This attention to accuracy is especially evident in Rock Rivers new model, the Advanced Tactical Hunter V2 (ATH V2). Since the freebore area only surrounds the bullet when a cartridge is chambered, variation in brass thickness causes no trouble. Several years ago, I was visiting with a good friend of mine when the discussion turned to the guns he carried on duty.. Rock River Arms has been around since 1996 when brothers Mark and Chuck Larson founded the company in Cleveland, Illinois. The guns manufactured for these uses also have this same variety in their construction. While I was pleased to see the new rifle perform well, I like to know all the reasons why. The new 9mm suppressor can mount easily to any pistol barrel threaded x28 inches and doesn't compromise on sound suppression, gas blowback or recoil. Two Stage Varmint Chrome Two Stage Varmint: +$35.00. I know several manufacturers that swear by the process and they all turn out highly accurate rifles, so there is something to be said for the treatment. At one . Accuracy: 1 MOA @ 100 yards Included: One magazine, RRA Case, Manual, Warranty MSRP: $1,480 www.rockriverarms.com. Review: Rock River Arms X-Series LAR-6.8 AR-15 Several high-quality triggers exist today that will hold up under the harshest conditions yet allow for more accuracy and faster follow-up shots. This one was the same. Rock River Arms RBG-1S Rifle: Full Review - RifleShooter Knowing first-hand the accuracy reputation of RRA rifles through many weve tested for Shoot On and looking at the ballistic performance of the two cartridges tested for this evaluation, I must conclude that neither load hit this particular LAR-15s sweet spot, although the Hornady American Whitetails performance would absolutely get the job done. Rock River Arms is known for being accurate due to the materials they use and the quality of their products. LaRue has a huge following in the sniper community, and our experience reinforced why this is the case. To fix this issue, Rock River has given its Star selector a nipple that sits at the end of the lever, and it protrudes away from the receiver. Besides helping with accuracy, the lapping makes it easier to clean the barrel. RRAGE LAR-15 Type: Direct-impingement, semiautomatic Cartridge: 5.56 NATO Barrel: 16 in., 1:9-in. Customer experience was, and still is, the primary focus, a key to the firms longevity and success. Although it eliminated the brass deflector, we had no problems with the ejection pattern. This process alone will add another $30 to $50 dollars to the $1325 price tag. The 1:10-inch twist rate will stabilize both the 168- and 175-grain bullets used in long-range loads. I use the term "good" loosely because it really is subjective. Ballistic Silver Tip SBST223B, $21.48/20, and Black Hills Match New Production Red Box 50-gr. The Rock River Arms Advanced Half Quad fore-end leaves the barrel free-floating for improved accuracy. . Lower Receiver: Forged RRA LAR-15 Upper Receiver: Forged A4 Barrel: 16-inch Chrome Moly, 1:9 Twist Muzzle Device: RRA Tactical Muzzle Brake/-28 Thread . SIG Sauer P322 Rimfire Pistol: First Look, Non-Lethal Personal & Home Defense with Byrna, Range Tested: EAA Girsan Pistols & Shotguns, New for 2023: Christensen Arms Modern Hunting Rifle (MHR), New for 2023: All-American RIA 5.0 Sporting Pistol, New for 2023: FN Rush 9Ti Pistol Suppressor, New Big Bore Pistols for 2023: FN 510 Tactical and FN 545 Tactical, New for 2023: FN SCAR 15P Rifle Caliber Pistol, First Look: Taurus Raging Hunter 460 Magnum Revolver With 10.5-Inch Barrel, New-for-2023 Taurus Judge Executive Grade 410/.45 Colt Revolver, Smith & Wesson Equalizer and the Brand New M&P 5.7 Pistol. This handguard is very comfortable in the hand while still leaving plenty of attachment options for any accessories the shooter might want to employ. According to Rock River Arms, the FBI has used their rifles in the past. Even with only 16 inches of launch, the .223's velocity averages 2900-3000 fps. However, I always thought they were a good platform, but I was more than a bit intimidated by the myriad options, terms and manufacturers. accuracy in the Standard Operator, and our testing, at least with match ammunition, was consistent with that claim. