Ruger Precision rifle Opinions for newby

[fatelvis]

Use Tubb's Final Finish kit, and get shootin!

 

[Deleted old_dood]

I have some measure of closure on this issue, albeit not the closure I was hoping for. I received another brand new RPR from Classic Firearms. I wholly expected to mount my scope back on it, run a couple patches down the barrel, and begin the break in process. Sadly, it was not meant to be.

View attachment 1098114

This one has the exact same problem as the one I sent back. I could barely close the bolt and had to struggle to open it.

It's my contention that Ruger has a problem with barrels in this chambering and I can't figure out why no one seems to be talking about it.

how many different types of ammo have you tried? I have the same rifle but I hand load. With three different bullets, I've had none of the problems you've described. on some of the pictures you've uploaded, I guessed you're trying to use ammo with Hornady 108ELD bullets. From what I've read online, the geometry of that bullet requires a longer freebore than the RPR has. Check out threads concerning the long freebore on the Howa 1500 in 6CM.

 

[Enosiophobia]

how many different types of ammo have you tried? I have the same rifle but I hand load. With three different bullets, I've had none of the problems you've described. on some of the pictures you've uploaded, I guessed you're trying to use ammo with Hornady 108ELD bullets. From what I've read online, the geometry of that bullet requires a longer freebore than the RPR has. Check out threads concerning the long freebore on the Howa 1500 in 6CM.

I've only fired the Hornady 108's thus far. I never even got a chance to fire hand loads. I've been dealing with this since January. What are you loading, seating, measuring?

Barring measuring from ogive for simplicity's sake...

2.7905" factory Hornady 108ELD OAL
-2.6330" actual OAL to lands
.1575" difference

The last photo represents the actual distance I'd have to seat a bullet in a case to touch the lands with zero jump. Thats seating it right about where the tape begins. I'm guessing any bullet over 100g would have to be a hand load seated deep or a lighter bullet so as not to jam it deep in the case.

SAAMI specs list a 2.80" COAL max. The factory Hornady is just under that so it's not like its incredibly long.


1. If my sharpie test previously posted is correct, the lands begin almost at the end of the case neck with rhe bolt closed (which wasnt easy).
2. Its not like the Hornadys are unusually long seated. They're within SAAMI spec.
3. The last one I sent back was exactly the same and a 25 year Ruger veteran, and new head of their RPR division, told me my rifle had NO freebore in it.
4. If this is a non-custom rifle, reamed to SAAMI specs, I should be able to chamber just about any factory ammo, especially one that many have claimed to shoot incredibly well for a non hand loaded factory round.
5. I'm still waiting for those who keep chanting "Tubbs, Tubbs, Tubbs" to explain how a product designed to "clean up" a barrel is supposed to magically solve a chamber issue like short freebore?

Could I hand load for this issue, sure. How do I compensate for reduced case volume with a bullet jammed that deeply? Do I sell the rifle someday with the disclaimer that "buyer must have reloading ability. Gun cannot accept ammo off the shelf"?

I can't see this as anything I'm doing wrong and this has to be an issue that's out there among those in circulation.

 

[Deleted old_dood]

2. Its not like the Hornadys are unusually long seated. They're within SAAMI spec.
4. If this is a non-custom rifle, reamed to SAAMI specs, I should be able to chamber just about any factory ammo, especially one that many have claimed to shoot incredibly well for a non hand loaded factory round.
5. I'm still waiting for those who keep chanting "Tubbs, Tubbs, Tubbs" to explain how a product designed to "clean up" a barrel is supposed to magically solve a chamber issue like short freebore?

Could I hand load for this issue, sure. How do I compensate for reduced case volume with a bullet jammed that deeply? Do I sell the rifle someday with the disclaimer that "buyer must have reloading ability. Gun cannot accept ammo off the shelf"?

I can't see this as anything I'm doing wrong and this has to be an issue that's out there among those in circulation.

it's apparent Ruger doesn't use a SAAMI spec reamer. I ONLY hand load. I haven't used any factory ammo in more than 10 years. When I was considering purchase, noting the difference in the amount of 6CM factory ammo to 6.5CM, further research revealed a comment somewhere that those who shoot factory should select 6.5 and those who handload, the 6. That's why I selected the 6.

I used the Tubb FFS system but not because of the problem you're having. I only wanted to try a different method of break in. In your case I feel it wouldn't extend your freebore anywhere near the .150" you need. For me, it really polished out the tooling marks at the beginning of the lands.

When I got my rifle I bought 100 each 107SMK, 110SMK, and DTAC. After running the FFS system (also handloads) my OAL to lands for each above is 2.83, 2.94, and 2.83. I did measure the OAL to lands before the FFS but did not record them. I'm thinking there was maybe a .020" difference.

I see where you've posted on the thread about freebore on the Howa 6CM. That person has the opposite problem as you. I still contend the shape of the Hornady bullet is the cause of your problem in Ruger's, unfortunately, non SAMMI chamber but would probably work well in the Howa.

If you want to continue to use just that Hornady round, I think the only option you have is to have the throat reamed, which was covered in a different thread.

 

[Enosiophobia]

it's apparent Ruger doesn't use a SAAMI spec reamer. I ONLY hand load. I haven't used any factory ammo in more than 10 years. When I was considering purchase, noting the difference in the amount of 6CM factory ammo to 6.5CM, further research revealed a comment somewhere that those who shoot factory should select 6.5 and those who handload, the 6. That's why I selected the 6.

I used the Tubb FFS system but not because of the problem you're having. I only wanted to try a different method of break in. In your case I feel it wouldn't extend your freebore anywhere near the .150" you need. For me, it really polished out the tooling marks at the beginning of the lands.

When I got my rifle I bought 100 each 107SMK, 110SMK, and DTAC. After running the FFS system (also handloads) my OAL to lands for each above is 2.83, 2.94, and 2.83. I did measure the OAL to lands before the FFS but did not record them. I'm thinking there was maybe a .020" difference.

I see where you've posted on the thread about freebore on the Howa 6CM. That person has the opposite problem as you. I still contend the shape of the Hornady bullet is the cause of your problem in Ruger's, unfortunately, non SAMMI chamber but would probably work well in the Howa.

If you want to continue to use just that Hornady round, I think the only option you have is to have the throat reamed, which was covered in a different thread.

I might agree they didnt use a SAAMI reamer, but they should have. This isn't marketed as.a.hand load only rifle. I'd this were a custom one off build, then yes, hand loads could be expected.

So you're running 107, 110, and 115's. Yours must have a longer freebore. Do you agree that mine is not as deep as it should be? I'm not about to shell out money out of my own pocket to have my smith ream a brand new rifle. I just cant swallow that this bullet, a 108, has such a strange shape that it jamming so hard into the hands I can barely close the bolt. After all, its contacting the bullet where it has the least amount of "shape".

 

[Deleted old_dood]

So you're running 107, 110, and 115's. Yours must have a longer freebore. Do you agree that mine is not as deep as it should be? I'm not about to shell out money out of my own pocket to have my smith ream a brand new rifle. I just cant swallow that this bullet, a 108, has such a strange shape that it jamming so hard into the hands I can barely close the bolt. After all, its contacting the bullet where it has the least amount of "shape".

I seriously doubt my rifle was reamed any different than yours. I don't agree with the first part of your comment but do agree it was reamed too short for the bullet you want to shoot. I also shoot 6BR. The Hornady 105 Match has the same problem. It has to be loaded much farther into the case than most match bullets folks shoot in that caliber. If you have the ability to pull a bullet (or your LCS) you could send me one and I could check the geometry in my rifle. If you want to do that, send me a PM.

 

[Enosiophobia]

I seriously doubt my rifle was reamed any different than yours. I don't agree with the first part of your comment but do agree it was reamed too short for the bullet you want to shoot. I also shoot 6BR. The Hornady 105 Match has the same problem. It has to be loaded much farther into the case than most match bullets folks shoot in that caliber. If you have the ability to pull a bullet (or your LCS) you could send me one and I could check the geometry in my rifle. If you want to do that, send me a PM.

I expect I'll be getting a call from them tomorrow. Let me see where that goes and I'll update. Thanks for the conversation.

 

[Deleted old_dood]

I expect I'll be getting a call from them tomorrow. Let me see where that goes and I'll update. Thanks for the conversation.

so how did that go? I ordered a box of the 108ELDs. They should arrive Saturday. I'll let you know my findings.

 

[Enosiophobia]

Well, this is where it's at. #3 was delivered yesterday. Factory 108 just touching the lands. Bolt closes with a little more effort and opens with a little as well. Anything seated deeper runs fine. I expect some throat erosion will loosen it up in a short while. I'll be hand loading everything at this point anyway. I'm going to test it this weekend and report back.

 

[fatelvis]

Well, this is where it's at. #3 was delivered yesterday. Factory 108 just touching the lands. Bolt closes with a little more effort and opens with a little as well. Anything seated deeper runs fine. I expect some throat erosion will loosen it up in a short while. I'll be hand loading everything at this point anyway. I'm going to test it this weekend and report back.

It sounds like the new barrel is throated perfectly.

 

[Deleted old_dood]

Well, this is where it's at. #3 was delivered yesterday. Factory 108 just touching the lands. Bolt closes with a little more effort and opens with a little as well. Anything seated deeper runs fine. I expect some throat erosion will loosen it up in a short while. I'll be hand loading everything at this point anyway. I'm going to test it this weekend and report back.

dollars to donuts they changed their reamer or gave you a custom throated one. I got my 108ELDs today and OAL, in the lands, measured 2.69". IOW, at 2.8" OAL, bullet would be jammed .110". I don't think I can even use these. They'd be in the case even farther than the DTACs.

 

[Enosiophobia]

Well, here is today's results. Took to the range and did a basic break in. Ran factory 108's, hand loaded 95's and 115DTAC's. Prob 55 degrees with some pretty constant 10-20 winds.

Seemed to chamber fine. I attached my best groups at 100, 200, and 250. Sent just over 100 total down the pipe. All in all, I'm pleased. With winds and barrel break in I'm giving it some leeway. Conditions could've been better. All the photos beloe were with hand loaded 115's with H4350, which seemed to perform just as well or better then the 108's. Tried some 95's out of curiosity but I think winds got the best of them. I'm going to give it another run, monitor spreads, and rounds down the tube. I think it can only improve.

At this point I'm going to report my findings to Ruger and see how it continues. Will more than likely end up keeping it.

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4 total groups at 250: