For quite a while now, I’ve been wanting to shoot a mile. A few years ago, I shot a 1000 yards for the first time, and I was immediately hooked. Long-range shooting is thrilling in a way that is sometimes hard to convey to those who have never done it. The skill involved in calculating the drop and wind to make a bullet fly that far and land on target is very rewarding. After making that first 1000-yard shot, it wasn’t terribly long after that I started thinking about going further. Now, it’s a pretty big jump from 1000 yards to 1760 a mile, so lots of things have to be considered. Most guns and calibers that work great at 1000 yards are going to fall a little short at a mile. I also used this as the perfect excuse to check off a very big gun that I’ve had on my wish list for a very long time, The Barrett MRAD.
Barrett MRAD SMR Rifle
This is the Barrett MRAD SMR Rifle, and MRAD stands for multi-role adaptive design. This particular model is what they refer to as an SMR and more on that in a minute. The MRAD is a precision rifle that has been designed from the ground up to be both modular and have extreme precision. Also, being a Barrett, the MRAD is built tough enough for military use. The MRAD itself was designed to meet the requirements laid out in 2009 by SOCOM for their new sniper rifle. Barrett made the changes for the requirements to their model 98B. The stock had to be foldable, and the barrel had to be easily interchangeable. This system allows the user in the field to just loosen two hex screws and change the barrel or caliber allowing the rifle to adapt to whatever role is required.
In 2019, SOCOM awarded Barrett the contract designating the MRAD as the M22 ASR or advanced sniper rifle. The military will be getting the MK22, and it will come with barrels for 308 Winchester, 300 Norma Magnum, and 338 Norma Magnum. As I’ve always said, if it’s good enough for SOCOM, it’s good enough for me. So, of course, the announcement of the MK22 made me want an MRAD even more. Every major long-range precision rifle manufacturer competed for this highly sought-after contract, with the most stringent requirements for repeatable accuracy at extremely long ranges. Only one prevailed; Barrett.
This particular MRAD is referred to as an SMR or single-mission rifle. Unfortunately, it is missing a couple of key features from the full-on MRAD. The barrel doesn’t easily interchange, the stock also doesn’t fold, and the stock isn’t adjustable for length of pull. You could think of this as the MRAD for the poors because it is significantly cheaper than a normal MRAD. You could also think of it as the re-branded Barrett Model 98B, but at least for 2020, it is the only configuration that offers 300 PRC for a chambering. Now, at first, I was a little put off because I didn’t realize the differences. I just wanted an MRAD chambered in 300PRC and was a little confused when this showed up. But, after the initial shock, I’m totally happy with the SMR configuration. This rifle has done everything I could have ever wanted it to, and I saved a little money initially.
Live Inventory Price Checker
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Leupold Mark 5HD 7-35x56 (35mm) M5C3 FFP Illum. Tremor 3 Riflescope 177333 | EuroOptic.com | $ 3299.99 |
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LEUPOLD Quick Draw Retractable Tether System | KYGUNCO | $ 49.99 |
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Leupold 117611 Alumina Flip-Back Scope Cover 36mm Leupold VX-6 Aluminum Black | DEGuns | $ 73.29 |
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Leupold 174071 QRW2 Rings Leupold Cross Slot Base 1 High Black Matte | BattleHawk Armory | $ 121.99 $ 63.51 |
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Both versions of the MRAD have this very unique enclosed polymer guide around the bolt. This does a couple of things; first, it ensures a very silky smooth bolt operation, while at the same time it keeps dust and debris away from the action. There’s a completely adjustable match grade trigger, tool-less adjustable cheek riser, and 45-degree throw safety located in virtually the same position as an AR, making it instantly familiar. All of that is housed in a monolithic receiver with a full-length top rail, complete with a built-in taper for extreme long range and MLOK slots at 3. 6. and 9 o’clock. As this one came from Barrett, it has a 26-inch barrel with a 1 in 8” twist; the overall length comes in right at 49 and a half inches, with a weight of 13.4 pounds before any accessories.
When I set out to pick a caliber for a mile shot, I first wanted to pick something I knew could reach out that far. Being my first time trying to make a shot at that distance, I didn’t want to take something that I only hoped would make it. The first round to come in mind is always 338 Lapua Magnum, and that’s a great round, but if you’ve ever priced ammo, for that, it’s a bit insane. I started looking into Hornady’s 300 Precision Rifle Cartridge. It offered several things that very much appealed to me for this application.
