A lot has been written about the spread of feral hogs that ravage millions of acres across the United States wrecking havoc on crops and wildlife habitats, but the coyote plague runs a close second the devastating impact they have on wildlife populations like whitetails and wild turkeys.
Over the past few decades I’ve helped reduce the number of coyotes with methods that range from trapping to gunning from helicopters. While I do my part near home with trapping methods, the most fun is calling them to the gun. Being a full-time gun writer and coyote hunting season running year-round, too, it’s pretty often that I get to try out a new rifle or shotgun in pursuit of these wily critters.
One of the recent rifles I got to test on the range and against the ribs of an unsuspecting coyote is Outerwild’s RAZRBCK.
The first time I got my hands on this rifle was at Athlon’s Outdoor Rendezvous when several writers, editors and content creators gathered in Driggs, Idaho. With so many shooters and cases of ammo to burn, the RZRBCK ran well without a hiccup. Personally, I hammered steel from 50 yards out to 500 and looked forward to some more trigger time back home in Tennessee with the new rifle.
New Gun Company
An up-and-comer in the AR market, Outerwild showcased their wares at Athlon’s Rendezvous.
Advertisement — Continue Reading Below
Featuring all corrosion-resistant components, the Outerwild RAZRBCK offers superior durability in a low-maintenance package.
Manufacturing
Outerwild MFG (formerly DRG Manufacturing) is a total solution manufacturing facility with a core focus on the firearms industry. They feature the latest technologies in automated and robot-assisted CNC manufacturing on their large collection of double and triple turret lathes, horizontal, vertical, and 5 axis machining centers. Not so common among smaller AR “manufacturers” is fully automated high precision gun drilling and rifling capability… in-house. Multiple vision inspection systems, as well as robust quality control processes, ensure that parts match prints and exceed expectations. Not surprising, Outerwild has long specialized in OEM manufacturing of gun parts for other gun companies,
A custom-made billet lower receiver on the RAZRBCK coordinates with the upper receiver and continues the design lines along Outerwild’s handguard—all Cerakoted in Patriot Brown. Each rifle has a 16-inch 416R stainless steel precision barrel chambered in .223 Wylde with a 1:8 twist rate. It’s also outfitted with a nickel boron bolt carrier group yielding greater lubricity than nitride. The Wylde chambering is the best compromise for using either 5.56 NATO or .223 Rem.
Advertisement — Continue Reading Below
The RAZRBCK offers an overall length of 32.75 to 36 inches with stock extended and tips the scales at 6.5 pounds empty before attaching an optic.
Some of the other features include a Raptor LT ambidextrous charging handle and Magpul MOE furniture. As a bonus, each rifle comes in a 36-inch double padded Savior Urban Warfare rifle case.
Accuracy and Performance
Over the past several years I’ve had good success while shooting groups with new rifles chambered in .223 Wylde. This chambering compromise between the .223 Remington and the 5.56mm NATO cartridge works well in the RAZRBCK, too. To equip the rifle with optics, I grabbed a Sig Sauer Tango6 5-30x from another rifle I was finished testing. I also swapped the RAZRBCK’s muzzle brake for a SilencerCo Saker 5.56 to tame muzzle blast.
After sighting the rifle with Black Hills 77-grain OTM I concluded the rough sight-in with a 5-shot group that measured 0.744. Opting for a working load with a more frangible bullet I swapped over to Hornady’s .223 Rem 55-grain V-Max. The first group fired measured 0.626 and only required minor adjustments to refine the zero.
Predator Hunting Application
The RAZRBCK’s features align well with my top demands for a predator hunting rig: versatility, mobility, customization and accuracy.
Advertisement — Continue Reading Below
The versatile .223 Wylde chambering allows for the use of various ammunition types, enabling hunters to select rounds best suited for their specific hunting environment and target species. On the mobility side, this rifle’s 6.5-pound weight is light enough for extended carry during hunts that require covering significant ground. The customization afforded by M-LOK handguard facilitates the attachment of accessories such as bipods, lights, and lasers, which can be advantageous during low-light conditions or when quick target acquisition is necessary. This rifle’s precise performance at 100 yards speaks to its potential work at extended range.
Although I’ll never shy away from hunting coyotes for sport, I frequently do my part to remove these nuisance animals as part of my animal damage control business. A couple of years ago I landed a contract to remove unwanted wildlife from a local municipal airport. Lately, coyote’s have risen to the top of the nuisance list because of their brazen attempts to cross the runway and taxiway at the most inopportune times. Even though a couple have been hit by small aircraft, it hasn’t stopped their shenanigans.
Although a lot of my coyote removal work at the airport centers around trapping, I got to crack a rib with the RAZRBCK while I was running traps. A 60-yard shot at a loping coyote heading for a hole in the fence presents a rather small sampling, but it performed when I needed it in the field.
Comparison with Other Predator Rifles
In the realm of predator hunting rifles, the RAZRBCK offers a modern, semi-automatic platform that contrasts with traditional bolt-action rifles. However, the semi-automatic nature of the RAZRBCK allows for quicker follow-up shots, which can be crucial when dealing with multiple targets or fast-moving predators.
Advertisement — Continue Reading Below
Conclusion
The Outerwild RAZRBCK .223 Wylde AR15 presents a well-rounded package for predator hunters seeking a reliable, accurate, and versatile rifle. Its thoughtful design and quality components make it a strong contender in the field, particularly for those who value the benefits of a semi-automatic platform.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Outerwild
- Model: RAZRBCK
- Caliber: .223 Wylde
- Operation: Direct Impingement
- Length: 32.75-36
- Weight: 6.5 pounds
- Controls: Raptor LT Ambi Charging Handle & Nickel Boron Safety Lever
- Handguard: 15 ins. M-LOK 6061-T6 Aluminum
- Barrel: 16 ins., 416R stainless
- Optics: Sig Sauer Tango6 5-30x
- Suppressor: SilencerCo Saker 5.56
- RAZRBCK Retail price: $1,799.
WHY OUR ARTICLES/REVIEWS DO NOT HAVE AFFILIATE LINKS
Affiliate links create a financial incentive for writers to promote certain products, which can lead to biased recommendations. This blurs the line between genuine advice and marketing, reducing trust in the content.
