Ruger Precision Rifle First Impressions

Disclaimer: I'm a novice and this is the most I've ever spent on a rifle. Other "precision" bolts are Tikka T3 Tactical and various Remington 700s and Savages. Pictures to follow.

Went by to look at the RPR today and found out it wasn't spoken for, so of course I had to have it. This particular specimen is in 6.5 Creedmoor. The rifle looks and feels like a big bolt action AR, I'm not sure how else to put it. It balances well, the center of gravity being right at the barrel nut, but there is no doubt it's a 10 lbs rifle.

I put a temporary scope on it, a Nikon Buckmaster 4-12x40. It's like putting skinny tires on a high horse power muscle car. Next week I'll be getting a Vortex Viper PST FFP 6-24x50 and a AR style mount.

I was able to put 18 rounds down the barrel before a thunderstorm rolled through. I started by bore sighting with a laser. I planned to zero at 200 but was disappointed when I got to the range and none of the usual target stands were there. (The weeds were also grown up blocking everything past 350 yards) I tried putting a paper target on a steel plate, first shot sent the paper in all directions (hind sight is 20/20). So after that I just messed around a bit by shooting the 200 yard steel and spotting the group on the steel. I was able to poke 350 a few times, surprisingly easy not being truly zeroed.

Shooting impressions were very good. I don't know how to explain it but this rifle feels like it has so much in it, that I didn't even scratch today. A new scope and some time on paper and I think this will really shine. Trigger is crisp and has minimal travel. The bolt is notchy on unlock but smooth and solid on the pull. The ejector is strong and will throw brass no matter how easy you open the bolt, you can see in one picture the brass marks on the receiver.

Can't think of anything else now, I'll add as I think of it.

Sorry for the big pictures.



Temp scope and rings.




You can see that third lug engaging the brass. You can also see the brass marks from extraction.


Kind of curious why all this brass flake is present.

You know' just wondering are those flakes brass or unburnt powder?

Click to expand...

I'm not sure. I looked at it again last night with a brighter light and it still looks like brass filings. I would think if it was unburnt powder it would be bigger, still maintaining the shape of the powder? Either way I'm still pretty impressed with the rifle.

Just manipulating the rifle (safetly) in the house I've noticed a few things. The safety selector has a good amount of play inside the rifle, just enough to wiggle. Also the magazine release isn't very positive with PMags. They lock very securely but where other rifles sort of "click free" these just release when you pull them. I believe this is due to the two stage mag release. The first stage releases the rear, which with a PMag isn't used and is already pushed to that point. The second stage releases the side, but when the latch clears the mag you don't know it until the magazine actually moves. I'm sorry if this is confusing, I confused myself typing it. Just a few very small things. They don't affect use just a quirk of the platform.

Tomorrow I'll try to get some pictures of trigger adjustment for anybody curious.

Here's a good shot of an Allen wrench inserted for trigger adjustment. The included wrench works fine but is a little short, any 5/64 inch Allen head will work. This is one I have on the bench for random things. Ruger suggests using half a turn adjustment at a time. There are what I would describe as soft stops at the end of the adjustment spectrum.



In my last post I east talking about the mag release stages. Here you can see the latch position with a 10 round Pmag inserted. You see in the first pic the latches normal position and the first "stage" being bypassed with the PMag in.



Let me know if there any questions on this rifle. I've just been messing with it in the house. When I sell one of my 1911s and my Gibbs Carbine I'll be going to buy a Viper PST 6-24x50 FFP. Funds are short right now.