with the rossi and it's .50cal. barrel. I could have filled the tag but was starting to run out of steam by the end of a long season.This spr has found a home and will never part with it. Iwould like to hear from other spr owners of there success with this little rifle!

Brithunter · « **Reply #33 on:** March 05, 2007, 04:49:04 AM »

Hi All,

Well I just swopped the scopes on my MH18 Baikal, took off the 6x42 and fitted the Leupold M8 Compact 4x that was on my Brno Model No2 rimfire. It sure looks good on the Baikal and the rifle feels better balanced now. Hope to sight it in soon and if all goes well it might just make the trip up To Scoltand after Roe Deer if it comes off. my rifle in chambered in .222 Remington and I have got two boxes of Sako Gamehead factory ammo which I will be using. Tried this before and it shoots quite well. Bullet is 55 grain.

kyelkhunter3006 · « **Reply #34 on:** March 07, 2007, 02:41:13 PM »

As far as I know, there's no accessory barrels available for switching out. Honestly, the whole barrel swapping thing is much better in theory than in reality. I've had Encores and Handi's with extra barrels, and other than being able to take another caliber on a hunting trip (without taking a whole other gun), they were more of a pain to switch than I thought it was worth. I'd just as soon have complete guns that are ready to take out and shoot.

kyelkhunter3006 · « **Reply #35 on:** March 08, 2007, 08:02:21 AM »

My problem that I don't have enough time....when I get an opportunity to go out, I want to be able to grab the guns and run. And since I'm usually in such a big hurry, I usually end up forgetting the tools to take the guns down, so I can't switch barrels then.

MSP Ret · « **Reply #36 on:** March 09, 2007, 05:07:49 AM »

Tools?, a screwdriver or pocket knife in a pinch?....<><....

Brithunter · « **Reply #37 on:** March 10, 2007, 03:06:13 AM »

Hi All,

Ahhh with the Mh18 or Spartan, call ti what you will

< as it was based upon their single barrel shotgun design and just made stronger the fore stock comes off with a finger latch juts like ashotgun. The barrel locates like an O/U on the hinge pin in the action so NO tools are rquired. However the barrels would require precise fitting.

I have been looking at my Baikal MH18 and wondrign about making up a new breech section then fitting a barrel to that. it's going to take some doing but I think it's possible and when I can ge the tiem I will see what I can do.

jim huntington · « **Reply #38 on:** March 16, 2007, 10:20:27 AM »

Well my hunting buddy finally got his spr18 .223 and just loves it.He took it out and sighted it in at 32 yrds.using the iron sights. Had to adjust the front sight a little as it was a tad high at point of aim.After doing so it was putting them into the bullseye.We cant wait to see how our rifles will do with scopes on them.If only them darn bkl rings would just get here so we could get rigged up.My buddy was using regular bulk ammo, 55 grains I think?Not sure what brand.As soon as the weather improves here in N.Y. will take my .308 to the Rod & Gun Club's rifle range and do a proper sight in. One thing I wished the spr had is a top tang saftey instead of the cross bolt saftey.Now youve guest that im a southpaw!A more durable finish on stock and forearm would also be nice.Of coarse all this would up the price.On second thought you better forget what I just said LOL!!

coyote trapper1928 · « **Reply #39 on:** March 16, 2007, 12:45:55 PM »

Who makes a replacement stock for the SPR18 ?

jim huntington · « **Reply #40 on:** March 16, 2007, 04:42:27 PM »

I dont think there is a replacement stock for the spartan guns. I suppose a custom gun builder could make one. Dont get me wrong, I think the wood on my spr18 is really nice. Its just the finish they put on them thats lacking.I took and stripped the stock and forearm of the finish that was on my spr18 .308. I lightly steel wooled the wood and put some mahogeny stain on it that I had. It came out really nice. A few coats of true oil or linseed oil will really help.I have to admit I really had fun doing the minor refinishing job on the gun. I have now personalised the spr.Its now my pet rifle. Will never get rid of it.

