5.56 Ruger Ranch rifle model 26965

[Waterboy3313]

I'm curious about the ruger I listed in the subject line. For my use I think on paper it makes sense. I have the dies and supplies on hand. Heavy barrel ready for a brake. Not for recoil but to help predators and varmints to not detect which direction its coming from if I miss.

I spend most of my range time at 200 yards or less. Much more cost effective that punching paper at this distance than say a 6.5 creedmoor or 308. Paper and clays on the bank at random distance usually 200 yards or less sometimes out to 500 on a max day. Like I said I have bigger for different uses. I also figured this would be good to get the kid a step up from 22 lr.

I went a head and ordered this online through a local store since I have had great results with my ruger american 6.5 creedmoor and 22lr. I'm also trying to get more into the bolt action way of things. Any real world experience with this model would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Spats McGee]

Sadly, I’m no help answering your question. But I have my eye on that exact same rifle.

 

[Waterboy3313]

Sadly, I’m no help answering your question. But I have my eye on that exact same rifle

The older I get and I'm not old but maybe old enough to be practical I noticed my preferences seem to be the slower practical options. My choice of trucks, motorcycles and guns have been trending towards the same direction. Recently I've gravitated away from the semi auto platforms and even the center fire stuff quite a bit towards rimfires and bolt actions.

My goal is to be as accurate as I can be with whatever I have in hand. It wouldn't matter if you handed me a crude rusty piece of scrap or a high end firearm. If im spending my hard earned money buying components or my limited amount of time being OCD handloading. I take my time and do my best to make it count.

In theory this bolt rifle kind of fills a void for me. It's a good step up from rimfire, it's not too big of a deal to go plinking and shoot more than a few rounds of it without feeling like it's getting too expensive too fast. I feel like this is one of those pieces I would pack for a range trip more times than not.

I bought a 6.5 creedmoor ruger american a while back. I spent almost $600 for dies and reloading supplies another $600 for a scope. And $150 on a trigger. I got it dialed in pretty good. Since getting it working good I've been to the range at least 10 times and haven't felt like taking it with me.

 

[maxxhavoc]

I have that rifle, and I will need to warn you that the American Ranch rifles are addictive. They are small, light, and more accurate than I expected for the barrel length and price (of course the price has been going up....)

I started with the 7.62x39, then got the 5.56. Mine really likes heavier bullets. 55gr was underwhelming, but I have had good luck with 77s.

 

[Waterboy3313]

you that the American Ranch rifles are addictive. They are small, light, and more accurate than I expected for the barrel length and price (of course the price has been going up....)

That's good to hear. I was curious about the short barrel length and how it would possibly affect things. I started thinking semi auto 5.56 and remembered there are a lot of them with short barrels. I was really hoping for it to like 55s as that is my standard. I have some 80s but I don't think I can load them short enough to fit in a pmag.

 

[TonyAngel]

I've had some experience with the Ruger American in 5.56. I didn't really get to stretch its legs, but we were shooting out to 300 using the 55gr V-Max .223 load from Black Dot Ammo.

We weren't shooting for groups. Just off of a bipod with a 2-10x and hitting 2 MOA targets wasn't hard. I'd really like to put one on a bench to see what it will do. I do plan on getting one myself, but think I'm gonna go for something like a 7.62x39.

I wouldn't worry about the barrel length. Maybe apples to oranges, but my 14.5" criterion barreled AR gets over 3000 fps out of M193 and over 2900 fps with the above mentioned V-Max load. That's plenty enough for the distances you're talking about. Actually, getting to 500 isn't difficult. The V-Max only needs like 1600 fps for the desired effect.

 

[Waterboy3313]

I wouldn't worry about the barrel length. Maybe apples to oranges, but my 14.5" criterion barreled AR gets over 3000 fps out of M193 and over 2900 fps with the above mentioned V-Max load. That's plenty enough for the distances you're talking about. Actually, getting to 500 isn't difficult. The V-Max only needs like 1600 fps for the desired effect.

After thinking about the short barrel possibly being an issue is when I realized pretty much the same thing you mentioned. 55gr is what I load for all of my 223/5.56 semi autos. I have also have 400ish 40gr vmax projectiles for 223 bolt actio Frankenstein build I did a while back. I screwed up and bought a 1:14 barrel doesn't like anything heavier than a 52gr flat base. Long and thin it would get really hot very fast.

I'm not going to hold my breath on the 40s working but the step up to a heavy barrel and a common 10 round magazine will be very welcome. I also spend 98% of my rifle time sitting at a bench. I should be able to narrow down what it likes pretty quickly.

Out of curiosity is the action and bolt the same as the standard Ruger American?

 

[Crosshair]

Heavy barrel ready for a brake. Not for recoil but to help predators and varmints to not detect which direction its coming from if I miss.

Do you mean a suppressor? A brake isn't going to do much or anything to conceal the report from varmints.

As for the rifle, they are fantastic. I started out on the 7.62x39 ones, but now have a .223 as well.

I am having the Skinner scope rail installed on 3 of my RAs righ now. First because I want open sights, but also so I can easily use my clip-on night vision.

http://skinnersights.com/scope_mounts_31.html

The RA is a nice gun that you won't be afraid to take out, use, and get dinged up.

You're right that the 40s probably won't work well at full power. HOWEVER, you could use them to work up some 22 Hornet level loads for shorter ramges. If you're lucky, the zero change will only be vertical and thus easily compensated for.

 

[kidneyboy]

I recently bought the same rifle for almost the same reasons. Pleased with it so far. With an old and thick reticle Banner 4x scope and about 60 rounds of 55gr factory ammo its holding 1 5/8" groups at 100yards. I'm ok with that but at some point will be trying out some 69gr loads for this and an AR.

 

[maxxhavoc]

As for the rifle, they are fantastic. I started out on the 7.62x39 ones, but now have a .223 as well.

I don't understand it, but they are addictive, I did the same...7.62x39, then 5.56, then 350 Legend. The 5.56 is the most accurate so far.

 

[Frulk]

I have that rifle and don’t consider it a ‘heavy’ barrel.

Gun weighs in at mid six pounds.

It’s a shooter in my estimation. Some feedback says it’s finicky on types of mags. Mine hasn’t been and I use PMags, OEM SIGs etc. All cycle just fine.

Stock could be a little nicer but that’s REALLY nitpicking in this price range.

Light, compact, versatile options for mag capacity and last but not least mine is surprisingly accurate out of the box and within this cost spectrum.

 

[Waterboy3313]

The 7.62X39 kind of interests me. I owned a sks for over 20 years. When I was 18 I liked it because it was the largest cartridge I owned. I liked the bigger boom and more recoil over my 22lr. Getting older and changing directions as I previously mentioned accuracy was pure garbage.

Now I don't know if was the $99 1000 pack of wolf or the fact it was old milsurp communist rifle. Maybe both. The older I got and more into accuracy vs spraying I sold it to a buddy along with most of that ammo I mentioned.

If it was a combo of junk and that car has any real potential I could see myself Maybe getting one down the road. I have also been interested in 300BLK as well as 350 legend. If it was 5 years ago when components were cheaper and more readily available at the local level I would probably have one of these in all available chamberings.

 

[Waterboy3313]

I have that rifle and don’t consider it a ‘heavy’ barrel.

I did a 24 inch stainless shaw barrel on my other bolt action 223. If you compared the Ruger barrel to that it is what I would consider heavy over the pencil shaw. Part of why this ruger appeals to me. The shaw is actually very accurate but heats up so fast after very few rounds.

For the price range I don't expect custom results. From my experience with my other rugers I do expect it to be a decent shooter. Hand loads tailored to it and I expect a great shooter for what it is. I can see myself packing it to the range more often than not if it works out. I expect it will work just fine.

 

[Spats McGee]

I didn’t buy one, but the bug to go handle one bit me today. I went to an LGS, and found the 5.56 American. I don’t require an especially tall comb to get a good cheek weld, but the RA comb seemed awfully low. Those of you that own them, do you use any kind of cheek riser?

 

[Waterboy3313]

I don't know if the stock is the same dimensions as my 6.5 creedmoor or similar to my 22 lr with the factory stock module in place. Both of them seem lower than what I thought would work but they ended up working fine for me. I'm not a big fan of the factory ruger stocks at all. They do seem flimsy and cheap. There is always room for an upgrade down the road. My biggest complaint is probably the trigger. Spring change or complete removal if not a complete aftermarket replacement.

 

[mongoslow]

my Ruger Ranch is in 6.5 grendel, have a Sig whiskey 3 2-7x32 scope on it at 100 yards with the 123gr ELD-M it will put 3 holes in a spot you can cover with a quarter if the nut pulling the trigger is doing his part

 

[maxxhavoc]

Those of you that own them, do you use any kind of cheek riser?

