I propose a slight revamp of this thread. I'm a soldier in the US Army posting from FOB Warrior, Iraq.
Question 1. I have a choice between the RRA 24" varminter and the Bushmaster 24" varminter special, both of them stainless steel bull barrels. The RRA is $1135.00 plus upgrades I can select from the manufacturer, the Bushmaster is $1365.00, no available upgrades. I have heard good things about both, so I'm asking THR.
With the RRA I have some selections available from the manufacturer I don't fully understand, such as:
A choice between a 1:8 barrel and a 1:12 barrel. I understand that those mean 1 turn every 8 inches, so that one obviously turns faster, and one turn every 12 inches, but what really is the difference? What are the advantages to each? The Bushmaster's barrel is 1:9.
A bead blasted barrel for an extra 35 dollars. What is that, and what exactly does that mean or do in terms of performance?
And a chromed bolt carrier group. Other than looking cool, I don't think it does anything for performance, correct me if I'm wrong, but are there any disadvantages to having it chromed?
The RRA also can take 5.56 NATO and .223 Remington with the .223 Wylde chamber.
These arent the only customizations, just the ones I don't understand. They offer various charging handles, grips, handguards, and buttstocks.
So basically, I am leaning more towards the RRA, for reason of lower cost for essentially the same rifle with more customizability. Is there any reason I should go with the Bushmaster (better quality, better parts, etc.)? I'm not necessarily on a budget, just seems silly to pay more for the same rifle, unless the Bushmaster is just that much better.
I plan on using this rifle as a medium to long range rifle (possibly out to 800-1000 meters.) Are these rifles capable of making 1000 meter shots with any semblance of accuracy?
Question 2.My other question is about the legality of an AR-15 capable of accepting a detachable magazine in California. I can have it sent to California, Mississippi, or Michigan, but it would eventually find its way to California with the rest of my guns. I can't read the laws for CA on weapons ownership, it makes me want to cry and seems so vague, it confuses me.
Help a soldier out please? And no quips about being an AR newbie but carrying an M16A4 every day. A used and reused M16 isn't the same as a brand new civilian AR-15. I've only gotta shoot mine out to 300 meters with ironsights (not that daunting of a task, I found out).