clusters but close. Velocity was 2,980
fps showing excellent consistency.
I had also been sent some 69gr
Sierra TMK bullets to experiment with.
These are an ideal weight to optimise
longer-range windage stability in the 9"
twist rate so topping Vihtavouri N140,
in Starline Brass with a CCI BR4
primer, I was more than pleased to
reach 2,860 fps with no adverse
pressure signs on my first ladder test
outing. This was with “top book data”
and I despise that phrase as that book
was written with a specific barrel on a
test bed, so don’t always take them as
gospel truth in the infinite world of
other riles that data might be used in.
Experimentation with seating depth
is definitely worthwhile for ultimate
precision, but be prepared to sacrifice
magazine function and resort to
single-loading the ammunition if you
exceed the maximum magazine C.O.L.
capacity of 2.410". An AimSport Triton
50 II moderator was supplied and be
sure of the thread your rifle is delivered
with as the website does list an
alternative imperial size. This
moderated well, especially with the
handloaded 69gr bullets and, at longer
ranges, dialling the turrets of the Tango
Scope made for a gun test that was an
easy and enjoyable foray shooting and
this says a lot to me. Not everyone has
the knowledge or experience to specify
and shoot a new rifle that is full of
intricacies and surprise, so likely ease
of use for them is indicated to me by a
gun I just enjoy the use of without any
set-up hassle or ammunition caveats.
It was easy to clean; the borescope
revealed a well-made barrel with no
lurking blemishes revealed and that
barrel will remain fully floating at all
times thanks to the stiff fore-end.
All inletting of the stock was neatly
machined to complement the smoothly
finished gun’s underside profile and
slick Cerakote surface surface. The
recoil lug slots into the underside ofthe receiver where the barrel tenon’s
threads are partially exposed, but one
thing to note is that the rear of the twin
action screws fits into a dovetailed
escutcheon which allows better lateral
alignment of the action in the stock.
When the screw is removed, it will
loosen this escutcheon so be careful
not to drop and lose it.
Bottom ‘metal’ around the magazine
and trigger guard is polymer but
spacious for gloved fingers in thetrigger guard without issue; its black
finish complements the matt silver of
the barrelled action and black safety
catch. My only real caution is that
although the Cerakote steel is
incredibly well protected against
corrosion, the polished steel of the bolt
itself is not, and an hour shooting in
the rain exposed staining from the
water droplets within a further hour so
keep that bolt lightly oiled for long
service life.28 http://www.rifleshootermagazine.co.uk»
ON TEST Lithgow Arms LA102 Centrefire Rifle, Laminate Stock in .223 Remington
The Lithgow is
a well-priced
alternative to
some brands
that don’t
show as much
quality control
or design
ingenuity and
I found this
rifle quite
characterful
without cheap
folded metallic
components.
The
specification
as a light
varminter fitted
well and I think
a 9" twist rate
on the barrel
really highlights
the forward
thinking of
Lithgow for a
capable rifle.
Just get that
trigger tweaked
by a pro!VERDICT
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
WEIGHT: 4.05kg (8.9lb)
OVERALL LENGTH: 1,075 mm (42.5")
BARREL: Cold-hammer forged. Medium sporter profile
BARREL LENGTH: 560 mm (22"), 1 in 9" twist rate
MUZZLE THREAD: m14 x 1
RECEIVER: High-tensile steel with plate recoil lug. Picatinny.
STOCK: Brown laminate, free-floating barrel with 3 sling studs
LENGTH OF PULL: 345mm (13.5")
TRIGGER: Single stage non-adjustable breaking at ~1275gr
SAFETY: Three position, bolt shroud mounted, bolt locking
MAGAZINE: Detachable single-stack polymer box magazineCONTACT
Highland Outdoors
01858 880491
http://www.highland
outdoors.co.ukTOP: The stippling
strikes a nice
compromise between
grip and looksABOVE: If you push
the C.O.L. on heavy
.223 bullets, stay
within 2.410" to
retain a smooth
magazine feedRIGHT: Chris really
liked the profile of
the stiff laminate
fore-end, easily
supported without
excessive bulk