I just the Victor Titan Universal. The color is off from Ruger's, but that doesn't bother me. Works well and keeps it light and simple.


https://victorcompanyusa.com/titan-universal-cheekrest

 

[Spats McGee]

Thank you all for the information. The LGS had one for $550. That's not bad (I don't think, anyway). I would also have to figure in the cost of some kind of scope, and a few extra mags. That's likely to be the case regardless of whether I chose the Ruger or one of its competitors. Getting a new stock down the road obviously adds a significant chunk to the overall cost of the rifle. That may or may not be an issue with the Ruger's competitors. AR mag compatibility remains a big plus, though.

I guess I'm off to overthink this a while longer. Thanks again!

 

[kidneyboy]

Thank you all for the information. The LGS had one for $550. That's not bad (I don't think, anyway). I would also have to figure in the cost of some kind of scope, and a few extra mags. That's likely to be the case regardless of whether I chose the Ruger or one of its competitors. Getting a new stock down the road obviously adds a significant chunk to the overall cost of the rifle. That may or may not be an issue with the Ruger's competitors. AR mag compatibility remains a big plus, though.

I guess I'm off to overthink this a while longer. Thanks again!

AR mag compatibility and light weight factored into my purchase.

 

[Spats McGee]

AR mag compatibility and light weight factored into my purchase.

I can't discount those, either.

 

[Spats McGee]

I just the Victor Titan Universal. The color is off from Ruger's, but that doesn't bother me. Works well and keeps it light and simple.
View attachment 1154485

https://victorcompanyusa.com/titan-universal-cheekrest

Man, that looks like it sure would help with the cheek rest, without the cost of a new stock.

 

[Waterboy3313]

Man, that looks like it sure would help with the cheek rest, without the cost of a new stock.

My big complaint about the stock is the flimsy feel. I think there are several options to affordable better quality aftermarket stocks. I generally tend to factor in scopes and stocks as something that will eventually be replaced. My personal opinion is I should be better at what ever I am doing if I can be more comfortable and see what it is I need to see.

 

[Spats McGee]

My big complaint about the stock is the flimsy feel. I think there are several options to affordable better quality aftermarket stocks. I generally tend to factor in scopes and stocks as something that will eventually be replaced. My personal opinion is I should be better at what ever I am doing if I can be more comfortable and see what it is I need to see.

I didn't think the stock felt especially flimsy, but: (a) I didn't handle it very long; and (b) everything changes once you add recoil to the mix. With that said, if I have to get an aftermarket stock, it sure seems like there are rifles with more aftermarket options.

ETA: I'm not trying to talk you out of this rifle, just using your thread for a sounding board since I'm looking at the same one.

 

[Waterboy3313]

I didn't think the stock felt especially flimsy, but: (a) I didn't handle it very long; and (b) everything changes once you add recoil to the mix.

I've read several articles and watched Yourtube on the topic of plastic stock modification. I use a bipod or adjustable rest up front and usually a bag under the rear. If it was being used without pressure on any point that would make contact with the barrel it would probably be ok. Add some filler to stiffen it up and it my be fine.

: I'm not trying to talk you out of this rifle, just using your thread for a sounding board since I'm looking at the same one.

I don't think that is possible. I've been looking for a decent affordable bolt action 223 that is local for quite a while now. My Frankenstein build is accurate but has several downfalls that I think would be cured by just replacing it altogether.

The one I have now started life as a savage axis 6.5 creedmoor. It would never shoot accurate enough I mean shot gun patterns. The barrel was garbage. I bought a stainless light weight 1:14 barrel in 223 and all the bolt parts to make it a 223. I bought a Boyd's stock to go with it. I never could find a 223 magazine always sold out every where I looked.

So compare a single feed bolt rifle with a rough action a barrel that gets hot very quickly and only likes light weight bullets. Pretty accurate but just not practical for a range toy. I welcome the american at this point.

 

[maxxhavoc]

I have not had issues with the stocks on the RA Ranch rifles. There is a good gap between stock and barrel.

I did have issues with a full size 30-06 Ruger American. The added weight of the Boyd's factory second was a welcome addition on that rifle.

The lightweight nature of the RAR in my opinion is its big appeal. It's a 5.56 bolt rifle that is lighter than most ARs. Picking one up then picking up a Savage makes the Savage feel like a pig.

I also have a ridiculously accurate but impractical .223 - in my case a Remington 700 that LOVES 55gr pills. It weighs more than double the RAR (almost 3x as much until I swapped to a lighter stock), it never goes to the range anymore due to the size and weight.