Review: KelTech RFB

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  • Dave Doehrman

    Expert
    Rating - 100%
    6   0   0
    Aug 17, 2010
    987
    18
    Fort Wayne
    I’ve had my KelTech RFB for about a year now and have fired about 750 rounds through the rifle since I got it. The RFB comes with a factory rail, but no optics are supplied. I pulled the ACOG with Docter Red Dot off my FS2000 and mounted it for my first range trip. The ACOG requires about 1 ½ inch eye relief so I set it up that way before heading to the range.

    I fired about 20 rounds using the Red Dot to get my initial sight adjustments. I didn’t have any problems until I started pulling my head down to sight through the scope. The RFB has some recoil and the top of the stock is flat and smooth. There was enough travel on recoil that the manual rain sight, mounted on to of the red dot was contacting my forehead. I managed to get the scope set for 200 yards and the RFB was very accurate using Prvi Partizan 168 gr HPBT match ammo. I guess I got too relaxed and forgot about the eye relief. I fired at 300 yards and got a nice divot in my forehead from the rain sight. I didn’t learn from my first divot. I started shooting out to 500 yards and the RFB was dead on target using the BDC reticle in the ACOG. I managed to ding my forehead 2-3 more times shooting out to 500 yards and the blood dripping off my nose seemed to distract some of the other shooters.


    rfblarge.jpg




    I put the RFB up for the day and waited until I replaced the ACOG with an EoTech with a lot more eye relief. On the second trip to the range I took along some MagTech 150 gr rounds. I wanted to test some lighter loads to see if I would have to adjust the piston on the RFB. The gun has handled everything I’ve fired through it without having to make any piston adjustments. I shot some surplus ball ammo and some of my reloads through it and have not had any failures or malfunctions. The RFB seems to group the 168 gr loads a little tighter than the 150s. Switching from the ACOG reticle to the Eotech red dot seemed to make it more difficult to hold decent groups at 500 yards. The best I was able to shoot was a 12 inch group at 500 yards using the Prvi match ammo. I need to look for optics with more eye relief, but I haven’t gotten around to that yet.

    I’m very happy with the RFB. I Have the FN FS2000 and an MSAR, both in .223 and the RFB with the 18 inch barrel is shorter than the other two by an inch. The RFB is heavier, but the added weight helps dissipate some of the recoil. In addition, the .308 carries more punch and has better penetration then the .223.

    The front discharge for the ejected cases takes some getting used to. The discharge tube will hold 3-4 cases and then all will drop out at once. If you eject an unfired round, you have to hold the rifle barrel down to make sure the round drops out of the tube. The FS2000 has a chamber inspection port to make it easier to clear the weapon. With the RFB, I have to lock the bolt back and look up through the empty mag well to make sure the chamber is clear. Cleaning and disassembly is not difficult. So far I haven’t had any problems with the weapon. I think this is one of KelTech’s best designs. The trigger pull is clean and crisp and much better than most bullpup triggers.

    The RFB came with 1 20 round magazine. I found some new, surplus FAL metric mags on the web for $72 (4 pack). They were produced in Israel in 1976 and still wrapped in the original packing and cosmoline. It took 3-4 hours to get all the cosmoline out and clean the mags, but they feed and function well. I did notice with the original magazine and the 4 surplus mags that a fully loaded mag ( 20 rounds) was very difficult to fully seat with the bolt closed. I got used to carrying 18 rounds in all my M16 mags back in 67 and 68 and I just load 18 rounds in the FAL mags.

    [FONT=&quot]If your looking for an accurate, hard hitting bullpup, this would be my #1 recommendation.[/FONT]
     

    teddy12b

    Grandmaster
    Trainer Supporter
    Rating - 100%
    40   0   0
    Nov 25, 2008
    7,661
    113
    Do you shoot this at Young's range? If so I think we've met. Very nice review!
     

    Dave Doehrman

    Expert
    Rating - 100%
    6   0   0
    Aug 17, 2010
    987
    18
    Fort Wayne
    Do you shoot this at Young's range? If so I think we've met. Very nice review!

    Yep, I love it up at Young's. I shoot a .338 Lapua and my .308 700 out to a thousand yards up there. It's hard to explain, but at 1,000 yards you can fire a round, get your scope back on the target and actually watch the bullet impact. Then, about 3-4 seconds later you hear the 'gong' from the bullet impact. I'll probably be up there this weekend.
     

    SundayShooter

    Plinker
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Apr 6, 2010
    61
    6
    Hancock County
    I added the bottom rail accessory to mine and put a Grippod on it. Works great while shooting with sling assist and if you are firing from the bench just deploy to pod and away you go. You should play around with the gas adjuster some. It is possible to use it to reduce recoil and still have the gun function properly.

    Now all I think it needs is a Surefire reduced length suppressor and then I think it will be ready as a home defense gun. That is, of course, until Kel-Tec releases their shotgun to the public.
     

    teddy12b

    Grandmaster
    Trainer Supporter
    Rating - 100%
    40   0   0
    Nov 25, 2008
    7,661
    113
    Yep, I love it up at Young's. I shoot a .338 Lapua and my .308 700 out to a thousand yards up there. It's hard to explain, but at 1,000 yards you can fire a round, get your scope back on the target and actually watch the bullet impact. Then, about 3-4 seconds later you hear the 'gong' from the bullet impact. I'll probably be up there this weekend.

    Yup, we've definately met. I'd love to go up there shooting this weekend but I was just up there last weekend. Last time we talked you showed my friend and I your rhino revolver.
     

    anewrnn

    Marksman
    Rating - 100%
    1   0   0
    Sep 22, 2008
    195
    16
    Crown Point
    Thanks for the review

    I really appreciate you posting this. I am very interested in this rifle and being a lefty it makes me want one even more. I saw the you tube videos and it is now confirmed that it kicks out a few empty cases at a time. Wish I had the dough and I would definitely pick one up ( and a press for reloading of course cause 308 is ridiculous)
     

    j706

    Master
    Site Supporter
    Rating - 100%
    60   0   1
    Dec 4, 2008
    4,159
    48
    Lizton
    I have been intrigued by the RFB since I first saw them advertised. I have seen them for sale on Gunbroker but never in person. And they are proud of them to I might add. I would love to check one out.
     

    djones

    Sharpshooter
    Rating - 100%
    26   0   0
    Jan 4, 2011
    515
    18
    Greenfield
    very nice review. It sounds like you have a lot of knowledge and experience to backup your words. I really like the idea of a long barrel rifle in a short package. Similar to the way I like my hunting shotguns, short and fast swinging.

    Thanks,

    David
     
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