Article 17
"The R93 Match and Semi-weight as a Tactical Rifle"
Cap-n-Dave Funk
July 9th 2008
Copyright © Dave Funk
The R93, with the semi-weight and match barrel options, is an undiscovered gem of a precision or tactical rifle. While it is not in the same league as the LRS II or LRS Tactical series of rifles, from an adjustability standpoint, it is a very cost-effective option for any operator or law enforcement agency looking to gain maximum capability for a reasonable price in a takedown rifle.
The R93 collated locking and straight pull bolt system, first introduced in 1993, has proven itself in the field and at target ranges throughout the world. The most recent US Naval Surface Warfare Divisions Request for Proposal for a new .338 caliber sniper system to replace the MK 13, M24 and M40, looks like it was written around the Blaser LRS Tactical version1. The R93 LRS system has been tested and proven reliable and strong enough for any military application. That reliability extends to the R93 Match and Semi-weight versions as well.
Captain Dave’s 308 Winchester R93 semi-weight with its call out kit.
My rifle started out as an Offroad Safari stocked version. I have added a 308 Winchester semi-weight barrel and a custom Dura-Coat paint job. It has an overall length of less than forty inches with its 22.5” barrel and weighs just less than ten pounds with its Leupold Mark IV scope mounted. For optics, I chose a Leupold MR/T 2.5-8x Illuminated Mil-dot M1 scope. It is mounted in standard 30mm Blaser rings that have been slightly lowered to accommodate my facial structure. The overall performance of this optic is typical of the Leupold Mark IV series and needs not be expounded upon here by me.
Although I am not personally a big fan of rifle mounted bipods and prefer a pack or padded bag for precision shots, several BlaserPro.com members have devised mounting solutions suitable for the addition of one.
An added bonus feature of the R93 is its ability to be taken down into a very small set of components. When reassembled, it absolutely returns to zero every time. I transport my personal rifle in a case no larger than 30” long by 14” wide by 5” deep. The entire assembly time is under two minutes and even faster if you just detach the barrel from the stock assembly.
With the tactical and precision rifle community standard Federal Gold Medal Match 168gr ammo, my rifle consistently shoots groups under .5 inches at 100 yards and it also holds them under .8 inches at 200 yards. The Dallas Police Departments SWAT team preferred Winchester Supreme 168gr Ballistic Silvertip ammo groups are only slightly larger at 100 yards but still remain under .8 inches in my rifle. I have yet to test the Winchester ammo beyond the 100-yard distance for accuracy.
My own handloads consisting of Sierra 168gr Match King Boattail bullets, Lake City brass, Federal 210M primers and VV N150 powder, shoot slightly tighter than the Federal Match ammo. Not surprisingly, Federal’s Premium 165gr GameKing ammo shoots as well as its match ammo in this rifle, consistent with the performance I have seen with my other two R93 308 Winchester barrels, a standard contour and a Tracker.
My 223 Remington R93 Match has over 4800 rounds through it to date with almost no evidence of throat erosion and the 308 Winchester is an equally barrel life-friendly cartridge. The high vanadium steel barrels that Blaser produces should be expected to last in excess of 10-15,000 rounds. This long projected barrel life and ease of replacement should be factored in when an agency is considering the life cycle costs of a rifle. The easy replacement of barrels by an operator and the added savings of not having rifle down time for gunsmith fitting are additional factors favoring the R93 system.
I have written a more in-depth profile of my 223 Remington R93 Match rifle’s accuracy at AccurateShooter.com. If your agency needs or requires a lighter caliber, you can read an analysis of this version elsewhere on BlaserPro.com2
The following available calibers: 223Rem, 6.5x55SE, 308Win, 30/06, 8x57, 9.3x62, 300WinMag, 338WinMag, 375H&H and several of the Winchester Short Magnum family in the R93 Semi-weight and R93 Match versions, can increase the R93’s versatility and ability to defeat almost any barrier. Every agency in need of a precision rifle should consider the R93.
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1 http://www.thetacticalwire.com/feature.html?featureID=3555
2 http://www.6mmbr.com/gunweek012.html