AR 15 BM Varminter accuracy?

Can't wait to see what you have to say about the predator. I was convinced to get the varminter just because of all the good stuff that has been said. If I got another brand it would probably eat at me that maybe I should have got the bushy. I know I'm weird that way. Money is to hard to come by. I'll be waiting to get the reports on the predator. RRA doesn't list a dealer for Idaho.
 
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I am still hung up on Bushmasters having a 1 year warranty when others have a lifetime warranty. May mean nothing yet it kinda sticks in the 'ol craw.
 
My BM Stainless Varmint Special 24" shoots 1/2" groups with 52 grain BTHP match bullets. I've enjoyed shooting it, on coyotes,rock chucks and P-Dogs. BoomSplat and I have gone out together and had a blast shooting them. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gifGENE'O
 
Thanks for all the help, guys. I've been thinking that the predator would be a better choice (I just don't want to wait). Besides, I can always buy another one or just the upper. But then it got me looking at the Rock River gun. (1:8 twist and different barrel lengths and all) I'm convinced that I'd be happy with either. I'm going to a gun show today. I know one guy will have both Bushmaster Varminters there with him (NIB). Not sure about Rock River. I might just have to leave with one so I can shoot it today.

Thanks again.
 
I have a Bushy Varminter and an Armalite National Match M15A2. I don't need the Armalite as I never shoot it due to liking the Bushmaster so much (since it's a flat top). The Bushy Varminter is machined to DCM tolerances unlike the VMatch. Therefore, the Varminter should have some of the best tolerances out of any Bushy produced. I went with Bushy over Armalite and others the second time around as I was impressed with the groups produced on gunblast.com. Bushys (and Colt) are all machined using 4150 grade steel as opposed to 4140 used by others....Not that 4140 is bad since this is what bolt actions mainly use...I just figured why not. As far as fit and finish, I give this nod to the Bushy over the Armalite. However, the Armalite has a superior two-stage trigger to my Bushy. The Bushy has a little more spongy feeling and is not a crisp. I don't think you'll be disappointed with how the Varminter shoots. You may not like the weight and barrel length though. If they had had the Predator out when I bought my Varminter, I probably would have gone that route. The Predator also comes with a 1/8 twist as opposed to the Varminter's 1/9 twist. Hope this helps...
 
I got to handle a Les Baer Thunder Ranch rifle & pistol set yesterday. I often wonder how much better they can be for the extra money. With a 1/2 MOA guarantee and a bolt pull smooth as my Sig Sauer rifle it is impressive. The float tube is cut distinctly, with the barrel lightly fluted. Every feature works flawless. The Jewel 2 stage trigger is one step better than my Armalite which is very good. I think my wife needs one of these.
 
One thing that many manufactuers of rifles are now catching up on is the fact that a "Varmint" rifle is different than a "Predator" rifle. I, for years, have tried to get AR manufactuers to learn the difference. In my mind "Varmint" rifles are desingned for sustained fire over PD towns. These are usually longer, heavier rifles. "Predator" calling rifles in contrast should be designed lighter and shorter. This makes them easier to carry, swing, and shoot. After all when have you ever been back doored by a prairie dog? How many times have you had a double or triple of prairie dogs coming from two or three different directions? How often have you had to walk many miles and make 10-15 stands in a day after prairie dogs? Begining to see the difference? Before you get excited I'm not endorsing the feather light, pencil thin lightweights. I believe these rifles can be very difficult to shoot. IMHO a medium weight rifle in the 7.5 to 8.5 pound range is the best choice. This weight is easier to shoot but not excessive to carry. I see no practicle need to lug around a long BULL barreled rifle when it just can't be justified.

It aggrivates me to no end when I have some one try to push a varmint rifle on me. Dad gum it, I'm a predator hunter, not a varmint hunter. There is a differance. I believe where the confusion comes in is that the calibers used in both sports are often the same. After that the game is totally different. One animal is very small and often shot from a stationary position. The other is much larger and often not shot from a stationary position. Varmint rifles are often only adjusted a few degrees with sand bags where a predator rifle is often shifted 100 degrees or more, sometimes in a big hurry. While this movement is occuring fast target aquisition is often crucial.

While I'm on this subject I'll also add this on ammo. Ammo designed for two pound rats is different than ammo designed for 30 + pound coyotes. Sure there are lots of coyotes shot with 24 inch bull barreled rifles firing lightweight varmint bullets at blistering speeds but there are better choices now for the predator hunter. We now don't have to hunt predators with PD rifles and bullets.

Man I feel better now.

