Shooting my Ruger SFAR 308.

I've had this a couple of weeks. The 1st range trip was just to get it broken in and make sure it functioned. Got it out a 2nd time today. It shows potential for near MOA accuracy with SOME loads. It is pretty picky about what it shoots though. Most of the factory and handloads I tried were around 2" at 100 yards. But with my most accurate 308 load did this at 100. Yes, I need to fine tune the zero, but I just wanted to get on paper and see group sizes. This is with 155 gr Scenar bullets that typically are well under 1" from my bolt rifles.




Same loads from my Winchester 70 EW.



I bought the 20" version, but removed the brake and replaced it with a thread protector. This almost exactly splits the difference in overall length and weight between the 16" and 20" barreled rifles. I don't need a brake on a 7 3/4 lb scoped 308 and the shorter length is appreciated. Removing the brake shortened overall length by 1 1/2" and reduced weight by almost 1/4 lb.

Before:



After



I'm still not exactly sure what role this rifle will fill for me, but I wanted to try it. I paid $999 OTD for the rifle and If I don't like it I think I can get most of my money back. But I wanted to try one. This is only about 1/4 lb heavier than my 223/5.56 AR-15 rifles set up the same way. But it is almost 2 lbs heavier than my bolt rifles which are a lot more accurate.

I was on the fence about a 16" vs 20" barrel. And I could have probably been just as happy with 6.5CM. I own, shoot, and load for both 308 and 6.5CM.

This is the 1st one I'd seen in person. It was in a small mom-n-pop shop and the only option they had. I didn't walk into the store to buy it, but the salesman was an old friend of mine and he sold me on it. He has one just like it. Getting it just under $1000 including tax seemed like a good price.

Taking the brake off reduced the overall length and weight just a bit and I think I can live with the longer barrel without it. I'm happy with it, still trying to decide how I'm going to use it. My AR15's in 223 are cheaper to plink with and my bolt rifles are lighter and more accurate for hunting.