The Falkor Defense Petra is something special when it comes to ARs. Before we get there, some context. What comes to mind if someone mentions a specialized long-range precision rifle for hunting, law enforcement or military applications? By long range I’m talking about 1,000 yards-plus.
No offense intended to the .308 Win., but 1,000 yards and beyond constitutes a realm best served by cartridges with more powder capacity, pushing heavy-grain, high ballistic coefficient bullets downrange. Shooters must decide between the rifle’s purpose, either for material or personnel interdiction.
Dismiss the massive .50 BMG if personnel defines the primary mission. The benefit of calibers other than .50 BMG is immediate, as the rifle becomes more portable in terms of size and weight for both weapon and ammo. Two prime cartridge considerations are the .300 Win Mag and .338 Lapua Magnum.
If weight and portability are influencing factors, the .300 Win Mag jumps to the forefront. Up to this point, mention of these cartridges would confirm that rifle will be bolt action. However, this is no longer the case thanks to Falkor Defense and its Petra semi-automatic AR in .300 WinMag.
Falkor Petra Details
Questioning the standard approach is not always the easiest path to follow. Falkor decided to up the ante with its .300 Win Mag Petra AR. Falkor, a known innovator, owns a strong background in the aerospace industry. The Petra .300 Win Mag continues along this path. Falkor is not an assembler of outsourced parts; it manufacturers its products in its 50,000-square-foot facility using the latest aerospace technology in CNC Machining, anodizing and assembly.
Dracos Straightjacket barrels is another entity shaking up the industry with new concepts. Falkor and Dracos also operate from the same facility and share the same ownership team. Go figure.
Sending It
This year marked Falkor Defense’s first trip to the Athlon Outdoors Rendezvous. It will not be the last judging by the attention Falkor’s products garnered, like the Falkor FG-9 AR pistol. I was fortunate that Falkor was my first stop on Day Three of the Rendezvous. Falkor’s Jacob Hutchens had an awesome greeting when he saw me hovering around the Petra: “Lets get you behind that rifle and start shooting.”
He knew what the Petra offered would speak for itself. Multiple 10-round magazines worth of ammo and numerous steel and exploding targets later—some engaged out to 725 yards—he knew the hook was set.
The Luth AR MB1 stock used with the Petra is rock solid with design characteristics making it conducive to long-range shooting. The ergonomics of the stock allow for a comfortable, repeatable cheekweld. The Petra also utilizes a 22-inch DRACOS StraightJacket barrel system with 1:9.73 twist. It wears a Falkor “Tranny” free float 19-inch MLOK handguard. Falkor’s own billet upper and lower receivers are the Petra’s foundation, along with Falkor’s adjustable gas anti-tilt nitride bolt carrier group.
.300 Win Mag Power
Being able to harness the .300 Win Mag in an AR platform is not a simple undertaking. It requires both keen engineering and proper blending of materials to be used. When asked how Falkor achieved the holy grail of a magnum-chambered AR, Jacob calmly responded, “Attention to detail, manufacturing experience and testing diligence to find optimum placement of gas block combined with adjustable gas bolt carrier.”
The Falkor Petra should be considered a fine sports car, privileged to be fed by only premium Federal or Black Hills Match ammo. A quick call to Falkor will answer other ammo questions when it comes to hunting loads or suppressor use. The Falkor Petra has indeed generated strong sales interest among hunters; that’s not hard to fathom considering it weighs only 10.2 pounds with a recoil impulse so smooth it is hard to believe you are touching off a .300 Win Mag.
A powerful, accurate rifle like the Falkor Petra, capable of fast follow-up shots from its 10-round magazine, remains invaluable. Yes, first-round hits are paramount. However, do not underestimate the importance of fast follow-up shots after observing initial impact or if more targets are available. A trained marksman will definitely be able to put to good use the ballistic advantages offered by the .300 Win Mag Petra with its precision long-range semi-auto firepower. For more info, please visit falkordefense.com.
Falkor Defense Petra Specs
- Caliber: .300 Win Mag
- Mag Capacity: 10 rounds
- Barrel Length: 22 inches
- Overall Length: 42.5 inches
- Weight Empty: 10.3 pounds
- MSRP: $5,912
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