The JP Enterprises’ LRP-07H is a low-recoiling side-charging .308 that earns its place at the top of the long-range hunting and competition heap!
Over the past few years, JP Enterprises has specialized in building high-end AR-platform rifles and accessories for the serious competition shooter. Since the tide has turned in favor of wide-spread sporting acceptance of the AR as more than just a tactical weapon, the folks at JP have introduced their first dedicated hunting gun, the LRP-07H.
Christened the LRP-07H, this is a platform designed to fill every need of today’s hunter, even ones that are yet to be realized. Over the past several years, JP has established their reputation by delivering the finest competition-proven products to shooting professionals, elite military units and knowledgeable recreational shooters around the globe. “We are proud of the fact that we build the very best in the world,” said owner John Paul Gangl, “and we do it here in the USA with all American components.”
JP rifles aren’t newcomers to the hunting field, and other than a wood stock, the new LRP-07H, which is the acronym for Long-Range Precision, its first year of production and the new “Hunting” sub-type designation, retains all the attributes one would seek in a quality hunting rifle. Fit, finish, silky smooth action, exceptionally crisp single-stage trigger, outstanding accuracy and reliability are all qualities that have been built into their rifles for years.
The LRP-07H features the same durable receivers machined from solid 7075 aluminum billet that they use in their competition and tactical rifles. Assembled with our top-quality components, this is a configuration ideally suited for your long-anticipated hunt. “The classic bolt gun will always be a staple of hunting sports,” Gangl said, “but this rifle offers a new hunting experience without sacrificing the form and function that today’s shooter demands.”
When the LRP-07H arrived for testing and review, I removed it from the box and gave it a once-over. Running my hands over it I came to a stop on its cold, hard, steel butt plate…. My first thoughts centered upon the more than 3,500 rounds that I had run through several rifles during the test and evaluation process over the past three weeks, and, quite honestly, I wasn’t looking forward to running about 400 rounds of .308 through this one. I’ll even admit that I dug one of my “sissy pads” out of my storage room to keep this rifle and another similar rifle from beating my brains out during a two-gun range marathon a couple of days later.
Another feature of the LRP that got my attention is the adjustable pistol grip. The first thing I did was remove the grip and install the largest adaptor on the rear and the finger-groove adapter on the front of the grip assembly. The dimensions afforded by the larger grip was ideal for placing my trigger finger in the correct position.
Once targets were tacked in place and chronograph squared up, I thumbed the last of 10 rounds into this rifle’s magazine. After punching the bolt carrier release, I settled into the gun and acquired the first bull’s eye at the 25-yards sighter target. Astonishing is the best adjective I can use to describe the first shot. The recoil impulse from this rifle is so surprisingly low it made me realize that a long day with hundreds of rounds down the range promised a lot of fun with this rifle.
When I got home and began cleaning the LRP, I began to find that this rifle stays on target for more reasons than an exceptional muzzle brake. When I pulled the bolt carrier assembly and the recoil spring I found some significant differences.
The JP .308 LMOS (Low Mass Operating System) is a departure from AR-10-type bolt carrier assemblies. It weighs 14.7 ounces (417 grams) compared to an AR-10’s bolt that weighs 19.4 ounces (550 grams), which is a 24 percent reduction.
Counteracting the lighter bolt assembly is a heavier recoil spring in the LMOS. The JP spring weighs 5.35 ounces (153 grams), and the standard AR-10 spring weighs 1.75 ounces (51 grams). The recoil buffers appeared to be the identical, weighing 5.35 ounces each (152 grams).
The well balanced bolt assembly and recoil spring function well with a wide range of domestic .308 factory loads when coupled with JP’s adjustable gas block. Foreign ammunition isn’t what you would want to fire in a self-loader with a price tag over $3,000. (See the section: Foreign Ammunition Warning)
Another departure from the AR-10-platform rifles, is the JP LRP-07H’s unique left-side charging system. It produces a shorter stroke, a little more leverage potential, and is easier to use than the T-handle of the AR-10. You can charge the LRP without dismounting the rifle, and the handle itself folds back automatically to minimize the rifle’s overall profile.
