Rock River LAR-8 Varmint A-4 with 26 inch barrel... Triggers and Lock Time

[Odin]

Hello,

I've just purchased a RRA LAR-8 26 inch barreled Varmint A-4. I've not even shot it yet, but I've heard from other users that I should swap the trigger out for a NM 2-Stage Trigger group from either: Geissle Triggers or the Timney Triggers model? I've never really used either trigger and what is the hot trigger group for the LAR-8/AR-10 rifles these days? Also can does anyone make a titanium firing pin for the LAR-8? I know the AR-10 platform rifles aren't as standardized as the AR-15 rifles between manufacturers-- so I don't even know where to get a lighter firing pin to improve lock times.

Thanks for the help.

 

[elfster1234]

pics or it didn't happen!

 

[Odin]

pics or it didn't happen!

I actually don't have any yet... It hasn't arrived yet. It is sort of a Christmas Present. I cannot open it until December 25th... Or Miss Claus will not be happy with me.

 

[Newtrick]

Stop it! Get a really good optic, and some Black Hills 175 gr match, or some M118LR, at least some FGGM, and blow your mind. That trigger is beyond fine. Not saying you can't get a better trigger but like it is that thing will shoot .5 or sub if you do your part. See how it shoots before you f#%k with it.

 

[elfster1234]

What is your purpose with this rifle. What are your thoughts on the 26inch barrel? Not saying its right or wrong. Just wondering.

I actually don't have any yet... It hasn't arrived yet. It is sort of a Christmas Present. I cannot open it until December 25th... Or Miss Claus will not be happy with me.

 

[Odin]

Stop it! Get a really good optic, and some Black Hills 175 gr match, or some M118LR, at least some FGGM, and blow your mind. That trigger is beyond fine. Not saying you can't get a better trigger but like it is that thing will shoot .5 or sub if you do your part. See how it shoots before you f#%k with it.

Well, I did go with excellent optics: a Leupold Mark IV ER/T 8.5-25x 50mm FFP model scope. 20 MOA canted Leupold Mark 4 30mm one piece scope rings. I cannot even find Black Hills 175 MK's for sale or Fed GMM in the same weight. So I'm testing it out with Buffalo Bore 175 Sniper and Atomic Ammo 175... Both claim to have similar properties to the Black Hills or Fed GMM so I will test it out. Agree that that RRA does make a nice product. However, I figure if I decrease the lock time that will only make it easier for me increase the potential of the rifle. I was betting on a .75MOA rifle at 100 yards and I want to shoot primarily with the rifle out to 800-1100yards. I've been running the numbers on JBM and hopefully I will get close to the 2600FPS muzzle velocities advertized by the makers of the bullets with the 26inch long tube. Not to mention even better velocities once I start hand loading for the rifle.

 

[Odin]

What is your purpose with this rifle. What are your thoughts on the 26inch barrel? Not saying its right or wrong. Just wondering.

I took the 26inch tube over the 20 inch tube-- because I wanted to get as much velocity as I possibly could from the 308 win. My shooting will be only steel targets ranging from 500-1120 yards. I'm hoping the extra the 2 inches gives me the extra velocity I need to keep the 175 MK's or Berger 175's possibly 185's supersonic out to at least 1150-1200 yards.

 

[elfster1234]

For what youre doing it sounds good to me... Only one thing... You better keep us updated and with pics! Lol jk

I took the 26inch tube over the 20 inch tube-- because I wanted to get as much velocity as I possibly could from the 308 win. My shooting will be only steel targets ranging from 500-1120 yards. I'm hoping the extra the 2 inches gives me the extra velocity I need to keep the 175 MK's or Berger 175's possibly 185's supersonic out to at least 1150-1200 yards.

 

[briang7511]

please keep us update, ive wanted to get myself a chrismas present too, same length barrel as yours. RRA gives you that 1 moa guarantee. Let see how she does out of the box.

