Proud to present an article from Forest Bruton, one of our local LoadoutRoom Team members and contributors.
I was looking for an off-the-shelf bolt rifle to fill in for my MPA BA Pro in 6mm Creedmoor. After shopping around all the options, I determined it would be the Solus. After watching countless reviews in many different calibers, the platform had available I figured I might as well stick with the caliber that I was already set up to reload for. Just so happens that I found the comp version on sale for $1750 so with a quick online order it was on its way to my local FLL. Less than a week later I had it in my hands.
I ordered the comp version with the 17” chassis, for more stability when running a bipod, and no muzzle brake. The rifle is chambered in 6mm Creedmoor with a 1:7.5 twist. On many online sites they are listed anywhere from 1:7-1:8. I verified it is in fact, a 1:7.5.
After mounting it up on the bench I ran a bore scope on it. I was a bit surprised by the debris and “trash” that was in the barrel nothing major just not to my personal liking. Some wet patches later, it was an easy cleanup. I ran the bore scope again and there were no noticeable mill marks. Mounted up the optic and muzzle brake. The overall weight is 15.2 lbs. with a 5-25×56 FFP optic with a one-piece mount, a Precision Armament Hypertap muzzle brake, and Magpul magazine.
Now for the fun with load development, nothing special just a good solid load that will perform for precise impacts at distances from 100-1000M. Running Hornady 108 gr ELD-m with Winchester SRP, 39.4 gr IMR 4350, all shoved into Alpha brass. Maintaining an SD of 5.5 over the first 25 rounds. During the seating depth test I was able to do 2 back-to-back 5 shot groups of < .1 moa groups. After loading up a box and going back out to the range it was stacking on top of one another on steel out to 1000M.
The action wasn’t the best in the World from the factory, it had a little “grit”. Some break in time and it is night and day different after a proper cleaning and lube with Bore Tech friction guard and bolt grease. This thing runs very smooth, the custom manufacturers have a competitor on their heels. A TriggerTech single stage trigger comes preinstalled, not the best but it works well, hell it is a TriggerTech, it feels much better after close to 100 rounds behind it.
The only downside that I have with it is the adjustment on the cheek riser. If you forget to tighten the locking screw it will remove of few of the beard hairs if you pull away too fast!
Overall, I am very happy going with this rifle and I believe that anyone else that goes with this platform will be equally pleased.
Editor’s note:
Forest brought “Ginger” by the other day to show her off and brag a little (deservedly so) and I’ll admit to being impressed! This is a “home grown / do it yourself in your garage using commercial-off-the-shelf parts” that anyone can buy. Yes it’s 15lbs, but this isn’t something you carry around for kicking in doors either, and after having tried the action while it was here on the bar I’m anxious to try my hand at the 1000M range and experience that sweet trigger and silky smooth bolt in action. I agree with Forest, custom gun manufacturers, this is competition and for under $3k, it’s affordable competition.
Garfield and Forest, out.
