Ruger Precision Rifle – A Sniper’s First Look

The Ruger Precision Rifle packs a big punch with a reasonable price. (Scope and rings not included)

[easyazon_link identifier=”B00PMIGV44″ locale=”US” tag=”bluesheecom-20″]Ruger[/easyazon_link] is no stranger to an innovative approach to firearms manufacturing. The company’s forward thinking team has produced patented new technology, and dozens of highly reliable firearms. In fact, it was Ruger’s non-traditional firearm philosophy, and astute market awareness, that placed Ruger on the fast track to success. Ruger is on fire with new additions to their high quality firearms selections, with the latest addition being the Ruger Precision Rifle.

Ruger had just announced their SR-556 Take-Down rifle at the beginning of this month, and now they have included what could become an industry standard for mid-level, modular precision rifles that are still within reach of many shooters. Packed with outstanding features, and the quality, durability, and reliability expected of a Ruger firearm, I predict the Ruger Precision Rifle is going to have an impressive effect in the precision rifle market.

Ruger Precision Rifle Features

The Ruger Precision Rifle (RPR) comes with so many features that you would expect to see this listed in a Custom rifle shop. However, Ruger has decided to provide shooters with a high quality rifle at a price that many shooters will be able to entertain. The RPR is a combination of many of the best features of the [easyazon_link identifier=”B00TSRBMH6″ locale=”US” tag=”bluesheecom-20″]AR-10[/easyazon_link] platform, and a precision bolt-action rifle. The Ruger Precision Rifle has so many features that a talented eye would expect the price to be double what Ruger is asking.

SHOT SHOW 2016 UPDATE: The National Rifle Association (NRA) American Rifleman Magazine has awarded the Ruger Precision Rifle the prestigious 2016 Golden Bullseye Award for the best new rifle of 2015. This award is considered one of the highest achievements in the firearms industry, and recognizes the Ruger Precision Rifle’s significant addition to the firearms market. Read our Ruger Precision Rifle Review (click here), from SHOT Show for our own experiences with this really remarkable rifle.

Ruger Precision Rifle – winner of the very prestigious 2016 Golden Bullseye Award for best new rifle.

Ruger Precision Rifle Specifications

• Available Calibers – .308 Win; .243 Win., 6.5 Creedmoor
• Overall Length – 38.25 – 41.75″
• Folded Length – 30.6″
• Barrel Material – 4140 Chrome Moly Cold Hammer Forged Steel, 5R Rifling
• Barrel Length – 20.0″
• Twist Rate – 1:10
• Height – 7.3″
• Width – 3.3″
• Weight – 9.70 lbs.
• Length of Pull – 12.0 – 15.5″
• Capacity – 10 round detachable box magazine; ships with (2) Magpul PMAGs.
• MSRP – $1399.00.

Ruger’s adaptive magazine well will accept a variety of magazines.

Adaptive Aluminum Magazine Well

One of the most amazing design features of the Ruger Precision Rifle is the ability to accept a multitude of magazines; including, M110, SR25, DPMS, Magpul®-style magazines and AICS magazines (works with some M-14 magazines). Many rifles are designed for specific magazines, limiting their versatility. Ruger has kicked open the doors with a magazine well designed to accept many of the most popular [easyazon_link identifier=”B00U857492″ locale=”US” tag=”bluesheecom-20″]AR-10[/easyazon_link] style magazines.The magazine well is its own unique component, made of aerospace grade 7075-T6 aluminum, and is forged with a very unique appearance. The front of the magazine well is contoured, providing additional support against rests or an optional and secure hand grip. The receivers and magazine well are Type III hard-coat anodized for longevity and resistance to weather and rust.

I am a huge proponent of detachable magazines for sniper rifles. Though I love my Remington 700, that came with the internal box magazine with hinge plate release, the internal magazines are time-consuming and can endure loading failures. A detachable magazine offers a higher capacity, and a much smoother and faster loading and unloading time. Having detachable magazines also provides the sniper the quick ability to transition from soft target ammunition to hard target ammunition, with easily marked and identifying separate magazines.

Detaching the magazine is accomplished through a common release lever at the rear, base of the magazine well.

The Ruger Marksman Adjustable Trigger is a great feature.

Ruger Marksman Adjustable Trigger

The RPR comes with the Ruger Marksman Adjustable Trigger with a range of 2.25 to 5.0 lb. trigger pull. Though some may enjoy a light trigger pull, I do not recommend a trigger less than 3.0 lbs. for law enforcement snipers. There is a tremendous amount of liability in the sniper’s hands, and a “hair-trigger” has no place, in my opinion. The RPR Marksman Adjustable Trigger has the appearance and design features like the Savage Accu-Trigger.

There is a trigger bar that extends forward of the actual trigger, and prevents firing until depressed into the actual trigger. This allows the sniper to have a confident positive contact with the trigger, without the concern of a negligent discharge. This also provides the sniper to be much more aware of when and where the trigger will actually break for firing. This feature can improve accuracy by reducing input into the rifle from heavier or longer trigger pulls with less certain breaking points.

A pre-threaded, cold-hammer forged 4140 Chrome Moly steel barrel has superior 5R rifling providing outstanding potential for accuracy.

Cold-Hammer Forged 5R Rifling Medium Barrel

The Ruger Precision Rifle comes with medium contour 4140 Chrome Moly, cold hammer-forged barrel, that has outstanding 5R rifling. The barrel is also pre-threaded 5/8 – 24 for suppressors. The barrel can be easily replaced by a qualified AR armorer. The hand guard is a free-floated [easyazon_link identifier=”B00LG6GKVK” locale=”US” tag=”bluesheecom-20″]Samson Evolution key-mod[/easyazon_link], that is integrated with the 20 MOA Picatinny rail.

