Ruger Precision Rifle - Single-digit ES?

[CamTheBam]

Has anybody managed to develop a load for a Ruger Precision Rifle that shoots within single-digit ES?

And if so are you shooting with the supplied muzzle brake or with a suppressor?

TIA

Cam.

 

[Dave M.]

6.5CM
Berger 140g hybrid
42.3g of H4350
Starline SRP brass
Federal 205M
Consistently runs between 4.5-8fps SD for 20 shot groups.
A single digit ES for 20 shot groups is virtually unheard of. Typically, the ES of a 20 shot group will about 4 times the SD. Therefore, in order to achieve a single digit ES, your need a SD below 3fps. This is extremely difficult in a $10K custom precision rifle, and virtually impossible from an off shelf RPR. It should be noted that my RPR has a custom barrel, single stage competition Timney trigger that has been polished to break like a stick of uncooked spaghetti. There isn’t a shooter on this site that wouldn’t be tickled pink to see a single digit a sub 4fps SD on there custom F class setup, and even at an SD of 4fps, you wouldn’t have a single digit ES.
Dave

 

[Straightshooter1]

Has anybody managed to develop a load for a Ruger Precision Rifle that shoots within single-digit ES?

And if so are you shooting with the supplied muzzle brake or with a suppressor?

TIA

Cam.

No single digit ES. I don't think anyone, with out a particular caliber and custom gun, will really get that regularly, especially for a large number of shot.

Like Dave M., I consistently get single digit SD's 5-8 fps. for both my RPR's (.308 and 6.5 PRC). Whether it's the factory muzzle brake or a tuner-brake mounted, I find no difference. Note, I find some powders tend to produce the lower SD's that other powders, as well as which primer I'm using.

Below is an example from my .308. The SD's are in the far right blue column and the white column next to that are the ES's. On the date 4-28-2024 you can see 80 shots taken and chronoed, which was with some virgin Alpha brass, showing an SD of 6.2 and and ES of 29 fps. IMHO, that's pretty outstanding for 80 shots with virgin brass.


Here's an example from a custom 30PPC (not an RPR) and a reloader who's a professional tester:

 

[CamTheBam]

The reason I ask is that I have consistently gotten single-digit ES for multiple Tikka T3x and Blaser R8 barrels, but I just can't seem to get the RPR down there no matter what I try (and I've pretty much tried everything).

 

[Straightshooter1]

The reason I ask is that I have consistently gotten single-digit ES for multiple Tikka T3x and Blaser R8 barrels, but I just can't seem to get the RPR down there no matter what I try (and I've pretty much tried everything).

Hmmm??? You realize the ES's are not the same as SD's?

It could have something to do with the differences in their ignition systems, like having to do with the bolt and firing pin spring . . .???

I've gotten ES's and SD's low like that in you pic for 3 shots, but defiantly not consistently.

 

[HandgunHTR]

You are showing a 3-shot group. Three shots are not statistically relevant.

Shoot that Tikka or Blaser 20-50 times and then calculate the ES and SD. I am willing to bet my next paycheck that neither one of them will have a single digit ES.

 

[Dave M.]

The reason I ask is that I have consistently gotten single-digit ES for multiple Tikka T3x and Blaser R8 barrels, but I just can't seem to get the RPR down there no matter what I try (and I've pretty much tried everything).

For how many shots???

 

[Dave M.]

No way you can get a 20 shot single digit ES with an off the shelf rifle, it would be ridiculously good with a custom rifle.
Dave

 

[Old Navy]

My 6BRA with 88 Berger FB shoots a lot of three shot groups with a single digit ES. ( like 8-3.4, 5-2.2, 3.3-1.5 ) Tomorrow will be my first day shooting 5 shot groups @ 300. Maybe 3 groups if it is not too hot. I will run them all across my Garmin. I will check back.

Got out this morning fired 19 rounds non stop. ES 17.6 and an SD of 4.9. Just what I expected and what Dave mentioned.

 

[jpjulian]

6MM Creedmoor Ruger RPR WOA SS barrel 1-7.7 twist
41.5 VV N555
Gold Medal LRP
Sierra 107 HPBT MK
Hornady case
2,938 fps
ES 11.7
SD 4.6
Hornady 105 HPBT 2nds
Lapua case
#450 SRP
41.5 N555
2983 fps
ES 19.2
SD 6.1

N555 is giving me very low ES & SD's with several different bullets and loads from 41-43 grains in my RPR and WOA barrel. Accuracy is very good also. The Hornady 2nds do give the odd flyer now and then but not worth the time to sort.

 

[Rocketvapor]

Gonna need to sort primers

 

[Liven The Dream]

Gonna need to sort primers

Sorting is good, replacing Anvils is always a improvement.

 

[Bc'z]

6MM Creedmoor Ruger RPR WOA SS barrel 1-7.7 twist
41.5 VV N555
Gold Medal LRP
Sierra 107 HPBT MK
Hornady case
2,938 fps
ES 11.7
SD 4.6

I know this is a discussion of low ES,but would you believe my 6br is only 50fps slower than this 6creedmoor load with 11 grains less powder.
Maybe this response needs to be moved to short fat case thread.

 

[Dave M.]

My 6BRA with 88 Berger FB shoots a lot of three shot groups with a single digit ES. ( like 8-3.4, 5-2.2, 3.3-1.5 ) Tomorrow will be my first day shooting 5 shot groups @ 300. Maybe 3 groups if it is not too hot. I will run them all across my Garmin. I will check back.

Single digit ES for a three shot group IS NOT IMPRESSIVE. Shoot a 20 shot group and then tell me you have a single digit ES and my first question is let’s see it done live on video, so you can’t delete shots.

 

[CamTheBam]

I generally shoot 30 shot test groups before I trust a load, now.

I expect ES to climb during that test and SD to drop. My pass mark for a successful load is now 10 shots with 10fps or less ES. Easy with a Tikka, but it's proven nigh-on impossible with an RPR (40-50fps ES is more likely).

in saying that, all of my single digit strings were shot in 2017 with H4350, but now that that powder has been banned in the UK, I'm not confident that I'd be able to repeat those results with the powders that are available now.

SD is more important to me than ES, but ES can't be ignored.

 

[CamTheBam]

In my experience, when approaching single digit ES, the single largest variable becomes primer consistency, which is something largely outwith our control.

100 primers, even from the same sleeve, can easily influence the ES in the magnitude of 30fps.

 

[CamTheBam]

Gonna need to sort primers

Do people actually do that, or is that a clubhouse myth?

 

[CA_Shooter]

This is what I got with my RPR with not so good powder and minimum loading. 2300 rounds on the barrel & hasn't been treated well.

This is absolute bare minimum loading:
•Lapua SRP brass
•CCI 450
•AA4350 powder (not optimal powder)
•136 lapua scenars
•anneal every 3 or so
•loading for this round is very basic: size with bushing, trim, prime, powder/seat

When I get around to it, I'll be using Hornady brass next

Other than the brass, this should be as bad as it gets with this rifle

 

[CamTheBam]

This is what I got with my RPR with not so good powder and minimum loading. 2300 rounds on the barrel & hasn't been treated well.

This is absolute bare minimum loading:
•Lapua SRP brass
•CCI 450
•AA4350 powder (not optimal powder)
•136 lapua scenars
•anneal every 3 or so
•loading for this round is very basic: size with bushing, trim, prime, powder/seat

When I get around to it, I'll be using Hornady brass next

Other than the brass, this should be as bad as it gets with this rifle

Thank you for sharing. Are you using a suppressor, or the standard muzzle brake?

 

[rr2030]

ES of 12 is the best I can produce, and I am pleased with that.

Out of the box RPR 6 CM, fired off a Harris Bi-Pod. Hornady 108 ELD, 40.5 H4350, CCI BR-2, Hornady brass loaded 3X. 100 yards, 10 in that hole. It was a good day.