Target Sports

FACTORY VISIT: ABSOLUTE PRECISION

Created on 15th May 2009

RPA has gone from strength to strength since its beginnings as a two-man band in 1970. RICHARD ATKINS paid its new factory a visit

IN EARLY 1970 George Swenson set his dream of producing a target rifle specific action into reality, initially with the help of Ron Wickham and Peter Churchill of Churwick Engineering. The original actions, known as the SWING, received NRA approval and were a considerable success, embodying features that helped achieve new levels of precision in rifle shooting. Various trials and tribulations beset the manufacture of the actions as new models were developed and the economic climate changed, with R & P Arms and then RPA Precision Engineering producing the later actions. In 1998 RPA introduced the model 2000, a four-lug model even used in the Excalibur pistol, until the pistol ban swiftly ended that.

This new action, whose most significant feature is its four-lug bolt that plays a major role in the supreme accuracy achieved by guns based on it, continued the success achieved by its forebears. It rapidly became the prime choice of a significant proportion of top shooters' rifles. Other developments occurred along the way and in 2002 the company's name changed to RPA International Ltd to reflect its burgeoning overseas trade. The MkII RPA Rangemaster .338 and 7.62 rifles were launched, along with the Ranger target rifle and .50 BMG action: the Rangemaster Tactical was introduced in 2005 in .50, .338 and 7.62 calibres.

In 2006 RPA was sold to Mach 3 International Ltd. Its first showing at IWA that year saw exponential growth begin that required a move to new premises with double the staff, along with gaining the coveted ISO 9001 Quality Accreditation essential to supply to military, security and defence agencies, where the company has established a strong business.

Under the marketing plans and vision for the company's future the RPA product range has been focussed and in the words of CEO Mark Cox "locked down" so that development within the company is clearly detailed. The range now includes nine distinct bolt-action rifles, actions, trigger units, sights and accessories; production has increased tenfold. There are also sporting rifles with the introduction of the GP Hunter, which is taking off among hunters seeking long-range precision capability.

Another recent addition is the Rangemaster .50 BMG rifle along with match grade ammunition for it, the RPA/Omega. This has been developed in conjunction with Primetake, which manufactures this ammunition for RPA. The combination of ammunition and rifle has proved capable of half-MOA accuracy out to 1,500m and beyond.

We visited the RPA factory in Kent, where Mark Cox showed us some of the impressive machinery installed to help meet demands for the expanding product range. Most action parts are made on the latest CNC machining centres, including an American FADAL four-axis model, that have automatic tool change stations and can self-monitor for extreme precision. Highly skilled operatives programme these machines and manually check component conformity. Dedicated precision measuring stations are at hand so that critical tolerances of manufactured components are maintained to ensure that quality control is of an exceptional level. Having built a name for precision that is increasingly respected in military as well as sporting circles (both hunting and target) worldwide, the revamped RPA concern is not about to let anything slip through that could compromise that. It is so confident in its products that every rifle leaving the factory is guaranteed to meet ½ MOA accuracy with quality ammunition and ¼ MOA is not unusual: anyone who has difficulty achieving the guaranteed accuracy from their rifle can give it to the factory to be checked out.

Talking with the staff at RPA showed that they have achieved an ideal balance in the way the company has developed. It has grown immensely since the days of an enthusiastic two-man outfit that made superb rifles for an exclusive band of elite riflemen: now it has bulging order books for large numbers of rifles from sportsman and the services, both at home and abroad. Despite this, the company has retained a surprising degree of the personal touch that Ron and Pete instilled in the company. Pete is still there, bringing his expertise and personal touch to the final fitting of the superb RPA trigger units and other components as required, and you could not fail to be impressed by the quality and attention to detail that's instilled in all who work there: anyone who does not share that ethos is unlikely to find a place in the RPA team.

Such is the demand for RPA rifles now that there are seldom any actually in stock. They are all built to order, in batches, so there can be a short delay if the one you need is not the batch going through that day. But with the streamlined order management systems now in place, even those seeking a left hand action (which a percentage of all batches will include) won't have to wait very long.

Part of the company's strategy is for an even higher profile, with smart new brochures and a website (www.rpainternatuional.co.uk) that gives potential customers all the information they require, plus an introduction to the full range of rifles and variants. Mark summarises the company's commitment to customers thus: "to provide the best quality and probably most accurate rifles you can buy." From the short time Target Sports spent there it became clear they mean it when they say "We live by our motto - absolute precision," as that is what their customers get.

FACTORY VISIT: ABSOLUTE PRECISION

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FACTORY VISIT: ABSOLUTE PRECISION

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