Ruger SFAR 308 as a backcountry rifle?

[11boo]

Anymore updates on this?

Hit Cameo again today with my 20”. Changed that loud (and excellent) muzzle brake out for a Griffin linear brake. Much less blast and a bit more recoil, still very manageable and easily spotted my hits on steel. Far less recoil than my old large frame 308 dpms.
Also tested 5 of my reloads, 165 gr HPBT over a low charge of TAC. All 5 went into 1.5” off bags. The PMC Factory 147 ball did an 2.5”. I think mine is a shooter for a cheap semi.
Im keeping the huge Leo on for now, but I’ll end up with a lighter low power variable.

 

[tomt53]

I ordered a 16" 308 SFAR from my LGS, it will be here next week. The anticipation is killing me.

 

[5811]

16" SFAR, factory Hornady 168. Not a hand picked group, the only 10 shot group I shot today. Below is my 5 shot confirm group.

 

[deer_hunter132]

AR15’s can and do have very good accuracy (precision) and are relatively easy to shoot well. Large frame AR (AR10/SR25, etc) are a different beast all together. With a top quality barrel, excellent fitment of the barrel extension in the upper (some of the best are glued in), etc. they can shoot very good groups.
As for reasons: some or all of these seem to be contributing factors- lock time, bolt mass, start of unlocking while firing, rail flex on the barrel nut, poor fitment/gaps in barrel to extension, poor fitment/gaps from extension to receiver, reciprocating mass that exaggerates flaws in form (follow through), etc. There’s more; but the effect are real and observable. Large frame AR can be made to shoot very well, and they can be shot very well, but they are by far the most unforgiving of errors in technique platform regularly used.

There is only one large frame AR make/model that I have ever used that was comparable to a bolt gun- that is, it really didn’t matter how you got behind them or what you did, as long as you shot well with a bolt gun, you shot these well. Unfortunately that gun is no longer made/available.

Is there a way to tell if you need to use green loctite on the barrel extension?

 

[blsnelling]

I'm loving my 16" SFAR. It prefers 175-180 gr ammo. I installed a fully adjustable gas block. That eliminates any potential contact points with the hand guard and makes gas tuning a breeze. It's a sub MOA rifle with factory ammo.

 

[Brunsie]

Been shooting my SFAR a bit more, switched stock out to a magpul UBR, installed an adj gas block, H3 buffer, and a maven RS1.2 scope. Fighting issues with the bolt unlocking early even with the heavier buffer and gas set to barely function. Getting bad ejector swipes on Hornady Black 168 A-maxes that are leaving a sharp burr on the case head.
Still can't get it to shoot worth a crap, it'll stack a few, then send several fliers. Seeing large shifts in zero from different ammo types. ES for both my reloads and multiple factory ammo options is upwards of 50 fps, not sure what effect early bolt unlocking would have on velocity and accuracy. Next steps are to pull the barrel, lap the receiver, thermal fit the barrel, and install a more rigid handguard to try and improve groups. Going to try a crimp die for my handloads to see if that helps drop the ES.
I suspect the factory barrel will never meet my expectations.

 

[deer_hunter132]

AR15’s can and do have very good accuracy (precision) and are relatively easy to shoot well. Large frame AR (AR10/SR25, etc) are a different beast all together. With a top quality barrel, excellent fitment of the barrel extension in the upper (some of the best are glued in), etc. they can shoot very good groups.
As for reasons: some or all of these seem to be contributing factors- lock time, bolt mass, start of unlocking while firing, rail flex on the barrel nut, poor fitment/gaps in barrel to extension, poor fitment/gaps from extension to receiver, reciprocating mass that exaggerates flaws in form (follow through), etc. There’s more; but the effect are real and observable. Large frame AR can be made to shoot very well, and they can be shot very well, but they are by far the most unforgiving of errors in technique platform regularly used.

There is only one large frame AR make/model that I have ever used that was comparable to a bolt gun- that is, it really didn’t matter how you got behind them or what you did, as long as you shot well with a bolt gun, you shot these well. Unfortunately that gun is no longer made/available.

What model rifle was that? I would like to find some info.

 

[Hnthrdr]

Grabbed a couple of sfar’s last year due to impending gun ban in co… which may come about this year. One in 308 16” barrel and one in 6.5cm 20” barrel. I need to get optics on them and start shooting, don’t expect too much, but I keep a solid amount of 308 & 6.5 on hand so nice to have semi autos to shoot, especially if you really needed them.

 

[TitsMcGee]

Just as a heads up for those looking at large frame AR’s- they are not small frame guns. They are much, much more critical of form, follow through, body position, etc. for “accuracy”. Very few are actually legitimately precise rifles, and even high end ones will “throw” a shot 1-2 MOA away from the group if your form isn’t perfect.

