My Marine would like opinions on Rec 7

[Steelharp]

Guys, my son is very interested in a Barrett Rec 7 6.8. He would like to hear from any of you guys that have any experience with them. Reliability, any personal pros or cons... anything. Thanks in advance.

[john wall]

A very expensive toy, with expensive ammo. It has about the same ballistics of a 270 Winchester at 200 yards.

A 308 on the AR platform is more sensible, easier to feed and reload for, and monumentally more efficient.

[Rightwinger]

I jumped on the 6.8 bandwagon when the round was first coming out as the alternative in the AR platform. I did not see much difference in it over the 5.56. If he wants different and more power, look at the .308 in an AR 10 as John said or look at the 6.5 Grendel ! The more I see and read on that round the more I like.

[pineapplejack]

I can vouche for the heat treating.

[eezee3006]

The ballistics of the 6.8 put it around the class of the 270 for a lot more cost. That plus the cost of Barrett stuff make it a pretty pricey toy. I think if you like 270 ballistics, which are pretty darn good, then get a 270 in a really great bolt action rifle and call it a day! Jack O'Connor would love you for it!

If you want something that out performs the 5.56 NATO, we already have THAT, and it is the 308. I purchased a DPMS LR-308 over a year ago and love it, with the following caveat. You must be willing to buy or reload 168 grain cartridges for it. It was absolutely lousy with 150 grain bullets. It is a tack driver with the 168 pills. I can also say that I have been impressed with the customer service at DPMS.

My vote would be for a 308 rifle. It's a more "serious" round. The only question at that point would be, do you get an AR-10 platform or go with a M1A? Either way the 308 is hard to beat.

I have heard stories that many of the combat squads in the Middle East are requesting that some old M14s be unpacked and handed out because the 5.56 NATO is not up to punching through crap to get at targets. Not a problem for the 308, or a 30-06 for that matter. Hmm, how do you feel about a BAR?



That's my 2 cents.

EZ

[magiccarpetrides]

Another consideration could be the Robinson Arms XCR chambered for 7.62x39 if hes wanting harder hitting without breaking the bank.

[rnlwd]

The 6.8 and 6.5 are good rounds if you want to use an AR15 that shoots relatively flat and hits harder than a 556. While the 270 and 308 are more powerful rounds and better for big game, if he wants a light weight AR, they are not options. My proble with the Barrett is that at $2500-$2900, they are extremely expensive. There are a whole host of AR makers that chamber the above rounds for a lot less money. Remington has also introduced a new 30 caliber for the AR15 that might have potential, if it catches on. A big if.

[Rightwinger]

Get a regular AR in 5.56 and then get a 458 Socom upper. Slam something with an AR shooting 300 to 600 grain projectiles as fast as you can pull the trigger.

[TheRabbi]

Get a regular AR in 5.56 and then get a 458 Socom upper. Slam something with an AR shooting 300 to 600 grain projectiles as fast as you can pull the trigger.

If he wants that he ought to get a Marlin lever 1895sbl in 45-70. Same ballistics. Lower cost. More available ammo.
And a lever gun with a rail is just way too cool.

[Rightwinger]

I will never change the Rabbi's mind on this one....but then he never pulled the trigger on a .458. It's a whole different world Bill. You don't have any distraction of movement with operating the lever, not even close on the follow up shots if needed. Can reload and continue to shoot with the use of standard magazines, an many more bullets options than the 45-70 ever thought to have.