Ruger Precision Rifle - What's the Appeal?

[Phil3]

Regarding the Ruger Precision Rifle (RPR), is there anything inherently better about it vs a custom build rifle? I get the AR "furniture" making it easy to customize, but what about the in-line action, 3 lug bolt? If I got one, I'd likely change the stock, put on a premium 6.5 x 47 barrel, and a JP Rifles round handguard (I don't need miles of Picatinny rail), and replace that 20 MOA rail with the optional Ruger 0 MOA rail (for my short distances).

For that amount of money, I can use a Howa action I have sitting here, put on a premium 6.5x47 Lapua barrel, and use a nice stock or chassis (McMillan A-5 or XLR Element/w their stock). But then I would not have that 3 lug action, or in-line action.

I like the RPR, but having a hard time seeing how it is any better than the built Howa. What am I missing? What makes a stock RPR better than a good off the shelf Savage for around the same money? Must be something, the RPR is hopelessly backordered.

Phil

 

[GSRswapandslow]

its tacticool is the drive for a LOT of people...hence how they can actually sell a rifle chambered in 308, let alone one with a 20" barrel...

but the 6.5cm is a great PRS rifle....i mean, you buy it...and you're done. You don't NEED to change anything to be competitive. Buy a bipod, ammo, scope, and rings....and you're off to the races.

the Howa, though....take the factory 6.5 barreled action and toss that in a chassis and you're good to go, as well....though it might cost a little bit more money.

I don't seen anything wrong with either option.

 

[sixdrumquads]

What am I missing? What makes a stock RPR better than a good off the shelf Savage for around the same money? Must be something, the RPR is hopelessly backordered.

Phil

Younger guy here. The RPR has a feature set that fits the tactical niche. Like GSR said, you get a rifle that is basically PRS ready for pennies on the dollar of somebody who has a custom gun set up for that style of shooting. Basically, it is a solid budget/ entry level gun for somebody who wants a lot of features that won't break the bank. The trigger on the one I checked out was surprisingly crisp and the blade didn't seem to feel as in the way as the Savage one did for me.

 

[Jeff A]

You want one to keep up with me! Admit it! It does make for a project that does not need a Gunsmith to complete. Having something different is refreshing as well.

 

[Phil3]

Well, if I really felt that way, I have a VERY long ways to go! Very true on no need for a gunsmith. And it IS different. And that does attract me. But too much stuff to discard and buy again (about $1,000) to make it the way I would want.

 

[1885Winman4590]

 

[1885Winman4590]

Got really tired of waiting, so I built my own. XLR evolution, savage 110 action, 28" bull .264 win mag, millet 6x24x56, and bit of curly maple. It's solid, rigid, and a rock on the front rest. Forget RPR and build your own.

 

[GerryM]

Looks good to me
I wonder if someone wanted to build would they start out with an action and a ar lower blank and make it from there?
That would facilitate the hand guards of choice etc.,

 

[BigBlueandGoldie]

If you plan on replacing everything but the action, it doesn't make sense to me to start off with an RPR. I would take a Howa action all day long over a Ruger.

 

[Riesel]

The RPR really got me motivated to build a 6.5 Creedmoor. I have now built three using shilen and x-caliber barrels on a Savage, Remington 783 and Remington 700 action and they are all great shooters. Just finished a 6.5 x 47 and it's a nailer as well. I'm not a great shooter but can hold 2 inch groups at 500 yards, the length of my range. Bullets choice is great.

 

[rduckwor]

Cost. It allows a shooter to get in the game with minimal investment and do well. The rifle is easily modifiable AT HOME with some basic kit. It is readily adaptable to just about any shooter of any size/body type and the majority of them really SHOOT.

RMD

 

[Archis]

For me it was the cheaper way of getting into the sport. I had originally purchased a Savage 12FV in .308 (Cabelas special, $400) with the intent of re-barreling it and putting it into a chassis. After looking into the available chassis / stock options, a Criterion or Kreiger barrel, associated tooling to swap the barrel and a 20MOA scope rail, I was edging up near $1500-$1600. I probably could have scavenged around for a cheaper donor action, a chassis on sale, etc. to bring the price down, but after a month of looking around I just wasn't seeing the numbers appreciably drop.

I was then looking at some factory offerings and found an RPR in .243. I wasn't a huge fan of the "tacticool" look but I knew they had mostly positive reviews and the price was great at just a tick over $1000 out the door. The money I saved I put into some better optics.

After doing some initial load workup, it'll now regularly shoot sub-1/2 MOA with 115gn 6mm DTAC's. Down the road, I can change barrel / stock / handguard / grip / trigger / etc. as I see fit. For the time being I'm perfectly content with how it came from the factory. I couldn't be happier.

