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/some_guy2024]

Chamber really only matters for running 5.56 which can get you over-pressure in a .223 chamber.

[u/Elbro_16 → u/some_guy2024]

I believe it only over pressures because bullet can jam into throat, but I’ve yet to see a modern 223 chamber that jammed on a 5.56 round.

[u/some_guy2024 → u/Elbro_16]

It’s not a matter of the bullet jamming into the lands since .223 and 5.56 gave the same OAL. I wanna say that the increased freebore in a 5.56 chamber vs a .223 chamber keeps the peak pressure lower.

[u/Elbro_16 → u/some_guy2024]

But I’ve heard 5.56 can have different o give? That’s why they say if bolt doesn’t close easy don’t fire it

[u/some_guy2024 → u/Elbro_16]

Naw, OAL is the same in .223 as in 5.56 because it’s all designed to fit in an AR mag. I’ve run 75s loaded way too long to fit in an AR mag in a bolt gun and never hit the lands. 5.56 and .223 brass are dimensionally the same and the bullets are seated at the same OAL, 5.56 is just loaded hotter and the chamber has more freebore.