CNC machined Chrome Moly receivers are matched with a single piece bolt with enlarged handle.

Unique CNC Machined Receivers

The RPR upper and lower receivers are CNC-machined out of 4140 Chrome Moly steel with impressive lines, and Type III hard-coat anodized for superior protection from rust and weather. The receivers design and look is impressive, with high tolerances that appear eliminate gaps and unnecessary rattling that could affect accuracy. Since the RPR has an AR-10 style recoil tube with buffer spring, the rifle’s recoil is directed in-line to the back of the rifle, potentially reducing recoil, as the recoil has longer to travel and dissipate in the RPR than in traditional hard bedded rifles.

A Samson Evolution key mod hand guard with full-length Picatinny rail is another great feature that provides all the modularity a shooter could want.

The RPR comes with a Samson Evolution key mod hand guard that has a full length of Picatinny rail that is integrated with the 20 MOA Picatinny upper receiver top rail. This feature ensures that a wide range for optics, including night vision or infra-red, can be successfully mounted, making the Ruger Precision Rifle mission-ready both day and night.

The RPR comes with an extended trigger reach AR-style grip, with a 45° reversible safety selector. The pistol grip offers the shooter the option to configure the rifle with any AR-style grip and selector.

The Ruger Precision MSR Stock is an outstanding feature for proper shooting platform, having adjustments for length of pull (LOP), and cheek weld.

Ruger Precision MSR Stock

The adaptability of the RPR goes beyond the versatile magazine well, and includes Ruger’s Precision MSR Stock. This fully adjustable stock allows the shooter to customize their shooting platform to fit their personal size and style, rather than a generalized factory stock. Adjustments to length of pull (LOP) and cheek weld are accomplished through locking screws with a nice fold-up handles for easy adjustments. This system does not require any tools, and allows the shooter to accomplish very minute adjustments for the perfect shooting platform. Once adjustments are accomplished, the handles are folded down to lock the stock into place.

If that’s not enough, the Precision MSR Stock also folds to the left, reducing carry length to a mere 30.6″. Typically a folding stock is thought of for Entry rifles, where close quarters and tight spaces require the highest level of weapon maneuverability. However, snipers often have to navigate tight spots and vegetation, and any reduction in length can be an incredible advantage to a successful stalk.

There is also a Picatinny  rail on the bottom portion of the Precision MSR Stock. This rail will allow the addition of mono pods, or other desired accessories to meet mission needs. The Precision MSR Stock has a soft rubber butt pad, and a QD sling mount system.

Chrome Moly CNC Bolt with Enlarged Handle

The bolt handle is oversized with 5/16 -24 threading if replacement is desired. Having an enlarged bolt handle is a critical component in positive contact and success during rapid bolt manipulation for follow-up shots. The bolt is a one-piece design that is also CNC-machined from 4140 Chrome Moly steel. The full-length bolt has a 3-lug design and a 70-degree throw that is described as very smooth. There are dual locking cams that ensure a secure bolt for accurate firing.

Accuracy

The Ruger Precision Rifle has already been tested by some of the rifle industry’s top shooters and instructors. Many have provided glowing reviews, including one from Mike Fifer who claims, “1600 yards. Enough said.” That was what he was capable

With accuracy out past 1/2 mile, the Ruger Precision Rifle is sure to raise eyes and gain a wide acceptance in a field that will not accept anything less than at minimum MOA precision. The Ruger Precision Rifle has been shown to smash that requirement with consistent 5-shot groups at 1/2 MOA!

Ruger Precision Rifle and Law Enforcement

I have not had the pleasure to give the Ruger Precision Rifle a lengthy test run to verify its accuracy and ease of function; however, from what I’ve seen I am very impressed. The attention to detail, high quality materials, and the features that were obviously designed with input from end users are very impressive, especially considering the relatively low price tag.

The selection of a police sniper rifle is almost as important as the selection of the sniper themselves. Although some departments, especially smaller ones, tend to pass off hunting rifles as sniper rifles, this is not the standard that IACP, NTOA, or ASA would recommend or endorse. A typical mass-produced hunting rifle can be expected to have accuracy at around 2-3 MOA. Though some are better, that is not the norm.

A police sniper rifle must be capable of shooting sub-MOA. In other words, within one inch of point of aim at 100 yards. When the sniper may be called upon to perform a shot on a hostage taker only showing half or less of their face, the shot cannot deviate 2-3 inches like a mass-produced rifle. That is not only negligent on the department’s part, it is reckless.

A true police sniper rifle is an instrument of extreme precision, it has to be! Typically that level of precision, combined with other necessary features like an adjustable stock, and high quality scope, will run a department around $4000. The Ruger Precision Rifle may smash that mold, and offer budget strapped departments with a very viable option that can be fielded for under half what many custom-built precision rifles will cost.

I am very excited about the Ruger Precision Rifle, and I plan to getting my hands on one as soon as I can to report back on my own shooting experience. Ruger even has initiated the Ruger Precision Rifle Challenge that allows shooters to send in their photograph of shooting the Ruger Precision Rifle at 100 yard increments out to 1600 yards. The few lucky professionals who have had the opportunity to shoot the Ruger Precision Rifle have already heaped praises on the rifle for its incredible features, and a proven ability to remain accurate at distance over hundreds and thousands of rounds.