16" or 20" LAR-8?

[LeverGunJunkie]

Need some quick advice:

I have an opportunity for a good price on a Rock River Arms LAR-8. I want to use it as a deer rifle. Originally I favored the 20" barrel. This one is a 16" carbine. For deer hunting with a .308, is the 16" sufficient? Or am I losing too much to the 20"? I initially figured the 16" was enough, but I can't figure out how much velocity I'll be losing, and what that will translate to in decreased downrange/terminal performance.

 

[Z-Michigan]

You are going to lose 100-200fps depending on the exact load by going from 20" to 16".

The biggest drawback to a 16" .308 is that it is LOUD, I repeat LOUD. Hearing protection is absolutely mandatory, and you wouldn't want to use it in an indoor range, ever.

Otherwise, as a general rule you're losing about 50-100 yards of maximum supersonic range, but with most .308 loads that means your supersonic range is down to 800 yards or so instead of 900. Realistically you're not going to be hunting deer at anything close to those distances. At realistic shots of 300 yards and less, the 16" .308 will serve fine - still more potent than a .30-30 or some other common deer rifles.

If you can tolerate muzzle blast and want a handier rifle, 16" is probably good. If you plan to take shots at more than 400-500 yards, you might get some benefit from the 20" barrel.

 

[mshootnit]

16" is definitely enough. I like the looks of the 20" better but the handling of the 16" is better. If you are going to carry it alot get the 16". If not get the 20". I have had decent luck with the Federal blue box power shok 150gr. stuff at walmart. Although if you find some 165 gr or 168 gr. hunting stuff that would be good too.

 

[AR27]

20.

 

[Badlander]

Tough decision. I have A 16" and A 21" F.A.L. I have no idea which one I like best.

 

[Casefull]

I have the 16 rra 308 and it is very accurate. Go for the shorter barrel it is so much handier and the little velocity you loose will not be noticeable to the deer.

 

[LeverGunJunkie]

Ok. That is all encouraging. I figured that was the case, I just wanted some affirmation.

Is the RRA LAR-8 a reliable platform? Everything I read says they are accurate, but how about the functioning reliability?

 

[Casefull]

19 rounds as fast as you pull the trigger. Mine shoots 1moa or better with most ammo. never jams. I cannot understand why our troops are not equiped with them. Only weighs a pound more than m4.

 

[DoubleTapDrew]

I have a LAR8 16" and my dad has a LAR8 20". It's right around 150fps faster muzzle velocity (chronographed them during load testing) for several different loads with the longer barrel.
Both are accurate and reliable. I had an FTF issue with mine that turned out to be a bad magazine. The weight difference isn't all that substantial but the 16" feels a little handier and quick. I will probably use mine for a deer rifle next time I go deer hunting.
They are fun guns and the triggers on them (RRA 2-stage) are very nice. I'd be comfortable with either one.

 

[zstephens13]

My 16 is working just fine for me. Mr. Deer won'tnotice the difference

 

[UnTainted]

I went through the same debate when looking for a semi auto 308 and I decided on the 16 inch. I took my deer last year with it and it worked great. I like how it carries. If I want more velocity, I'll grab my bolt gun, which has a 24"+ barrel and is lighter than the 20" semi auto 308s.

And the 16 inch isn't terribly loud compared to any muzzle broken rifle. I was hiking through the trees when hunting last year and only had a short moment to get a shot off and I didn't notice the sound as I slew the deer. Sure, it messed up my ears but aerosmith's concert did far more damage. I have since bought electric ear things, so next year wont be so damaging. You wanna hear loud shoot my 6.5" 460mag. That's ear-splitting!

 

[LeverGunJunkie]

Good. I'm really leaning towards the purchase. I've read some conflicting reports on the functionality of FAL 5 round magazines. The DS Arms mags don't seem to work as advertised. This may hold me up from making the purchase, or move me to a DPMS instead. I've heard RRA is making a polymer 5 rounder, but I can't confirm it. Anyone use DSA FAL 5 round mags with their LAR-8?

 

[UnTainted]

If reliability is a concern, consider an armalite. I've put all different kinds of ammo through my armalite ar10 and I haven't had one problem cept the price of ammo. That's with five and ten and twenty round mags.

 

[rhenriksen]

Hm - can you use pmags in a RRA LAR?

 

[TexasPatriot.308]

yu actually found an LAR 308,,,,,that is a chore....wish I could find one in the A2 configuration...