Transform your build for any purpose with the LSS GEN3 Chassis. Swap out grips, forends, buttstocks, and buttstock interfaces without removing your action and losing your zero.
Hunting. It's one of the most basic and innate forms of human nature. For thousands of years, hunting meant survival. It's how society was formed. Today, there is a disconnect in how our food gets to our refrigerators and tables, and for most, hunting has become a pastime rather than a necessity. In a recent video, Leupold brought YouTube personality, 2a Activist, and lawyer Colion Noir out to experience the thrill and the hardship of the hunt. Colion Noir is best known for his YouTube channel, Colion Noir, where he reviews new products, dissects court rulings, and discusses the importance of the 2nd Amendment.ABOUT LEUPOLD OPTICSLeupold Optics is a brand that is bigger than its product line. The company and its people live, breathe, and eat the things their consumers do. Unsurprisingly, they have a facility perfect for tuning up before a big game hunt that includes rifle setup and optics sight in, a flat range proving ground, and a dynamic range to practice hiking and shooting from uncomfortable positions. Colion learns the basics of backpack hunting in the hills and mountains of the American West. For many Eastern Hunters, hiking over thousands of acres of untamed wilderness to stalk and hunt is a dream—and Colion is living it. While the exact details of the rifle are unclear, the rifle appears to be a custom action and carbon-fiber barrel sitting in an MDT HNT26 chassis. The glass, of course, is from Leupold and comes from their VX-6 line—Leupold's highest tier in their hunting line. While the video overviews an amazing experience, connecting man and beast, it also highlights Leupold's line of products—from optics and binoculars to chest harnesses that keep everything close at hand.THE HUNTHiking over rough terrain is hard. Adding the logistics of carrying everything on your back, including a rifle and handgun, makes the experience all that more exhausting. But the serenity of nature substantiates the experience—or, as Colion describes it, "beautiful misery." Conversely, the video's highlight isn't Colion talking about his youth or experiences or even the products showcased, but the cinematography of the hunt. The beauty of nature, the peace and idyllic presence of the world, and inner peace are breathtakingly captured. All of this erupts into a conclusion that can only be described as reverence—a deep respect for the game taken, the challenges that were overcome, and the momentary realization of taking life. It's that deep respect that drives hunters. It was an experience that Colion craved. It was the connection he needed. While the urban lifestyle brings the immediacy of interaction, hunting in the mountains brings something entirely beautiful—inner peace.Check out Colion Noir's epic hunt, titled Colion Noir's FIRST Elk Hunt – Leupold Behind the Core, and all of the other epic adventure videos Leupold creates. More information about the MDT HNT26 Chassis System can be found here.RECENT MDT MENTIONS! Mountains, Mullets, Merica! Shorty 6.5 CreedmoorTeam MDT Wins the PRS Rimfire National Finale!Long Range Beginners: Tips & TricksSheep Hunting in Kyrgyzstan3,000 YARD TIKKA 7 SAUM RIFLEAndy Slade Wins The 2023 AG Cup!ABOUT THE AUTHORI have worked in the firearms industry for 11 years and counting. What started as a part-time job during undergrad has become a career. In that time, I have been lucky to work with some incredible people and companies. I also completed a Master of Arts in History from Cleveland State University. When I am not shooting, reloading, or working on my firearms, I am reading, writing, and tinkering with Legos.
I picked up some budget-level .308 caliber bullets recently. They came packed in 100-count plastic bags and were labeled as being 147-grain, full metal jacket, boattail design, with a cannelure. Clearly not match bullets, but intended for volume shooting, they were nearly half the price of offerings from the major bullet companies. The bullets look great, but before working up some loads for these shiny new projectiles, I couldn't help wondering how much quality control was involved in their manufacture. So, it seemed an easy test would be to measure the weight variation present in a handful of them. I'm no statistician, but I know it's necessary to weigh a considerable number, likely at least 30, before arriving at a reasonable conclusion. A good rule of thumb for any sampling/measuring exercise is to keep sampling until a classic bell curve is formed. Then, we're likely to see a valid statistical result. Using a laboratory-grade scale capable of measuring 0.02 grains and then rounding the result to 0.1 grains, I weighed 50 bullets and got the result shown below. The plus and minus symbols indicate bullets heavier or lighter than the indicated weight. Clearly, these bullets are a bit heavier than the advertised 147 grains, with the majority falling between 148.0- and 148.3 grains. With a weight difference between the two extremes of 1.0 grain, that's not too bad for budget bullets. But then I realized I didn't have any figures to compare this against. And that's when I started down a rabbit hole. Just how consistent are the weights of modern rifle bullets? I didn't have anything comparable to these bullets in my collection, so I looked for some simple, basic hunting bullets, i.e., no polymer tips, no boattails, no bonding. Settling on some Hornady .30 caliber, 150-grain round nose, flat base bullets, with cannelure, I weighed out 50 of those as well. That was surprising, as I really didn't expect a level of consistency showing just 0.5-grain as an extreme spread. To me, that seems like a great result for what is a low-cost, short-range hunting bullet. Of course, then I just had to try a match bullet. A look at my bullet shelf turned up some 6.5mm, Sierra 130-grain, Tipped Match King bullets. These have always shot well in my Creedmoor, so I weighed 50 of them with the following result. This certainly suggests Sierra has weight consistency figured out in their TMK line. And let's remember these are complicated, three-component bullets in that they have a lead core, a gilding metal jacket, and a polymer tip. After all, it would seem reasonable that the more complicated the bullet is, the more difficult it is to keep weight consistent. That led me to think about bonded, three-component bullets, like Nosler's AccuBond, a hunting bullet with a great reputation for accuracy and weight retention. Not only do they have three components, but they also undergo a bonding process that "attaches" the lead core to the jacket. I found an unopened box of .30 caliber 165-grain AccuBonds in my collection and weighed them with the following result. They came in a little heavier than advertised at around 165.6 grains, with enough outliers to make an extreme spread of 0.7-grain. Can we assume the more elaborate construction is responsible for the outliers? Maybe. Okay, one more then. I decided to weigh the simplest bullets of all, mono-metal lathe-turned bullets constructed only of copper alloy. Barnes is well known for producing these bullets, and I have most of a box (43) of 6.5mm 130-grain TSX Flat Base bullets. These bullets count on the hollow point in the tip to initiate expansion, so they really are single-component slugs. My weight sorting produced the following result. Overall, they were a touch lighter than advertised, with a 0.6-grain extreme spread—an interesting result. After all this, I've learned more about the weight consistency of modern bullets, including what great results look like. Overall, these findings suggest manufacturers are doing a really great job of producing consistent-weight bullets. However, as for a practical application, I'm not convinced there is much of one. Even the 1.0-grain spread of the budget blaster bullets that started this journey isn't enough to create a practical difference in trajectory except at the most extreme of ranges. And since those outliers are only 0.5-grain away from the average, it makes even less of a difference. Additionally, it's important not to extrapolate these findings too widely, as the numbers could change significantly with the next lot number. What we can perhaps say is that modern quality rifle bullets should have less than 0.5% variation in weight. All the above made that standard, except for those budget bullets, and they didn't miss by much. Now, if you want to weight sort the bullets you use, go ahead; at least you'll have something to compare the results to. I'm just going to shoot all these bullets.