Brithunter · « **Reply #41 on:** March 18, 2007, 12:05:53 PM »

Hmmm if you take the stock off and examine the action workings I am sure that you will find that they use a floating firing pin anda rebounding hammer. So it's safe to carry with a round chambered but the action uncocked. Then all one needs to do is squeeze the cocking lever to be ready to fire.

Just a thought for the cack handed southpaws

jim huntington · « **Reply #42 on:** March 18, 2007, 03:05:12 PM »

I have no problem with the saftey on my spr18 rifle.my spr100 single shot twenty guage though is a little tricky for me to make a quick shot on a flushed grouse.( left handed). It slows me down just enough. Of coarse I have a Spartan 12 guage over and under with top tang saftey that I can use instead. My rifle doesnt matter so much as I wouldnt be making the hasty shots at deer as I would at grouse.Of coarse I could buy one of the spartan over/under rifle/shotgun combos.that would take care of that matter.Hey! that would give me an excuse to buy another gun! Hope no one takes me too seriously. I tend to babble once and awhile.

Papaman · « **Reply #43 on:** March 22, 2007, 05:49:43 PM »

Hey guys, I am new to this site, have been reading some interesting comments on the SPR18. I bought one in 7.62x39, with Wolf ammo it shot about a 6 to 8 inch group at 100 yds. I bought some Federal ammo and it shot a little better, but I still wasn't happy, so I reloaded some up and it shoots better yet, about 3 to 4 inches, so I am still expermenting with handloads, I tried one load with 26 grs. of Reloder 7 and 123 gr. Sierra .311, not to bad, my next load is 27grs. of Reloder 7 and switched to Hornady 123 gr. .310 , I expect it to be better. I also free floated the forearm from the latch forward. I will let you know how things turn out. I hope real good because I like the rifle,s handy size and lts looks, also I do have a scope on it. Bob, boprpsa

jim huntington · « **Reply #44 on:** March 23, 2007, 09:48:05 AM »

Hey Bob! Welcome! What scope rings did you use on your spr18? And how are they working for you? Ive ordered BKL offset rings for mine. I havent recieved them yet. I just found out they have been back ordered a couple weeks.I bought a compact rifle scope a while back and that was the main reason I ordered the BKLs. Also because the scope rail is so short, there is not much room between the rings for the scope turret.Im interested in what kind of set up you have on your gun.Good luck with your spr sight in.

Papaman · « **Reply #45 on:** March 24, 2007, 07:48:10 AM »

Hey Jim, I am using Weaver/Simmons .22 Dove tail rings, you have to get them tight or use glue in front of where they fit in the dove tail to keep them from sliding forward , because of the 7.62 recoil is pretty heavy for them I guess , I might have to try something else if they don't stop moving. The scope is a Tasco Wolrd Class 3x9x40 I had laying around, they are pretty good scope for around $45.00 or so. My last great reload sucks, back to the bench, this time I will use less powder and see what happens, some load has to work decent I just have to find it. I am going on vacation for 2 weeks as of 3-25-07 , I will try again when I get home. Good luck with yours, let us know how the BLK's work out for you.

jim huntington · « **Reply #46 on:** March 24, 2007, 01:06:53 PM »

Well Bob! At least your able to do some shooten with a scope on it. There was a fella on another post who used Warne 7.3 series rings on his spr18.As far as I know they had worked for him. They would be good as they have a removable recoil key.You would be able to use at least one ring with the recoil key on rear slot of your spr18's rail.With such a short rail though I was concerned that the scopes turret section wouldnt fit between the rings.My buddy tried some cheap 11mm rings on his spr18, but the scope turret wouldnt fit between them. Also that one fella had cut some extra 1/8th" grooves in his rail for Weaver style rings. I would guess he must have cut one of the grooves in back of the exsisting one thats at rear of rail. Those Warne rings look a tad thicker than regular .22 rings. Another fella used Leapolds on his, which worked on his I guess. I would like to try those Warne 7.3 rings if I thought I wouldnt have to do any altering to my gun.
Have fun on your trip! I ll be on vacation also the first week of april. Going down to good old N.Myrtle beach SC.