 

[Dgd6mm]

Cost. It allows a shooter to get in the game with minimal investment and do well. The rifle is easily modifiable AT HOME with some basic kit. It is readily adaptable to just about any shooter of any size/body type and the majority of them really SHOOT.

RMD

RMD hit the nail on the head with this post I believe.

 

[Shynloco]

RMD hit the nail on the head with this post I believe.

RMD summed it up very nicely. Basically, the RPR is designed for "long distance shooting." I wanted one that shoots at 100yd, 600yds and 1K and therefore took a pass on the RPR. So I turned to my Gunsmith who built me a custom rig like the one he built for himself and uses to compete and win with. Of course it wasn't cheap and after spending $2850+ without glass, I got my rifle. Not everyone can afford to spend that kind of money on a rifle and for $1000, you get one heck of a good shooting rifle in the RPR.

Alex

 

[Zero333]

RPR gets you lots for the money. Considering that a descent chassis costs $700 or more and a barrel costs $500 after gunsmithing. The RPR costs the same but you get a complete rifle.

The 308w RPR with the 20" barrel weights a lot less than it looks. I was surprised when I handled one. On the other hand the 26" 243w RPR weighed much more, but still lighter than my 243w.

 

[RemingtonAI]

I handled one in a local gun store and wasn't sold upon fit and feel. There was A LOT of play in the bolt, and although it did lock up fine it still seemed very "rough" compared to my Remington 700 action. Also, the mag that came with it had a BOLT STOP! what, why, who in the world wants a bolt stop on a bolt action rifle that prevents you from single feeding? Kid behind the counter didn't seem to get why this is would not work for a bolt gun...go figure. Then i saw a guy at another gun store showing customers a video on his phone of someone hitting steel with the RPR 6.5CM, basically saying look what you can do with this rifle lol. Like showing a video of Eric Clapton playing a Fender and saying, "just look what you can do once you buy this guitar" lol. I really do like the guns adaptability and even like the looks, but I think it is the marketing and salesmen behind the counter selling it as an an "all day mile shooter" that kind is becoming an annoyance to me personally. If it wasn't the soon to be Mustang of precision rifles I might even consider it. However, IWI is supposed to be coming out with a precision rifle that looks very similar that i WILL be all over before the masses get to it. Jesse

 

[rduckwor]

"marketing and salesmen behind the counter selling it as an an "all day mile shooter" that kind is becoming an annoyance to me personally. If it wasn't the soon to be Mustang of precision rifles I might even consider it. However, IWI is supposed to be coming out with a precision rifle that looks very similar that i WILL be all over before the masses get to it. Jesse"

Well, marketing is just creative lying. While there are reports of repeatable hits out to a mile with the 6.5 CM RPR, not many people have to need/desire/opportunity to shoot anything at a mile or over.

What the rifle brings to the masses is accessibility to the precision long range game and a small percentage of these people will "Stick" to precision rifle and buy up market over time.

All-in-all, that's good for the games and the people of the game. As for the RPR, is it perfect? No, not by a long shot, but it IS GOOD.

RMD

 

[rardoin]

"What the rifle brings to the masses is accessibility to the precision long range game and a small percentage of these people will "Stick" to precision rifle and buy up market over time.

All-in-all, that's good for the games and the people of the game. As for the RPR, is it perfect? No, not by a long shot, but it IS GOOD.

RMD"

Bingo! It is a complete package that only requires one to pick the caliber and optics to get started. Excellent factory loadings are available in the 6.5 Creed so a new shooter does not have to be intimidated by having to handload from the get go. Also one does not have to go through the process of deciding how to build a filed precision rifle without experience. And, it has appeal to those that like to 'customize' their weapons ala the AR platform. All of this at a reasonable price and very good precision out of the box. As RMD stated, it may get more shooters involved that may stick around and grow the shooting sports...and that is good IMO. If other companies come out with competitive platforms, so much the better. I do think Ruger did well on this one.

 

[memo43]

All good responses but the way I see it Ruger rogered up to the demand of a growing sport and hit the nail on the head.
Look at what savage did when they introduced the Savage FTR or Palma rifle. Low cost to get you into the game.
Are there better rifles out there YES, can you have one built to be as good or better YES.
But the big thing is it gets you in the game and that what is all about.

 

[jdh47]

We all complain when the major arms makers do not listen and build what we want. Ruger did and built the RPR for that niche. It's not going to be everyone's cup of tea but it has started other makers doing the same thing. Actually Savage started it by offering lots of things people wanted.

I say great, keep them coming. It allows the guy that can't afford to go full boat to compete and that's a good thing.

Joe