Go into a 308/6.5/338fed/etc with an understanding that what you really are getting is an in demand 2.5-4 MOA rifle that is not, and will not be as reliable as a well assembled AR15.

Is this due to the AR10 platform not being as standardized as the AR-15 resulting in multiple intolerances stacking, or some other reasoning? For example if it's more-so due to increased recoil would a 6ARC upper likely be plagued by the same ‘inconsistencies’ but to a lesser degree?

I'm personally trying to decide between slapping a 6ARC upper on a lower or getting my first bolt-action: a .243 Tikka t3x, and eventually re-barrel to 6CM once shot out. Purpose is primarily Western Hunting restricted to <.24cal. I don't currently reload.

I know it's said that rail deflection can be a problem with AR's. The reliability(although slightly degraded with 6ARC) and more rapid/ease of follow-up shots for expedited incapacitation is appealing. Also I just love AR's and wouldn't mind an excuse to utilize some of that sweet sweet Geissele DDC. If the drawbacks are too severe I'm not entirely opposed to dipping my toes into the bolt-action world. I currently don't own any and being in Colorado they're safer from legislative restrictions... for now.

Are bolt-actions truly hands down, across the board the better suited tool for hunting and in-terms of pound for pound accuracy?

 

[Hnthrdr]

Is this due to the AR10 platform not being as standardized as the AR-15 resulting in multiple intolerances stacking, or some other reasoning? For example if it's more-so due to increased recoil would a 6ARC upper likely be plagued by the same ‘inconsistencies’ but to a lesser degree?

I'm personally trying to decide between slapping a 6ARC upper on a lower or getting my first bolt-action: a .243 Tikka t3x, and eventually re-barrel to 6CM once shot out. Purpose is primarily Western Hunting restricted to <.24cal. I don't currently reload.

I know it's said that rail deflection can be a problem with AR's. The reliability(although slightly degraded with 6ARC) and more rapid/ease of follow-up shots for expedited incapacitation is appealing. Also I just love AR's and wouldn't mind an excuse to utilize some of that sweet sweet Geissele DDC. If the drawbacks are too severe I'm not entirely opposed to dipping my toes into the bolt-action world. I currently don't own any and being in Colorado they're safer from legislative restrictions... for now.

Are bolt-actions truly hands down, across the board the better suited tool for hunting and in-terms of pound for pound accuracy?

Others can answer it better, but I will say from my experiences bolt guns are inherently more accurate rifles for me. (Disclaimer: I don’t own any high end AR’s) That said I have some plenty accurate AR type rifles 1.25-2moa ten round groups. As a fellow Coloradan I would 1000% advise you to buy the semi automatic rifles now, or lowers. You can hunt just fine with a 6arc or 6.5cm or .308. Bolt guns will forever be easier to buy in our state. So if your 6arc doesn’t meet your fancy, go get a bolt gun, by waiting 3 stupid days vs. going through the class and background check and shooting test yada yada yada…

 

[Formidilosus]

Is this due to the AR10 platform not being as standardized as the AR-15 resulting in multiple intolerances stacking, or some other reasoning? For example if it's more-so due to increased recoil would a 6ARC upper likely be plagued by the same ‘inconsistencies’ but to a lesser degree?

It’s just a large frame AR issue- it’s a lot of mass in the BCG moving, and causes issues in shootability. AR15’s do not suffer the same.

I'm personally trying to decide between slapping a 6ARC upper on a lower or getting my first bolt-action: a .243 Tikka t3x, and eventually re-barrel to 6CM once shot out.

6 ARC works just fine in an AR when assembled correctly.

Are bolt-actions truly hands down, across the board the better suited tool for hunting and in-terms of pound for pound accuracy?

There is no “across the board” in most things. Good AR’s are fantastic and I hunt with them at times. However, for general hunting I- and most, greatly prefer good bolt actions.

 

[TitsMcGee]

6 ARC works just fine in an AR when assembled correctly.

When you say assembled correctly are you referring to degreasing threads, following manufacturer torque specs, etc., or do you have additional precautions you'd advise / "standard" procedures you'd advise against?

for general hunting I- and most, greatly prefer good bolt actions.

So what I'm gathering is that AR's are undeniably affective and do have their applications, i.e. predator hunting, they are not always a direct replacement for bolt-actions? i.e., long-range precision and/or any time you're carrying it for extended periods of time.

 

[Formidilosus]

When you say assembled correctly are you referring to degreasing threads, following manufacturer torque specs, etc., or do you have additional precautions you'd advise / "standard" procedures you'd advise against?

Quality, in spec, simple and reliable components assembled as they should be.

So what I'm gathering is that AR's are undeniably affective and do have their applications, i.e. predator hunting, they are not always a direct replacement for bolt-actions? i.e., long-range precision and/or any time you're carrying it for extended periods of time.

In my view- correct.