Willum241 · « **Reply #47 on:** March 28, 2007, 02:52:36 AM »

Many thanks for all the good info I've gotten from this site.
I picked up my SPR18 Saturday and brought it home to do some measuring so I could be sure that scope and scope mount would be compatible with the rifle. I had the scope already, a 2x-7x 32mm. I also bought an inexpensive set of scope rings, which I'll use later upgrade the 4x scope on my .22 Marlin.
I used these rings to mount the scope and they were good enough to hold the scope on my a fingernail...good enough to put it in the right place, not good enough to handle any recoil. So I was able to position the scope for the right eye relief and was happy to get that position without it interfering with the rear sight. I put the barrel in my bench rest and bore-sighted the scope at about 150 yards and it sighted in with just a few clicks, well inside its adjustment range. Based on my measurements, I made a cardboard template of the BKL 254 (one-piece cantilever mount, 4" long) to verify that it would put the scope in the same place. So now I'm anxiously awaiting delivery of the scope mount.
The scope rail has a recoil notch at the butt end, and as this is a new rifle, I guess that's the standard now. I didn't notice at first that the scope rail is flared outward at the barrel end, and when I tried the ring at that end it skewed the scope a lot. When I backed off the flared part, the scope looked settled in parallel.
I have to drive a ways to shoot it, so I don't plan on shooting it until I have the scope mounted, and will post my results. In the meantime, the rifle looks and feels really good, the hammer-forged barrel is a real stand-out. It takes down and reassembles in seconds. Here's hoping it shoots as good as it looks.
Here's a question: One of the posters said that we should clean the shipping preservative from the floating firing pin and its chamber to prevent misfires. Do I need to disassemble the receiver to do that? Or can I do some kind of squirt and rinse?

jim huntington · « **Reply #48 on:** March 28, 2007, 11:33:52 AM »

I do not know what other fellas did with their's as to cleaning around the firing pin. I just went over my rifle, inside and out with Hoppe's cleaning solvent, were I could reach with a rag and cleaning rod. I didnt take apart the trigger mechanisisum or anything like that. So far I havent had any problems with misfires. I hunted with it this fall and got a buck with it. I do however clean my gun every time I get done using it. I always take the gun apart when I do clean it, exsept for the internal stuff.

Willum241 · « **Reply #49 on:** March 30, 2007, 04:03:33 AM »

Thank you Jim Huntington for the cleaning tip. I had already done what you suggested, as I could feel a pretty heavy coating of the preservative. I have my scope mount on order, and may change my mind about waiting for it to make this thing go bang.

jim huntington · « **Reply #50 on:** March 30, 2007, 09:25:30 AM »

I am still waiting for my BKL rings. They are back ordered 2 to 3 weeks. I couldnt wait for a scope to shoot mine. Actually it is kind of fun shooting with iron sights. Take it out, shoot it,get the feel of it.Then when the rings come, you will be ready.I am happy with my spr18! I am sure you will be too with yours.

Willum241 · « **Reply #51 on:** April 05, 2007, 04:30:20 AM »

Had an opportunity to get out of the office yesterday and went to a range with my SPR18. Don't yet have my BKL mount, but had a cheap set of 1" rings that came with a scope I bought for my .22 Marlin. I put on the scope and bore-sighted it, then fired a dozen "break-in" rounds at 50 yd, swabbing the barrel after every six. It was a gusty day, and I thought it would be wise to start at 50 yd, then move to 100. First three were a little erratic, but the last three were in a one-inch group. Got serious about zeroing the scope, but after another three sets of three I was still more than an inch off to the left, and found that the rings just couldn't take the recoil and had shifted up against the ramped part of the scope rail. So I removed the scope and shot another four sets of three with the iron sights. The results didn't surprise me, I had two to three inch patterns, but all were pretty well centered on the target. That's about the best that I'd expect with open sights with my old eyes.

I'm really pleased with this rifle. The patterns I shot after the "break-in" rounds convinced me that with the right scope mounts I should have a rifle that's accurate enough for any hunting or shooting I may do. I had given it several doses of Hoppes cleaner and "Break Free" lube over the last week. Not a single misfire. The rifle is fun to shoot, and I'm looking forward to my next session. Now that I've fired it, I'll probably be patient enough to wait for a still day.

