RRA LAR-8, first time shoot!

[Dog Doc]

First post here, so here goes.
I have been shooting my own .308's for a couple of years as well as learning about reloading.I love it so much that I kept trying to convince my brother to get into this...and he finaly did. He just bought a RRA LAR-8, with a 20" bull barrel.
We took it out yesterday for a break in, and I brought a variety of ammo. The majority was cheap Wal Mart Federal 150gr soft point stuff, but I also brought some FGMM and Black Hills 175gr. I didn't expect anything spectacular, but something interesting happened!
My experiences with shooting is just as expected...cheap ammo will not shoot as well as match ammo...Well, My brothers rifle was completely opposite of this!!
I had him shooting 5 round groups and the Wal Mart Federal ammo was producing consistent 1.0 to 1.25" groups, with 4-5 groups much less than an inch. Best group measured at 0.55"!!!
The FGMM, Black hills, and my own light accuracy reload did not produce anything close.. All the "good stuff was averaging around 1.5" to 2"...
So please give me some insight!!! Is this an indicator that this rifle will like the lighter projectiles? should I focus my reloading around 155gr bullet weights?
I just always thought that Fed GMM and Black Hills could be my gold standard for everything!
Any advice is appreciated,
Thanks!

 

[Steelhead]

Re: RRA LAR-8, first time shoot!

I know my LAR-8 with 26" bull barrel like my reloads in which I use a 180 Nosler Ballistic Tip. I get 10 shot groups that measure .5" or less. I haven't tried any lite bullets yet though.

Look under my posts concerning the LAR-8 and you'll see some, where I've posted pictures of my groups.

 

[Zombiesniper]

Re: RRA LAR-8, first time shoot!

I have had my Lar-8 for a couple of weeks now. Shooting Bitter root valley 168 grain I can print 1-1.5 5 shout groups at 100. Using a buddies reloads that were a smidgen hot loaded I had 4 shots touching a .35 and one flyer (my fault). All of this done with a 16" barrel and collapsible Magpul ctr stock on a UTG bi-pod. Not sure what is happening on your end.

 

[Dog Doc]

Re: RRA LAR-8, first time shoot!

I wasn't really out expecting great results with any ammo as we were just breaking in. My 2 DPMS rifles seemed to need 100-200 rounds to start showing thier capabilities.
I was just shocked to see such amazing results with crap ammo that was repeatable when historically accurate ammo did not show as impressive results. We are basically going to try and repeat this again just to see what happens.
If the WalMart cheap ammo continues to print just over half inch groups, I guess this may end up being the round to compare to. Am I wrong in thinking this?
I still plan on working up the 168's and 175's, but I will be honest... I think getting better than 0.56" groups is gonna be hard!! I am pretty much a novice reloader and would be happy with that!

 

[MD2Colo]

Re: RRA LAR-8, first time shoot!

Hey man that's great news to hear that your LAR-8 (and you) shoot well. I'm in the market for a semi-auto 308/7.62 rifle and I think I've narrowed it down to this
http://www.rockriverarms.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=402

I've had a lot of experience with the M110 and to be honest (I know people are gonna flame me) I'm not THAT impressed with such an expensive system, although the M110's quick-detach clip system for the suppressor works well (by the book you're supposed to fire 5 rounds to seat the can...?). It's actually a nice system but geez you talk about $$$. The test fire sheet from KAC that came with my M110 was just under 1 MOA, which didn't knock my socks off but hey it's what the Army wanted and it's what KAC made. My buddy's M110 had issues with the hammer cocked and not falling when the selector was on fire and trigger pulled...that was weird. I'm no armorer or whatever but that seems weird to me.

It's cool to see that good accuracy can be achieved from a relatively cheap 308 AR platform. This is the 3rd or 4th 'review' I've seen of the LAR-8 with great results.

