Is a Ruger Precision Rifle in 556/223 a good idea?

[tuckerdog1]

I'm more into handguns than rifles. Not sure about buying this, so putting it out to you folks that know more about the subject than I. While looking around for a new handgun, came across a place selling RPR in 556/223 for $799. After tax, shipping & FFL fees, I'd be in for $894. Seems pretty good. Especially since Ruger has stopped making them in this caliber, and they might be difficult to find later. My concern is 556/223 might be too light a round to take full advantage of a rifle like this. It seems that at shorter distances ( 100-300 yards ) a good AR would perform nearly as well. Beyond those distances, the rifle wouldn't help much, because the limitations of the round. Maybe I'm all wrong about that. Would you buy this rifle at that price?

Thanks,
Tuckerdog1

 

[Demi-human]

Yup! In a heartbeat. Buds has them for nine hundred seven, plus tax, shipping, and transfer fee. And they're usually the lowest price in Mainstream.

 

[CoalTrain49]

I shoot a lot of .223 but I don't have a RPR. I think a person needs to pay more attention to the cartridge and not the rifle. If you find a good cartridge for the type of shooting you want to do than start looking for a rifle that uses that cartridge. A RPR would be a good rifle if you like shooting a 223/5.56. I have a 200 yard range at the moment so .223/5.56 is plenty. If I had a >400 yd range I would buy another rifle, probably something in .264.

A rifle isn't a good deal if it can't do what you want it to do. Sounds like you want a medium to long range cartridge. A RPR, being a bolt gun, is always going to be a shade more capable for target work than an AR. I haven't seen too many AR's that were 1 MOA. Mostly I see them being used for 100 yd. targets.

 

[Varminterror]

Precision AR’s can shoot tight, but they won’t shoot as tight as the RPR, even at meager 100-300yrd ranges, and for the feature set, you’ll likely spend a few hundred more on a precision AR than you would on the RPR. An RPR can’t do the Bang Bang Bang, but do you want to spend $ for autoloading precision?

I might be hard pressed to convince myself into an RPR in 223rem, with the exception as a practice rifle for one in 6 creed, or maybe a guy who wants to do a lot of positional shooting but only has access to 300yrds (for this, it’s a great choice).

 

[LoonWulf]

You can probably do just as well in terms of accuracy, and function at a lower price point, but for the price of the RPR it does offer alot of nice extras. I'd probably go for it.

 

[Charlie98]

My buddy has an RPR in 6.5CM. It's a nice rifle and all, but it's not All That and a bag of chips. For $800 I would be looking at a Savage or something else instead.

 

[9mmepiphany]

My concern is 556/223 might be too light a round to take full advantage of a rifle like this... Beyond those distances, the rifle wouldn't help much, because the limitations of the round.

...since Ruger has stopped making them in this caliber

I think you answered your own question. It seems that Ruger came to the same conclusion that you did.

I'd personally get the RPR in .22lr before I would in .223, but only to work myself up to one in 6.5 Creedmore...which would really make full use of the rifle's capabilities

 

[Varminterror]

My buddy has an RPR in 6.5CM. It's a nice rifle and all, but it's not All That and a bag of chips. For $800 I would be looking at a Savage or something else instead.

I went to a “hit to advance” prone match in Jan, 3 shots to connect at 300, 400, 500, and so on out to 955, shooting 8”x12” targets. I forget the exact number, but there were something like 80-85 shooters in round one at 300. A lot of Savage rifles, mostly BA stealths and a gaggle of RPR’s, eight to a dozen of each I would hazard...

Making it to the 800yrd line, there were only 2 Savages left, one a rebarreled semi-custom in an MPA chassis, and at least 6 RPR’s that I counted, one of which I know to have had custom work done. The one Savage made his first round hit at 955, but missed the rest of the tie breaker shots. Three of the RPR’s made it to 955, one Savage.

My personal 6.5 RPR is right on par with my restocked 6.5 Savage 12FV for precision - I don’t love the trigger in either. The Savage factory mags suck for running hard, so the chassis/AI mag versions are the only versions which would compete, for me. The Ashbury version is about on par with the RPR for adaptability, the Stealth is not (have one).

Absolutely agree with @9mmepiphany on the .22LR precision as a trainer instead of 223. The only downside there is the stock can’t be changed on the rimfire precision.

 

[Bushpilot]

If you want an RPR because you like the way it looks or like the features of a modular system then go for it. If you're buying it because you think it will out shoot a conventional bolt action dollar for dollar then I'd probably pass... you might be disappointed...

 

[farmerboy78]

What' the twist rate on that .223?

 

[FL-NC]

I paid less than half of that for new Mossberg MVP that shoots 1 MOA suppressed with the right ammo. Its also light enough to carry around, fire offhand, or lug up into tree stand. The patriot, RAR, TC, Savage, and other bolt action 223's are very accurate, more versatile, and can be had for much cheaper.