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Rock River Arms is considered to be one of the most reliable AR-15 manufacturers because of the materials they use and the quality of their products. Smith & Wesson Model 586: Reviewing A .357 Revolver With Class. Rock River Arms guarantees one-m.o.a. He was an agent with the Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) and a member of their tactical team. SCCY DVG-1 Sub-Compact Striker-Fired Pistol: Full Review, .505 Gibbs Rifle Brass 'H H' Headstamp: Maker and Quality Info Sought, SIG Sauer P322 .22 Rimfire Pistol: Full Review, How to Choose the Best Scope Reticle for Your Application, Mossberg 940 Pro Tactical Optic-Ready Autoloading Shotgun: First Look, Shadow Systems Full-Size DR920P and Subcompact CR920 Handguns: Full Review, Instructional Tools for Modern Sight Alignment Training, Springfield Armory Hellion 5.56 NATO Bullpup Rifle: Tested. The Rock River also turned in the tightest group in our test at 0.57 inch with the Black Hills Ammo. Review: Rock River Arms Predator HP LAR-8M - Shooting Times Taurus Marketing Manager Caleb Giddings highlights the features of the new Taurus Raging Hunter 460 Magnum, a purpose-built revolver with a 10.5-inch barrel and an effective recoil-taming brake, with Guns & Ammo Executive Editor Joe Kurtenbach. Joe Kurtenbach, Executive Editor of Gun & Ammo, and John Myles from Smith & Wesson discuss features of the Equalizer 9mm micro-compact pistol and new-for-2023 M&P 5.7. The trigger is an RRA two-stage unit that was very crisp and predictable. Loves Federal Premium 69g Match. While you might not associate the AK-47's cartridge with accuracy, out of an AR-15 the 7.62x39 mm can produce tiny groups. JavaScript is disabled. Rock River Arms guarantees this pistol will shoot 2.5-inch groups at 50 yards with 185-grain Federal Gold Medal Match semi-wadcutter ammo. Since we had so many choices, we decided to narrow the field by setting the following parameters: a barrel length between 20 and 24 inches long, constructed of stainless steel, and capable of shooting the most popular ammo weight of 50 to 55 grains. So got a brand new Rock River Arms Predator Pursuit in .223. AR-10-style rifles, the Rock River Arms LAR-8 stands alone. A normal throw lever found on an AR works fine for a right-handed shooter firing off the right shoulder. Make zone hi-res stock photography and images - Alamy It felt comfortable to the shooters, settled in nicely for repeat shots, and turned in a second best 0.940-inch overall average group. Rock River Arms Review: Take Me To The River, Drop Me In Colona? - Gunivore There are several candidates that also would have worked from other manufacturers such as DPMS, Bushmaster, Armalite and others, but we had to pick one and wanted to see if RRA's reputation would hold up. The 18-inch barrel that Rock River chose to install has a 1:8-inch twist and features a mid-length gas system. (Photo by Mark Fingar) December 07, 2021 By Craig . In parts of the South, varmint hunters are calling in foxes, coyotes, bobcats and other predators. Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the May issue of Gun Digest the Magazine. The ATH V2 comes with an 18-inch, stainless steel, heavy match barrel. Accuracy is the average of five, five-shot groups from a rest at 100 yards. Rock Rivers winter triggerguard solves this problem. The LAR-8 Standard Operator is reliable and accurate, and its fine trigger makes it easy to shoot well. The shorter stainless barrel gave us better balance in the heavy barrel category, allowing us to shoot off-hand with reasonable accuracy. As a result, Rock River rifles enjoy significantly improved reliability with all types of 5.56mm ammunition. So, when I was tasked to review the new Rock River Arms BT-3 .308 Modern Sporting Rifle, I decided to meet the challenge head-on. Winchesters data reveals the .350 Legends felt recoil to be more than half that of the .450 Bushmaster. Some reviewers have had negative experiences, but this is rare. And if youve ever waded into some of the online forums devoted to things-AR, you know just how bewildering it all can be. Rock River has been around for a long time and they maintain a devoted following because they continue to use quality components while giving attention to the details. The .350 Legend cartridge introduced in 2019 falls under the latter. . Spent a whole lot of time lurking, listening, and learning on this forum - I know that my knowledge does not offer much compared to most posting on this site. It made all the difference in my performance. If youre looking for a good, dependable AR at a reasonable price, I dont think you could go wrong with a Rock River Arms product. The overmold means minimal hand-slip when wearing gloves, and it makes the A2 grip more comfortable when shooting bare-handed. We chose No. One tester felt the handle should be black to reduce glare, because his ADD caused him to focus on the neat little handle running back and forth. This div height required for enabling the sticky sidebar, 2022 Yestactical.com We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Shoot On Editor-in-Chief Rob Reaser is a lifelong outdoorsman, former magazine editor, columnist, and contributing editor to numerous national publications in the automotive and outdoor segments. For my scope, I wanted something powerful and sharp. They offer a variety of barrel lengths and profiles to choose from, so you can find the perfect