Yes, there are LMT, Larue, GAP, Armalite, Les Baer,Noveske, etc,etc...
I guess I'm just psyched that the LAR-8 shoots so well for so cheap. My mods planned would be a Harris swivel bipod, PRS stock, and an NXS 3.5-15x50 MLR/MOA. The 1/10 barrel should shoot 168g well, although I'm curious to see how well it will shoot M118 175g SMK.
I'm happy for ya, bro, and thanks for the thread.
Mike

 

[Steelhead]

Re: RRA LAR-8, first time shoot!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Dog Doc</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
If the WalMart cheap ammo continues to print just over half inch groups, I guess this may end up being the round to compare to. Am I wrong in thinking this?
I still plan on working up the 168's and 175's, but I will be honest... I think getting better than 0.56" groups is gonna be hard!! I am pretty much a novice reloader and would be happy with that! </div></div>

How does the Walmart ammo do at longer distances, compared to the match ammo/reloads? This would be my only concern.

 

[nobearsyet]

Re: RRA LAR-8, first time shoot!

Probably drifts more when you get out there a litle ways. I own a couple guns that like the cheap stuff, I have a Springfield Loaded 1911 that prefers White box Winchester 230grn FMJ. ANd won't function with Cor Bon that's hotter with the same profile bullet, go figure.

 

[ROCKRIVER308]

Re: RRA LAR-8, first time shoot!

My lar 8 26" is very accurate with my handloads. 168 Nosler match bullets with some BLC-2 powder is about 1/2 moa consistently. I have really enjoyed this rifle. Very accurate and very reliable.

 

[toddconley]

Re: RRA LAR-8, first time shoot!

If yours is a 1/10 twist as mine is you can shoot 44.5 varget and 155 scenar for about 2720 in my 16 elite operator. Shoots like a house afire as they say. These rifles are a very good value. Amazingly accurate for any dollar.

 

[Dog Doc]

Re: RRA LAR-8, first time shoot!

I can't imagine the Wal Mart Federal ammo would do well long range. I need to take my brother and his RRA shooting again to see if it will shoot well day to day. I think I am going to work up a 155gr load for his rifle (as well as my DPMS) and see how this does. Our big problem here (Kansas) is that we don't have any long ranges to test ammo. Trust me, I am so frustrated by this! I have been looking at surrounding states trying to find a range that has more than 100yds!! Who would figure a place like Kansas wouldn't have a long range somewhere!

 

[popper]

Re: RRA LAR-8, first time shoot!

How difficult is re-loading for DPMS 308. I read a lot of scary stuff about it - gas guns that is. Small base die, primer pocket cutter, case gauges, etc. What works? I reload for lever-guns and pistol but this is something new.

 

[Dog Doc]

Re: RRA LAR-8, first time shoot!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: popper</div><div class="ubbcode-body">How difficult is re-loading for DPMS 308. I read a lot of scary stuff about it - gas guns that is. Small base die, primer pocket cutter, case gauges, etc. What works? I reload for lever-guns and pistol but this is something new.
</div></div>
I am fairly new to realoading but you are in the right place to learn! I have only reloaded for my bolt gun in .308 with no problems. My .223 reloads have all worked out well for an AR platform.
There are plenty of guys reloading for gas guns and if you read through the reloading section you can get alot of info. I am way too much of a novice to give advice... but I am learning alot from this forum!!
I have plenty of reloads to get out and shoot, just need to get out and do it!

 

[Dog Doc]

Re: RRA LAR-8, first time shoot!

I don't have any scenar's at this point but I have a bunch of 155gr Sierra palma's... Do you have an experience with these? I am going to get some of the scenar's soon, just gonna try these first as I have a bunch!

 

[Patriot Prepper]

Re: RRA LAR-8, first time shoot!

I would not be too quick to judge what type of ammo you gun likes until you have done more testing. I have the RR LAR 8 - it loves the Fed Gold Medal Match 168 BTHP rounds. I shot 1/4 MOA with it.
It also shoots great with cheap Walmart ammo. But the GMM shoot better.

Of course, every gun is different. But I would do more testing under the same conditions. Here is a video of me reviewing the LAR 8 and showing the group with the Fed GMM.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLX6wEgSk_g&feature=channel_video_title