MDT is proud to announce its return to the 2025 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits, taking place April 24–27 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Georgia. With over 14 acres of exhibits and thousands of Second Amendment supporters expected to attend, the NRA Show is one of the year's largest and most exciting events—and MDT is bringing some serious innovation to Booth #1163. Attendees will get a close look at some of the company's most anticipated new products. One standout is the MDT LSS Gen 3 Chassis System, a highly modular platform designed for flexibility across a wide range of shooting applications. Built around a central chassis core that mates directly to the rifle action, the LSS Gen 3 allows shooters to configure their rifle with interchangeable handguards and buttstocks to fit their exact needs—whether it's for hunting, tactical use, recreational shooting, or competition. Also being shown off at the booth is the updated Gen2 SendIt Level. Building on the success of the original model, this latest version features a smaller form factor and an attachable ocular housing. It offers a streamlined, adaptable leveling system that gives shooters more mounting options and cleaner integration with optics setups. MDT is also exhibiting several products designed with hunters in mind. The MDT HUNT Brake is a lightweight muzzle brake engineered to reduce felt recoil and muzzle rise, making it an ideal choice for lightweight hunting rifles. For those looking for a traditional look with modern performance, the MDT TIMBR Core offers a sporter-style wood stock with an adjustable length of pull and a built-in micro aluminum chassis that requires no bedding. To complement the TIMBR Core and other factory stocks, MDT will also be showing the Core Bottom Metal—compatible with AICS-patterned magazines and designed to fit Remington 700 SA (M5 Badger profile), Tikka T3/T3x SA (CTR profile), Savage SA (current 110 profiles), and MDT's own TIMBR Core and CRBN Stock. It weighs just 0.21 lbs, delivering strength without bulk. On the accessories side, MDT has two new ultralight bipods ideal for mountain and backcountry use. The MDT Backcountry Bipod weighs only 5 oz with a Picatinny interface, while the Mountain Bipod comes in at 5.6 oz for Picatinny and 5.9 oz for ARCA. Both feature twist-lock legs that extend from 4" to 15", combining compact storage with versatile deployment. MDT is also showing off The Champion, a purpose-built shooting pack aimed at long-range competitive shooters. It's designed to help competitors move efficiently between stages, carry all their gear, and set up quickly from a consistent shooting position—all from the same pack. In the gun maintenance department, MDT is exhibiting Nanoguard, a gun cleaning and lubrication solution featuring patented spherical tungsten nanotechnology. These microscopic particles create a low-friction, protective surface that keeps bolts and other moving parts operating smoothly under all conditions. Whether you're a competitive shooter, hunter, or firearms enthusiast, MDT's booth is a must-visit for anyone serious about performance, modularity, and innovation.
Extreme Long Range, or ELR as commonly known, is the sport of taking shots at targets that exceed a mile. Some of you may have heard of an event called King of 2 Miles, where competitors from all over attempt to hit targets at increasing distances. In this event, and others like it, popular cartridges such as 375 Cheytac, 338 Edge, 338 Lapua, and other purpose-built ELR calibers dominate. But what about ELR with a more, well, historic cartridge? More specifically, what about a round that has been involved in nearly every conflict for almost a century? That’s what MarkandSam AfterWork are trying to achieve in their latest video. But instead of distances like a mile or two thousand yards, they aim for hits at 3,000 yards. Hailing from Down Under, Mark and Sam, the owners of 4AW in York, Western Australia (a specialty shop offering ELR solutions), are looking to stretch the limits of the famed 303 British. It’s a cartridge that proved infallible during two World Wars and has since been relegated to the tomes of history, but it has been rejuvenated to test its limits. Anyone who has attempted shots at extremely long range knows the sport requires specialty equipment. For Mark and Sam, that includes specialty bipods, bag riders, a Zero Tech optic, TACOM HQ Charlie Tarac (which works similarly to a periscope and adds elevation, something that is a requirement for shots at extended distances), and a custom rifle. They took a HOWA 1500-long action for this project and had a heavy profile Swan barrel spun up. Once assembled, they mated the barreled action to an MDT Oryx chassis. This chassis provides the shooter with adjustments to offer the perfect fit—something that is essential for taking long shots—and increased rigidity with its aluminum chassis. The atmospherics must be perfect when shooting at these distances, especially with a round that pales compared to modern ELR cartridges. Too much mirage from a rising sun or just the right amount of left-to-right wind can turn an attempt like this upside down. Will Mark and Same achieve a first-round hit? Or will they have any success at all? Check out their video to find out! If you want more ELR content featuring unique guns and cartridges (like an 1874 Sharps Rifle), visit their channel.
