Yep. Thanks. 
Within the original context of “battle rifle” I’d still say the LaRue is the one to go with, especially since it doesn’t require NEARLY the amount of tinkering the MWS supposedly needs to be ready to run.
Interesting. First I’ve heard of this. Could folks please explain in more detail or link me to where I can find it?
Thanks.
Considering people are saying the MWS would be a contender if you re-profiled the barrel, put a switchblock, blah blah blah, that really undercuts the whole “it’s 400 dolars cheaper” argument vs the LaRue.
Also the LaRue comes with an awesome trigger, whereas the one in the MWS is…ehhhhhhhh…
Got it. You’re talking about tinkering for weight savings and the like.
I thought you were saying the MWS needed tinkering to be reliable.
I had an LMT MWS but sold it after about 4 months. Very nice weapon, heavy, but solid. With the introduction of the PredetAR I am reconsidering the 7.62x51. It’s light weight is what appeals to me. It’s my understanding there is a aprox a 12 week wait on one right now.
Some very switched on end users evaulated the OBR and the PredetAR and IIRC their end choice was the PredetAR. If Littlelebowski comes along maybe he would be willing to point out the thread.
I too would lean towards the LT because that reduced weight means you can comfortably mount a larger optic (the S&B 1-8x SD isn’t exactly made of feathers), and the optic is what really allows the user to stretch the legs on a 16" .308 setup… without clearing the 12lb mark, where utility tends more towards the DMR role.
The GSSA trigger is brilliant if you’re interested in a fantastic stock trigger - the only ones I’d consider replacing it with would also be Geissele units (SSA-E, SD maybe), but FWIW I run GSSA’s in all my 5.56 rifles: Titliest isn’t saying the LMT’s trigger is bad, it’s just not that sort of amazing.
If you’re willing to spend the money on enough match ammo and then fire it fast enough for the narrower barrel profile on the predatar to become a primary limitation, then maybe consider something other than the stock LT unit, but it’s hard to argue with the value of the LT unit - just add a top end optic and you’re set.
I generally consider weight to be a massive deciding factor. Mainly because if you’ve seen my guns I end to hang a decent sized light, laser, NOD mount, etc.
So while I end up typically with a gun that’s heavier than most of the guns in classes, I’m also starting with a much lighter gun and then adding more capabilities then those other guns. i.e I’d rather start light, and end up less light, then start with a heftier gun and THEN add all the shit on.
In all honesty I’ve made a massive swing shift in my opinions of LT’s guns, and it’s all due to great experiences with my OBR and PredatAR 5.56, both of which are fantastic shooters. The 7.62 Pred is no exception, and I finally have one on order.
they got me my OBR in 5 weeks, they did say 12 though when ordered, the girl mentioned they had done some things to speed up production? If I was going to be running and gunning would have got the Pred, I am long range paper punching and steel banging, I find it relaxing. I read all those threads already, thankfully I will not have too pack my OBR anywhere, plus the Brits are humping the LMT, so it’s doable if your in decent shape.
I doubt LMT is ever going to reprofile the barrels… They have maintained the same profile on their MRP line for close to 10 years despite the trend to lighter barrels all over the market…
Spooky
I keep hearing the MWS is $400 cheaper than the PredatAR, can anyone point me to where they are going for $2100 brand new. Because if they are going for that price brand new I may just pick up another!
Now as an MWS owner I can tell you the thing is dead accurate for a semi auto with a chrome lined barrel. But to me when one says “battle rifle” a few things come to mind: light, portable, and controlable! three things the MWS is not. I tried running the MWS through my departments rifle qual course and it did horrible.
Even with a barrel recontour job on the MWS you still are gona retain most of the weight at the massive receiver extension are which you can’t do anything about.
Unless you change the barrel to a 20" and then chop it down and hope you still retain some reliability theres not much you can do about its recoil.
I like the MWS and it does its job but if I could do it all over again I would probably go with an OBR, probably the PredatAR I have even considered a SCAR 17.
