Posted: 12/17/2014 1:59:54 AM EDT
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I currently have some nice custom long range rifles, a couple Remingtons, and my most recent acquisition was a Mossberg MVP Predator in 5.56. The Mossberg was purchased as a fun rifle. Cheap and light, takes AR mags, and I don't have to worry about babying it when in the field. The only downside is the action is kind of clunky and it is a 1:9 twist. The twist is fine for 50-69 grain bullets but I have had some erratic issues with 75's and have never tried the 77s. The gun shoots really well, five shot groups with 69 grain bullets are typically under an inch, and if you subtract the coldbore shot, hover in the .5-.7" range.
Today I stumbled across the Ruger American Compact Ranch in 5.56 I like that it has a threaded barrel and the 1:8 twist will allow me to run the heavier bullets. I would still prefer to be able to use AR mags but if the action is smoother then I can probably overlook that part. A local shop has one for $375 which seems crazy cheap. Thoughts? |
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I am having a hard time not buying one. If the hog hunter was a 8 or 7 twist it would be a no brainer but since it is not the American is pretty tempting. I am interested to see if the chassis manufacturers start offering them for these guns.
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I really dont like the ergonomics of the stock. But I was recently looking at one and the guy at the gun counter only had good things to say about it. What dont you like? |
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Quoted:
I am having a hard time not buying one. If the hog hunter was a 8 or 7 twist it would be a no brainer but since it is not the American is pretty tempting. I am interested to see if the chassis manufacturers start offering them for these guns. What dont you like? Quoted:
I am having a hard time not buying one. If the hog hunter was a 8 or 7 twist it would be a no brainer but since it is not the American is pretty tempting. I am interested to see if the chassis manufacturers start offering them for these guns. Quoted:
I really dont like the ergonomics of the stock. But I was recently looking at one and the guy at the gun counter only had good things to say about it. What dont you like? It just didn't shoulder well for me. and the for-end is really narrow. It just dint have that really "solid" feel to me. |
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Quoted:
It just didn't shoulder well for me. and the for-end is really narrow. It just dint have that really "solid" feel to me. Quoted:
Quoted:
I am having a hard time not buying one. If the hog hunter was a 8 or 7 twist it would be a no brainer but since it is not the American is pretty tempting. I am interested to see if the chassis manufacturers start offering them for these guns. Quoted:
I really dont like the ergonomics of the stock. But I was recently looking at one and the guy at the gun counter only had good things to say about it. What dont you like? It just didn't shoulder well for me. and the for-end is really narrow. It just dint have that really "solid" feel to me. Gotcha. The short LOP felt a little weird to me too. |
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Thanks guys for the replies. I ended up getting the standard Ranch in 5.56 with the standard length tan stock and 16" barrel, and put my 1-4x Vortex on it. Off the bench at 50 yards, using Federal M193, I shot two five shot groups that averaged 7/8". Not bad considering my AR with a match barrel struggles to keep the same ammo under 2" at 100. Hopefully the weather will be warm and clear this weekend and I can try some of my 69 and 77 grain reloads.
The trigger is good and l like the action but the magazine is a bit flimsy as my wife had one failure to feed on the last round during her shooting session. I think it may have been that she was being too soft with racking the bolt. We put the round back in the mag and she jammed it again. I put the round in the mag, ran the bolt hard, and it chambered fine. She is used to shooting a bolt action CZ455 22LR so I told her to use a little more force next time. She really enjoyed shooting the Ruger Ranch, more than an AR, so it may be her go to rifle. The rail that it comes with does not seem to be a true picatinny rail as my JP scope mount did not want to fit it. My Larue mount fit okay but it seems like Ruger designed the rail to be used with individual scope rings. Overall I am really impressed with Ranch, especially the fit and finish of the action and barrel, and hopefully the aftermarket will catch up with accessories for it. Comparing to the Mossberg, I like the fact that the Mossberg takes AR mags but the action is not nearly as smooth. The stock is nicer on the Mossberg as well but considering the price difference, that is where Ruger is saving the dollars. |
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Quoted:
I currently have some nice custom long range rifles, a couple Remingtons, and my most recent acquisition was a Mossberg MVP Predator in 5.56. The Mossberg was purchased as a fun rifle. Cheap and light, takes AR mags, and I don't have to worry about babying it when in the field. The only downside is the action is kind of clunky and it is a 1:9 twist. The twist is fine for 50-69 grain bullets but I have had some erratic issues with 75's and have never tried the 77s. The gun shoots really well, five shot groups with 69 grain bullets are typically under an inch, and if you subtract the coldbore shot, hover in the .5-.7" range. Today I stumbled across the Ruger American Compact Ranch in 5.56 I like that it has a threaded barrel and the 1:8 twist will allow me to run the heavier bullets. I would still prefer to be able to use AR mags but if the action is smoother then I can probably overlook that part. A local shop has one for $375 which seems crazy cheap. Thoughts? Get both. By 350 round count your MVP will be broken in, the difference is like night and day. |