Ruger SFAR

Navy87Guy

Navy87Guy

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I just discovered the Ruger SFAR today and I’m intrigued. Does anybody have any first-hand experience with it? An AR-10 in the same size package as an AR-15 is appealing - but does it hold up and shoot well?

Our local PD went with the Ruger AR556 SBR (10.5”) and they love them. (It helps we’re in NH and they got a great deal on trading in their full size AR’s). If the SFAR lives up to its reputation, it may find a home next to my Sig 716i….
 
There are quite a few threads on that rifle at ruger forum.

Looks like a few teething problems.
Sorta like when they released the SR762.
The early ones were problematic, the last version had all the kinks ironed out.
Then they discontinued it.
 
@powermad - Thanks…I’m about maxed out on forums and Ruger isn’t one of them!

Maybe I’ll wait until they have the kinks worked out…
 
Navy87Guy said:
I just discovered the Ruger SFAR today and I’m intrigued. Does anybody have any first-hand experience with it? An AR-10 in the same size package as an AR-15 is appealing - but does it hold up and shoot well?

Our local PD went with the Ruger AR556 SBR (10.5”) and they love them. (It helps we’re in NH and they got a great deal on trading in their full size AR’s). If the SFAR lives up to its reputation, it may find a home next to my Sig 716i….
Click to expand...
I bought one for my son for his birthday about 8 months ago. He was wanting something in .308 as he already has a AR. He doesn't have a lot of rounds downrange yet, maybe 200 or so but it seems pretty promising. Have just been shooting it with inexpensive ammo so far and the accuracy has been about 1 1/4 inch at 100 yards. Will have to try it with some better match quality ammo.
 
I own one but haven’t really done a lot of shooting with it as this summer has been brutally hot. I plan to really get it worked out with ammo this winter.

But, so far so good as far as first impressions…I like the light weight and handling. Mine seems to shoot lighter bullets (147-155) better than heavier bullets, but again, just small samples thus far. Also, it was 98 degrees that range day and I forgot my shooting rests so it was a pretty poor execution on my part.
 

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My 16" version will shoot sub MOA so very impressed with that. It's generally reliable but for some reason I'm having occasional stuck cases, both reloads and factory. Usually with spent brass but sometimes even unfired rounds won't chamber all the way. Not exactly sure what's going on but I think it'll be taking a trip back to Ruger.
 
irishlad said:
My grandson has one. He loves it. 0 issues with it. Shoots it alot. Shoots .8 MOA.

View attachment 1170612
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Eagle103 said:
My 16" version will shoot sub MOA so very impressed with that. It's generally reliable but for some reason I'm having occasional stuck cases, both reloads and factory. Usually with spent brass but sometimes even unfired rounds won't chamber all the way. Not exactly sure what's going on but I think it'll be taking a trip back to Ruger.
Click to expand...

I forgot, grandson put a H2 buffer in his for 100% reliability. His is 16" barrel also.
 
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To be honest I would consider a PSA AR10. I have an 18" that cost a little more than half (blem version and upper and lower purchased separately) what the Ruger does and only weighs about 1 lb. more. It also shoots sub MOA and functions more reliably than the Ruger.
 
Eagle103 said:
To be honest I would consider a PSA AR10. I have an 18" that cost a little more than half (blem version and upper and lower purchased separately) what the Ruger does and only weighs about 1 lb. more. It also shoots sub MOA and functions more reliably than the Ruger.
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I had a PSA PA10 Gen 2. It shot very good groups but was heavy. If I was shooting from a bench all the time the PSA would be better, but if carrying or hunting, I like the Ruger.
 
Buzznrose said:
I had a PSA PA10 Gen 2. It shot very good groups but was heavy. If I was shooting from a bench all the time the PSA would be better, but if carrying or hunting, I like the Ruger.
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Agreed. I've got one and it's just unwieldy, unfortunately. Less about weight and more about balance.
 
powermad said:
Looks like a few teething problems.

The early ones were problematic, the last version had all the kinks ironed out.
Click to expand...


I have a 16" that I bought about a month after they hit the shelves (I guess that'd be an early one?). Zero issues or malfunctions, have @ 500 rounds through it (all on gas setting 2). Shoots just under 1 MOA with 168gr. FGGM and @ 1.25MOA with cheap Armscor 147gr. FMJ.

173349706.499446c3.JPEG
 
I don't own one, but my buddy in TX does. It is a hog slaying machine. He lives in a small community and has some property nearby. It has kind of become his de facto ranch rifle. I get pictures every couple of days of his efforts to reduce the hog population and this rifle is a major player in that effort. His rifle has been 100% reliable, accurate, and puts meat on the table. He is a recently retired highway patrolman from CA and found the switch from the AR he used at work to the SFAR to be seamless.

I definitely have one of these on my short list.
 
I bought a 20" when they first came out. Now at 450-ish rounds. A few misfeeds with very light loads on gas 2, worked fine on gas 3. Gas 2 on everything else which cycles perfectly. Good ejection pattern and generally .75 to 1 1/2 MOA and getting better with tailored loads. Prefers 130-150 grain bullets. Recoil is surprisingly mild with the factory brake and it's not too loud. I did get some tiny brass chips in the gas regulator, making it hard to turn. Easy to remove and clean. I'm impressed with it.
 
kwb377 said:
I have a 16" that I bought about a month after they hit the shelves (I guess that'd be an early one?). Zero issues or malfunctions, have @ 500 rounds through it (all on gas setting 2). Shoots just under 1 MOA with 168gr. FGGM and @ 1.25MOA with cheap Armscor 147gr. FMJ.

173349706.499446c3.JPEG
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I was referring to the SR762 on the later ones..

So far the SFAR is on version 1.
But Ruger does have an updated gas block out now.
Some have no issues, others are having chambering issues, ripping rims off etc.

When I was looking to get an SR762 I cruised the ruger forum for a bit and made sure I got a later production one.
I kinda want a SFAR but will wait a bit and see what shakes out.
 
@kwb377 - Nice set up!!

Question for you: Does the lower have a QD socket on the rear of the lower (above the grip)? My Sigs have them and they’re perfect for mounting the sling.
 
I have the 16” SFAR. I really like it. With PMC and Norma FMJ 150 grain .308 it’s reliable and accurate. I have right at 200 rounds through it. I think after another 100 or so rounds I will be able to say it’s

AMMO NOTE:
I bought some Swiss Saltec .308 150 grain FMJ ammo. The cases get stuck and the extractor rips a chunk of the rim off. The cases must be driven out with a rod. This happened several times. This ammo works great in my Garand that’s converted to .308. It seems the chambers on the SFAR are tighter than my Garand’s chamber. This ammo is also inconsistently charged. I bought 200 rounds. I am glad I didn’t buy any more of it. It seems like the cases of the cartridge are soft.

Here’s mine. I have a Leupold Vari X 3-9x33 Compact scope mounted on it with Warne rings.

IMG_5773.jpeg
 
Got out to the range today and ran some different ammo through my SFAR. I am a crappy rifle shooter and unimpressive even on the bench, so bear that in mind.

These were all 4 round groups from 50 yards:
 

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