Most of the weight from the MWS comes from its ability to quick change a barrel, which I have yet to do. Even then its not really literally quick change either, that term just gets used loosely with that gun.
So given the two options, the PredatAR is the winner for a battle rifle. Now if you are open to other options I would seriously consider a SCAR 17. I assume you already have a defensive weapon so the mag availability issue which is temporary should be no problem.
That is about what the dealer cost is on a new MWS with a 16 inch chrome-lined barrel (I think that it is $2150.)
I myself am vacillating between a PredatAR and OBR.
I spoke to a person at LaRue this past Friday and was told that they do make a slightly heavier PredatAR barrel, but it is only available on a model that is obtainable by MIL/LE (the implication was that it was a select-fire version of the PredatAR).
From what I’ve read on some other forums, it seems there could be a market for a PredatAR with a slightly heavier barrel. Perhaps LaRue Tactical will offer that option in the near future.
In the meantime, lots of nice .308 gas-gun options out there, as already discussed in this thread.
-Rainman
Heck yeah, I would be all over a medium contour barrel on a PredatAR! Or give me s standard OBR with out the Cant on top and the newer rail.
Cheapest I have found it locally is $2400
Given this point of view, what role do you see for 7.62ARs? An 8-10" 300BLK shooting suppressed subs might be pretty effective in a carbine course given even quicker follow ups compared to 556.
I have a MWS and the gun amazes me every time out. I was shooting it out to 600 on Saturday with no issues at all. I started off by checking my zero on paper at 100, (Three shots touching, three quick shots) then worked my way out on steel, 300-400-500-600.
I shoot 168’s mostly, but checked my POI with the 3 quick shots because Mark loaded some 175’s.
That gun is the most solid performer in the stable. I don’t really mind the weight because I’m a civie and don’t have to carry for 8-12 hours.
On accuracy, my feeling is the gun can shoot sub-moa. However, it is not going to shoot as consistent as my Bolt gun in the accuracy dept, but its not super picky either.
I don’t have nearly the trigger time, or the ballistic understanding of that round, to say yes or no. In theory, it should. I need to build a 300 BLK rig, but due to what you mentioned, possibly.
300 black out is an entirely different beast than the famous 7.62 which is a quality Long Range sniper round. A more happy compromise with distance and bullet weight might be 6.8 spc.
The Blackout is hot right now, I would like to shoot one to see how it performs. And would like to shoot it with my 7.62SDN can to see if its "hollywood quiet.
I just ordered my 7.62 version 18’’
Said about a month.
Bump to see if there are any new thoughts. Still arguing pros and cons with myself for the best option for general use for torso hits out to 800 yards or so. Not looking for a sub-MOA 1200 yard precision rig. The MWS still leads in my mind since its been adopted by militaries, which makes me think it will have the edge in reliability, but maybe I shouldn’t be so hung up on that??? If they are equal in ruggedness, I prefer the lighter weight of the PredatAR.
LMS Defense recently did their first Battle Rifle class with Stephen Hillard from Blue Force Gear. There’s an AAR on Lightfighter. Every single person there with a variety of Battle Rifles and optics ranging from an EoTech without a magnifier, Aimpoints with 3x’s, ACOGs, an Elcan if I remember correctly and a few variable powered optics made the accuracy standards out to the max of 600 yards.
So, for torso hits out to 800 yards, pretty much everything is a good choice. For reliability, the SCAR H is extremely reliable for me while my REPR was close, but not 100%. For your choices of the Predatar vs the MWS, I think both will be extremely reliable. I like the MWS and would consider one, but the weight and recoil vs other options puts it lower on the list for me when I can have a much liter, softer recoiling rifle with about the same accuracy in the SCAR H or Predatar. The Predatar, if you don’t heat it up, is on par with the MWS for accuracy.
In this type of situation, tu just need to get them nothin your hands and make a decision based on how they feel to YOU and which one shoots better by the standard YOU use to judge a rifle.
Good luck.