Following the launch of their Wedgetail MPR, a ‘Modern Sporting Rifle’ (MSR) chambered in .308 Winchester I reviewed in the April 2024 edition, Australian manufacturer Wedgetail Industries have unveiled a new ‘Mini’ version in the country’s most popular rifle calibre the .223 Remington.
To recap, the Wedgetail MPR is a unique take on the pump-action rifle, one which enjoys all the ergonomics of an MSR or AR-type self-loading platform but is manufactured specifically to comply with most Australian state firearms regulations. But it’s important to note these pump-action rifles are not and will never be semi-automatic, only sharing ergonomic layout and, to a degree, appearance.
Sadly the way it looks is enough to have the rifle restricted in both NSW and Tasmania, where they’re listed as prohibited firearms due exactly to that – appearance. Laws governing appearance are completely nonsensical to me, as this in no way increases lethality or changes any police operational response in the highly unlikely event one was to be used in a crime.
Apparently there’s an argument the ‘appearance’ of certain firearm types may cause undue distress or concern with the general public. Yet firearms are, in the main, only used at approved ranges and/or on private properties and all states already have laws on their books for brandishing a firearm in a public place, making this whole debate moot.
So these laws effectively serve no practical purpose in states where they’re imposed. That said if it’s the law it’s the law and must be obeyed, unless at some point in the future it’s repealed or changed. For the record I live in NSW and, as with the MPR .308 I reviewed, although prohibited in my home state I’m approved and have all applicable permits and licences for both possession and testing of such rifles, regardless of category determination.
So to the rifle itself and apologies if you experience some deja vu on reading this article. If you saw my MPR .308 review, as mentioned what we have here is in effect a scaled-down version, so much is the same though there are differences which I’ll highlight as we go.
As a split receiver design made from 7075-T6 aluminum, we have an upper group including receiver, barrel, handguard and pump assembly and a lower group incorporating the magazine housing, trigger group, grip and stock, all locked together via two captive push pins. As with the MPR .308 upper, Wedgetail’s receiver trunnion extends forward of the receiver face to accept a proprietor barrel extension and barrel nut interface. The 13” free-floating front handguard clamps over the trunnion of the receiver in a seamless fashion to create a continuous top rail for optic and accessory fitment.
Out front, slots are cut along the side and bottom facets of the handguard to create three rail slots, in which a small carriage assembly glides forward and aft on self-lubricating polymer bushes. This sits between the inner sides of the handguard and barrel, basically encircling the free-floating hammer-forged barrel (it’s connected at the top to a stainless-steel drive rod which in turn connects to the bolt carrier). On the outside of each slot and bolted through into the carriage, sit the three rail-type sections which form the pump slide. The lower panel is an actual section of Picatinny rail adorned with a silicon rail cover which can be removed to fit a vertical grip or other accessories.
The MPR Mini shares a scaled-down version of Wedgetail’s proprietor bolt and carrier system, which itself mirrors some aspects of operation to other self-loading MSR platforms, only mechanically cycled via the pump slide and not compatible or interchangeable. Similarly, the lower receiver which may look much the same as some AR variants, again is in no way interchangeable and specifically incorporates denial features into the design to prevent fitment of self-loading upper assemblies.
On the plus side, with the trigger and several other components there is some compatibility, such as the MPR Mini using a standard Mil-spec six-position receiver extension on which to mount the stock. This provides great access to customisation via the myriad of aftermarket options available for MSR-type rifles both here and overseas.
One interesting change over its big brother is that both upper and lower receivers are now CNC-machined from receiver castings as opposed to CNC-machined from a piece of billet. The use of forged receivers is basically how it’s done by all leading US manufacturers of AR and MSR-type rifles. The process allows for increased production at a lower price point which in turn reduces the cost to consumers.
Receivers are cast in Victoria and Wedgetail may in fact be the only ones producing firearms from this method in Australia. When completed, castings are precision machined to specification before being both hard anodized and finished in Cerakote for an extremely tough and durable finish. Sticking with Australian-made components where possible, the MPR Mini’s hammer forged, fluted barrel is also sourced locally and made by Lithgow.
As with all Wedgetail products I’ve assessed, it appears tolerances are being kept tight and with the receiver halves on the Mini there was no play whatsoever. With many such rifles, the push-pins locking the receiver halves together can be pushed out easily by hand, while play between upper and lower may not be unusual. Perhaps handy for ease of assembly and disassembly but not so conducive to accuracy. There are even some accessory companies, including Accu-Wedge, which sell little rubber wedges to remove such play, though no need with Wedgetail products which always seem to lock up extremely tightly.
For range testing I initially fitted the rifle with a Nightforce NXS 2.5-10×24 scope in a Nightforce mount. Based on past experience with Wedgetail I was expecting good accuracy, their WT25 I reviewed a few years ago being one of the most accurate MSR-type firearms I’ve ever tested. The rifle’s chambered in .223 Wylde which basically means it’ll accept both .223 Remington and 5.56 NATO ammunition.
I ran the rifle with various breeds of factory ammo including 60gr Hornady TAP, 55gr Winchester Super-X, 55gr Geco Express, 55gr Sierra Prairie Enemy, 55gr Highland soft-points and even some of my ‘roll-your-own’ using 55gr soft-point projectiles and a dose of AR2208. Most groups hovered around 1 MOA with some a little under and the worse running around 1.5-1.8 MOA, all shot from my Caldwell Lead Sled. As far as function, the gun showed no particular favourite with respect to factory ammo and all shot without fault.
All up, more than acceptable accuracy from a new gun out the box with a low round count and barely run-in. If any criticism it was possibly let down a little by the trigger, which is reasonably heavy but redeemably broke quite crisply. Heavy triggers are not uncommon with this style of firearm where they can often be the Achillies heel, being hammer-fired with a long lock time and purposely kept on the heavy side to guarantee good sear engagement.
That said, as an AR/MSR compatible trigger there are several aftermarket drop-in options available if you did want something a little better. In the field or when running the gun fast, the trigger would be just fine for most and you’d hardly give it a second thought anywhere but from slow, deliberate fire off a bench.
The pump slide is spring assisted and cycling the action is both smooth and rapid. The rifle will accept standard STANAG-type magazines and is supplied with one 10-round Magpul P-Mag. The bolt locks open on ejection of the last round and, unlike its .308 MPR brother, the .223 P-Mags punch free and clear of the MPR Mini as soon as the mag release is pressed.
With a fresh magazine inserted, a slap on the bolt release with your palm will have the bolt and carrier flying forward to chamber a new round and you’re ‘off to the races’ again. Being both light and well-balanced it’s a joy use and carry, and I do find having an actual pistol grip on such a rifle does aid in good directional control muzzle-wise, always a plus for safety especially if carried single-handed.
When finished on the bench I did drop the Nightforce NSX scope in favour of an Aimpoint H1 Micro red dot in a Samson quick-release riser, which worked well when pushing the rifle hard at closer ranges. Where allowed I’m sure the MPR Mini could prove popular with those competing in IPSC rifle events, though would also serve in feral animal control where swift follow-up shots are required but licence qualification may be not applicable or prove too onerous for otherwise licensed shooters. Undoubtedly it’ll also greatly appeal to those wishing to experience ownership of a modern MSR rifle but in Category B specification, excluding where prohibited of course. The MPR Mini retails for around $2950 in standard form. More at www.wedgetailindustries.com.
Specifications
Rifle: Wedgetail MPR Mini
Action: Spring-assisted pump-action
Trigger: Wedgetail single-stage
Calibre: .223 Rem (.223 Wylde chambering)
Magazine: 10-round detectable (2x Magpul P-Mag)
Barrel: Lithgow hammer-forged 16” (408mm)
Twist rate: 1:9
Sights: Picatinny rail
Upper and lower: 7075-T6 alloy
Stock: Magpul CTR
Pistol grip: A2
Weight: 2.8kg (6.16lb)
Price guide: Around $2950