What's so bad about Ruger?

[Dave Marshall]

The guy that developed the RPR for Ruger fires one in PRS competitions. Ruger also has fielded a team of PRS shooters from the factory floor.

No one will disparage your Ruger at a local PRS match. Don’t be hesitant to enter a match and shoot. Plenty of RPR shooters have won with their rifles.

 

[BoydAllen]

As accurate bolt action rifles and Rugers are concerned, the whole issue goes back to the 77. One of the best looking factory bolt action rifles, it has its share of design issues that put it at a definite disadvantage for use as a basis for an accuracy oriented build. The first problem is the bright idea someone had to angle the front action screw. Then there was the issue of action stiffness of the early models. They were actually thinner in the middle than at the ends. Finally there was the trigger, which appears to have been designed by trolls. Beyond these, there was the matter of the ease of blueprinting. Round actions are a lot easier to set up in a lathe for truing. I don't hate Rugers, and certainly, would not intentionally be rude to someone who owns one, but I would never base a build on one. On the other hand, if you are not planning to change much about it, the RPR does look like a lot of rifle for the money, and its performance on target seems to be a lot better than previous models. If you like your rifle, then that is all that matters. Enjoy it.

A suggestion: If you want to have nice clean unambiguous groups to display or post, take your fouling shots on another part of the target, well away from your groups, and separate each group by a good distance from the others. For heavier barrels, where barrel heat is not a caliber, I believe that finished load accuracy should be displayed with five shot groups. On the other hand, for showing preliminary results of testing fewer shots are fine.

 

[TheOtherZilla]

I own one Ruger.. A 22 Hornet.. It shot so bad that I sent it over to CPC. He recut the chamber, and fixed the bolt. Also cut a target crown. Shoots great now, like it should have from the factory.. Years ago a friend asked me to bed his 7mm Mag in a Ruger.. That was a mess too.. Never did get it to shoot very good. Ruger decided it was a good idea to put the recoil lug at an angle.. Then there is the gun control controversy.. No more Rugers for me

 

[dnellans]

The guy that developed the RPR for Ruger fires one in PRS competitions. Ruger also has fielded a team of PRS shooters from the factory floor.

No one will disparage your Ruger at a local PRS match. Don’t be hesitant to enter a match and shoot. Plenty of RPR shooters have won with their rifles.

Dave - I'd be curious who that is that from Ruger shooting or their team? I've only encountered 2 other RPR's at national comps besides mine, but plenty at the regional matches. I've pondered why Ruger doesn't try a bit harder (as some other vendors do in PRS), maybe they're already selling plenty.

I wish more guys would come out and shoot them. Too many folks think their rifle is the weak link after their first PRS style match, unless you got a total dud (which can happen, but not that often, with a factory gun) its almost never the gun that is the problem initially.

 

[STOMP442]

I think the angled recoil lug is a great idea and works great. Rugers take a beating by people claiming they are not accurate and they are a pain to bed because of the angled screw in the front. Truth be told is no harder to bed than anything else and with a little bit of work they shoot fantastic. Bed the action and the first couple inches of the barrel and they will shoot right along with anything else. Most Ruger 77s I have messed with have easily been able to shoot half moa.

 

[JFrank]

The words Ruger and Savage with the word Precision is an oxymoron, LOL! And so is any other factory rifle. That one word precision is nothing more than a marketing ploy to get another few hundred more for the same basic rifle.

Where I come from the name don’t mean nothin”
Just cause home boy buys a fancy custom rig don’t mean squat.
The person tuning an shootin means more than $$
I’ve seen Factory rifles put down some damn fine groups.
Not sure why I quoted ya so don’t blow torch me please

 

[Delfuego]

The guy that developed the RPR for Ruger fires one in PRS competitions. Ruger also has fielded a team of PRS shooters from the factory floor.

Plenty of RPR shooters have won with their rifles.

Lets not get carried away in the other direction either
I have seen one rimfire match won, (one time) by an Ruger Rimfire. They are far from burning down the circuit. I also don't see them supporting the local or national matches in any meaningful way.

I believe the consensus is "Go shoot and have fun". We don't need more bashing or blowjobs.

 

[LCazador]

Where I come from the name don’t mean nothin”
Just cause home boy buys a fancy custom rig don’t mean squat.
The person tuning an shootin means more than $$
I’ve seen Factory rifles put down some damn fine groups.
Not sure why I quoted ya so don’t blow torch me please

I couldn't agree more. The nut behind the trigger makes all the difference. I just don't get these $1500 factory precision rigs. The $700 rig with a good scope shoots just as good. The only difference is the word precision. And if you can win your local match with a factory rifle more power to you but that scenario doesn't exist everywhere!

