Brand new RPR(.308) OAL Issue/question

[XTR]

Don’t ever check the freebore in a Weatherby, at least by reputation your initial impression may be that it is a smoothbore before you find the lands.

 

[Straightshooter1]

I havent. I just picked it up last night, and since it had no optic (coming today) and it was dark, I decided to fondle it by taking some measurements and sizing some cases that were range pickups in the recycle bin to different shoulder set backs just to see which felt best on bolt close, (saami +.004). I have 20 rounds of nothing fancy federal .308 ammo to shoot to break the barrel in and then 100 rounds of federal gold match to finish break in. I just didnt want to shoot it if the barrel was out of spec and needed to go back. I would rather send it back now and get it right, than try shooting it and deal with it later.

By the responses it appears that this is probably the norm for factory rifles, that the measurements I took are no predicition of actual on paper performance, and I am most likely just overthinking the whole thing.

It's good to get to know the intimate details of the rifle your shooting . . . especially if your reloading. So, it appears you've got a pretty good handle on it now.

When I first got my RPR I took a lot of measurements to be sure what I was dealing with. And yes, I too found the freebore to be particularly long. But even so, shooting Federal 168's and 175 GMM's, I was getting .75 MOA right out of the box. So, I've been happy with this gun from the beginning. I heard some people didn't have such good results out of the box and were disappointed (as I feel they should be). But, that's pretty much what I'd expected from factory mass production where you might get a barrel what shoots exceptionally well or just the opposite. It it doesn't shoot sub MOA, I'd return it as I think Ruger still touts it as a sub-MOA "Precision" rifle.

 

[SLuke]

Thank you everyone for the assistance, I appreciate all of the feedback! My day is much better now knowing that I do in fact have a rifle and not a 'musket" as XTR said in his analogy.LOL

 

[Zero333]

Just picked up a brand new Ruger Precision Rifle in .308. Upon bringing it home I decided to take some measurements with the hornady tool and the bullets I intend to use(168gn Sierra HPBT MatchKings). I took 3 measurements and came up with the following numbers COAL- 2.865 and OGTB 2.221. Thinking that did not seem right because the coal with the bullet touching the rifling was .05 over max cartridge length, I then pulled out two other types of bullets i have laying around, first was a Sierra 165gn game king (spritzer boattail) (measured coal-2.84/ogtb-2.222) and then a Berger 185gn juggernaut otm tactical. (Measured Coal-2.909/ogtb 2.205).

With the measurements I took every one of those bullets would need to be loaded with alot of jump! There would be no physical way to have less than .03 of jump, and that would only be with the 165gn. This is my first .308 so I have no real point of reference and I’m hoping you guys can help me answer, is this normal? Isn’t this only going to get worse as the throat erodes? I suspect that it’s not normal and a trip back to the LGS tomorrow is going to be needed, but would like to hear the opinions of those more experienced than me.

thanks in advance for any words of wisdom you may have.

The freebore of your 308win RPR is perfect !

Most AICS magazines allow for 2.850" COAL and some allow up to 2.980" COAL

There are certain AICS mags that only allow 2.780", so ignore those and you'll be smiling.

 

[mike06]

Luke I don't know if this will help you but here are the measurements I got with my RPR Gen 2 308

175 NOS CC MAX COAL= 2.895 BTOJ=2.276
175 SMK MATCH MAX COAL= 2.860
168 SMK MATCH MAX COAL= 2.864
168 NOS CC MAX COAL= 2.923
168 BERGER MAX COAL= 2.906
155 PALMA SIE MAX COAL=2.858
168 STMK MAX COAL = 2.945
175 NOSLER RDF MAX COAL = 2.948 BTOJ= 2.265 MAX
168 STMK MAX BTO = 2.760

My main round is the 175 Nosler Custom Comp 2.825 COAL

 

[SLuke]

Luke I don't know if this will help you but here are the measurements I got with my RPR Gen 2 308

175 NOS CC MAX COAL= 2.895 BTOJ=2.276
175 SMK MATCH MAX COAL= 2.860
168 SMK MATCH MAX COAL= 2.864
168 NOS CC MAX COAL= 2.923
168 BERGER MAX COAL= 2.906
155 PALMA SIE MAX COAL=2.858
168 STMK MAX COAL = 2.945
175 NOSLER RDF MAX COAL = 2.948 BTOJ= 2.265 MAX
168 STMK MAX BTO = 2.760

My main round is the 175 Nosler Custom Comp 2.825 COAL

Look at that, the measurements between the 168 SMK are only .001 off from each other.

Great information to share. Thank you!!

 

[Straightshooter1]

Luke I don't know if this will help you but here are the measurements I got with my RPR Gen 2 308

175 NOS CC MAX COAL= 2.895 BTOJ=2.276
175 SMK MATCH MAX COAL= 2.860
168 SMK MATCH MAX COAL= 2.864
168 NOS CC MAX COAL= 2.923
168 BERGER MAX COAL= 2.906
155 PALMA SIE MAX COAL=2.858
168 STMK MAX COAL = 2.945
175 NOSLER RDF MAX COAL = 2.948 BTOJ= 2.265 MAX
168 STMK MAX BTO = 2.760

My main round is the 175 Nosler Custom Comp 2.825 COAL

In comparing my RPR Gen 2 .308 measurement with several of the same bullets you've listed, I see I got .004 longer measurement across the board. Am sure some of that difference has to do with the different calipers used.

 

[mike06]

In comparing my RPR Gen 2 .308 measurement with several of the same bullets you've listed, I see I got .004 longer measurement across the board. Am sure some of that difference has to do with the different calipers used.

Also the bullets can vary lot to lot plus the type of tools we use. I use the LTL Tool.

 

[rsmithsr50]

and the age of the reamer

Also the bullets can vary lot to lot plus the type of tools we use. I use the LTL Tool.