Ruger American Ranch 5.56mm

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Ruger American Ranch, 5.56mm (.223 Rem)

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Intended Use

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Purchased mainly for “Economical Range Shooting”. This rifle is can also fulfill many other roles, such as, Big & Small Game, Varmint & Predator Control, Competition and Plinking.

Effective Range

In my hands, out to about 300 yds. would be the maximum intended range. Most commonly used at the range at 25 – 75 yds.

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Factory Specs & Features

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This Model may also be available in Calibers like, .350 Legend, .450 Bushmaster, .300 BLK, 7.62 x 39, 6.5 Grendel. Each Model may also have it’s own individual caliber specific features.

Safety

Thumb activated Tang Safety on top of stock for quick, positive, ambidextrous use.

Action

Standard, reliable, push feed, bolt action design. Bolt throw is 70 degrees.

Easy Access Bolt Release Latch located on the LH Side.

Trigger

This is a “User Adjustable” trigger as supplied from the factory. It is adjustable from 3 – 5 lbs. trigger pull.

Threaded Muzzle

Industry Standard 1/2″ x 28 TPI muzzle threading. I installed a standard “AR15 A2” type birdcage flash hider. You can see the “Pop Can” shims I made to help align the flash hider upon installation.

Stock

Ruger factory supplied plastic stock, available in Flat Dark Earth. The aftermarket industry will probably offer a variety of stocks with a wide variety of options.

Buttplate

Factory Equipped with a nice soft, slip resistant, recoil absorbing rubber buttpad. It is not really necessary due to the light recoil of this rifle.

Sights

This rifle has a Factory Installed Picatinny Rail for Scope or Red Dot mounting but offers no Iron Sights. Aftermarket iron sights are available from “Nodak Spud” if you are so inclined.

Optics

I have a Vortex, Diamondback, 4 – 16 X 42, Variable Power Scope on this rifle for general use.

Magazines

This rifle offers 3 different Magazine & Magwell options. As sold this rifle comes equipped with the “AR15 Style” Magazine & Matching Magwell.

AR15 Magazines & Magwell

Optional, Ruger Factory Rotary Magazines & Magwell

Perfect for hunting. Rotary Magazines have a 5 Rd. Capacity.

Optional, Ruger Factory AICS Magwell

AICS Magwell allows the use of Magpul, 10 Round Capacity, detachable magazines.

Magwell Variations & Features Compared
Features	AR Magwell	Rotary Magwell	AICS Magwell
Magwell Interchangeability Speed	Fast	Fast	Slow
Magazine Brand	Durex (Modded)	Ruger	Magpul
Mag Capacity (Canada) – (Legal Restrictions Apply)	5	5	10
Mag Capacity (USA) – (Brands & Capacity Vary)	5 – 10 – 20 – 30	5	10
Magazine Overall Size	Large	Flush	Large
For Hunting Use	Maybe	Yes	Maybe
For Range Use	Yes	Yes	Best
Magazine Cost	Low	High	High

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Accessories

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Utility Pouch

A simple but quite usable accessory that can be removed at any time in seconds. You can carry a spare magazine, some ammo, small knife, lighter etc.

Sling

A simple sling of some type is an “Absolute Necessity” on a rifle in the field.

Bipod

This rifle is equipped with a “Quick Detachable Bipod” for range use. In the field it would ideally be removed and the rifle would be used utilizing “Field Expedient” shooting methods.

Flash Hider

I installed a standard “AR15 A2” type birdcage flash hider. You can see the “Pop Can” shims I made to help align the flash hider upon installation.

This rifle is “VERY LOUD”. If you live in an area where sound suppressors are legal to use then I would highly recommend this option.

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What would I Change?

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This rifle should have been factory equipped with user adjustable length of pull and would have been easy for Ruger to have offered. A storage spot molded into the buttstock to hold a spare 5 shot rotary mag would have been nice. An optional forend mountable picatinny Rail mount would have also been really nice for those who can hunt at night.

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Ammunition

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5.56mm NATO Caliber, (.223 Rem) standard factory ammunition. With handloaded ammo this rifle should be able to utilize bullet weights from 35 – 80 grains.

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Shooting Results

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Factory Ammunition

I have only tested this rifle with 2 different factory loadings.

This was retail purchased Barnaul, Steel Case, 62 gr. JHP. Just bought the rifle, needed something to shoot right away. 3″ groups at 100 yds. will knock down deer all day long.

Subsonic Handloads

I have tested this rifle with 3 different Subsonic handloads.

3.3 gr. of Clays topped with a 55 gr. FMJ Bullet w/COAL 2.230 was the winner here. I will be changing this load for a hunting legal bullet and then retrying the test. The subsonic loads are intended for use on small game like rabbits & grouse.

Mid-Power Handloads

I have tested this rifle with 1 Mid-Power handload.

16.0 gr. of Hodgdon H4895 loaded with a 55 gr. FMJ Bullet was a clear winner, I will be experimenting with this in the future. This will undoubtedly become my “Medium Power” load.

High Velocity “Varmint” Handloads

I have not tested any of these types of loads yet.

Full Power “Hunting” Handloads

I have not tested any of these types of loads yet.

What’s Next?

Wow! This rifle has so many available options as far as handloading. Right now I want to focus on lightweight, subsonic, small game hunting ammo as well as a “Full Power” Hunting Load.

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Have a Great Day!