The history of the M2010 (or XM2010) is bleak, short-lived, and follows a trajectory eerily like its maker, Remington Arms Co. In 2010, the storied gun maker was a shell of its former glory. Remington was operating on legacy and pedigree, not on reality. But before delving into the downfall of Remington and the demise of one of the most short-lived sniper systems in American history, we need to look at why the rifle was implemented and to do that; we need to first look back on the Global War on Terror in Afghanistan, circa 2010. A CHANGING BATTLESCAPE The Hindu Kush Mountain range stretches nearly 500 miles from northwestern Pakistan to southeastern Tajikistan and extends through central and eastern Afghanistan. This section of mountainous terrain is known as the Hindu Kush Himalayan Region (HKH). It serves as the dominant topography for embattled American soldiers fighting against Taliban and remnant al-Qaeda forces. As enemy combatants vacated the streets of Kabul and Kandahar, they fled to the historic mountain range as they did during the Soviet invasion of the 1970s and 1980s. This range provided a haven for fleeing troops and served as a base of operations for various militant groups. The terrain also rendered much of the American military's advantages moot. Like the Viet Cong of decades past who sought refuge in the steamy jungles of Southeast Asia, the Taliban regarded the Hindu Kush as an equalizer in their struggle against Western infidels. For patrolling American troops, the high angles and peaks, as well as the hidden caves and tunnels, meant Afghan combatants could fire on them from almost any distance. These extended distances presented significant challenges for Army snipers. Photo courtesy of DVIDS. The M24 SWS (as covered in a previous article) was a system based on 7.62x51mm. Commonly referred to as 308 Winchester, the effective range of the cartridges was around 800 meters. Depending on ammunition quality and atmospheric conditions, that distance is when 308 starts to go transonic and becomes unpredictable. A USA Today article from 2010 articulates that "…insurgents have been shooting down from ridges and mountain tops where gravity helps their bullets travel farther and beyond the range of Army snipers." This realization forced Army brass to solicit a contract to update the M24, whose thirty-year service was showing. THE M2010 SNIPER RIFLE The M2010 represented the Army's effort to modernize an existing platform. Army commanders recognized that enemy combatants were firing from increasing distances, utilizing the Hindu Kush mountains to their advantage, which severely hampered the Army's advance into the region. A larger caliber rifle was necessary to push existing boundaries. Fortunately for the Army, the M24 SWS was built on a Remington 700 long action (whereas the Marine Corps M40 was built on a short action), providing the Army with the flexibility to update the existing platform. As a result, the M2010 was chambered in the significantly larger 300 Winchester Magnum. This robust cartridge, known for its recoil and kinetic energy, extended effective ranges well beyond 1,200 yards. The outdated stock design of the M24 was also replaced with a modern aluminum chassis system featuring an adjustable right-hand folding stock and a full-length monolithic Picatinny rail on top, allowing for easy attachment of night vision and thermal clip-on devices (the chassis was known as the Remington Arms Chassis System or RACS). US ARMY Green Beret shooting the M2010 Sniper Rifle. Photo courtesy of DVIDS. Additionally, the enhanced Sniper Rifle included a Leupold Mark 4 6.5-20x50mm Extended Range/Tactical riflescope, an AAC suppressor, detachable box magazines, a case, a bipod, and the requisite tools to maintain the rifle—a truly upgraded package. Ammunition-wise, the rifle was tested with the older Mk248 MOD 0 (190-grain Sierra Matchking) and the newer Mk248 MOD 1 (a 220-grain Sierra Matchking that is ballistically superior), which confirmed the rifle's effectiveness at extended ranges. This increased range was further justified by Col. Douglas Tamilo, who manages weapons programs for the Army, stating, "They're not outgunning us, but they are putting our soldiers in a predicament where 800 meters (2,625) may not be enough." The M2010 erased that problem. Since the M2010 was based on an existing platform, the fielding of the weapons system was expedited. The Army issued a press release announcing the contract on September 30, 2010. In this press release, Army officials anticipated the new rifle would be deployed by Christmas that same year. "Within the space of a year, we were able to partner with industry to deliver a new capability for our snipers in combat," said Lt. Col. Chris Lehner, the product manager for individual weapons and a part of PEO Soldier. "The upgraded weapon system provides extended range for our snipers and incorporates the latest in weapons technology." The contract facilitated the update of 3,600 M24 systems and projected a service life of 10 years. Of course, as we know now, it fell short, but why did it? DOWNFALL OF THE M2010 The first reason was that it wasn't a dedicated sniper rifle designed from the ground up. By 2010, many sniper rifles in service worldwide were purpose-built platforms developed from the ground up (for example, look at Accuracy International and the Sako TRG-22/42). The genesis of the gun was the popular civilian Remington 700, a