Willum241 · « **Reply #52 on:** April 12, 2007, 03:58:40 AM »

It took me two tries, but I got the scope mount right. The BKL mount came in (#254, 4" Cantilever, unitized and I mounted it. There was lots of play between the mount and the rail, but I was able to tighten it down. Took it to the ranges, and after just a few shots the pattern became erratic. I saw that the mount had shifted, so I took it off and checked it out. There was contact between the flats on the scope mount and rail, but there were scrape marks on the sharp edge of the mounts where it had bottomed out in the scope rail grooves.

Took it home and measured the play between flats on the rail and the mount and as close as I could measure it was about .020". I measured with a wire that I slipped between the rail and the mount. I fabricated a gib .015" x .040" to slip between mount and the rail. Tightened the rail and went back to the range. My first two shots were within 1/2" of each other, low and left. I adjusted the scope, and my next pattern was a three-shot group smaller that 1", 1/2" to the right of center. Fired a box of rounds with similar results. I'd started with 125 grain 30-06, moved up to 156 gr 30-06 with the same tight groups. Also verified that the rifle likes Federal and Remington ammo.

Willum241 · « **Reply #53 on:** April 12, 2007, 07:40:54 AM »

Oops, I haven't invented a new bullet, just fat-fingered the numbers. Shot 150 grain 30-06, not 156 grain.

jim huntington · « **Reply #54 on:** April 16, 2007, 02:36:52 PM »

Well Willum241 ! That scope mount looks like a decent set up. Is the scope mount still moving or did the little fix job cure that? I originally thought about getting that mount also but went with the two piece off set mounts instead. I thought they would give me a little more versatility. Of coarse my scope rings are still on back order so wont know if I made the right choice until I can finally get my hands on them. Good picture!

Willum241 · « **Reply #55 on:** April 18, 2007, 09:03:27 AM »

I believe the scope mount is fixed, and if it was going to move it would have by now . I'm on vacation now, but will shoot a couple of boxes thru it next week.
I knew the single-piece scope mount would limit the mounting range on the scope, so I mounted the scope with just a single ring to be sure I could get the right eye relief with the one-piece mount and my scope. Took some measurements of that setup and was comfortable that the one-piece would work. But if I ever decide to use a different scope I might be in trouble.

Bill

jim huntington · « **Reply #56 on:** April 22, 2007, 03:02:39 PM »

Hey Willum241! If you think the screws on your scope mount might be loosening up, you could put some lock-tite on the threads and re-tighten them. I dont know if this is part of the problem, but if it is it would work. Also check and see if the clamp on the scope mount is reversable. Some scope rings/mounts , the clamp is reversable so they can fit both 3/8" and 11mm rails.I cant remember if the BKLs have that feture or not.

Willum241 · « **Reply #57 on:** April 23, 2007, 03:07:32 AM »

The screws didn't loosen. Problem was that the scope mount is one piece, and acts like a stiff spring and the whole mount has to be pinched tight enough to grip the rail. The gap was so large that the rail wouldn't deflect far enough, hence the filler gib. Screws didn't loosen, I could never get them tight enough without the gib.

jim huntington · « **Reply #58 on:** April 23, 2007, 04:43:26 AM »

I am still waiting for my two piece offset rings from BKL Technologies! It has been almost a month since I ordered them. They got my money so they should be sending them soon I hope.I am usually patient when it comes to something like this, but Iam starting to get a little ticked. I am kind of envious of ya, seing how you have a scope on your spr18 and have been plinking away with it. Well have a good one and if I ever get my rings I will fill you in on how I make out with them.

Willum241 · « **Reply #59 on:** May 01, 2007, 06:29:34 AM »

Yes, scope problem is solved. I shot a couple of boxes of 150 grain through the rifle, and the scope didn't move. Still shooting 1" groups at 100 yd. This was the first time I shot that there was no wind, so I didn't have to try to shoot between the (mild) gusts. This is my first high-powered rifle, and I'm hooked. I want to shoot a lot! Just bolted a single-stage loading press to my workbench and I'm waiting for dies and scale to come in, and waiting for some e-bay results for other stuff. Not trying anything fancy at first, just factory loads at lower cost.

Bill