Byron
 
Ya missed...what's up with that /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smiliesmack.gif

Great group ya got going on there /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif
 
Byron, I'm with you. I like my shorter one,16", for coyotes and my 24" for prairie dogs. Would have to say I am a RRA guy. I have three hunting buddies and all of them have the BM Varminter and it's a great gun as well.
 
Ditto what Byron said. I have purchased 4 V-Matchs and one Varmiter 24 inch stainless in the last six months and shot each one on the range and in the field. Two VMatchs were 16 inch and two were 20 inch all shot factory loads under MOA and did better with handloads. I shot the best groups with handloads with the Varmiter the best was .205 but they all shot better than I expected from a semi-auto.I was going to pick the best shooter for myself but they were all good .The 16 inch barrel is handy but very loud and I agree that 20 inch is best compromise although I have had fun shooting them all and kept the Varmiter for myself and let the others go to customers and friends.I cannot remember a single 3 shot group that was larger than 1 inch with all guns and various factory loads.I guess now I will have to look at this "Predator " model cause it sounds like the ticket.
 
lpalser,
How accurate is your RRA? I've been looking at those as well, but I haven't been able to find one to look at. Is it the varmint model? Have you tried the heavier bullets yet?
 
Sean,

I believe suggested retail is about $1300.00. Keep in mind this is "suggested" retail.

My Bushy V-Matches consistantly shoot under 3/4" (5 shot groups)with the only two loads I've ever shot through them. I shoot the Black-Hills remanufactured (Blue box) stuff in both 60 V-Max and 69 MK's. Both of these loads have shot very well through every AR I've have. I however don't doubt for a second hand loaded amo could do better.

The new "Predator" rifle should do even better than the V-Matches as it's barrels starts as a DCM barrel. Same as the Varminter only shorter.

Byron
 
I have to agree with Byron. I have run into the same thing with firearm dealers. When they hear you say you are looking for a predator rifle, they grab the closest bull barrel varmint rifle off the rack. I have several bull barrel bolt guns I use for groundhogs and sage rats and wouldn't consider lugging one of them around for calling predators. Nothing against anyone who chooses to do so of course. What a fella chooses for his hunting is his business. It's all personal preference and I'm not about to suggest my way is the right way. Use whatever works for you.

Regarding ARs, I have 16", 18", 20", 24" rifles. The one I use least is the 16" and the one I use most is the 24". Some snub their nose at a 24" but it has stacked more coyotes for me than all the rest combined. It handles like a dream, is super accurate, is much more pleasant on my ears and I notice a performance edge over my shorter ARs. The 24" is one I built long before Bushmaster offered their Varminter but is essentially the same rifle. It has the deep cut barrel fluting and is quite light for a long AR. 8.5 lbs with the scope on my digital scale.

Having said that, if a guy is out to get one AR for predator hunting I would probably go for a deep fluted 20" like the new one Bushmaster is now offering. It is the best of both worlds. For those that get distressed about longer barrels, and others that worry about velocity loss, the 20" is a good compromise between a 16" and 24". One thing great about ARs though is you can build more uppers and swap them out with the push of a pin to suit your needs. Whatever you get, rest assured you will end up with arguably the most effective calling rifle available and that's a great start. Got the honey do's done so I'm grabbing mine and going right now. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Good hunting
 
Well said Curt.

I think every body should shoot what they are comfortable with. I know lots of guys that like the 24's and lots that like the 16's. Neither is wrong. I just can't understand though the practical purpose of a Thick Bull barrel of any length on a predator rifle.

Hope you kill a bunch. Expecting pictures when you return.

Byron
 
I looked at two Bushy varminters yesterday--- Lots of slop between the upper and lower, and on the one especially. I was not impressed with the fit at all. Then they were saying the gun was new, could see the brass deflector was marked up on the one. Anyone know where you can buy a complete bushy upper varminter?? I know you can right from bushmaster, but awful spendy compared to other places and brands.
 
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I looked at two Bushy varminters yesterday--- Lots of slop between the upper and lower, and on the one especially. I was not impressed with the fit at all. Then they were saying the gun was new, could see the brass deflector was marked up on the one. Anyone know where you can buy a complete bushy upper varminter?? I know you can right from bushmaster, but awful spendy compared to other places and brands.



The factories test fire their guns before sending them out to the dealers, that's why you will see brass on the deflector. As far as fit goes, mine are tight, and I use a Accu-wedge in the lower just for the heck of it. Kind of makes it hard to close the upper to the lower, but using the bipod makes that alot easier....JOHN
 


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