Rifle Shooter – July 2019

supported shooting in an ultra-stiff

brown laminate to ensure the

fully-floating barrels remains that way

regardless of supporting style or

moderator mass.

A semi beavertail fore-end offers

plenty of flat bottom to rest on bags

and twin studs are located if a bipod

and sling are preferred.

Neatly applied stippling is presented

on either side for excellent grip without

excessive dirt-gathering depth or visual

vulgarity and a similar characteristic

layout sits either side of the grip. This

shows gentle ambidextrous palm swell

and the gun is easily shot from either

shoulder, which is good as no

left-hander is currently available.

The comb shows no specific

cheekpiece and, for a factory rifle,

rides quite high in relation to the bolt’s

path. I was using a 34mm tubed scope

without any access to super-low rings,

but a 30mm unit will be far easier to

keep lower to the action and barrel

because the included Picatinny rail is

quite thick and atop a meaty

action profile. Not

specifically a fault,

just something to look

out for when adding

your optic.

A swamped

underside is shown

on the butt, allowing

for plentiful

supporting hand space or

use of a rear bag within that

hand’s grasp. It’s a superb layout

on a medium-weight production

varminter, made even better by the fact

the rear sling stud is positioned within

the angled slope of the butt, so with a

sling attached, the bag rider remains

clear to the rear and/or you can grasp

the sling within your supporting fist for

a firmer hold. A piece of foam pipe

lagging threaded over your sling in this

position makes for a light, hand filling

support on any sporting rifle so don’t

be afraid to try it for pennies.

A solid rubber recoil pad has twin

screws fastening it to the butt, so

»

26 http://www.rifleshootermagazine.co.uk

ON TEST  Lithgow Arms LA102 Centrefire Rifle, Laminate Stock in .223 Remington

HORNADY VARMINT EXPRESS

http://www.edgarbrothers.com

01625 613177

RELOADING COMPONENTS

Sierra 69gr TMK bullets

http://www.highlandoutdoors.co.uk

01858 880491

VIHTAVOURI N140 AND

STARLINE BRASS

http://www.hannamsreloading.com

01977 681639

AMMO USED

RRPs

Lithgow Arms

LA102, £1192.99

Sig Sauer Tango 6

Riflescope, £2629.95

AimSport Triton 50 II

moderator, £348.99

ABOVE: The mag isn’t

quite flush fitting but

its forward

positioned catch

gives easy access to

changeovers

LEFT: Copious

threadlock tends to

dissuade adjustment.

I’d have it straight off

and tweaked