RRA lar 8 elite operator 16"

[JulietTango]

I'm looking to step up to 308 in AR platform and I've become really interested in this RRA. I fell in love with it in the gun shop. Is this a gun you could put a scope on and get good accuracy at distance? My arsenal up to this point consists of Glocks and Bushmasters. Am I stupid for considering this gun? I have heard about the mag and part interchangeability issues. I welcome all input that will help me put this in perspective. Whatever I get will be used for casual shooting and not weekend long run and gun sessions. I'd like the gun to accept 308 or 7.62. I'll probably reload some as well. I might want to hunt with it also though most shooting will be prone or seated. I have considered the longer barrel to get the 1 MOA guarantee. All in all the DPMS might be more my speed. thanks for the responses.

 

[wally]

I've both the 16" LAR-8 and DPMS LR-308. Off sandbags the RRA seemed a bit more accurate, but I don't do a lot of bench shooting.

The DMPS pattern .308 AR rifles seem to be "more standard".

The RRA FAL magazine usage seemed genius at the time, but by the time they were actually in full production FAL mags were hard to find and PMAG and others were making DPMS pattern AR308 mags. DSA is making FAL mags now so the disadvantage has been reduced.

 

[ugaarguy]

Is this a gun you could put a scope on and get good accuracy at distance?

I have no personal experience with the LAR-8, but if it's anything like their LAR-15 rifles I would expect so.

Am I stupid for considering this gun?

No, RRA isn't the best AR manufacturer out there, but they're far from the worst as well. Stupid would be buying any gun you're unsure about and asking for advice later. You're asking for advice before buying, which is the smart thing to do.

I have heard about the mag and part interchangeability issues. I welcome all input that will help me put this in perspective.

I think that's the key issue. For years there was no standard for .308 / 7.62 NATO AR pattern rifles. The UK MoD went with LMT for their AR pattern .308 / 7.62 NATO rifles, and the US Army adopted the Knight's SR-25 as the M110. Those are both built off the Knight's .308 AR pattern, and parts are mostly compatible. DPMS is fully compatible with the Knight's pattern, and because of the Freedom Group conglomerate the Remington and Bushmaster .308 AR rifles are built off the DPMS pattern. Smith and Wesson's M&P-10 is also highly if not fully compatible with the Knight's pattern as well. Essentially, the Knight's pattern is emerging as the de facto standard for these rifles. Of course, if you really like RRA rifles (or you have a bunch of FAL mags) you may still want to buy an LAR-8.

That aside what do you want this rifle to do? Are you looking for a target rifle to shoot off the bench, or something more portable? Knowing that would help everyone here to provide more relevant feedback.

 

[Edarnold]

Another factor if you are concerned with long range effectiveness is the ballistic hit you take with that handy 16" barrel. The velocities you see quoted for the .308 Winchester cartridge were developed in the standard 22" barrel; chopping 6" off that barrel length can chop 200fps off your muzzle velocity, depending on the particular load. You may have good accuracy at long range, but your bullet is going to drop more and have less energy than a gun with a full length barrel.

Accepting the weight and recoil penalty of the 7.62x51 round in an AR style rifle as compared with a 5.56, and then throwing away the energy advantage by configuring the rifle as a snubby carbine, has always struck as being a losing proposition. You can't argue with Physics: it's the Law!

 

[JulietTango]

Thanks for the replies.

 

[mtrmn]

If you get the RRA, be sure to get the plastic mags they sell--they work extremely well in mine compared to FAL mags.

 

[RainDodger]

I can only offer an opinion on the RRA brand. I have a number of AR platformed rifles. One of them is a 20" RRA with their National Match trigger. It is very likely the most accurate rifle in my safe, even considering dedicated varmint rifles. I was stunned with how well it shoots. I would not hesitate to buy an RRA and I'd love to try one in .308.

 

[zeke]

Have the elite operator, and like it cepting the name. Removed the "jangles". Easily less than 1 moa, but only with bullets 165 grains and more. Accuracy suffers with 150 grainers or less. Have fixed 10x scope/bipod and got it for accuracy out to 400 yds. The back up fixed sites aren't the best, the front does not lock up too tight. Bullet velocity does drop about 200 fps from 20 in barrel. It is heavy, with very light recoil. Had ordered it with the smith brake. The mag compatibility with FALs is a plus , as am already invested in FAL mags. Several sources for new mags now.

Waited several months to get it.

 

[DCoke]

I too have the LAR-8 Elite Operator. It is heavy (if you're used to a .223 rifle) but it has little recoil. With iron sights out to 600 yds I am hitting a garbage can lid metal gong at the range. I can only imagine what having good glass on it will do as I've yet to find the glass I want to put on it. I have also ordered a complete Standard Operator upper to basically have 2 rifles in one. I am not displeased with it at all. Many people complain of RRA's proprietary parts and sizing. I don't find it much of an issue as I'm not one to go around changing too many things on a gun once I've purchased it. The magazine issue is also a non-issue. I've been able to locate plenty of RRA mags and FAL mags at reasonable prices (and by many I mean enough for my needs....6 mags). Whatever you decide to do should be whatever you think will serve your needs the best.

 

[DoubleTapDrew]

I think the 16" has a 1.5 MOA guarantee. Thats about what mine shot with good ammo. I did that Tubb 2000 system (abrasive bullets basically) and got them down to about half that size.