Simple question. Has or does any one own or shot a Bushmaster varmiter, either type, one with black barrel, and the one with SS barrel, they seem to be identical besides that, and there the same price. Thoughts, comments? Reason being, im thinking about savin my cash for one. Just wish it could be factory chambered for .243 or there was a cheap way to fire the 6.68 ammo
Bushmaster varmit gun
- Thread starter mjs_408
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02Overlander
Member
Love mine:
and if you want something to effectively reach out 1000 yards or more in an AR package:
My Alexander Arms 6.5mm Grendel:
and if you want something to effectively reach out 1000 yards or more in an AR package:
My Alexander Arms 6.5mm Grendel:
I have the Bushmaster Varminter - the one with the black fluted 24" barrel. Its been a great rifle. no problems and accurate as can be expected. Great staged trigger. the loose wingnut behind the stock is the weak link in the system. Accuracy has been one MOA or less ( not that I can shoot much better than that). One piece of advice is to put a scope with good eye relif on the rifle. Mine has a Nikon Buckmasters 4-14 that doesn't have the kind of eye relief that a better scope would provide. the risers prrovided with the rifle do an OK job of getting the rings high enough to be comfortable to shoot, but the scope I have (bough used with the rifle) isn't as forgiving as a Burris Black Diamond, Nikon Gold Monarch, or Luepold VXIII.
The rifle deserves a really good scope. Its cheap to shoot. Minimal recoil. It is a bit bulky, with the bipod, to carry aournd for long, but its meant to be used from a rest as a varmint rifle. Still, overall wieght is around 10lbs, or a bit less.
The other Bushmaster version is the "Varmint Special". It has the target grip, but other than that and the stainless barrel, I'm not sre what the difference is.
The rifle deserves a really good scope. Its cheap to shoot. Minimal recoil. It is a bit bulky, with the bipod, to carry aournd for long, but its meant to be used from a rest as a varmint rifle. Still, overall wieght is around 10lbs, or a bit less.
The other Bushmaster version is the "Varmint Special". It has the target grip, but other than that and the stainless barrel, I'm not sre what the difference is.
Mr. Chitlin
Member
I have had one for a couple of years now and really like it. It shoots 50 and 55 grain Nosler Ballistic Tips to the same point of aim at 100 yards. It is a fine shooting rifle that does a number on coyotes, crows and bobcats.
I already have a scope picked out for the varmit gun i build. I work at a guns shop and I can get any nikon way under cost once a year. a 5.5 x16.5- 44 is in order. Now I just need to save up the 1000 dollars for the bushmaster. Just saw in the new shooting, i think, that the bushmaster can shoot 1/2 MOA. fairly impressive for a grand if you ask me.
set of weavers wont do me fine? Also in the pictures, everyone is showing what bushmaster calls the varmit rifle which on there website doesnt show the flat piece at the end of the grip, but on the pictures in the thread it shows it, does it come with it, or did all of you happen to add it after market
rugerfreak
Member
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Mine is sweet too----the black one is built to a higher standard than the stainless one-----read the Bushmaster literature very carefully and you see the differences.
Black Snowman
Member
Kamicosmos would chime in about how much he loves his but he no long has broad band internet so I'll put in his vote for one. I've shot it quite a bit myself. Very nice setup.
His is the "black" version. After reading the changes between it and the SS version on Bushmaster's site I recommend the original black.
His is the "black" version. After reading the changes between it and the SS version on Bushmaster's site I recommend the original black.
02Overlander
Member
mjs_408,
The bushy come stock with a Hogue grip, I added the Target grip as did anyone else that has one on their rig.
As for rings, I use the Armalite 1 piece on both my Varminter and my Grendel, price is 90-100. I've been very happy with them. They look great as well.
The bushy come stock with a Hogue grip, I added the Target grip as did anyone else that has one on their rig.
As for rings, I use the Armalite 1 piece on both my Varminter and my Grendel, price is 90-100. I've been very happy with them. They look great as well.
Mr. Chitlin
Member
I use Armalite and Rock River mounts on my AR's. The Rock River mount puts the crosshairs of the scope at the same level as the iron sights. Also, the Rock River mount is ~$40 as compared to ~80+ for the Armalite mount. Both have their plussed and minuses. I personally like the Rock River mount a little better. Here are pics to compare both. The Rock River mount is on the left in the pics...
Chris Rhines
Member
Just had one come through the shop - screwed-up trigger. Very nice rifle, except for the trigger. The second stage is a spring-loaded plunger mounted in the safety pin, which is really twappy and easy to misadjust. The RRA-style two-stage trigger is far superior.
Were I to get one, the trigger would get tossed prior to the first shot. Other than that, it's a fantastic rifle and a good buy.
- Chris
Were I to get one, the trigger would get tossed prior to the first shot. Other than that, it's a fantastic rifle and a good buy.
