Ruger in the AR-15 market...

[MOGC]

Ya'll keeping up with Ruger's new SSR 556 piston driven AR rifle? At $2000 MSRP I'm not sure how it is going to compete with other rifles in the genre, but I guess we'll see.

[southtexas]

Guess I can't blame them for trying to get in on the market for black rifles. At today's proces, it's gotta be pretty lucrative!

[Greg Rodriguez]

I actually shot one of them 2 weeks ago at one of my group's bi-annual editorial roundtables. It is a very well-designed piston system and is priced right there with the piston-driven competition. When you throw in the top-quality parts and accessories that come standard, it's actually a really good value. If, that is, you have a need or desire for a loaded piston gun.

[MOGC]

Greg,
I don't see the piston gun as a huge advantage for a sportsman or hunter. At the price point, I just don't know if it will sell to a large enough segment of sportsmen to keep it viable.

[Just a Hunter]

If they dont sell it in a caliber larger than 5.56 they wont need to worry about my buying one.

[Badger]

MOGC,

I have not seen that Ruger rifle, but I concur the piston is the way to go. The direct gas impingment system from the Lijungiman the Swedes first used in their M42 was not such a great success. The M16 borrowed that gas system and it was not a great innovation in my opinion; especially when McNamara substituted Ball WC-846 for IMR4475 for GI Ball ammo. The AK-47, and later models, used pistons and they got it right from the get go.

Badger

[MOGC]

I seldom shoot so many rounds so fast that the piston is a huge advantage for me personally. In combat situations with sustained fire of large numbers of rounds going downrange and no cleaning time, sure it seems to be the way to go. For sporting uses... I don't know if I need it. My AR runs fine and gives me zero trouble. I dunno, time will tell how the public receives it. I'm often wrong, so this is likely to be a smash hit and sell into the millions of copies. ;)

[Smokey]

I'm glad Ruger came out with this gun as I believe some other major manufacturers are working on a similar rifle. This market has really grown over the years. I also believe this will add more people taking an active role in fighting the government when Obama and his crew have time to take up their new gun legislation policies.

This type of rifle will be their number one target.

[DancesWithKnives]

I generally like Rugers but I'd only consider one in 6.5 Grendel or 6.8 SPC (I already have 5.56mm rifles and an AR10T).

DWK

[Greg Rodriguez]

Greg,
I don't see the piston gun as a huge advantage for a sportsman or hunter. At the price point, I just don't know if it will sell to a large enough segment of sportsmen to keep it viable.

The piston system is a huge advantage for those who shoot a lot of rounds and/or, like me, you use a suppressor. The adjustable piston system is great for suppressed use and in short-barreled rifles. But no one's going to die if your predator rifle or target piece jams, and most of us take pretty good care of our blasters anyway. I'll try one, but few of us really NEED it.

[Just a Hunter]

Guy's

I understand moving the topic as this new Ruger falls into definition of a tactical & black rifle. However for many firearm owners it will also be a "Hunting Rifle" and as such it has every right to be in the hunting rifle section of the forums.

Less we forget
It wasnt so long ago that a rather famous gun writer got his arse in a bad situation by not acknowledging the AR for many was also a legitimate hunting rifle.

[Hi Ball]

Well I went out and purchased for the wife, a RUGER MINI-14 in the .223 caliber. Now there was a very good article on the Ruger mini-14 in Soldier Of Fortune magazine a couple of months back.

The US Army (special forces) is now training with the Ruger mini-14 in the 6.8caliber. The Navy Seals are using the old M-14 rifle and have put their AR type plastic stock with rails on that weapon. It doesn't look anything like an M-14 until you look at the receiver....very accurate.

Now the tests they did on the Ruger Mini-14 in .223 caliber were indeed a far cry from what these ranch rifles did a few years ago. I had 2 of those stainless steel beauties and they would not hit watermelons at 125 yards. These newer Ruger mini-14's will shoot under 3 inch groups with a rifle scope at 100 yards.

[LRImport]

My AR shoots 1/2" or under all day long with Black Hills ammo. I've yet to try any handloads, but I'm still accumulating brass to do so. :D

The Ruger mini-14's have had a horrible reputation for accuracy. If you have one that will shoot like an AR, you've probaly been lucky enough to win the lottery, or you'd better start playing it. ;)

I've had alove/hate relationship with Rugers. Lately, I've been really disappointed with their rifle's accuracy out of the box. :(

[Hi Ball]

I don't have any AR's but my FAL SA-58 will lay em in on the target and shoot 1-MOA with good ammo......not the cheap stuff.;)

They tell me those Rock River rifles will shoot exceptionally well also, to the tune of .75-MOA or better. I don't have any use for the 5.56 caliber or .223 really. I perfer the 30-06 or the .308 in a military rifle. Just me old school I suppose.:)

[Bowhunter57]

Sounds like you guys are giving this new Ruger some good reviews. It's about time Ruger made some improvements over the Mini-14 nightmare. :p

I probably shouldn't say anything about the Mini-14, as it does feed ammo reliably. Even though it attains 3" to 4" groups at 100 yards and my caulking gun has a smoother trigger...they still make excellent tomato stakes. :D

Good hunting, Bowhunter57