Build of the Month

Build of the Month: Peanut Butter Reaper

By Alex Fanning

12/04/2023

Have you ever experienced the thrill of hunting by moonlight? Or maybe you’ve found yourself raiding the pantry in search of a late night snack by the glow of the kitchen fridge. No matter your nocturnal excursion, the Peanut Butter Reaper, as we call it, is the perfect weapon of choice for any night owl and this month's custom build.

Rifle

Stag Arms Stag 15 Tactical

At the core of this build is the 5.56 NATO Stag Arms Stag 15 Tactical, offering a crunchy and creamy blend of performance and reliability. Featuring a 16” Ballistic Advantage Hanson-Profile barrel, slim M-LOK handguard, and Magpul furniture, the rifle maintains a balanced and lightweight feel with appetizing Flat Dark Earth color to match.

Optics

For superior versatility, the PB Reaper incorporates three critical optics.

Swampfox Arrowhead 1-6x

Serving as the main component is the Swampfox Arrowhead 1-6x, a second focal plane (SFP) low power variable optic (LPVO) constructed on a 30mm tube with push/pull locking turrets and 24mm objective lens for a bright and expansive field of view. Its illuminated Guerrilla Dot MIL reticle displays a 6.15 MIL diameter ring to aid rapid engagement at 1x and a 0.5 MIL inner dot to ensure accuracy through all six levels of magnification. The LPVO is served up in our Freedom cantilever scope mount.

Swampfox Justice

With distance engagements taken care of, a Swampfox Justice dot sight is mounted on a 45-degree Rebel Offset Mount for close-range transitions in a jif. Utilizing a standard RMR footprint, the reflex sight’s 27mm window provides a wide field of view for its 3 MOA red dot. Ten brightness settings, including two compatible with night vision devices, and precise 1 MOA adjustments allow for anytime shooting and increased accuracy on a wide range of platforms.

AGM StingIR 640 Monocular

Enhancing the nighttime capability of this build is a clip-on AGM StingIR 640 Thermal Monocular wearing traditional MultiCam. Equipped with a high-sensitivity detector, high-resolution OLED display, multiple color palettes, and 1x-8x digital zoom, the compact monocular provides a clear thermal image for exceptional performance in any lightning condition.

Together, the Arrowhead LPVO, Justice red dot, and StingIR 640 thermal monocular create a comprehensive optic solution ideal for hunting beyond dusk.

Suppressor

HUXWRX FLOW 556K

Silent as the night, the HUXWRX FLOW 556K takes sound reduction to the next level. Engineered with patented Flow-Through and Torque Lock technology, the 3D-printed stainless steel suppressor effectively mitigates muzzle blast, recoil, and sound without sacrificing cycling or service life. Its multi-caliber design and full-auto rating make it a worthy addition to the Reaper.

MODTAC Suppressor Shield

To better protect the shooter and suppressor, a MODTAC Suppressor Shield is mounted around the FLOW 556K. Unlike traditional fabric-style suppressor covers, this free-float shield features vents and an air gap for a 60% reduction in outer surface temperature, minimizing heat transfer and mirage. Meanwhile, The Universal Rail Attach Coupler (U-RAC) design allows for quick attach/detach.

Weapon Light

Cloud Defensive REIN 3.0

Even though stealth is the aim, no rifle build is complete without a serviceable weapon light. Lighting the way is the Cloud Defensive REIN 3.0, delivering an impressive 1,250 lumens and 100,000 candela to illuminate targets with exceptional clarity and intensity. With enhanced thermal management and a dual fuel system, the REIN 3.0 ensures the PB Reaper will shine in even the darkest of environments.

Accessories

Like jelly on a PB&J, no build is complete without accessories. Enhancing the functionality and ergonomics of the Peanut Butter Reaper, Drew Meyer Defense M-LOK Rail Covers (MRC-3) with knurled texturing line the rifle’s forend for improved grip, heat mitigation, and aesthetics. Smaller details include the tool-free Sylvan Arms QD Picatinny 3 Slot Rail Mount for mounting of the REIN 3.0 weapon light, as well a BCM MCMR-SM Quick Detachable Sling Mount for future sling attachment.

Tripod

Two Vets No Name V2

When not on the prowl, the Two Vets No Name V2 Tripod provides a stable platform for precision shooting. Its compact and lightweight design allow for easy transportation and quick deployment, while its ratcheting leg adjustment tabs and integrated spikes offer enhanced adaptability for any terrain.

Why We Like It

Regardless of how you like your peanut butter, you have to admit this Peanut Butter Reaper build is the perfect blend of stealth and precision.

Stag Arms makes awesome rifles, and the Stag 15 Tactical is an out-of-the-box tack driver. Pair it with the long and close-range capability of our Arrowhead LPVO and first-generation Justice red dot, and you’ve got a versatile combination for any target. The addition of the AGM thermal monocular and Cloud Defensive REIN 3.0 really shine on this build, enhancing and extending the viewing capability of the platform in any light condition. Mount it all on a stable tripod from Two Vets and you’ve got yourself a setup ready for a late night in the woods.