I did a search and can’t find much comparing these two. Perhaps because the PredatAR is still pretty new?
Here’s what I’d like this thread to discuss. A comparison of these two as a general battle rifle, not a bench rest plinker or long range competition gun. Reliability, rugedness, and effectiveness for 0-700 yards.
I have long been a fan of the M1A, and even though I’m pretty good with irons, I am really starting to dislike the platform’s optic mounting options. I’ve been running my ARs a lot more over the last year, including some training classes, and am thinking about a 7.62 in AR-like configuration.
Don’t yell at me, but until recently I never considered them as the consensus seemed to say almost all were not dead reliable for the above stated purpose. Seeing the Brits adopted the MWS started me down this path.
I want to preface this by saying that I like LMT, have owned many of their products, and recommend them to people (especially their MRP line).
I think that the LaRue PredatAR is the best match for balance of precision and weight, and robust enough to qualify as a combat worthy item. This is NOT based on personal use, but rather from a few different sources (that have an appreciation for what “combat” is, and what tools are necessary) that have chosen the LaRue over the other options in the same price range.
For straight up battle rifle duties, the MWS is a bit heavy. In that weight class, the original OBR is an option as well. The MWS is primarily designed as a DMR type support weapon, and that’s the role that the British are using it in.
But between the two you’ve asked about and for the mission you’ve described I would pick the PredatAR primarily for weight.
The SCAR-H and the KAC EMC are also solid choices for the battle rifle role.
I owned an MWS and currently own an EMC. I don’t view them as battle rifles because they were not really designed to be a FAL type gun. They were designed for semi-auto precision carbines and rifles.
The MOD is not using them as battle rifles, either. They are DMR guns.
But between the two you listed I would go with the LaRue. The MWS is a nice gun, too, just very heavy in comparison. By the time you add an optic, light, and loaded mag you are looking at 12-13+ pounds. If you want to hump that then by all means…
I’m a fan of LMTs and have 2 MRPs and 1 MWS (and 10 barrels between them). I place a lot of value on barrel / caliber change capability and am considering SBRing my 308 lower with the idea of dropping in and suppressing a 13".
Regarding weight… the LMTs come with a relatively heavy profile barrel. A dimple job or re-profile would definitely make it more handy. I saw a post from someone that turned his barrel down indicating that it took roughly 12 ounces off. It might still be heavier but a fair comparison to the ScarH would also require chopping 3-4 inches off the MWS rail given it has more real estate.
All that being said the Larue, KAC, or SCAR could be better choices depending on the role you have in mind.
I’ve shot all of the guns in question, and shot the PredatAR 16" .308 2 weekends ago, it shoots like a 6.8, and will feed frankly anything you put through it. It’s also one of the lightest of the .308 semi-autos out there. I’ve yet to find someone with hands on experience with them who doesn’t love the shit out of the rifle. That and for 2500 dollars, it’s a steal.
But I’d love to hear your hands on experience with that gun as well. :blink:
this might be a dumb question please excuse my ignorance, but could you put a Troy TRX rail on the MWS to lighten the front end, our is that not doable? I just got the OBR yesterday it feels lighter than the LMT I had, maybe it’s just balance?
Freddie Blish ran a 7.62 PredatAR at an EAG course in Casa Grande and eventhough he shot more than half a mag at a time the accuracy really did not suffer.
Please back that up with factual proof. I’ve seen them being run on peel drills, the shooter dropping prone, and hitting chest sized steel at 500 yards. Must be magic or some shit.
I’d recommend the LMT or LaRue. If you’re looking for more of a DMR set up, the LMT really excels at that. With the LMT you also have the option to switch calibers as you like. The LaRue AR wins in the weight department, but I can’t comment in the accuracy department. All things equal I think they would be head to head.
The LaRue is what I’d pick if I was going to carry it around a lot. Either way both will serve you.
I was surprised at how light the MWS upper is with out the barrel. The barrel is meaty and the base where it mates with the upper is pretty substantial. The upper is not the way to go to make a low weight rifle, but the barrel swap system, it seems to me, has to take most of the blame for the weight penalty.
I’d look at getting a new dedicated upper if I trully wanted the lightest 762 rifle .
OBRs are awesome rifles and a piece of milling art. The Predator gets rid of the 20moa canted upper. The 20moa cant just never seemed right. I understand why they did it, but I’d rather have the cant in the mount than in the rifle base. I haven’t shot a Predator, and I didn’t shoot the OBR and MWS back-to-back but my recollection is that the OBR is a lot softer shooting gun. I think the MWS guns are over gassed, or to be polite, well gassed to keep them running when dirty. Just a feeling I get, not that I have any data on it.
Yes, the Predator is lighter easier to handle. Yes, the MWS is a beast. I’ve ran my 16CL and 18SS in short and long range 3-gun and Rifle action matches. I can tell you that when the buzzer goes off and gun starts shooting I never thought that I was at that much of a disadvantage and the MWS was fine to shoot in Hosers ‘Yoga’ matches down in Pueblo. Of course, I’m a bit more recoil resistant than some of you twigs.
Eh, it depends on what you mean by precision.
I have some info from dudes that really like the PredatAR, but they do say that accuracy opens up after heating the gun up.
Then again, going from 1.5 MOA to 3 MOA performance will still let you hammer the sheeyot outta torsos at 500.
Degredation from excellent to acceptable isn’t a damnation of the gun.
It’s like saying that Mike Tyson didn’t hit as hard in round 7 as he did in round 1. It’s still one hell of a hit, more damaging than 99.99 percent of the male population, just not as bad as it was before he had 6 rounds of wear and tear, and it would still knock your leg off if he hit you.
*Apologies for the Tyson reference, DVR’d Charlie Sheen’s Roast.