one for your needs. An exceptionally volatile Texas spring brought a series of gusty winds, heavy rain, the occasional hailstorm, and a few tornados thrown in for good measure. Best AR-15 Complete Upper Receivers - Pew Pew Tactical Rock River Arms originally designed and patented the system back in 2005. If youre willing to spend a little extra money, theyre definitely worth considering. Hard to imagine a city without a river, and this is Haarlem's. The waterway brings in air and light to the city. Additionally, RRA offers a lifetime warranty on their rifles. It was comfortable, but I prefer a little bigger grip. Last edited: Dec 29, 2021. The first three shots with Remington 168-grain BTHP factory ammunition at 25 yards showed that I was 3 inches low and 1 inch to the right. Interestingly, Bushmasters directions require barrel cleaning after every 20 rounds, for the first 60 rounds, to ensure proper break-in. Feel free to reach out to us or read our affiliate disclosure and privacy policy. soft point; 5-shot string #1, Federal Non-Typical, 180-gr. My ultimate conclusion is that the Rock River Arms BT-3 is a winner for both novice and experienced precision shooters, though I would change a couple of the accessories. In this blog post, we will take a look at Rock River Arms reviews to see what people have to say about their products. As a rifle-shooting newbie of sorts, I wanted a scope that would mitigate my lack of rifle shooting experience. Best precision/Varmint/3-Gun Bravo Company (BCM) 18 Upper Decent quality, accurate, soft shooting $780 at Rainier Arms Jump to Details Best Budget Short Barrel Option Palmetto State Armory 10.5 Wallet friendly, decently reliable $329 at Palmetto State Armory Jump to Details Best Lightweight Upper Faxon ION Upper They have to improve quality, offer customized options and mark it all at a fair pricesounds like the ideal business model, but no its not. Reasonable Accuracy from LAR-15 Predator Pursuit Its Rock River Arms business model and today Guns.com reviews the Rock River Arms LAR-15. Review: Rock River Arms ATH V2 - Guns and Ammo You might wonder why we listed the prices of each option at the beginning of this review. We quickly found that choosing four guns to test wasnt going to be easy. He asked what I was shooting, and then said, Well, thats funny. Scopes, guns, boots and other tactical stuff in-between. Gun Review: Rock River Arms LAR-15 :: Guns.com The bottom of the gas block has a short length of Picatinny rail for attaching a bipod. So, if youre looking for a cheap AR-15, Rock River Arms probably isnt the best option. At those temperatures, the molecules align with their neighbors. The reason is that the base price for the FAR15 is $900, and every gun is bench built, so each shooter can pick and choose the options he can afford. The result is a super-reliable, mid-level AR with clean lines and solid accuracy, to boot. Select Trigger. Place just the bolt carrier back in the upper receiver and slide it into battery while observing the short section of gas tube that comes into the upper receiver. In the time since it reacquired the rights to the BAR-10/LAR-8, Rock River replaced the original charging handle with a more common design and refined the extractor for better performance. In comparison, the standard AR trigger has most of its mass as far away as possible from the pin about which it rotates. Accurate AR-15 Rifles: Buy the Fulton Armory, Rock River Guns, Fulton Armory is one of the top providers of M1, M1a, and M14, competition guns, and Clint McKee (the owner) and Walt Kuleck (sales manager) have also written books on firearms, including, Their gun arrived in a plain cardboard box, with no gun case, just the gun sandwiched between two sheets of foam, along with a set of tools and directions for the Geissele trigger, and a modified version of their, SIG Sauer P365XL Spectre P365V001 9mm Luger, Springfield Armory Hellcat Pro HCP9379BOSP 9mm Luger, SHOT 2023: Savage Arms Introduces 1911 Government Model Pistols, 5 Best 9mm Pistols for Concealed Carry in 2023, New Shooters Guide: The Best Gun For Home Defense Isnt a. No matter what load we tried, it lagged behind the guns in our test. The case length hits the 1.71-inch mark with an overall cartridge length of 2.26 inches. The lightweight handguard is comfortable and has enough M-LOK slots to add whatever accessories you might need or want. His shooting and hunting passions cover everything from traditional archery and big-game bowhunting to the latest in handguns, rifles, and reloading. This was a tough test to judge: Four varmint/predator rifles from Bushmaster, Fulton Armory, Rock River, and Stag Arms went head to head, and only minor differences separated them. VMAX ($40/50). The company has created a unique, so-called Star safety selector switch that is both fast and positive. RRA's