ORIGINAL: HEAD0001

I have a RR Arms Varminter in .223 Remington cartridge. It will shoot under 2 inches at 300 yards. And right at three inches at 400 yards(ON A RELATIVELY CALM DAY). I consider 400 yards to be the effective outside range for the .223 Remington. For ground hog hunting that is pushing it. Ground hog's hit at 400 yards can and do run to the holes without a double tap. I have never shot PD's with it-so I can not speak of it.

I would in no way consider the rifle a personal defense weapon. Too heavy, too much scope, and too long(20 inch HB). I have a 16 inch upper with a collapsible stock, and open sighted. Very effective with my shooting abilities to 200 yards, MAX.

I have been considering a 260 Remington upper with a 24 inch barrel-also looking at a 25WSSM like Ridge Runner's(not sure about that cartridge). I should be able to get past 400 yards with this rig-but again not a personal defense weapon.

My suggestion is the Springfield SOCOM. That is definitely my next purchase. I shoot one on a regular basis. .308 Cartridge-so there is no problem with distance. It handles like a dream. All it needed was trigger work. It has the shorter barrel so it is fantastic for personal defense. It also has the Picatinney rail allowing for fast and secure sighting tool changes.

I personally do not like the AR-10. I am not knocking the rifle-it is one fine firearm. It is just that I have shot the AR-10 and the SOCOM. And IMO there is no comparison. SOCOM all the way. Tom.