 

[Steelhead]

Well, my RRA LAR-8 is bone stock and it does this on a regular basis:



That's 10 shots, including the cold bore. I don't feel like I need a different trigger.

 

[Morale_Gear]

I had one of the first 16" mid-lengths, and it would consistently do around 1" with handloads, occasionally dipping as low as .5" or so on a good day. The gun should impress once you get it out shooting.

As mentioned above, use the stock trigger first and see if you feel the need for an aftermarket one.

 

[Newtrick]

Well, I did go with excellent optics: a Leupold Mark IV ER/T 8.5-25x 50mm FFP model scope. 20 MOA canted Leupold Mark 4 30mm one piece scope rings. I cannot even find Black Hills 175 MK's for sale or Fed GMM in the same weight. So I'm testing it out with Buffalo Bore 175 Sniper and Atomic Ammo 175... Both claim to have similar properties to the Black Hills or Fed GMM so I will test it out. Agree that that RRA does make a nice product. However, I figure if I decrease the lock time that will only make it easier for me increase the potential of the rifle. I was betting on a .75MOA rifle at 100 yards and I want to shoot primarily with the rifle out to 800-1100yards. I've been running the numbers on JBM and hopefully I will get close to the 2600FPS muzzle velocities advertized by the makers of the bullets with the 26inch long tube. Not to mention even better velocities once I start hand loading for the rifle.

Sounds like you're well on the way. I have the same optic on mine. Bummer about availability of good match ammo right now. My only point was, the gun comes very capable. The RRA two stage triggers are pretty good as they are. Like I said, I'm sure you can get better, but they are not bad. My 26"er really amazes other shooters when they shoot it. VERY accurate right out of the box, with good bi-pod or bags. The reason I brought up Black Hills is, it has run very well in mine. You'll love this gun.

 

[Odin]

Sounds like you're well on the way. I have the same optic on mine. Bummer about availability of good match ammo right now. My only point was, the gun comes very capable. The RRA two stage triggers are pretty good as they are. Like I said, I'm sure you can get better, but they are not bad. My 26"er really amazes other shooters when they shoot it. VERY accurate right out of the box, with good bi-pod or bags. The reason I brought up Black Hills is, it has run very well in mine. You'll love this gun.

It's good to hear that it is so nice out of the box. I know because I wanted Black Hills I love them in my .223 Howa 1500s Varmint rifle. However, I not found anyone selling them or the Fed GMM ammo at all. I'm putting the Harris Bi-pod that usually supports my Howa on the LAR-8 and I use a regular sand sock for rear bag. I would really like to hit a 5" diameter steel target from Shoot Steel at 500-800yards and a silhouette target 12"x20" at 900-1120yards. I bought them in those sizes so I could simulate .60 to 1 MOA targets depending on the range.

So did you get the M1 turrets or the M5 turrets on your Mark IV. I took the M1's because I'm more comfortable with the MOA system.

 

[Odin]

I will certainly start posting video of it shooting... I'm more of a video guy than a still picture guy... Over Christmas I'm going to test it out to @465- 500yards. So I'll put a video of that up so everyone can see it... I would like everyone to keep in mind-- I've been away from the sport for awhile-- like 5 years. So don't judge the gun on these preliminary adventures-- judge it once I get more familiar with it.

 

[Odin]

For what youre doing it sounds good to me... Only one thing... You better keep us updated and with pics! Lol jk

No, I'll keep you posted with better than pictures-- video.

 

[Odin]

I had one of the first 16" mid-lengths, and it would consistently do around 1" with handloads, occasionally dipping as low as .5" or so on a good day. The gun should impress once you get it out shooting.

As mentioned above, use the stock trigger first and see if you feel the need for an aftermarket one.

Good to hear.

