Junior Shooters

Posted by Junior Shooters

By Andy Fink, Dylan Sacks, and Ricky Marston

We got in a really nice, wooden-stocked Modern Sporting Rifle (MSR) for test and review and were very pleased with it. The laminated nutmeg wood stock and the coyote-anodized receiver change the whole appearance. It is very pleasing to the eye compared to the standard, more common, black MSR. I also liked the fluted barrel and the small picatinny rail on top by the gas block at the end of the stock.

The function was perfect, with not even a single jam after over 350 rounds of reloads, Armscor and Black Hills Ammunition 55-grainers. Not one jam. Even with a slightly heavier trigger pull than I usually like, about 5 pounds, its accuracy was phenomenal. It is easily capable of shooting one-hole groups at 100 yards.

Though heavy for a MSR at 8.35 lbs. due to the wood stock and not including the weight of the scope, it is a rifle that just screams for you to take it out hunting – whistle pigs, coyotes and even small deer with a 75-grain hunting bullet.

Now, part of the good results we got from testing its accuracy was certainly helped out by the Burris XTR II 1-5X24mm G3 scope combo with a FastFire III 3-MOA red dot, a 300mm AR-P.E.P.R. mount, and a Scope Tube FastFire mount all in one package.

• The XTR II Ballistic 5.56 Gen 3 illuminated rear focal plane reticle helps the shooter achieve maximum accuracy with 5.56/.223 ammunition (201000, 201002 only)
• Features the XTR II Ballistic CQ Mil illuminated rear focal plane reticle (201001 only)
• Combo includes a complete shooting platform at significant savings: XTR II Riflescope 1-5x24mm with XTR II Ballistic 5.56 Gen 3 rear focal plane reticle, FastFire^™ III 3-MOA red dot sight, a 30 mm AR-P.E.P.R.^™ mount, and a Scope Tube FastFire^™ Mount (201002 only)
• Designed for serious rifle shooters—both tactical and competitive

The XTR II Ballistic 5.56 Gen 3 reticle is made for ultra-fast target engagement at short distances and trajectory compensation to push out to extended ranges. It’s an incredibly versatile tactical reticle.

• Mil measurements
• Illuminated broken-circle pattern with center dot
• Rear focal plane design provides consistent reticle size at every magnification
• Dual focal plane design allows the crosshairs to change size with magnification so mil measurements and trajectory lines are accurate at any power; illuminated broken circle remains a constant size for easy transition between short- and long-distance shooting
• Ideal for achieving accuracy with 5.56 and .223 ammunition
• Trajectory compensation out to 1,000 yards
• Covered by the Burris Forever Warranty^™

Burris really did a great job putting this combo together. Though considered more a tactical scope than a hunting scope, it can be used for both, as well as competitive shooting whether at 10 yards or 500 yards. It makes an excellent 3-Gun combination. I absolutely love the G3 reticle. With its illuminated broken circle pattern with center dot, it is easily picked up and placed on target. The windage Mil measurements and trajectory compensation lines make it simple to adjust to both distance and heavy winds.

The FastFire 3-MOA mounted on top lets you pick up your target quickly and clearly. Some of its features include:

• Bright red dot allows for fast target acquisition and easy aiming
• Compact and lightweight so it won’t affect firearm balance or handling
• 1x magnification allows both-eyes-open shooting for enhanced awareness and target acquisition
• Parallax-free for better accuracy
• Mounts to almost anything—including handguns, rifles, and shotguns—using Burris mounting systems
• Automatic brightness sensor adjusts brightness to match the environmental conditions; also features 3 manual brightness settings
• Windage and elevation adjustments make optic fine-tuning easy; no special tool required
• High-grade optical glass provides excellent brightness and clarity with lasting durability
• Index-matched, Hi-Lume^® multicoating provides low-light performance and glare elimination
• Waterproof
• Nitrogen-filled body tubes prevent internal fogging in the cold and rain
• Shockproof design stands up to years of punishing recoil
• CR1632 battery included
• Battery access is conveniently located on the top of the sight
• Comes with our Burris Forever Warranty^™

Dylan Sacks (19)

On this cold, cloudy day, I shot the Windham Weaponry VEX wood-stocked MSR. This unique rifle with its wood furniture was outstanding. The trigger was a bit heavy, about a 5-lb. pull, but the break was clean. Its accuracy was phenomenal, allowing me to hit a popper at 100 yards offhand with no problem. There was almost no recoil, which surprised me for a rifle with a non-threaded barrel. All in all, I’d say, sure, I wouldn’t mind adding a Windham to my collection.

The Windham VEX was matched with a Burris XTRII scope. I own a MTAC 1-4, and I honestly think the XTRII is a better scope. Both scopes hold up well. The horseshoe reticle on the XTRII makes taking accurate shots a breeze over the MTACs’ point-and-shoot style circle dot reticle. The illumination makes taking close shots a bit easier and faster, though normally I would leave it off. The only down side I see to the XTRII is the cap for the battery also acts as a turret for the illumination switch. This causes the shooter to loosen the cap as he switches brightness settings. Other than this small issue, the Burris XTRII is a wonderful scope; I definitely see one in my future.

Ricky Marston (13)

I recently had the opportunity to shoot a Windham Weaponry MSR (AR-15.) It had a beautiful laminated wood stock and a 16-inch fluted barrel. It also had a BCM charging handle. Overall, I thought that the gun shot pretty well. I tried a variety of different types of ammo with this gun, and all seemed to perform accurately when I shot it. One difference in comparison to other MSRs that I have recently shot is it is quite a bit heaver and bulkier. As an avid shooter, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this gun to others in the competition field. I believe it would make an even better hunting gun!

“Windham Weaponry is proud to offer the highest quality rifles made
anywhere. As testament to that quality, we back our rifles with a Lifetime
Warranty to the original owner. That Warranty is also transferrable to
subsequent owners. See www.windhamweaponry.com for complete details.”

VEX Wood Stocked Series – Nutmeg Specifications

1. Model: R20FSSFTWS-2
2. Caliber: .223 Rem.
3. Type: Rifle
4. Price MSRP: $1,480
5. Action: Semi-Automatic, Gas Impingement System
6. Capacity: 5 + 1- Ships with one 5 Round Magazine (accepts all std. sizes)
7. Safety: Manual Lever with Indicator Markings on Both Sides of Receiver
8. Receiver: A4 Type Flat Top Upper Receiver with Optics Riser Blocks
9. Receiver Material: Forged 7075 T6 Aircraft Aluminum with Aluminum Trigger Guard
10. Receiver Finish: Hardcoat Coyote Anodize
11. Bolt Material: Carpenter 158 Steel
12. Barrel: 20” Stainless Steel – Fluted – Matte Finish – w. Sling Stud
13. Barrel Material: Precision 416R Stainless Steel
14. Chamber: Compass Lake Spec. with Matched Bolt
15. Rifling: 1 Turn in 8” – Right Hand Twist
16. Stock/Forend: Laminated Wood – Nutmeg
17. Weight: 8.35 pounds
18. Length Overall: 38.1875 inches
19. Pistol Grip: Hogue OverMolded Rubber Pistol Grip
20. Rear Sight: None – Ready for Optics of Choice on Picatinny Rail Platform
21. Front Sight: None – Picatinny Rail Platform
22. Packaging: Hard Plastic Gun Case with Black Web Sling & Operators Manual

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