R3 Competition Rifle is a Versatile & Accurate AR I am by no means an expert on ARs, but I do know a bit about quality firearms. If Stag used a vented forend to reduce weight, used a stock with more butt weight to balance the rig, and used a shorter barrel, this gun might have won. Keep in mind that, although I dont shoot a lot of long guns, Im a professional firearms photographer and I recognize quality and attention to detail when I see it. Loves Federal Premium 69g Match. We also found the left ejection pattern did not bother righties. rifle. Accurate AR-15 Rifles: Buy the Fulton Armory, Rock River Guns If a bullet enters the rifling crooked, accuracy will always suffer. I like shooting rifles its fun and its challenging but I certainly dont feel as though Im capable of producing the level of accuracy todays precision rifles are capable of delivering. The gas block has two setscrews that hold it in place, and the contour is Rock Rivers heavy match. Far from what youd call a heavy match barrel on a bolt-action rifle, the barrel on the ATH V2 has almost a straight contour and measures three-quarters of an inch at the muzzle. Copyright 2023 National Rifle Association, Women On Target Instructional Shooting Clinics, Volunteer At The Great American Outdoor Show, Marion P. Hammer Women Of Distinction Award, Women's Wildlife Management / Conservation Scholarship, National Youth Shooting Sports Cooperative Program, New for 2020: Rock River Arms BT-9 4.5" Pistol, New for 2020: Rock River Arms LAR-15M 350 Legend, NRA Gun of the Week: Rock River Arms BT9 R9 Competition, NRA Gun Of The Week: Rock River Arms Assurance-C, Product Preview: Rock River Arms M1911 Mainspring Housings, 7 Simple Follow-Through Tips to Improve Your Accuracy (Right Now!) Fortunately, our established test protocols took care of this requirement on their own. This often requires carrying guns through thickets of brush, and a rest, if available, is a handy tree branch. This gives the hammer considerable inertia. All that was left was to hit the range. This website contains many older reviews. Feb 2018 Solo. That changed several years ago when Michigan decided to allow the use of straight-wall cartridges in .35 caliber or larger with case lengths ranging from 1.16- (minimum) to 1.80-inch (maximum). For testing, we fitted the rifle with a Leupold 1.1-8X 24 mm CQBSS using steel 34 mm rings. Bergara BXR Review: Is the Bergara BXR the Best Rifle for Hunters? twist Overall Length: 36 in. Rock River Arms Standard A2 (.223 / 5.56) 20" Barrel In fact, many experts believe that it is THE most accurate AR-15 on the market. Every rifle is hand-built with precision in mind, and this definitely shows in the quality of their products. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Remington 700 accuracy international AX chassis package. Putting a barrel through the cryogenic process at Rock River means the barrel is cooled down in steps until it reaches 300 degrees Fahrenheit below zero. Rock River Arms is a popular option, but is it the right one for you? We were shooting iron sights only and the gun shot better than I can, in terms of accuracy. This is not the first time Ive tested a Rock River rifle with their stainless-steel match barrel, so I was not surprised when group averages hovered near MOA for five shots at 100 yards. Gun Digest Editor, Luke Hartle, had a brand new gun he wanted reviewed, and he wanted it reviewed from the perspective of a fairly novice precision rifle shooter looking to get into the game. The FALs feed lips are built into the receiver rather than the magazine itselfa feature that, in theory, should offer more reliable feeding. When the carrier key hits the gas tube, that disturbance travels down the tube and into the barrel. The RRA LAR-15 is a quality gun, in just about any configuration you can come up with. Next, although fixed power (16x in this case), the Super Sniper had parallax adjustments for given distances present on a rotating indicator dial, along with a fast-focus eyepiece. The deep-freeze cryogenic process that each barrel receives removes any stress imparted on it during the manufacturing process. For true fans and students of the gun, we certainly live in a time when many among us may not fully appreciate the incredible diversity of firearms and ammunition at our disposal. When I dress Western, nothing beats the classic good looks of my Smith & Wesson (S&W) 586 .357 revolver. They also like the companys commitment to customer service. Rock River Arms is considered to be one of the most reliable AR-15 manufacturers because of the materials they use and the quality of their products. It really comes down to personal preference. For more information on the BT-3, please visit: https://www.rockriverarms.com/www.rockriverarms.com. Of course, all of this comes at a price but if youre looking