 

[Charlie98]

Making it to the 800yrd line, there were only 2 Savages left, one a rebarreled semi-custom in an MPA chassis, and at least 6 RPR’s that I counted, one of which I know to have had custom work done. The one Savage made his first round hit at 955, but missed the rest of the tie breaker shots. Three of the RPR’s made it to 955, one Savage.

I'll say, after shooting my Savage 10T (.308) right next to my buddy's RPR, the RPR is easier to shoot well; there were some obvious differences, recoil being one. The RPR chassis is far easier to modify and hang stuff on, and you are correct about the Savage magazine... it's a dumb setup. I also thought the RPR was rather clunky, it was not as smooth as my Savage and it didn't seem like the bolt was fitted well.

I guess it boils down to what the OP wants to do with the rifle. Just buying it because it's discontinued is a fool's errand... unless that just happens to be the rifle you want. I'm not a big fan of .22's at long distance vs 6mm and up, assuming he wants to shoot that far.

 

[Skylerbone]

Spending money is a terrible idea when it does not serve your purposes. Worse yet is pressuring yourself with the time constraints of a “deal”. You mentioned being more of a handgun guy, but what rifles do you otherwise own and what purpose might this one serve?

Looks like Charlie beat me to the punch as I was typing.

 

[Jackal]

If you want a giant, expensive, heavy bolt action .223, then yes, its worth it.

 

[Demi-human]

My Savage F TR is much heavier, longer and cost more.

I win!

 

[tuckerdog1]

Thanks for all the comments & advice. I think you all brought me back to my senses. I'll get back to finding a new handgun. Besides, I do already have a Howard Dietz custom build 700 ADL in 223 that shoots sub MOA.

Tuckerdog1

 

[C-grunt]

The RPR is a great rifle if you want to get into PRS style matches. Its very easy to customize to you and in stock form they are known to be sub MOA. While 223 isnt the best long range round out there it isnt a slouch either. Run some 77 grain SMKs up to 2800 FPS and you have a light recoiling 1000 yard gun.

If you end up not liking it after a while, rebarrel it to a caliber you like better.

 

[kwg020]

The RPR would be a hoot but I built a 20" AR upper with a stainless fluted barrel for less than $400 and it fits nicely on my Armalite NM lower that I have owned for years. Would it be nice to have a 6.5 CM ? You bet but I really want a .223 with a long magazine box so I can load 77 grain bullets and heavier into a magazine and let the bullets hang out all the way to the lands. I'm still waiting for that one to show up.
kwg

 

[someguy2800]

I used to have a savage model 12 bvss in 223. It was a tremendous amount of money for me when I bought it and was really excited to get it. Anyway I was never happy with it. I re barreled it with a criterion 223 barrel, put about 6 different scopes on it. It was the most accurate rifle I've ever owned but I just thought it was boring to shoot and couldn't get into it. Just seamed so pointless to have a gigantic 12 lb gun in 223 that was too heavy and cumbersome to do anything with. Its now had its mag well welded shut and bolt head changed and it lives a new life as a 6.5x284 with the stock finger grooved. I wish I had bought a tikka t3 light in 223 or something like that, light and handy. The only 223 I own anymore is a 20" varmint AR15. No knocks on either the 223 or the RPR, the combo of the two just doesn't appeal to me.

 

[mdauben]

I paid less than half of that for new Mossberg MVP that shoots 1 MOA suppressed with the right ammo. Its also light enough to carry around, fire offhand, or lug up into tree stand. The patriot, RAR, TC, Savage, and other bolt action 223's are very accurate, more versatile, and can be had for much cheaper.

I would guess that most people who buy the Ruger Precision Rifle or similar guns from other makers are not interested in carrying it around, shooting it off-hand or lugging it up a tree stand. AFAIK, the gun is designed for target shooting from the bench or prone. I agree if you want a gun for some other shooting use, its probably not the best choice.

 

[Ks5shooter]

I picked up mine in .243 they have stopped making these as well...

 

[cdb1]

I was selling firearms when the Ruger Precision Rifle came out. The first shipment we received was four in .243. When the first one was sold, the buyer also bought a scope and it was brought to me to mount. Somehow someway the picatinny rail was crooked and the scope could not be bore sighted, it canted too far to the left. I did all the diagnostics, it wasn’t the scope or the rings.

So I grabbed another rifle, same thing, next rifle same thing. The fourth rifle was fine. I was flummoxed because though I have encountered many issues with drilled and tapped receivers I’ve never had one when the rail was actually part of the receiver like on an AR. I then noticed the rail on the RPR was detachable so that had to have been the issue. None of the subsequent rifles we received had this issue.

My experience was a definite anomaly, the odds of it occurring were astronomical in my book. But it’s funny how first impressions stick, even if they are subliminal and you aren’t conscious of them, because I’ve never had an interest in the RPR since that day.