Posted: 7/3/2015 10:46:00 PM EDT
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Hey guys, this is my first post on here. I'm a long time shooter and handloader, and have quite a few rifles that I load and shoot, including 3 different bolt action rifles in .223. I recently began shooting some with a workout buddy of mine, and he brought his AR's to the range with us. They are so enjoyable to shoot, I had to jump on board. I ordered my first AR a couple weeks ago....an 18" Varmint A4. I read up quite a bit about this rifle before I decided to order it, and I can't wait to get it in. From what I've read online (and you know you can believe everything you read online!) these barrels are lapped by RRA before they ship, and no break in is required nor recommended. Just thought I would ask if this is really the case, and if you guys all just took yours out shooting when you got it with no preparation or break in procedure. I figure I will at least clean it well if nothing else. Also, I don't plan to shoot factory ammo through mine, I will be developing accuracy loads from the start to squeeze every last drop of accuracy I can out of it. With a gun guaranteed to shoot 3/4 moa with factory match ammo, I'm really hoping I can get sub 1/2" groups out of it. I sure would like to hear of some of you guys' results with your varmint A4s.
thanks! |
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Welcome aboard, and to the wonderful world of ARs. You have entered a world of obsession, compulsion, and even a little delusion. before you know it, that one Varmint will just be one of several, and you'll have a drawer (or closet) full of accessories and platform-specific gear.
What you read is correct. We don't believe a break in process is necessary. Thanks. Steve/RRA |
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Thanks Steve! Yea, I understand how the obsession begins, evolves, and consumes! I have my scope, mounts, cleaning supplies, bore guide, and some various rounds loaded up for accuracy node testing! All I need is the rifle to arrive, and some time to hit the range. Looking forward to getting some time behing the new toy for sure!
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| My friend recently got a RRA 20" Varmint and I have never in my life seen a off the shelf rifle shoot like his. He reloads with a Dillion 550B with 68 & 75 grains Hornady bullets and R15 and Benchmark powders 23.5 to 24.0 of either and can consistantly shoot 1/2" groups at 100 yards. We had it hitting a 425 yard steel plate within 20 minutes after the first site in. At that time he was using Monarch 223 REM Brass ammo of the shelf. I told him last Sunday I was going to steal that rifle from him when he lays it down. Only thing he did do to it was put in a Hyperfire 24c trigger. You will not be sorry with a RRA. |
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Man, I like to hear that! I have some load steppings loaded up and ready for testing with some 53 grain VMAX and 68 grain Hornady BTHP...both over Varget. I've had great results with both of these bullets in one of my bolt guns. I'm gonna put a Vortex Viper 6.5-20 x 44 (30mm) scope on it and get after it. Steve was nice enough to let me know it shipped this week, so I'm hoping it will arrive tomorrow so I can get with it this weekend.
Thanks for letting me hear about yor experience. |
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Here is a range report, and some overall impressions after my first weekend with my new 18" varmint.
I mounted my new Vortex Viper 6.5-20x44 on the rifle Friday afternoon after It arrived, and had two range sessions to work up groups...one Saturday morning and then again Sunday morning. It's approaching 100 degrees here now in the mid-day, so early is best...also the wind is still calm then. I am very, very encouraged and pleased so far with the accuracy of this rifle! It only took me 3 shots to get on paper and close to POA at 100yds. The first 3 shot group I fired was less then 1/2". I fired 15 total groups on day 1 with 2 different bullets (53gr Vmax, and 68gr Hornady match BTHP) and the largest of all 15 three shot groups was less than 1 inch. The calculated average of the total of all 15 groups from day 1 is .625". Remember, this is not a worked up load or pet load! These are different powder charge steppings with two different bullets, shot from a rifle on it's first day out and the result is less than 3/4" total average across the groups. I went back on Sunday to try a few more loads, and also with the hopes of dialing in a couple of the more promising ones. The best load I found was with the 53 gr Vmax (Which also shoots lasers in a Savage rifle I built) had a 3 group, 3 shot average of .35" with the smallest group being .26". I have loaded up 9 of this best load with the Vmaxes over Varge, and also 9 of the best load with the 68gr BTHPs and Varget. This next weekend if weather is good, I will shoot those in 3 shot groups to determine which is the best of the two. At that point I will load more of the best on and shoot some 5 shot groups and if the accuracy holds up I will call it good. Then it will be time to stretch out form 100yds and have some fun. |
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Being my first AR, I really didn't have any idea of what to expect. I can say that I am very pleasantly surprised so far. The firearm is very tight, with excellent fit and finish. Of every firearm I own, this barrel cleans the easiest so far. I've put right at 100rds through it, and after cleaning it last night there was not even a hint of copper even with foaming gunslick bore cleaner. A tight patch is so easy and smooth to push down the barrel, which I can imagine is attributed to the hand lapping process RRA does before the ship the rifles.
I will report back after this coming weekend and hopefully have some nice targets to post if you guys are into that sort of thing. Oh yea, I've also swapped out the trigger springs with some of the yellow JP ones....read online this was a nice way to knock a pound or so off the pull. The trigger, by the way is nicer than I expected too. If you are on the fence about getting one of these things, I would say go for it. |