The JP LRP-07 modular hand guard uses a smaller, more manageable diameter tube, and the free-floating design allows a hunter to brace the rifle anywhere along the tube without creating a point-of-impact shift. Customization of accessories, like bipods, is also available through the hand guard’s mounting rail options.
The barrel is a lapped, cryogenically treated stainless 18-inch tube that has a black Teflon finish to eliminate shine. At the muzzle, the LRP comes equipped with a JP high-efficiency compensator. Even with ear plugs and muffs in place while shooting this rig, I could tell a significant difference in muzzle blast.
Muzzle Brake-less for Hunting
This rifle’s standard issue interchangeable thread protector is probably a good idea when actually shooting this rifle during a hunt. I can recall that years ago that friends shooting the Browning BOSS system got a nasty surprise when they fired at game with the recoil compensator in place. It will probably be a good idea, as well, to remove the JP comp before firing the rifle without hearing protection.
LRP-07-H at the Range
I chose three .308 Win. factory loads and four handloads. A Shooting Chrony Beta chronograph recorded velocities in 10-shot strings. A minimum of five 5-shot groups and three 3-shot groups were fired with each load at 100 yards.
Factory Fodder
The first factory load was Federal’s Gold Medal Match loaded with 168-grain Sierra Match Kings. Average velocity was 2,460 fps, with an extreme spread of 20 fps. The 5-shot average measured 1.255 inches, while he 3-shot average came in at a respectable .513-inch.
The next load was a Winchester Supreme Ballistic Silvertip 150-grain load. Average velocity was 2,502 fps, with an extreme spread of 33 fps. Center-to-center, the 5-shot average measured 1.044-inch, while the 3-shot average measured .978 inches.
Remington 150-grain Core-Lokts provided the third set of data with factory fodder. The average velocity tallied 2,501 fps, with an extreme spread of 68 fps. Three-shot groups averaged 1.4 inches, while the average 5-shot group measured 1.688 inches.
Handloads
The first handload was a 125-grain Nosler Ballistic Tip and 48.2 grains of Winchester 748 powder, which was ignited by Winchester large magnum rifle primers. Federal once-fired cases were used, and the overall cartridge length measured 2.807 inches. The LRP performed well with this load, and produced an average velocity of 2,726 fps. The extreme spread was 40 fps. The average 5-shot group measured 1.18 inches, and the average for three shots went .648-inch. By subtracting a couple of called flyers from the 5-shot groups’ average would have improved it to .717-inch. The best 5-shot group measured .556-inch.
The second handload was a Sierra 150-grain spitzer driven by 47.7 grains of BL-C2 powder and Winchester large magnum rifle primers. Once-fired Federal cases were also used, and bullets were seated to an 2.850-inch overall length. Average velocity was 2,730 fps, and the extreme spread was 69 fps. The 5-shot groups averaged 1.152 inches, and the 3-shot groups averaged .948-inch.
The third handload was a 165-grain Nosler Ballistic Tip that was loaded to 2.805 OAL. A load of 43 grains of Winchester 748 powder in virgin Winchester brass was ignited by Winchester large magnum rifle primers. The average velocity was 2,466 fps, with an extreme spread of 56 fps. Five-shot groups averaged 2.148 inches, with 3-shot averages taping 1.768. This load seemed to be heat sensitive. After firing 20 rounds in a few minutes time, the velocity average climbed to 2,501 fps and the extreme spread climbed to 74 fps for the next 10 shots.
The last handload was a Speer 165-grain spitzer powered by a Federal magnum rifle primer and 40 grains of BL-C2. The cartridge overall length was 2.792 inches. Average velocity was 2,270 fps with an extreme spread of 68 fps. Three-shot groups averaged 1.444 inches, and 5-shot groups averaged 1.670 inches.
PERFORMANCE
The author built four handloads for his JP LRP-07H in .308 Winchester using these bullets. The end result was a good starting point to further refine the accuracy potential for this rifle.
You Might Also Like:
Harnessing Hornady’s 6mm ARC with Accurate Handloads
Rock River Arms LAR-15 | LAR 15 Rifle Review
Working Man’s Sport Utility Rifle
Handloading for Ruger’s American Predator Rifle in 6.5 Grendel
More About Jay Langston
Subscribe to Jay’s Newsletter