 

[mongo chicago]

Before you pin anyone down on the mini 14 subject, you should research what you are saying a little further. Your time frame is off by 20 yrs, which you (?), ok, production of the gun never ceased, it was exempt in the 94 ban.

I wasn't referring to "the bans" I was referring to when the anti gunners started objecting to high capacity magazines etc. It started long before the bans were instituted.

 

[CT10ring]

Run what ya brung

whoa, this Zen philospophy. what? too simple?! It needs to be complicated!

 

[CT10ring]

I haven't read every bit typed here, but Rugers are some great shooting rifles, pistols, revolvers. No surprise your RPR is - as well.

 

[CT10ring]

whoa, this Zen philospophy. what? too simple?! It needs to be complicated!

Zen, also, ya gotta be over age 50. younger ? - otherwise ya gotta kill it, eat it or f* it. perspective takes time and the RPR is messing with some - out of the box accuracy.

 

[rr2030]

I own at least 6 Ruger firearms including a RPR in 6 CM, Out of the box likely the most accurate production rifle I own.

Today I spoke to Ruger customer service in AZ. Have a 20+ year old MK II pistol that refuses to give up the bolt stop during disassembly. The young lady offered up a few suggestions(one included a soft faced hammer) and waited as I performed the suggested procedure to no avail. So I decided to return it for service. Several shipping options were offered including one where I could, for $30, order a pre paid label from Ruger. Upon hearing this I mentioned that she missed my last birthday in December, she laughed, I laughed, the free label is sitting here now. Also mentioned I don't have the plastic box it came with, they are looking for one of those also.Several months ago I couldn't locate the rings for my #1, called Ruger, free rings securing the scope to the rifle now.

I can't speak for everyones experiences with them but they have been stellar with me, great company and fantastic customer service. And yes, there have been times when I had to pry open my wallet and pay for services and items from Ruger. They have been a pleasure to do business with and that goes a long way.

 

[CT10ring]

Ruger - is just an amazing Co. Innovative. Great shooting pieces at very reasonable prices. But that hammer strut breakdown on the MK II ?! btw, just a great pistol.
Stellar- heck yes. My new Mk IV SS has a threaded bbl 1/2 X 28, and well made. hammer strut probs. no more. kinda miss that. nice shooter.

 

[IdahoSharpshooter]

Ruger makes a lot of good hunting rifles. I've owned several over the last 45 years. They just are not competition grade rifles. 100/200/300yd group BR; never seen one at a match. I shot HBR for several years, never saw one at a big match. 600/1000 yard matches, never seen one at a major match. I owned a Ruger bolt rifle in 416 Rigby. Have yet to see a Ko2M rifle based on that big action. I would opine that anyone shooting a Ruger bolt action rifle in serious competition is being paid to do so.

Two of the guys I hunt in Africa with, they both pack the big ones, one in 416 Rigby, the other in 458 Lott.

Rich

 

[mike a]

The problem is not with brand x or y. It's people. There's always someone that needs to get there "ego booster".

 

[dcali]

For whatever reason, Rugers tend to incorporate design elements that just aren’t friendly for using them as a base for a custom. The 77 is a prime example.

The RPR, while a perfectly good factory rifle, is just that. I’ve seen a ton of them on f class lines. Unsurprisingly, they’re not even close to competive, and getting one there would be a chore if it’s even possible.

And then there is the matter of the mini 14 and it’s even worse cousin the mini 30. The mini 30 may be one of the worst firearms ever made. I had one- it shot about 8 MOA (not a typo) and the trigger guard would come loose about once every 3-5 shots.

And have you ever tried to assemble a Mk II? It will have you kicking puppies in no time.

That said, I love my 77/22. It’s beautiful, and not bad for what it is. But it’s no competition rifle, and it’s never going to be one.

 

[Delfuego]

 

[Rsadams]

My experience , the barrels are rough , even their pistols , own a few myself , that said , after a little work I love mine , nothing that a little jb bore paste and a proper barrel break in won't help , both pistol and rifle.... If you're trying to compare a $500 rifle to a $5000 rifle it's not really fair... But if you want a dependable deer slayer , well then , there it is..... You will never get a fair shake asking this question on this site... Buy one and try it yourself , just don't expect bug holes , but yet some do...... For $500 bucks....

Honest edit , not $500 , less then $400...

 

[Spaz]

I haven't seen RPR bashing, per se. I have seen some mild teasing because a number of shooters wanting to start shooting long range seem to gravitate toward the RPR in 6.5... which is what I did.

Honestly, I know it's not the best and I don't care. I am very busy and don't have time for dialing in custom rifles and doing custom cartridges. I just want to shoot 1,000 - 1,500 yards with over the counter ammo and have fun with my kid and friends.

For me, the RPR and Hornady make an awesome combination to accomplish that exact thing. Others may want more. God bless them for doing what they do and sharing that knowledge.