Last October, I decided to buy an RRA LAR-8 Predator HP with a 20" medium weight barrel. It balances like a dream, runs like a swiss watch, has the popular 2-stage NM trigger already and shot a 5-shot 100 yd groups like this with my first hand loads (168gr Amax over AR-Comp) :
When I decided to buy it. I Googled it and found it in stock at some paintball and firearms shop in Idaho. It wasn't list price, but it wasn't deeply discounted either. I ordered it and got it a few days later. Whatever you do,
do not order it from RRA unless you don't need it until next year. Individual buyers are at the bottom of the priority chart. Hunt around for a stocking dealer and buy it. Now things have gotten even tighter than last October, so I don't know if you can even find one by hunting diligently for it. Too much needless panic buying right now. Gun manufacturers and store owners pray nightly, in secrecy, that President Obama gets re-elected. Don't kid yourself.
Over the years. Being a .308 fanboy, I have owned an M14, G3, FAL, CETME and a .308 Navy Garand. Some I accurized as best I could and none of them came close to my Predator HP in accuracy. I suspect that is due to the fact that it's chamber is not designed like them, to be a battle rifle. It is designed to be an accurate .308 (not 7.62x51) sporting rifle. I give the Predator HP my highest recommendation. They also have Predator HP uppers in 7mm08 and .243 and you can also put DPMS barrels on them and they fit like a glove. I bought an additional 24" .260 Rem DPMS bull barrel for mine, for $210.00 (new) three months ago. In the case of the .260, that's a 1 inch diameter bar of steel with a tiny hole down the center so it is very barrel heavy. I would not consider it a comfortable, all day walk-about setup. However with the .308 barrel on it, I could carry it comfortably all day with my Safari Sling. I'm not some string bean and it doesn't make me feel overburdened at all, but then neither does my 20" 450b with a weight in the stock and weight added to the carrier. So that observation is subjective.
It received an extensive review in the July 2011 Shooting Times. I must temper this praise with the fact that it's the only 308 AR I've shot.
Hoot
Edit: In case you're wondering, it has a Wylde chamber, so it can safely shoot 7.62x51 milsurp. I use them as foulers and to obtain loading brass. Milsurp typically does about 2 inch groups at 100 yards from the Predator HP.