Range Report: Ruger American 5.56 NATO Bolt Action Rifle

[bushmaster1313]

Took the Ruger American 5.56 NATO bolt action rifle to the range for the first time. It has a 16.125" barrel with a 1:8 twist and a target crown. Scope was a Leupold 1.5-4x20 mm. My reason to get this rifle was to be able to shoot 5.56 ammo if New Jersey bans semi-auto black rifles before I am able to retire and move to a free state.

1) Although I am only 5' 10" with a small to medium build and relatively small hands, for me the stock seems too short, too skimpy at the forearm and the comb is too low.

2) The bolt is a bit tight to close but I hope this will ease up with use.

3) After zeroing in at 25 yards I went to 100 yards. Four rounds of 55. gr IMI FMJ "ball" ammo grouped at about 4" (See large black target) Three rounds of 69 gr IMI with Sierra Match BTHP grouped at just over 1" at the top of the target.

4) Today was very hot and muggy (low 90's with almost 100% humidity) and my shooting position at the bench was uncomfortable and cramped. I expect that with a more powerful scope, a more comfortable day, a more comfortable bench rest and more experience with this rifle I will be able to consistently shoot 3/4" groups with the 69 gr match ammo.

5) I am hoping that a company like Hogue will make more substantial stock for aftermarket customers.

6) This an ugly firearm. But I tell myself that beauty is only skin deep.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

I'm thinking the 55 grain bullets may be too light for the twist! I have a Savage 1:9 twist and 75 grain bullets are considered too light, yet my gun likes them.

Sorry to be so rude but, what is the real world price point?

Does this gun use AR mags or Ruger Only mags? (two of my Savages use Accuracy International style mags.)

Lastly, is the barrel free floating or bedded in the stock? That has been known to make quite a difference on bolt guns.

Ivan

 

[Fishinfool]

Nice snag. I am sure with a little break-in, some load experimentation and a better shooting position it will do better. I know a couple of guys with those Rugers, and their guns are both sub MOA with ammo they like. The Israeli 55 grain ball is good ammo, but none of the military grade 55 grain ball is really known for gilt edge accuracy in most rifles. Green Tip is usually even worse.

If you are not wedded to plastic, I think Boyd's makes a laminated stock for the American, and I think I seen a chassis style stock on the web somewhere as well.

Larry

 

[bushmaster1313]

I'm thinking the 55 grain bullets may be too light for the twist! I have a Savage 1:9 twist and 75 grain bullets are considered too light, yet my gun likes them.

Sorry to be so rude but, what is the real world price point?

Does this gun use AR mags or Ruger Only mags? (two of my Savages use Accuracy International style mags.)

Lastly, is the barrel free floating or bedded in the stock? That has been known to make quite a difference on bolt guns.

Ivan

I waited a few months till I saw one for sale at $529. This was still about $100 more than pre-Covid but $100 less compared to what I had been seeing.

It takes AR magazines which is a big plus as Magpul 10 round PMAGS cost about $14

The barrel is free floating.

Note, to mount my more powerful scope (4.5-14) I will need higher rings. One nice thing about this rifle is that it has a Picatinny rail and is not limited to Ruger rings.

Unfortunately, the Boyd website says that their stocks will not fit Ruger American rifles that accept AR magazines.

 

[Rifleman200-10X]

I too bought one of these handy little rifles about a year ago. After very minimal load development, mine will consistently deliver 100 yard groups around an inch and often less. And this with practically any bullet weight I've tried. Light and easy to carry, it's been the demise of more than a few coyotes so far. I hunt in the Nebraska sandhills by walking, finding a hiding place, and calling, and cover a lot of ground most days. The light weight and accuracy have made it my hands down favorite. My only complaints were the less that great trigger, which I replaced with the very nice Timney, and the little lip on the stock that halfway covers the mag release button, but a few moments with a Dremel tool solved that.

 

[BAM-BAM]

I have just about the same set up as a utility rifle at the cabin. Added a 550 paracord sling...... nice for woods walking after dinner... light and handy... 1X in Penn's woods 4X in the small fields of the Laurel Highlands.

C-products makes some shorter metal 5 and 10rd mags which work well on mine..... I don't really need the longer 10rd P-mags short of SHTF. The mags are tight (full mag under a closed bolt) so I download to 4 or 9 (as I carry it chamber empty). Less Tacticool look more like an SMLE or CZ with a 5rd mag.

As to accuracy with the low magnification of the 1-4x20 Leupold my "good to go" at 100 is keeping all the shots under the crosshairs. The crosshairs cover about 1.5 inches so getting a precise consistent point of aim is an issue for getting really small groups.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

The only thing keeping me from buying one of these is lack of iron sights. Why nobody makes guns with iron sights anymore is beyond me.

 

[BAM-BAM]

The only thing keeping me from buying one of these is lack of iron sights. Why nobody makes guns with iron sights anymore is beyond me.

I'm with you on that..... couple of my rifles are retrofitted with a fiber optic front blade and a barrel mount peep sight (Skinner Sights) as emergency backup. I think Skinner makes what you need for the Ruger Am. I haven't done it on my Compact.