- Chris
Triggers are a personal thing. Everyone has their own idea of what makes up a good trigger. Some people, like me, believe that one trigger doesn't fit all purposes and you need to choose your trigger based on what you are going to do with the rifle. As a result, I like to keep the triggers bone stock on most of my AR15s. The one exception to this is my Bushmaster Varmiteer. I did away with the factory trigger also and installed a Jewell trigger in mine. I consider this particular rifle to be basically a target type rifle and wanted a very light trigger pull that I wouldn't want on a more "tactical" AR15.
I agree with Chris. If you get the desire to "trick out" your Varmiteer, the trigger is one of the only things I would change on it (after buying a really good scope and really good rings).
I agree with Chris. If you get the desire to "trick out" your Varmiteer, the trigger is one of the only things I would change on it (after buying a really good scope and really good rings).
Black Snowman
Member
Those are quick detach with thumb-screws where as the included risers are not and have to be slid down the rail and off to use iron sights/carry handle.
A once piece unit is also much more likely to retain 0 when removed and re-installed as there are fewer parts to fail, move, or stress.
Master Blaster
Member
I built my own, Bushmaster lower, RRA 2 stage trigger, RRA 20" varmint flat top upper with picatinny rail, and picatinny gas block, RRA scope mount, and Bushnell elite 3200 10x fixed power scope.
Saturday I shot 2 .50 inch 5 shot groups using a 69 gr sierra HPBT match king, and 24 grains of varget. I got similar groups using the same bullet and Winchester 748 24 gr. I shot these groups using a Harris Bipod not a front and rear rest. With a good rest its probably capable of .2" 5 shot groups.
It cost about $200 less to assemble this rig myself, than to buy the bushmaster or RRA version already asembled.
The only gunsmithing was changing out the stock bushmaster trigger group for the RRA 2 stage.
Bushmaster lower = $250 local gunshop.
RRA varmint upper = $506 with shipping from ADCO.
RRA trigger group = $96 with shipping from ADCO.
RRA scope mount = $44 with shipping from ADCO.
Bushnell scope = $198 from SWFA with shipping.
I would highly recommend this route rather than buying the firearm complete, since you can get what you want, and it saves money.
Saturday I shot 2 .50 inch 5 shot groups using a 69 gr sierra HPBT match king, and 24 grains of varget. I got similar groups using the same bullet and Winchester 748 24 gr. I shot these groups using a Harris Bipod not a front and rear rest. With a good rest its probably capable of .2" 5 shot groups.
It cost about $200 less to assemble this rig myself, than to buy the bushmaster or RRA version already asembled.
The only gunsmithing was changing out the stock bushmaster trigger group for the RRA 2 stage.
Bushmaster lower = $250 local gunshop.
RRA varmint upper = $506 with shipping from ADCO.
RRA trigger group = $96 with shipping from ADCO.
RRA scope mount = $44 with shipping from ADCO.
Bushnell scope = $198 from SWFA with shipping.
I would highly recommend this route rather than buying the firearm complete, since you can get what you want, and it saves money.
For what it is worth, I am using an ARMs mount/rings.
I called MSTN and asked him what set up he would use and I bought what he suggested. MSTN is VERY experienced with the AR15 platform and has quite a few of their rigs being used in Iraq and Afganistan right now.
Again, not that it matters, but I usually buy whatever I think is going to give me the best performance with price being only a thought in the far recesses of my mind. I am not saying that to imply that I am some rich guy that has all kinds of money. I have just learned over the years that you usually get what you pay for and I have been very disappointed more than once because I bought something that was cheaper and supposed to be almost as good as __________.
I called MSTN and asked him what set up he would use and I bought what he suggested. MSTN is VERY experienced with the AR15 platform and has quite a few of their rigs being used in Iraq and Afganistan right now.
Again, not that it matters, but I usually buy whatever I think is going to give me the best performance with price being only a thought in the far recesses of my mind. I am not saying that to imply that I am some rich guy that has all kinds of money. I have just learned over the years that you usually get what you pay for and I have been very disappointed more than once because I bought something that was cheaper and supposed to be almost as good as __________.
Mr. Chitlin
Member
I would build it this way:
Stag Arms stripped lower $85 Eagle Firearms
RRA National Match 2 stage trigger $94 Eagle Firearms
Bull barrel kit $535 J&T Distributing
plus shipping
Total of $714 + shipping
Stag Arms stripped lower from Eagle Firearms
Complete bull barrel kit from J&T Dist
Stag Arms stripped lower $85 Eagle Firearms
RRA National Match 2 stage trigger $94 Eagle Firearms
Bull barrel kit $535 J&T Distributing
plus shipping
Total of $714 + shipping
Stag Arms stripped lower from Eagle Firearms
Complete bull barrel kit from J&T Dist
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