Some desert fun with the GSR (pic heavy)

[ECVMatt]

I have had my GSR for about 2 1/2 years and still love it. I take it on most of my desert ramblings as it is just about perfect. I always seem to read about folks that are not sure about accuracy, reliability, or performance, so I thought it was time for a little testing to update my older post.

Here is what I did:

I had two old closet doors, so I painted a target on each side totaling four. I fired five rounds as quick as possible from slinged, supported, prone. I fired from 100, 200, 300, and 400 yards or at least pretty close. I had to pace off the distance, so it could be +, - ten yards or so. I began firing from 100 yards, then immediately reloaded and moved back in 100 yard increments until I reached 400 yards.

So here are the results:

From 100 yards:



Targets close up:



100 yard target: about two inch group





200 yard target: about 3.5 inch group





300 yard target: about nine inch group





400 yard target: about 19 inch group





I am running a traditional Leupold Scout Scope scope, so 400 yards was easy to hit, but harder to pick an exact hold over. My first round went low, and then I kind of got it figured out. The most interesting component of the 400 yard group is the horizontal dispersion; it is less than three inches. If I had figured out the hold over on the first shot, I would have had a group similar in size to the 300 yard group. That is something to work on.

Anyways it is a great rifle that shoots very well. Any creature with evil intent that comes within 400 yards or so must tread with heavy trepidations or at least carry a strong belief in the hereafter.

I hope this provides some useful information for folks looking to buy a Ruger Gunsite Rifle.

And now for some gratuitous GSR pics:







Thanks for the look,

Matt

 

[GriNgOboNeZ]

Nice shooting. The GSR gets alot of flak from ppl who haven't handled it,but its a damn good shooter. I've made believers out of all my friends once they shot it. A damn good hunter and all around rifle.

 

[stubbicatt]

Thanks for your contribution. I think it was excellent. I also am a fan of the GSR. My son is looking to buy one, and I will forward this thread to him for his enjoyment!

Heck, now I sort of want one...

 

[chicharrones]

Thanks for posting your recent outing with your GSR, Matt. It looks like you have a nice place to go for testing and shooting.

 

[JustsayMo]

What ammo did you use?

EXCELLENT report.

 

[taliv]

man, that's awesome. i wish i got to shoot in the desert more. walking around in the desert with a pack and a gun and a bunch of ammo is just awesome.

and that's excellent shooting. hard to "aim small" on a target like that. it's different when you have rings.

with a setup like that you should try timing yourself next time. i'll bet you can keep the same group and shoot that in.... 20 seconds

 

[ECVMatt]

Thanks guys. CA mostly sucks, but it does have some perks.

I am shooting a handload with a 150 Hornady FMJ and Varget. Off the bench, this rifle is pretty incredible. It was fun to get out and shoot in a more realistic setting. I think I will do some more! I am off to the desert again this weekend, so maybe round two.

 

[thomis]

DITTO the great post. I have yet to own a Ruger rifle but I would really like to change that. I've been eyeballing the GSR or their bolt action .44 mag.

 

[Geno]

Great thread! I just bought one a few days ago. I have yet to scope it. Thanks for the pictures.

Geno

 

[ECVMatt]

with a setup like that you should try timing yourself next time. i'll bet you can keep the same group and shoot that in.... 20 seconds

I think I was around a minute or so, but now you have planted the seed I guess a timer is needed. I was very pleased at 100 yards to watch my group cluster nicely in the center. I have my rifle zeroed for 200 yards, but have only shot on bulls. It is nice to see that it works well on less defined targets.

I am going up to the Owens Valley this weekend. It is just west of Death Valley. The scenery up there is out of this world. I will bring the GSR and try some more field shooting. I will post some more pictures if I get any good shots.

Geno- I used my iron sights for about six months until I could afford to add a scope. They worked so well, I almost regret putting the scope on. Enjoy that rifle!

 

[chicharrones]

Geno- I used my iron sights for about six months until I could afford to add a scope. They worked so well, I almost regret putting the scope on. Enjoy that rifle!

That's kinda the way I feel, too. I yanked the 4x forward mounted scope back off of mine, just because the open sights seem plenty good for 200 yards.

Now, if I had an illuminated reticle scope and fired further away . . . that would change things back to me liking a scope a bit more.

 

[Geno]

I do like shooting with iron sights! I have to make a trip to the farm.

Geno

 

[Dave Markowitz]

Really cool post, OP.

I envy you folks out West who can just go ramble around public land and shoot.