Ruger SFAR 308 25yd sight in / shooting review

[Pat Riot]

I used gas setting 3 for these initial 75rds. Reading the manual, it mentions using gas setting 2 for factory / commercial ammo. I didn't adjust the gas setting. Thinking to myself, why would they ship it on gas setting 3 if they didn't want their customers shooting it on on that setting?

Other than a FAL which also has an adjustable gas system, this is my 1st AR10 / AR10 with that system. That's why I went straight to that section of the manual before shooting it. I think I shot all my Cavim back in the day but I still have German Dag and even some South African Surplus in battle packs. My most recent Lake City is dated 2013.

I will try some other heavier hunting bullets to see if I have any issues.

There is a thread ar15.com where many owners are switching out the gas system.

New Ruger SFAR (Small Frame Autoloading rifle) - Page 35 - AR15.COM

Firearm Discussion and Resources from AR-15, AK-47, Handguns and more! Buy, Sell, and Trade your Firearms and Gear.

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I would prefer not to have to do that.

When I bought my SFAR I did all of my 200 round break in with with:
- 100 rounds of PMC Bronze .308 150gr FMJ at 2780 FPS and
- 100 rounds of Norma Tactical 147gr FMJ at 2626 FPS
These rounds are basically “Service Rifle” loads. I tried Saltech Swiss 150gr .308 at 2750 FPS but I only got about 20 rounds of this ammo shot with some difficulty.

When I first bought my SFAR the man at the gun store said “Ruger recommends your break in be done with the gas regulator on setting 3.”
I did not find that in the manual so I called Ruger. The nice lady I spoke to told me the same thing.

Trying the Saltech Swiss ammo setting 3 would rip a chunk out of the case rim but setting 2 would cause the case to either eject and fly forward or the rim would bend and the case would stick in the chamber.
The Saltech Swiss ammo shot just gine from my M1 Garand. It’s converted to .308.

Regarding aftermarket gas regulators:
I saw some posts in different forums where guys were installing different gas blocks or modifying the factory gas block.
I be darned if I will fix Ruger’s problems - if there are problems now since getting the upgraded gas block. If Ruger can’t get my gun right then they will have to make good on it.
They made a gun that is supposed to handle a variety of .308 or 7.62x51 ammo as well as when / if a silencer is installed.
I’m a pretty simple guy when it comes to rifles. I won’t be shooting a vast variety of ammo but whatever ammo I choose made or reloaded to SAAMI Specs should work with adjustments to the gas block if needed. Also, I am not one that has to have my ammo hot-rodded. My goal is accuracy and a bullet that does what it’s supposed to do.

By the way, I was planning to deer hunt with my SFAR. I was going to load Hornady 150 grain SST bullets for hunting. My SFAR spent 7 days of my season at Ruger and since I refuse to shoot at a rural outdoor range during hunting season to sight in a gun I pretty much missed my deer season this year.
Anyway, enough whining, I found that Hornady loads their SST 150 grain bullet in their hunting ammo at 3000 FPS. I contacted Hornady to find out if the SST will work properly at lowed velocities. They write back and said the SST is designed to work (expand) all the way down to 1800 FPS.

I am now wishing I would have saved some of that Saltech ammo to try with this new gas regulator. Ruger reamed the chamber because of my report of the ammo cases sticking in the chamber. And I could kick myself for not trying my .308 cartridge gauge. I think I actually have 2 rounds of that Saltech ammo. I can try them in the gauge.

I really hope my gun is repaired. I haven’t had a chance to shoot it yet due to weather, family issues, the holidays, Murphy’s Law, etc.
Hopefully I can soon.

Fingers crossed for you in your testing.

 

[Pat Riot]

I flipped the trigger pin and it looks like it's doing a better job of capturing the hammer spring in the groove. The pin still moves but the hammer spring end moves with it. I think the problem is solved.

And since I'm fiddling with the lower, I tightened the mag release 1 more turn. It felt a little loose to me.

I didn’t notice any pin issues with mine, but thank you for the heads up.

 

[drobs]

I've never heard of Saltech ammo but I've been out of the 308/7.62x51 game for a while. My M1A is limited in what grain weight and muzzle velocity is safe for the rifle - 150gr comes to mind but I forget the max Muzzle Velocity requirements. I have a couple 308 bolt actions but have been limiting myself to ammo that will work in both.

 

[drobs]

Well I had to redo that pin, my disconnector was flapping in the wind. Now I got it, after fiddling with it for an hour, with the trigger pin grooves on the left.

 

[Pat Riot]

I've never heard of Saltech ammo but I've been out of the 308/7.62x51 game for a while. My M1A is limited in what grain weight and muzzle velocity is safe for the rifle - 150gr comes to mind but I forget the max Muzzle Velocity requirements. I have a couple 308 bolt actions but have been limiting myself to ammo that will work in both.

I didn’t know about Saltech Swiss until I bought my SFAR and was looking for more .308 ammo for the break in. It shot fine from my Garand but I gave the brass away because I don’t trust it. I may go looking for a 20 round box or two to see how the SFAR fires and ejects it now.
I assumed because it is Swiss made it would be better ammo. At this point I would say “No, it isn’t.” But at the time I bought it I found it on AmmoSeek for 52¢ per round. I was hoping it was good ammo for plinking and what not.
It’s definitely not that cheap now.

 

[trackskippy]

Well I had to redo that pin, my disconnector was flapping in the wind. Now I got it, after fiddling with it for an hour, with the trigger pin grooves on the left.

Just for future reference, if you take an appropriate piece of drill stock and make yourself a little "slave pin" that just fits in the trigger without protruding, it lets you put the disconnector in place in the trigger and is held there while installing the trigger, and makes dealing with the disconnector and getting the trigger in a lot easier.

Then save it, you'll need it later. You know how promiscuous AR's are.

 

[drobs]

Just for future reference, if you take an appropriate piece of drill stock and make yourself a little "slave pin" that just fits in the trigger without protruding, it lets you put the disconnector in place in the trigger and is held there while installing the trigger, and makes dealing with the disconnector and getting the trigger in a lot easier.

Then save it, you'll need it later. You know how promiscuous AR's are.

Yeah, I used a punch for the slave pin but it was still being fussy.

 

[Pat Riot]

After posting earlier I remembered I had 2 rounds of that Saltech ammo in one of my ammo boxes. I went searching and found it.
I tried both rounds in my Williams.308 Win. gauge. One plopped right in. The other stopped at the case head.
I have to apologize. I believe I said the Saltech Swiss .308 / 7.62x51 ammo I used was 150 grain. It was 147 grain FMJ.



Two rounds is not a fair test but it is an indication that the cases that stuck in my SFAR chamber may have been a bit fat. My Garand must have a more open chamber. That accuracy from that ammo in my Garand was erratic. Lots of flyers at 100 yards.