I will start with I know absolutely nothing about AR�s. I am looking to get an AR as a calling rifle. With the help of a very patient member through PM�s I have narrowed it down to these two rifles. I am sure I am making more of it than I need to but would like some opinions of which rifle you would pick and why.

Both are 16� barrels and both have wylde chamber.


Predator Pursuit: �Air gauged heavy match stainless barrel 1:8�, RRA aluminum free float tube,A2 stock. 7.2# and an OAL of 34.25�

Coyote Carbine: �Chrome molly HBAR 1:9� with Smith Vortex flash hider, Hogue over mold free float tube. 7 # with an OAL of 36�.

I am leaning towards the predator pursuit for the 1:8 twist but would appreciate any/all input. Also both rifles are available with a free "upgrade" to a chrome bolt carrier group, is this something I should do?

Thanks.

I have a .223 Coyote Carbine and like it a bunch. Carries easy and with my handload hovers just over 1/2" for five shots @ 100 yards with a 60 gr. V-Max. Doubt you could go wrong with either. Barnes 62 gr. TSX double the group to a whopping 1", close enough for skillet sized whitetails in the timber.

I think either would serve you well. personally I think I would go with the predator. the 1:8 allows you to get up into the heavier 75 gn bullets which can be very nice if the distances stretch out.

1-8 twist, 75/77 bullets, Predator Pursuit. Love mine. Order it from Mitchell Supply, great people.

If you are going to shoot a lot of long range shots with heavy bullets you want the 1 in 8 twist. If you want to shoot very light 40 to 52 grain bullets the 1 in 9 twist of coyote rifle might be better. The 1 in 8 twist RRA barrels I've shot all shot 55 & 52 grain bullets to 1 MOA.

I have a 16 inch RRA Coyote Carbine and mine shoots 75 grn bullets great. Im currently messing with some elcheapo 68 grn Hornady bullets that it shoots into tiny groups.

I also have a 9 twist 700 that shoots heavys great, I have owned 8 twist and 9's and have not seen much difference.

My mind was set on the Coyote Carbine until I saw the Predator Pursuit was twisted 1:8, with what you are saying I may stick with the CC.(plus they have it in stock) Can someone tell me what, if anything, is gained with the chrome bolt carrier group.

Thanks to all.

I agree that an 8 twist is probly best for a 223 but I have had as many 9's as I have 8's and have yet to see a diff.

YMMV

The chrome is a little slicker and requires less lubrication.

Thank you..... Decisions, decsions. (grin)

The Coyote would be my choice and the 1&9 should have no problem handling the Hornady V-Max 60 gr which is about as good as it gets for a bullet in the 223 for calling coyotes

The Pursuit has worked extremely well for us. For some reason, I thought that mine has a 18" barrel, but I'm not digging all of my rifles out of that particular safe to measure it. I'm getting old, I reckon...my memory is like a pig's tail...short and screwy.

I have the RRA predator pursuit with 1:8 barrel and love it.. Shoots nice little groups as well. Also had the 16" barreled upper coyote carbine at one time. Still liked the PP so well I sold the coyote on here actually, and have never looked back.. Love the balance of the 20" barrel to for my applications.

drakeky - Curious, what bullet does that rifle like with the 1:8 twist?

I had a predator persuit, very accurate with a variety of bullets. On the lighter end the 50 gr v-max is one of the best options.

Personally I'd get the PP, and have the barrel shortened to 18" as the 20" tube is just a tad nose heavy. Replacing the aluminum free float tube with a carbon tube would also help, but that's a spendy way to save weight.

Predator with the national match barrel would be my choice hands down.... No reason not to...

W

Which ever you buy, put a Ace Skeleton stock on it and it will be bad ass!

Thanks again to all. Now I am really confused <grin> Probably will just get the CC. since I found one in stock.

For those who have handled/shot both, is the PP a bit more nose heavy? They list it as 3oz heavier, and with that heavy barrel I was wondering about the balance difference between them if scoped with something like a VXII 2-7. Does the flash hider of the CC help project the blast away from the shooter? I don't wear ear plugs when calling as my partners and I signal we've seen something by lip squeaking. Hard enough for an old guy to hear without plugs.

Don't forget the RRA ATH Carbine. I have one and I love it. It comes with an 18" barrel which I think is a nice compromise between velocity and handling. Like all RRA rifles, it is extremely accurate.

Yes, they are a bit nose heavy, mine was topped with a 3.5-10.

If you want better balance but don't want to go with a 16" tube, as they have a signifigant muzzle blast even w/o a flass supressor, consider having WOA build you an upper using their 18" spr barrel.



or you could go sdm if you want a lighter 20" tube

If weight is a consideration the ATH weighs 7 lbs. 12 oz., which is about 3/4 pound heavier than the Coyote Carbine. I was all set on that ATH because I really liked that 18" barrel until I found the weight of the rifle. Since I pack my rifle over miles of rough country that immediately knocked it out of consideration for my purposes.

Snooze you lose, tried to buy the CC. from class 3weapons today and it sold yesterday. MOGC how do you like the ACE stock ? They now come with a differant stock, but everybody seems to like the ACE.

Thanks

I like it just fine, especially for a walking rig. I have zero issues with it.

for a calling rifle you want the SOFT Hogue forend and the Ace soft foam skeleton stock. That keeps it quiet on both ends and easy to manipulate in a tight stand. Match it to an eop,(for weak side arrivals it's easier to get on target with the optics higher) and an 18 inch bbl with the vortex flash hider. That directs the gas to the side and not down where it can blow crud all over a hunkered down caller..That's the Coyote rifle I designed for RR when I was editing PX, and its a near perfect calling rig. Good luck

+1 for the predator pursuit, strictly because of the 1:8

Definitely get the chrome bolt carrier group... It makes cleaning SO much easier.

Is a $1,000 shipped for a RR Predator Pursuit w/an Ace Skeleton stock
a fair price? I'm looking at buying my first AR and I don't want to make a bad decision.

Any advice would be great.

I think it's a decent price. I paid just under $1100 for mine, IIRC. Not counting the Ultra Bore Coat and Badger O. Gen 2 latch.

It now sports a Leupy Mark 2 3-9x40 with Leupy flip ups and a Larue mount. I highly recommend the Larue, BTW.

I've been really happy with the RRA PP. Even took a few critters via 70gr TSXs.....













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I have the coyote and mine shoots as advertised. They guarantee .75
and I also like that it is lighter.