hunting rifle that dates to the Vietnam War. By the mid-2010s, the need for a more adaptable system was glaring. Additionally, electro-optics and standard scopes were progressing at a breakneck pace, necessitating a more versatile weapons system. Furthermore, our understanding of ballistics was also evolving. Using Doppler radar to study how bullets fly led to significant advancements in bullet design. In contrast, ballisticians examined shoulder angle and case efficiency to better utilize the new, longer, and sleeker aerodynamic bullets resulting from these advancements. This led to the development of cartridges like the 300 and 338 Norma Magnum, 6.5 Creedmoor, and the 300 PRC, all of which have been used on the modern battlefield. However, as conflict zones changed from urban to rural and shifted from the Middle East to parts of Europe, Africa, Asia, and beyond, the Army needed a sniper system that was equally adaptable, paving the way for a switch barrel system that accommodated a variety of mission sets. All of which left the M2010 behind. Photo courtesy of DVIDS. And then there is the elephant in the room: Remington. The Remington Arms that built the M40 and M24 sniper rifles was no longer the same. In 2007, private equity firm Cerberus Capital Management (which has changed its name many times, but most gun owners refer to it as Freedom Group) acquired Remington Arms for $370 million ($569 million today), including $252 million in assumed debt. It was the beginning of the death knell for one of the United States' most storied gun makers. Private equity firms have been the demise of many brands within the industry. When the DoD and the Army solicited Remington for the M2010 project, Remington was already on a downward trajectory. As new management entered the fold, the knowledge and wisdom of generations of gun builders faded. Over the next decade, Remington assumed $950 million in debt and eventually filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2020. All the parts were sold off. LEGACY OF THE M2010 The M2101 is ubiquitous, whose legacy may be shrouded by its maker's demise. The rifle itself succeeded in its intended mission. The need to challenge Taliban forces at extended ranges during the push into the Hindu Kush Mountain range was fulfilled by the M2010. However, the Global War on Terror constantly evolved, as did the firearm industry, which invested resources into the rapidly developing precision rifle sport that, of course, rolled over to military snipers. Perhaps the M2010 was considered outdated from its inception; moreover, I would argue that its short service life is more linked to cartridge development, changing military needs, and advancing technology. Barrett MK22. Photo courtesy of Barrett. Regardless, the rifle will still be in service in 2025 but will be phased out in favor of the MK22 MOD 0 from Barrett (which will be covered in the future). The M2010 was truly an "in-between" rifle that served as a quick solution. Nevertheless, for collectors and military historians, the M2010 holds a significant place in the pantheon of American Sniper rifles.
How shooting matches makes you a better hunter Shooting precision rifle matches is the best practice for hunting. Ryan McLean covers some of the similarities between shooting matches and making shots on game animals. He covers positional shooting, shooting movers, using your optic and reloading. THE GEAR Check out the gear we highlighted in the video. mdt TIMBR FRONTIER STOCK SHOP NOW MDT ACC ELITE CHASSIS SYSTEM SHOP NOW mdt lightweight premier scope rings SHOP NOW mdt 20 moa picatinny scope base SHOP NOW more from mdt watch: getting the most out of the mdt baker wings Keith Baker, Team MDT pro shooter, invented the Baker Wings to get an advantage over his competition. Your non-shooting hand can now improve target acquisition and recoil management. watch: HOW TO SET UP YOUR SCOPE FOR LONG RANGE ACCURACY An improperly set up scope can cost you points at a match or a trophy animal on a hunt. If you trust your local gun store to properly set your scope up then you’re good to go. But, if you don’t, we have Pro Shooter Keith Baker. WATCH: HOW A PRO SHOOTER SETS UP HIS .22 What is your perfect rimfire rifle build? Pro shooter Andy Slade breaks down the setup he used to reach the podium at the PRS Rimfire Series Finale in Texas.
Are You Making These Score-Crushing Mistakes in NRL Hunter?
Pro competitor Rusty Ulmer breaks down the most common slip-ups he sees—and how to fix them. From mindset to mechanics, he shares proven tips to help you level up your performance.
The MDT LSS GEN3–the most adaptable and customizable rifle chassis ever built.
Whether building a competition rifle, dialling in a hunting setup, or putting together a tactical beast, this system lets you customize every detail without ever pulling your barrelled action.
The ORYX Chassis System is a high-performance, drop-in upgrade designed to maximize your rifle’s accuracy, stability, and ergonomics. Built for hunters, competitive shooters, and long-range enthusiasts, this precision-engineered chassis delivers superior control and consistency.
What's the best way to measure a bullet’s downrange impact on a target? It might not be the most convenient method, but it’s definitely the coolest—repurposing a decommissioned punch machine into a device that measures bullet impact force. Here’s how we did it!
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