Video Review
Why a Bullpup?
The RDB is compact but without sacrificing accuracy, barrel length, or a nice trigger pull. The short 27.3-inch overall length hides a 17.3-inch barrel. It is accurate to 300 yards in steel-plate competitions. Plus, KelTec has devised a two-stage trigger pull of only 5 pounds. This is a great achievement when some bullpups exceed 10 pounds. The gas piston is also adjustable for different ammunition.
Brief Company History
KelTec makes firearms that are innovative and fun to shoot. Founded by arms designer George Kellgren in 1991, its guns are far from conventional. All employ polymer-frame constructions. Receivers are of an unusual “clam-shell” design that saves weight and is strong. Beyond just the RDB, KelTec actually uses the bullpup design in its shotguns, and many are featured in popular action movies. All are practical designs with shooters in mind.
The RDB Design
Although no sights come with the rifle, a 10-inch Picatinny rail is included. I like the high-rise mount TruGlo red-dot sight. It places the dot in front of my eye naturally. I have also added a vertical front grip to aid me in shooting offhand. This bullpup balances well in my hand and fits into a small place in my truck.
Magazines are loaded from behind the pistol grip, and empty cases eject downward behind the magazine well. In addition to mounting an optic, the RDB will accept most detachable bipods on the lower forend. All this makes the gun comfortable to handle and a joy to shoot. It feels solid and well balanced, thus aiding in shootability and accuracy. It is both affordable and easily customized.
RELATED: KelTec RDB Review - The Innovative American Bullpup Rifle
Range Time Shooting
My open-range shooting site lends a nice backdrop to the RDB. In addition to cans and 2-liter soda jugs, I can shoot small boulders and cliff-face rocks. The power of the .223 rounds is impressive. The RDB is easy to control for fast follow-up shots due to its midpoint center of gravity. It does not rise up but stays on target until the magazine is empty.
I often add my SilencerCo Hybrid suppressor to the rifle to reduce its loud bark. My old ears can use a break, anyway. This suppressor adds only 8 inches to the overall length and is not visible in my sight picture. It is rated for belt-fed machine guns and will handle any cartridge from .223 to .458 Win Mag. With it, I can safely take off my earmuffs and shoot with only my earplugs, which is a nice change.
Specifications
Overall length: 27.3 inches
Length of pull: 14.5 inches
Barrel: 17.3 inches
Twist: 1:7
Action: Adjustable gas-operated piston
Weight Empty: 7 pounds
Trigger Pull: 5 pounds
Conclusion
This unusual rifle looks strange but fits like a glove. Its well-balanced feel aids in accuracy and makes it controllable when firing. Despite its short overall length, it conceals a 17-inch barrel that is accurate for target shooting and hunting. I believe it will do anything an AR-15 platform will do. However, it takes up much less space doing it!
