The Rifle Range Day

The loud highlight of the Action Days at AUSTRIA ARMS was definitely the Range Day. Here it was divided into Handgun and Rifle. Depending on preference, one could choose one or, of course, both. We were also present at the Rifle Range Day. You can find the report from the Handgun Range Day HERE.

After registration and receiving the little goodie bag with a patch, sticker, hearing protection, snack, and water bottle, we headed to the bus that took us to the shooting range. Specifically, to the proof house in Vienna Süßenbrunn. By the way, even as a normal civilian, you can go there and use the shooting ranges.

After a short briefing, we're off. At most stands, two weapons are available, with 10 shots per stand. So you can choose for yourself what and how much you want to shoot. Once fired, safety is ensured, and we head to the adjacent shooting lane. This continues until you end up back at the lane where the shooter started.

At the first shooting lane, we start with 9mm PCCs. A DANIEL DEFENSE DDPCC and a CZ Scorpion Evo 3 await the visitors. We decided to fire all 10 shots with the DDPCC, as this was completely new for us. It shoots very comfortably and well.

The next stand is again 9mm, but now in the submachine gun format. A B&T SPC9 and a B&T APC9 with a suppressor. Here, we fired our 10 shots with the suppressed SPC9. Everything was flawless.

Once again 9mm in the form of a KRISS Vector and a STEYR AUG 9mm with a GLOCK magazine adapter. Here we shot half and half. Both shoot well.

The AUG with GLOCK magazine, a fusion of the two Austrian weapon manufacturers. We didn’t like the trigger on the AUG that much, but the tuning market will surely bring some improvements.

Enough of 9mm, onto 5.56. The current service rifle of the British SAS, the Knight's Armament KS1, in semi-automatic version. In this case, with Schmidt and Bender LPVO instead of the SAI 1-10. 

We shared the stand with the DD M4A1. So we had to split our 10 shots again. Both are very pleasant rifles to shoot. The ACOG is still a very good optic.

Next stand, the little brother of the M4A1, the MK18 from DANIEL DEFENSE. In direct comparison, you really understand how unwieldy it is to shoot, even though the barrel is only about 10cm shorter.

As a stand partner, a complete OBERLAND ARMS OA15 with a matching suppressor. Compared to the MK18, it's a true pleasure to shoot. In our opinion, the OA15 performs the best of all AR-15s at the Range Day. Whether it's the flow through suppressor or because everything comes from one source, it simply shoots wonderfully.

At the next lane, we leave the wonderful world of AR-15 and turn to the STEYR AUG. Both times featuring the new STEYR handguard, which was very inspired by Corvus Defensio, and once with the new trigger from KAWATEC (right in the picture). We decided for all 10 shots for the new trigger, which is a significantly better trigger than the standard one from STEYR.

At the next stand, we upgrade to .308, but unfortunately, there is only one weapon, the H&K MR308. The STEYR DMR762 was sadly not there.

So, all 10 shots of .308 went into the HK417 magazine. You can clearly feel the higher power of the cartridge compared to 5.56. The MR308 is an impeccable rifle, and it shoots very well.

Next stand, another cartridge change. We're sticking with 7.62, but with a 5.56 casing. This is called .300 AAC Blackout and was even subsonic in this case.

A BERGARA B-14 in this caliber with a suppressor. Incredibly quiet. It almost approaches unsuppressed .22LR.

As a stand companion, the B&T SPR300 in caliber .300 Blackout, which is used for covert operations by special forces worldwide. Even quieter than the B-14. Truly impressive.

Now, however, back to normal 7.62, but we remain with bolt-action precision rifles. On the left, BENELLI LUPO HPR and on the right, a TIKKA T3x Tac A1. Both are great rifles, unfortunately already quite hot after being shot that day.

At the next stand, it's time for .338 Lapua Magnum. What a large cartridge, but the rifle for that is also not to be underestimated.

A man-sized rifle with a suppressor, the ACCURACY INTERNATIONAL AXSR. We prepared for the worst in terms of recoil, but we were disappointed. The AXSR shot incredibly smoothly. We felt more recoil with the .308 rifles before this one.

Bigger is always better. At the last stand, a true monster, unfortunately, or fortunately, only two shots with .375 CheyTac. The whole thing was fired from a VICTRIX ARMAMENTS Tormento. An incredible rifle with a 30-inch barrel. Here, shots were taken at 200 meters, and the two hits were only a few millimeters apart.

Finally, you could have the .375 CheyTac casings laser-engraved.

A very nice memento of this day. With this highlight, we conclude the Rifle Range Day. Happy and with many new experiences, the shuttle takes us back to the Action Days right at AUSTRIA ARMS.

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