Crusader Backland Hunter precision testing

[u/some_guy2024]

A friend of mine has a couple Crusader Arms Backland Hunter elites so I borrowed one to do some precision testing. I was quite curious to see how it would do seeing as I’ve done the same kinda testing on pretty much every model they’ve released (WS-MCR, Sentinel, Crypto) and was rather impressed by how tight the MCR shot (10rnds of 75gr handloads into 1.5 moa) despite how crude it was. The Sentinel was a bit of a dog with a wandering zero and the Crypto was a hammer (only the receiver was stock and it had a legit match barrel on it).

As far as I’m concerned, any .223/5.56 semi that will keep 10rnds of match ammo sub 2moa is a legit 600yd gun when equipped with a suitable optic (1-8/10, 2-10, etc).

So I mounted a Vortex Razor Gen 2 4.5-27, an MDT Send it and Grndpod and got to it.

I shot a 10rnd group of American Eagle 55gr 5.56, my 55gr Campro plinking load (26.5 BLC-2) and my go to match load (Hornady 75gr BTHP over 23.9gr N150) that shot 1/2moa in my bolt gun, 1 moa in a Crypto and used to shoot 1.5 moa in a Colt 6920.

The 55gr performance was terrible, the AE was approx 4.5 moa and my handloads were approx 6 moa. I dunno that I’ve ever shot a semi that grouped that loose, haha. So despite having zero expectations at this point the 75gr load was outstanding. 10rnds into 1.05 moa. I’m not sure how a rifle can fare so poorly with 55gr ammo and hammer with 75s but it is what it is 🤷🏼‍♂️. I then shot the 75gr ammo at some of my practice targets at 400, 420, 465 and 625 yds and made 1st round hits till the last target (wind was blowing pretty good, needed 2.0 mils of wind to hit)

As an aside I had zero malfs over about 65 rounds which is obviously a tiny sample size but it’s something. The trigger is pretty bad but I guess not much worse than a GI trigger. Unless I’m missing something the safety is kind of a pita. Easy to push off when shouldering the rifle but awkward to re-engage when lowering the rifle. I also can’t reach the mag release without breaking my grip. If you look at the primers on all the ammo you’ll note that they are visibly cratered despite being mild loads (the handloads, that is). I recall the same issue with a WS-MCR that was solved by getting the firing pin hole bushed. Food for thought, I guess.

[u/GodsGiftToWrenching]

Whats the twist? 1:8 or 1:7 probably eh? If so 69 grains projectiles would be probably ideal for a 1:8 twist and if it' 1:7 that explains why 55 grain loads are giant while 75 grain is minty. I will say I'm impressed that the 75 grain projectiles group just over an moa. How many of shots per group? Best group I can get out of a ruger american ranch gen 2 is 1.5 at 100 meters with 10 shot groups of 69 grain SMK's

[u/some_guy2024 → u/GodsGiftToWrenching]

There’s no indication of twist rate on the barrel. I’ve shot plenty of 55gr ammo in 1:7tw barrels across many platform and never seen it shoot so poorly but it is what it is. All groups were 10 rounds as I don’t really think 5rnd groups are very indicative of the average level of precision of a carbine (unless you composite a couple groups).

[u/GodsGiftToWrenching → u/some_guy2024]

Fair enough, I have heard of alleged results from a Bren 2 where 55 grain was massive and 75 grain reels in well because of the NATO 1:7 twist, but WK-180's were better with 55 grain and 6X grain projectiles, a 1:9 would be best for 55 grain, or whatever the Colt SP-1 has, that is a laser beam

Oh perfect, 10 rounds groups are proper, I hate when people do "accuracy" tests but only do 5 or 3 round groups

[u/some_guy2024 → u/GodsGiftToWrenching]

Yeah, I think you end up getting pretty big variations from barrel to barrel (regardless of twist rate). The WS-MCR I shot grouped 55s decent but hammered 75s, I shot some M855 and 75s through a WK but can’t recall how it grouped. Was good enough to consistently hit a 12” square at 400yds (cause that’s what it was used for as a stage gun at a match I was running).

I’m pretty sure the SP-1 had a 1:12tw like the original M16 & M16A1.