Double D,
Welcome to PM.
Be careful though, the AR bug is just a bad as the calling bug. Very addictive. I've seen many resist the urge to go black, but don't fret, it's a lot of fun. I saw where a guy wrote the other day where he fought the urge for years to purchase an AR but once he did he had no remorse for doing so. In fact, most that do wish they would have done so earlier. Easily the most enjoyable rifle you will ever shoot or own. The Mr.Potato Head like design of the AR platform makes it so adaptable to certain task this only add to it's apeal. It's not just an assault rifle any more. the AR's have proven themseleves time and time again over dog towns as well as calling stands to be not only a great rifle for the tasked but in many situation to be the best rifle for these task.
The difference between the "predator" and the "varminter" is the barrels. The varminter has a 24" fluted barrel with a 1-9 twist and the "predator" has a 20" fluted barrel with a 1-8 twist. I've never owned a Varminter but have been around many who have them and like them very much. I do have some real world experience with many Bushmaster rifles including the new "Predator". I have two "Predator"'s and they are both very accurate. I've only run three different factory loads through them both and they will consistantly shoot under and inch and in many cases half that (5 and 10 shot groups). I can't help but believe they would benifit with some load developement to the point they could consistantly shoot with any AR or bolt gun for that matter on the market today. Shooting tiny groups on paper with these rifles can be done without much difficulty.
The difference between the chrome moly and stainless barrels are not much, if any, IMHO. I'm sure some will diagree and that is fine but in my experience their not all that far apart. Personally I'd just as soon have a good chrome moly as I would stainless.
As a side note... I've also had a couple of chrome lined Bushy's that would out shoot most bolt guns and none that weren't very capable coyote rifles out to the 300 mark and further ( this 300 yard limit is more a function of my abilities and not the rifles).
My advise would be to get the 20" "Predator" over the 24" Varminter, but this is because the 24's are a little long for my likeing. This is a subjective thing however and many prefer the 16" and 24's. It would be a good idea to hanndle a few and then decide what fits you best. Don't fret though, at some point you will have them all. There is no known cure. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif
Byron /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif