u/Modern_Muskets

I hate money, you do too. Let's be friends.

Rattler - 5.5" 300 Blackout

Virtus - 9" 300 Blackout

Virtus - 12.5" 5.56 (16" barrel chop from D.Wilson Mfg - the optic was donated to a recent AR build).

If you could only keep one, which would it be? Both are 2nd Gen ("Virtus"), chambered in 300 Blackout. I have a feeling this will turn into a conversation about the philosophy of use behind the caliber and I'm all for it.

I've had the 9" for much longer, and it's set up as more of a "general purpose" 300 Blackout. The ACOG is sighted for supers, and the RMR for subs. I really like the idea of having 2 separate sighting systems so that both Supers and Subs can be used effectively on the fly. The low back pressure can is also a deliberate choice, in order to improve function/performance with supersonic ammo.

The Rattler is much newer to me, and I do love it. But, in my opinion it's less viable for use with supersonic ammo. I really like the flexibility of .300blk but I feel like the 5.5" barrel is not intended to shine with supers. The smaller form factor makes it very appealing, and its definitely a fun gun. Just being slightly shorter makes it much easier to pack into an average sized backpack/bag. If I was to pick this over the 9", I would want to find a Canebrake handguard. I also like the idea of adding a micro prism on a QD magnifier mount to the Rattler. This would maintain the small form factor while providing a sighting system for supers (if the return to zero is good on the QD.)

I'm not in a rush to get rid of either, and I will continue experimenting with the performance of both. To me 300 blackout is one of the best calibers for use within 300 meters, but only if you can get effective performance with supers. I have a feeling the 9" barrel will go to D. Wilson for a chop closer to the 6.75" Sig is going with on the Rattler LT so I can end up with the best of both.