Ruger Precision Rifle: Which caliber to choose?

Friends and neighbors,

I could use some advice. The recent introduction of the Ruger Precision Rifle has me suddenly thinking about a bolt gun. I don't currently own a bolt action rifle at all, and frankly, I don't actually need one. However I have wanted to get into longer range shooting for quite awhile. (Gotta have hobbies.) I just haven't had the money to buy the equipment I wanted though. I want a long range, heavy rifle to mitigate recoil, that I can plug a target with at 500+ yards.

Now, I realize there are a lot of rifles capable of doing this, but this is the gun I want, particularly because of the price point, and the included features. I also like the AR styling as it lends to accessorizing..... not that you really need more than a bipod and scope though.

Here's the thing. As far as range, and ballistics coefficients go, the 6.5 Creedmoor offering seems to offer the longest range and potential accuracy.

I favor that round due to the heavier bullet weights also over the 243, as I may want to kill a deer with this gun at some point. I know the 243 is plenty capable of plugging a deer also, but I just like having a little extra weight on the bullet.

I believe 308 is going to be easier to find in stores, is going to open up the world of elk to me, looks to be a cheaper round to shoot as it is so available, and may be easier to reload? I don't reload yet, but I am hoping to get into it next year.

Shots would very rarely be over 500 yards as I live in a very hilly area with few places that longer range shooting would ever need or could take place. I don't hunt at the current time, but that may be changing soon. Varmints are not a concern, and if they were I could plug them with my 357 mag revolvers.

I do already have a rifle capable of taking dear or elk, but it isn't a gun that extended range sessions are fun with, as it kicks pretty dang hard.

So which chambering would you guys/gals recommend given my wants and needs. Ammo cost and availability are big factors. There is potential to head out to the plains to take some longer shots over 500 yards, but that is going to be very seldom if ever. Killing deer is a must have, elk would be nice too.

I am mostly a pistol shooter and don't see owning more than this one bolt gun. So what is your recommendation.

Sunray said:

The .308 is for target shooting. 500 is too far for any of 'em for hunting shots.

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I agree. I would never take a 500 yard shot at any animal. 500 yards is about the max I see myself being able to shoot at paper, or steel, in my location.

zb338 said:

The .308 is a little on the light side for elk or bigger game. Why not
go to the 7MM Magnum. It doesn't kick that much and has a real edge
in killing power over the lowly .308.

Zeke

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I disagree that the 308 is too small for elk. There are plenty of folks here who take them with a 30-06, and 308, and even 270, and those cartridges drop them in their tracks pretty regularly. If they do run, it isn't far. That's based on the words of several local hunters.

The idea of killing elk though is relatively a small concern for me. I have a Ruger No. 1 in S&W 460 magnum, which can launch a 200 gr bullet at about 2900 fps (from what I've read, I need a chrony), and can go up to a 360 gr loading in Buffalo Bore ammo. It kicks the shoulder dang hard, but I imagine it will hit any animal like a sledge hammer.

Also, the rifle set up I'm discussing doesn't come in 7mm. And finally, long range target shooting is really a bigger desire of mine than hitting animals.

How difficult is reloading any of these three rounds?

MrBorland said:

Given your use, I'd suggest the .308 as well.

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That is what I've been leaning towards. It seems a better overall fit for me, but the 6.5 still has me wondering. I don't, and have no intention of competing. So maybe the 308 is the best choice.

Vern Humphrey said:

I would drop elk hunting as a consideration when purchasing a Ruger Precision Rifle.

Get an iron bar -- you can find them in any tractor store -- that weighs as much as the Ruger Precision Rifle and carry it up a typical Colorado mountain above 11,000 feet and down the other side, and you'll see what I mean.

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That is a good point Vern, but I am relatively unconcerned about the weight.

Elk are prolific anywhere around my home. I live at 5400 feet and work at over 7000 feet. I'm fortunate to be a forester and silviculturist by trade, so I spend my days working in and around large elk herds on a daily basis. They actually have gotten so used to me that I had two large 6x6 bulls pretty well trained not to run when they see my truck or me on foot. It would be very unlikely that I'd have to hump the gun around all day.

And if I did, I may be tired at the end of the day, but that's alright. I'm 34, lift weights regularly, and recreationally hike 16+ miles in a day at over 7000 feet, with a 25 lb pack on my back. In the hands, or slung, I doubt I'd have to carry the gun far anyway. Elk retrieval is allowed with ATV's here too.

If I was going to hunt Colorado, I wouldn't even consider the RPR as an option, because you are absolutely right. I'd use my Ruger No. 1.

HOOfan_1 said:

All of my Ruger guns are great...and accurate. My Security Six is the most accurate handgun I own. If you gave up on them..why bother opening a thread about them just to post that?

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He didn't start the thread.