Doggin' it: .17, .22.3+.204 = fun Les Baer and Kimber prove walnut and plastic mix on the prairie dog field

Guns Magazine, Oct, 2004 by Holt Bodinson

Les guarantees the rifles to produce 1/2 MOA five-shot groups with over-the-counter ammo. Let me repeat that, they are guaranteed to produce 1/2 MOA five-shot groups at 100 yards. Okay your bolt gun folks--Browning, Kimber, Ruger, Savage, Remington, Winchester, Weatherby, et-al--give us a guarantee of 1/2 MOA in your .223 varmint models! It's remarkable what Baer has been able to achieve using an AR combat arm platform.

Sure, Baer makes the parts, makes the barrels, has total control over quality issues, but so do most manufacturers. He just does it better, and yes, he charges for it.

The Baer Super Varmint is a tricked out rifle, with a heavy stainless match barrel, free floating handguard, Jewell trigger, titanium firing pin, chromed bolt and carrier and Versa Pod bipod installed. All l had to do was add a Leupold Vari-XIII 6.5x20 with side focus adjustment to the Picatinny rail flat top, and go hunting.

The real advantage of shooting an AR varmint rifle is immediate shot placement correction. The varmint hunter can instantaneously make elevation and windage adjustments and let off another shot without having to manipulate a bolt and risk getting out of position. It's an important plus. I watched my partner and former SWAT team commander, Gary Paul Johnston. make successful shots out to 600 yards after ranging in with one or two shots. He never moved I never lifted his head--just shot. Shooting a 1/2 MOA AR with good ammunition is one of the great varminting experiences and you shouldn't miss it.

Baer's 1/2 MOA AR varmint rifle offers the hunter the advantage of immediate shot corrections on tiny targets at ranges that should never appear in print. Just add a Leupold Long Range scope with side focus and their ranging reticle and go for it.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Les Baer Custom, (309) 658-2716,

www.lesbaer.com.

Hornady,, (800) 338-3220,

www.hornady.com.

Kimber, (800) 880-2418, www.kimberamerica.com.

Leupold, www.leupold.com.

Spur Outfitters, (307) 327-6505.

Winchester Ammunition,

www.winchester.com.