for an AR-15 that will serve you well for many years to come, then the Rock River Arms is definitely worth considering. Rock River Arms LAR-8 Standard Operator - An Official Journal Of The NRA 49865 Leupold QRW 30mm Quick Detach Mounts for a robust, portable mount. Rock River Arms (RRA) has a terrific reputation for turning out top-notch AR-15s and AR-10s chambered for a wide selection of cartridges, including the standard 5.56/.223, .204 Ruger, 7.62x39, 6.8 SPC, and the .458 SOCOM, a real thumper, if there ever was one. The choice of the FN-FAL magazine offers some nice ergonomic touches, such as the ambidextrous bolt stop and magazine release, but it also makes for a significantly longer, bulkier and heavier .308 Win. And I know that he also respects my knowledge about other guns, meaning that I didnt feel like some kind of idiot by asking him to give me a run-down on basic ARs some time back. Rock River Arms (RRA) has introduced a new AR-style rifle to its lineup, designed specifically with the modern hunter in mind, with the new All Terrain Hunter (ATH). RRA offers two AR-platform rifles chambered in .350 Legendblack phosphate or stainless-steel barrels. The handle was a palm swell adjustable pistol grip, which featured a large base that can be adjusted via a hex wrench to set the proper trigger pull angle. The Coyote is available in a 16-inch barrel "carbine" model or 20-inch "rifle" model, but I chose the Coyote Carbine because it's easier to wield in the woods. You have entered an incorrect email address! Still, the balance of the gun kept it from receiving our highest mark. The fire control is Rock River's 2-stage trigger. Rock River Coyote Carbine Review | An Official Journal Of The NRA Flash forward to today. Billed as the LAR-15M, these rifles are familiar RRA fare, featuring the companys forged A4 upper and multi-caliber lower receivers, 13-inch extended free-float handguard, Operator CAR stock, and two-stage trigger. The Freedom RDS is a fixed, 1X sight that includes a dual-ring, 34mm cantilever mount; $300. Its much easier to shoot with this trigger than with a standard variant. The chamber is 5.56mm NATO, so it will work fine with .223 Remington ammo, too. Minuteman. The barrel's twist rate is one turn in nine inches. Get Guns.com offers and news!! The RRA's have had a very good reputation for high quality products at a good price. Once they hit 300 below zero, theyll bring the barrels up (also in steps) to 200 degrees above zero. Also included were an owners manual, two-stage trigger assembly and adjustment procedures, lock, maintenance instructions, 25-meter zeroing target, and break-in instructions for the stainless barrel. After our article on Compact AR Carbines (October 2007) and a related article on AR-15 Adjustable Stocks (March 2008), some of you warned us that we had opened Pandoras Box. An important accuracy check you can run on any AR without even firing the rifle is to separate the receivers and remove the charging handle and bolt. The Assault Weapons Ban had sunset and I wanted a really nice AR. We encourage you to also support these organizations as we continue to fight for our fundamental rights. The really nice thing about Rock River Arms is that you can order this specific rifle custom-made to your taste and requirements; youre not stuck with a rifle only to purchase your favorite parts later. This is a difficult question to answer. Velocity is the average of 10 shots recorded by a Shooting Chrony chronograph 10 feet from the muzzle. Their gun arrived in a plain cardboard box, with no gun case, just the gun sandwiched between two sheets of foam, along with a set of tools and directions for the Geissele trigger, and a modified version of their The AR-15 Complete Owners Guide.The FAR-15 inside was a striking gun, complete with a Magpul, PRS Precision adjustable sniper stock, $245, which provides exact cheek-weld and LOP adjustments. We should all get a little more practice shooting off our weak shoulder. The rifles they were issued were manufactured by Rock River Arms, and were carbine variants in similar spec to the U.S. militarys M4. Newer models are sporting a more robust Hogue grip. | The gun shot 1 inch overall, but without the inconsistent Remington ammo (1.52 in. Sporting a medium-weight 16-inch stainless steel barrel, it represents the top of Rock River's current four-model line of ARs specifically configured for coyote pursuit. Rem .260 schmidt and bender. Accurate to 1 MOA, or about one-inch at 100 yards. We knew from the moment we hoisted this bad boy out of its case where Stag Arms had invested its money. The Rock River Varmint A4 sported a heavy bull 416SS air-gauged barrel, but it was only 20 inches in length. On the other hand, they add a pair of critical dimensions to the receiver in an already crowded area just below the barrel extension.