First, out of my barrel length 300 PRC won’t go subsonic till about 1900 yards, meaning that it will be very stable through a mile shot at 1760 yards. Also, the rounds are far more affordable than 338 Lapua Magnum. You can buy the Hornady Match ammo for just over $2 dollars a round, less than half what match grade 338 Lapua Magnum costs, and basically, that’s cheaper than subsonic 300 Blackout in the current market. 2020 ammo prices are completely insane. But in all seriousness, the relative affordability of this round, when compared to 338 or some other crazy expensive rounds that some people shoot a mile with, made this possible for me and my budget. To break it down for someone who understands things at about the level I do, 300 PRC is a little more powerful than 300 Win Mag, and a little less powerful than 338 Lapua Magnum. It propels a 225-grain bullet down range at a little over 2900 feet per second, and that bullet stays supersonic to roughly 1900 yards, significantly past a mile at 1760 yards. This means the trajectory will be stable, and if I can’t make the shot, I can’t blame the ammo. Like 6.5 Creedmoor, the round was also designed specifically for precision shooting and accuracy.
The Barrett MRAD is an absolute pleasure to shoot; it is razor-accurate, the controls are perfectly placed, the bolt action is silky smooth, and the trigger is phenomenal. As it should be, this rifle isn’t cheap; you expect it to perform, and it won’t disappoint. Really, there is only one complaint, and it’s not really a complaint about the rifle, but something I think you should know if you’re considering purchasing one. The Barrett MRAD in 300 PRC greatly prefers the Hornady Match 225 grain loading of 300PRC, and it doesn’t really like Precision Hunter offering. It’s easily sub-MOA with the Match offering, but groups opened up a surprising amount with the precision hunter loading.
As a true testament to the superior build quality of this rifle, the accessories we used, and the great ballistics of the 300 PRC round, not only was I able to make my mile shot, but everyone that we brought with us was able to make contact with a 24×24 inch piece of steel at 1 mile. The experienced shooters present appreciated the build quality and extreme precision of the Barret MRAD, but what impressed me, even more, was that the more novice shooters were able to make a mile shot with the Barrett MRAD. This gun flat-out performs, and it is very easy to see why the Department of Defense chose this platform.
In closing, I’ll just reiterate that the MRAD and all the accessories that we had on it are absolutely top-notch, and if you’re looking for something along these lines, I would highly recommend all of it. But, I want to take this moment to tell you that if someone told me a few years ago I would be shooting a mile, I would have told them that they’re crazy, and that’s something Larry Vickers or someone like that gets to do. For me, this was a pretty big accomplishment and something I quite literally thought I wouldn’t be capable of doing. I set a goal, and I pursued it. While shooting a mile may not be your thing, you should set lofty goals in your own life and then pursue them passionately. Sometimes, the biggest obstacles in life are ones that we create ourselves.
Live Inventory Price Checker
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Barrett MRAD SMR .338 Lapua Mag Bolt Action Rifle, 26" Barrel, Gray - 18480 | Palmetto State Armory | $ 8714.99 $ 6448.99 |
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BARRETT MRAD SMR 308 Win 24" 10rd Bolt Rifle + Fluted Barrel & 2-Port Muzzle Brake | Grey | KYGUNCO | $ 4237.99 |
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Barrett MRAD SMR .338 Lapua Mag Bolt Action Rifle, 26" Barrel, Gray - 18480 | Palmetto State Armory | $ 8714.99 $ 6448.99 |
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Barrett MRAD SMR 338 Lapua Mag 10+1 26" Match Grade Barrel Gray Tactical Rifle - 18504 | DEGuns | $ 4385.00 |
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At Hastings, Nebraska at the NRA High Power matches, we shoot 600 yards.
On several occasions, we shot at 1000 yards.
ALL OF THOSE with open sights, as we were shooting Service Rifle (AR-15 20 inch rifle) in the 1990s.
I have taken High Overall on two occasions, there.
Skill training and carry through are so important.
Program your brain correctly and you will win.
Now that I am 69 years…….I love my 16 power scope.
