AR Sponsor
Posted: 1/3/2009 6:11:34 PM EDT
|
So I've got a stripped lower on the way that I intend to turn into predator hunting rig. Coyote mainly. I'm going to build the complete lower myself, but don't want to build the upper. I want something off the shelf. I'm leaning towards a 20". So far I'm considering the RRA predator pursuit, and the WOA 20" varminter. Which would you guys recomend? Any other recomendations?
Adrock1 |
|
Here is a link: http://www.whiteoakarmament.com/
Yeah weight is a concern. More importantly, I want the gun to feel somewhat balanced, even if it's on the heavy side. That's one thing that has me considering the RRA PP over the white oak. I've also considered going with and 18" barrel if I go with the WOA to help with the balance. I wonder though, will an 18" barrel reduce reliability with a rifle length gas system? Seems like it would have a really short dwell time. Any thoughts? Adrock1 |
|
As an avid 'yote hunter, I'll share my experiences. I have carried 16, 20, and 24 AR's in the woods hunting. I prefer my RRA 16" middy with the troy rail. The 16 is the most handy of all of them. It currently wears a 1.5 x 5 Leupy on it. I have had no trouble dialing in my elevation and ringing an 18 x 18 steel plate at 600 yards. The 18" will work just fine with a rifle or midlength gas system. I used a WOA barrel for my SPR Mk12 Mod1 clone build and was very happy. It shoots really well. The 24 as a hunting gun is just to long. The 20" is okay, but it is just not as manuveralble as the 16. Good luck.
R4B |
|
I just returned from coyote hunting this morning.
I too prefer a 16" gun with a 1.5x5 Leupold for calling. I tried a 20 Rock River but always went back to the 16" gun. I just ordered, a month or so ago, a 16" WOA lightweight barrel for a dedicated coyote calling rifle I will be putting together on a lower I have set aside. Lightweight is the way to go for predator calling. Remember, most people who are not dedicated coyote hunters do not know the difference between a varmint rifle and a calling rifle. Identify the type of hunting you are most likely to be doing. My varmint guns are long barreled, long range precision rifles. My calling rifles are lightweight and more designed for fast shooting at ranges under 300 yards. Hope that helps. |
|
Quoted:
I just returned from coyote hunting this morning. I too prefer a 16" gun with a 1.5x5 Leupold for calling. I tried a 20 Rock River but always went back to the 16" gun. I just ordered, a month or so ago, a 16" WOA lightweight barrel for a dedicated coyote calling rifle I will be putting together on a lower I have set aside. Lightweight is the way to go for predator calling. Remember, most people who are not dedicated coyote hunters do not know the difference between a varmint rifle and a calling rifle. Identify the type of hunting you are most likely to be doing. My varmint guns are long barreled, long range precision rifles. My calling rifles are lightweight and more designed for fast shooting at ranges under 300 yards. Hope that helps. for all you "yote" experts - what ranges do you typically find you're taking shots when calling them in? |
|
Quoted:
As an avid 'yote hunter, I'll share my experiences. I have carried 16, 20, and 24 AR's in the woods hunting. I prefer my RRA 16" middy with the troy rail. The 16 is the most handy of all of them. It currently wears a 1.5 x 5 Leupy on it. I have had no trouble dialing in my elevation and ringing an 18 x 18 steel plate at 600 yards. The 18" will work just fine with a rifle or midlength gas system. I used a WOA barrel for my SPR Mk12 Mod1 clone build and was very happy. It shoots really well. The 24 as a hunting gun is just to long. The 20" is okay, but it is just not as manuveralble as the 16. Good luck. R4B +1 After having about all the configurations of AR, the 16 inch is my favorite. If the sale is still on, check Amazon for a killer deal on a Bushnell Elite4200 1.25-4x with illum reticle for $244 and free shipping. |
|
I've given it a lot of thought and I think I'm going to go with a 20" gun from WOA. Now I'm just debating the barrel choice. I'm considering all the input on the weight issue and that has me considering other options then the varmint barrel.
What I'm thinking of doing is having WOA make me the varmint upper with the SDM barrel. After emailing with John at WOA he told me the following: -Unfluted 20" varmint barrel is 61oz -Fluted 20" varmint barrel is 53oz -20" SDM barrel is 41oz So compared to the varmint barrel the SDM is 12-20oz lighter. Thats a major difference. The other difference is the Chamber. The SDM has a wylde chamber, the varmint barrel has a WOA chamber (shorter throat). John indicated you can get some pressure issues running 5.56 in the varmint chamber. So If I went with the varmint barrel it would be a 223 gun only. Another consideration is the threaded muzzle on the the SDM barrel. It would give the option of a flash hider or brake. Not sure if I would want to do that though. I may see if I could get it with just a target crown. Last consideration is the barrel twist. Either option would have to be a 1-7 twist. Is that going to limit me to shooting strictly heavier bullets? I would like to be able to shoot at least down to 55 grainers. I could go with the 1-8 twist on the SDM but it costs $40 more. Would it be worth it? Right now I'm leaning towards the WOA varmint upper, but with the 20" SDM with 1-7 twist. What do you guys think? What sort of accuracy should I expect? Can I get at least an MOA gun or better? Thanks for the input. Adrock1 |
|
I'm in the middle of the same process and this is the route I took. Cav Arms lower with a DPMS Taclite upper (16"). Will probably put a carbon fiber FFTube on to cut weight. I asked about mounts on here yesterday and will either go with ARMS 22 or the LaRue mount. Scope will be a 1.5x5 or similar. I like Leupold optics, but am intrested in trying a illuminated dot or cross hair on this so may use something else even though Lupy offers one. Not sure I like the extra turret and weight, so scope is still undecided.
Longest calling shot I have made in 50yrs was 230 yds. Usually much less, usually <100. |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
I just returned from coyote hunting this morning. I too prefer a 16" gun with a 1.5x5 Leupold for calling. I tried a 20 Rock River but always went back to the 16" gun. I just ordered, a month or so ago, a 16" WOA lightweight barrel for a dedicated coyote calling rifle I will be putting together on a lower I have set aside. Lightweight is the way to go for predator calling. Remember, most people who are not dedicated coyote hunters do not know the difference between a varmint rifle and a calling rifle. Identify the type of hunting you are most likely to be doing. My varmint guns are long barreled, long range precision rifles. My calling rifles are lightweight and more designed for fast shooting at ranges under 300 yards. Hope that helps. for all you "yote" experts - what ranges do you typically find you're taking shots when calling them in? My shots rarely exceed 200yds, the vast majority are 100yds and in. |
| It sounds like you are on the right track. I have an 1:8 18" from Rainier that shoots 55-77grs so a 20" 1:8 would be my choice. White Oak is good stuff. A good flash hider I think is a good idea. It may help keep junk out of the muzzle (no matter how careful you are, things can happen) and helps in that first/last few minutes of useable daylight. |
| Most of my 'yote shots are 100yds and in. I use a Millett DMS on top of a RRA 16" midlength. I had it built with the 16" stainless heavy barrel, hid the gas block under a rifle-length quadrail and stuck flip-up front & rear sites on it for "just in case". I've yet to receive a bad review from the coyotes. It's plenty accurate for my use. |
it's good to go!
AR Sponsor