I purchased a Kel Tec SU-16B "Bravo" a month ago just for fun. After shooting it several times I am happy to report the following:
The rifle is very lightweight, about 4.5 lbs. without magazines. It shoots both .223 and 5.56 NATO ammunition. The trigger is a little hard at 6 lbs. or so, but with practice and trigger control, it does not seem to be a detriment.
Before shooting I disassembled the rifle and cleaned it. The procedure is a little non-intuitive so I recommend you read the instructions first and, like me, you won't launch any springs. The bolt has the AR-type 9 locking lugs, but the rifle has a proprietary piston gas operation. The receiver is plastic and so are some of the internal parts, including the trigger. Once I got used to it, the rifle was quite easy to clean. And, it folds in half, allowing me to keep it in a small backpack.
I don't really like the rather fragile bipod. I almost broke it the first time I opened it. However, it makes a very comfortable for end for ordinary shooting or with a rest (as I used when I was testing for accuracy).
I started shooting with 5.56 NATO 62 grain steel-core, 55 grain 5.56 NATO from Winchester, Winchester PDX1 60 grain hollow points, and PMC 223 55gr FMJ (the cheap stuff). My Chronograph recorded average velocities of 3050fps for the 55gr 5.56 NATO, 2840 for the PDX1, 2750 for the PMC 55gr 223. I didn't get reliable readings for the 62gr steel core 5.56 NATO but I estimate it to be 2900fps. The two plastic 10-round magazines worked beautifully as did my AR-15 30-round aluminum magazine.
When I settled down for the accuracy testing I found that it shot a foot low, even with the front sight cranked down all of the way (The SU-16B has an AR-type rotating front sight, adjustable for elevation using a bullet tip). I wound up filing almost four millimeters off of the sight before I could get the elevation correct. The windage adjustment is straightforward but sensitive. Watch the rear sight for loosening.
I was able to get the 55 grain NATO stuff to group inside of two inches at 100 yards and inside of six inches at 200 yards. The 55 grain 223 came in with a three inch group at 100 yards, and 6 inches high! I sighted the rifle 2" high at 100 yards so it winds up 2" low at 200 yards with the 55gr 5.56 Ball.
I may mount a scope to try it but I am satisfied with the groups using the iron sights. Mind you, the 2" group at 100 yards may have been a fluke since 3" is more typical. The Winchester PDX did not even come close. The 5.56 NATO 62 grain steel-core stuff looks promising but my source ran out for now.
The rifle is very lightweight, about 4.5 lbs. without magazines. It shoots both .223 and 5.56 NATO ammunition. The trigger is a little hard at 6 lbs. or so, but with practice and trigger control, it does not seem to be a detriment.
Before shooting I disassembled the rifle and cleaned it. The procedure is a little non-intuitive so I recommend you read the instructions first and, like me, you won't launch any springs. The bolt has the AR-type 9 locking lugs, but the rifle has a proprietary piston gas operation. The receiver is plastic and so are some of the internal parts, including the trigger. Once I got used to it, the rifle was quite easy to clean. And, it folds in half, allowing me to keep it in a small backpack.
I don't really like the rather fragile bipod. I almost broke it the first time I opened it. However, it makes a very comfortable for end for ordinary shooting or with a rest (as I used when I was testing for accuracy).
I started shooting with 5.56 NATO 62 grain steel-core, 55 grain 5.56 NATO from Winchester, Winchester PDX1 60 grain hollow points, and PMC 223 55gr FMJ (the cheap stuff). My Chronograph recorded average velocities of 3050fps for the 55gr 5.56 NATO, 2840 for the PDX1, 2750 for the PMC 55gr 223. I didn't get reliable readings for the 62gr steel core 5.56 NATO but I estimate it to be 2900fps. The two plastic 10-round magazines worked beautifully as did my AR-15 30-round aluminum magazine.
When I settled down for the accuracy testing I found that it shot a foot low, even with the front sight cranked down all of the way (The SU-16B has an AR-type rotating front sight, adjustable for elevation using a bullet tip). I wound up filing almost four millimeters off of the sight before I could get the elevation correct. The windage adjustment is straightforward but sensitive. Watch the rear sight for loosening.
I was able to get the 55 grain NATO stuff to group inside of two inches at 100 yards and inside of six inches at 200 yards. The 55 grain 223 came in with a three inch group at 100 yards, and 6 inches high! I sighted the rifle 2" high at 100 yards so it winds up 2" low at 200 yards with the 55gr 5.56 Ball.
I may mount a scope to try it but I am satisfied with the groups using the iron sights. Mind you, the 2" group at 100 yards may have been a fluke since 3" is more typical. The Winchester PDX did not even come close. The 5.56 NATO 62 grain steel-core stuff looks promising but my source ran out for now.