As for me, anything over 300 yards I call in an air strike !
Price not mentioned so us common folk can’t afford it since we have to ask.
A competitor firearm blog mentioned the price.
I looked it up. MSRP on the MRAD SMR will be $4,995. Coming soon.
That’s not cheap but also not out of bounds, if you want one of the best. So instead of buying 5 or more, just save & buy one.
The full MRAD is $6150 MSRP, although I have bought several NIBs for friends in the mid-$4000. The $1150 premium for the full MRAD over the SMR is the best spent money of the purchase with caliber change capability, folding/adjustable stock. Don’t be penny wise and feature foolish. Save a couple extra months and get the real deal. I have six…full MRAD rainbow of colors….including the MK22….and absolutely love them.
I dropped a doe from 1,300 yards (3/4th of a mile) on our property in Louisiana, using a Ruger bolt action 308 and a cheap weaver scope. The scope was sighted in at 250 yards for antelope hunting in SD. After seeing movement in the distance, I looked through the scope and essentially eyeballed how many 250 yard segments would equal the distance. I carefully held the crosshairs 4 feet above the doe’s sweet spot and squeezed off a round. My son and his cousin were behind me in a deer stand, but making so much noise I was pretty… Read more »
When I lived in Massachusetts, going to college, I remember hunters BRAGGING about the “great sound shot I got”. A “sound shot” is SHOOTING where you heard a sound. No, I never hunted in Pilgrim land…no freakin way. The lead singer in a band I was in had a girlfriend from New York, a lawyer. I brought over my Israeli FALO, my Hebrew Hammer. She asked if it was a gun, as I opened the case. I said “No..It is not A gun..it is THE gun!” When the case opened exposing this huge rifle on its bipod, she turned in… Read more »
New Yorker, lawyer, Liberal….triple threat moron on steriods.
I’ve heard the term “sound shot” in Pennsyltucky several times, and come across more deer carcasses than I care to think about. Friend of mine lost an eye to a pre-dawn sound shot.WTF?
The ballistic tables show that a 308 round, zeroed at 300 yds, for virtually any bullet weight, drops about 400 inches at 1000 yds. That is about 33 feet. If you held 4 feet over the doe’s sweet spot, you probably had a shot between 500 and 600 yds. Sorry but the numbers do not work.
Seven Rem mag, 140g Berger VLD @3,380 fps, Leatherwood 6×24, zero@ 250yds. Pulls 65 moa @ 1 mile. Energy on target is about equal to 9mm @ muzzle. Recoil is very manageable, ammo is way cheaper and more so if you roll your own. Prints 5/16″ @ 100 c to c. Weigh everything; powder, case and bullet. Bullets and powder should be exact as in zero weight difference and marked. Cases neck sized, primer pocket flash removed and chambered. Turn case neck, trim to length, champher case mouth inside and out and then seperate by weight of 1/10 g. Use… Read more »
Larry Vickers won’t be doing any long-range shooting anymore. They’re throwing him into the democrat gulag.
I own an MRAD in 338 Lapua Magnum. The cost of the cartridges isn’t a huge factor because on a typical day at the 1000 yard range we might fire 25-30 rounds. Also, the “A” in MRAD stands for adaptive so I could switch to a 300 Win Mag, .308, etc but I have no desire to do that. While you like the SMR because the military does, the added features of the original MRAD are a bonus. It’s a very long rifle. The folding stock is great for transporting it. You mention the cost savings. I learned many years… Read more »
Owning a rifle such as this is a life choice. It requires more training and practice than any other firearm on the market. Over and above the cost to shoot it. Unless someone intends to become a serious shooter. It’s nothing more than like having a high $$$ car. You never drive.
NOT….military is replacing the 50BMG Barrett M82/M107 with the 338 Norma Magnum. Cartridge development will yield a round close in performance to the 50BMG Raufoss. Lighter rifle….15 lbs MRAD vs 28lbs M107A1…32lbs M107/M82…..means the rifle will be taken into field. 50BMGs get left in the armory often due to weight. lighter ammo equals more ammo rounds carried afield. More accuracy with almost equivalent terminal performance. At ELR distances, waiting for round impact to make adjustments allows working the bolt on the MRAD and losing no round count on target.with aimed fire. The KING IS DEAD!!!!