 

[Newtrick]

It's good to hear that it is so nice out of the box. I know because I wanted Black Hills I love them in my .223 Howa 1500s Varmint rifle. However, I not found anyone selling them or the Fed GMM ammo at all. I'm putting the Harris Bi-pod that usually supports my Howa on the LAR-8 and I use a regular sand sock for rear bag. I would really like to hit a 5" diameter steel target from Shoot Steel at 500-800yards and a silhouette target 12"x20" at 900-1120yards. I bought them in those sizes so I could simulate .60 to 1 MOA targets depending on the range.

So did you get the M1 turrets or the M5 turrets on your Mark IV. I took the M1's because I'm more comfortable with the MOA system.

I'm using a Harris 6-9" and a sand sock. I have a PRS on it also, although there is nothing wrong with an A2 stock. I got the M5 turrets. I am switching over from MOA as most of the guys I shoot with are mil-mil. Plus my spotting scopes are mil. Makes for a quick solution call out from your spotter. I was lucky enough to buy a bunch of BH 175's before they went away. I also obtained a bunch of the 175 version of M118LR's. They shoot very similarly to the BH. Just bought a thousand 175 SMK's, and I'm going to start some load testing there.

With low wind you won't have much trouble with 500 to 800. 1000 starts getting out there for .308. Certainly do-able, but conditions really start coming into play. At that distance I really enjoy shooting my AR10 in .260 Rem.

 

[Odin]

I'm using a Harris 6-9" and a sand sock. I have a PRS on it also, although there is nothing wrong with an A2 stock. I got the M5 turrets. I am switching over from MOA as most of the guys I shoot with are mil-mil. Plus my spotting scopes are mil. Makes for a quick solution call out from your spotter. I was lucky enough to buy a bunch of BH 175's before they went away. I also obtained a bunch of the 175 version of M118LR's. They shoot very similarly to the BH. Just bought a thousand 175 SMK's, and I'm going to start some load testing there.

With low wind you won't have much trouble with 500 to 800. 1000 starts getting out there for .308. Certainly do-able, but conditions really start coming into play. At that distance I really enjoy shooting my AR10 in .260 Rem.

I agree that the 175's at 1000+ yards will be difficult with the wind deflection-- but isn't that part of the fun? I've been thinking about having another upper built for this rifle in something like 6.5x47mm for better 1000 yard performance with the wind. However, right now I want to see what sort of performance I can get out of ol' .308...

I can do Mil-Mil but I always find myself working MOA anyway. I think it is just force of habit, on my part. So, I stuck with the system I like best MOA-TMR reticule... Nothing worse than having an optical sight in your hands no rifle to put it on yet! I think if I get bored with the Mark IV I will put a Steiner 5x-25x 56mm Scope on it next. I think that only comes in Mil-Mil options... So, I know at some point I will have to abandon my beloved MOA system because the overall shooting community wants to go Mil, but, that won't be for awhile.

I've got the same model Harris Bi-Pod myself. I do with the bi-pod at times would extend a little more for field operations-- say maybe 10-11 inches max hieght from perhaps a 5" minimum height. My pod has to be 10 years old and I'm surprised at how tight the legs are still to this day. I really like the Harris product-- however, I just think that if it had a little extra adjustment and lower minimum height it would be even more versatile both on the bench and in field ops. However, that is a minor grip for what I believe to be a really well made product.


The only ammo I've found for sale on Midway USA in 175grains are the Lapua with L squared Scenars (175's) a good bullet- but I was more interested this time to check out the 175 SMK-- or ammo from brands like Atomic and Buffalo Bore. I've never really heard of them before but since I've been away from shooting for 5 years that doesn't mean much. I cannot wait to see what they do. They come via UPS today. I need to purchase all the dies and break out my reloading gear but my apartment is pretty small so I don't know exactly if I can do that right now. So, right now I'm stuck with factory ammo. If I can get factory ammo doing 1 MOA at 800yards on the 12"x20" Silhouette target right now I'll be extremely happy. I will have to practice a lot , but I have some time coming to me that will allow me to do that.