Ruger SFAR range report

Finally got to get out a shoot the SFAR I picked up 2 months ago. 16” model with a sightmark wraith scope. Ran it suppressed on gas setting 1.

Was about 95 degrees when I got to the farm. Cows destroyed my target stand so I had to rig some something to hold my target.

Had two rounds with me to try. Federal Fusion 150gr and Federal Gold Medal 168’s. Was also sighting in a 300blk so I was taking three shots, adjusting the scope and then switching rifles.

Groups ranged from 1.25” - 2” but my rear support was awfully suspect. Was extremely soft shooting and since I don’t have an adjustable gas block on the 300blk the SFAR was definitely quieter at the ear than the 8.5” 300.

Only shot one group with the federal gold medal match. Was a 2” group which is not my typical experience with that load. The only failure to load was with the gold medal match.

All brass was landing at about 2:30 6’ away or so. Brass was not very beat up compared to some reports I’ve read but I stayed on gas setting 1 all day.

I think it is a keeper and gives me more confidence for an all around day and night rifle. The weight is awesome and if it keeps running alright it should be good to go.





[img]https://imgur.com/a/rIj3Lgs[/img]

The one I had was a turd

Did it get worse or start pretty bad?

Thanks for the update. Got a buddy who wants a lighter weight AR to shoot deer and pigs within 200 yards. Been wanting to know how this gun performs.

There is a decent sized thread on AR15 dot com on this model

MANY users report the Ruger gas block is contacting the interior of the handguard and SOME suspect this leads to accuracy issues.

The folks over there are either replacing the gas block all together or shaving material from the inside of the handguard

Also use of higher settings than 1 usually kills brass

might get better groups with more magnification and a lighter trigger, just a thought.

The sightmark has 12x on the top end. In daylight it is plenty clear. The trigger is also very decent. I was just using a pair of work gloves on an ammo box as a rear rest. With a sand bag I expect to be able to get a little more accuracy.

Also even though I was alternating between three shot groups on two rifles, since it was 100 degrees the rifles weren’t able to cool and groups got worse as I shot more.

Fortunately mine is set so the gas block is very well centered in the hand guard but the barrel is light enough to flex with the suppressor on so very possible to made contact when shooting. Still plenty accurate for what I’m trying to do.

At night on a tripod I’m not worried about 1/4” groups.

Hard to say, started around 2” and I wasn’t happy

Added suppressor, changed scope, rings and changed ammo

Some groups went from 2”, others 4”

It just seemed to not like ammo overall lol

I wanted it to work, it’s a great idea and fit right.

But it just wouldn’t, I couldn’t make it.

It’s a 2”-4” Gun in my mind

I think Ruger is into something but they don’t have it yet

Maybe I had a lemon, I doubt it but this idea is down the road tech

2”-4” groupings are horrible. How much money do you have wrapped up in this gun?

There has been a lot of discussion about the gas block and the 4 setting gas regulator (0-3). Ruger recommends running it unsuppressed on setting 2 but most SFARs including mine would not cycle consistently on setting 2 so I had to run wide open on setting 3. Ruger has since changed the regulator and I received a replacement via their warranty dept and it now cycles flawlessly on setting 2,

Brass damage (case head gouging) was pretty bad for the first 100-150 rounds I ran through the gun but diminished after I broke it in. Now fired brass is in good shape.

I have not been impressed with the SFAR's accuracy, 1.5-2.5 MOA at 100 yds with several different loads I've tried. Good enough for 100-200 yard hog hunting but I'd like better.

I recently tried Fed GM Match 168 SMK ammo and accuracy was just under 1 MOA. I decided to try to duplicate that load with a hunting bullet, I did some research online and the general consciences on the web is that Federal uses 42.0 - 43.5 gr IMR-4064 power in that round. I pulled the bullets from a couple of the Fed GMM ammo and the powder does appear to be IMR-4064 and weighed 43.5 gr. I loaded 10 rounds each using 165 Nosler BT, 165 SGK and 168 AMAX and 43.5 grains of IMR-4064, CCI #34 primer, Starline brass, 2.800" OAL. The Fed GMM factory velocity was 2468 fps, The velocity using my handloads was 165 Nosler BT- 2505 fps, 165 SGK - 2486 fps and 168 AMAX - 2513 fps, so its a littler hotter than the factory load but within reason. The 165 NBT was the most accurate producing 2 4 shot groups under 1 MOA. Unfortunately each group had one flier that opened them up to just over 2 MOA each.

I'll continue to tweak the 165 NBT IMR-4064 load to see if I can get rid of the fliers. I'll probably reduce the charge a bit and play with the OAL.



I noticed the clearance between the handguard and gas block is tight and I thought it might be touching but I can't tell for sure. Anyone know how to measure that?

Feeler gauges is typically the play , accessing the area is problematic

Why would you work up a load that way? It seems like a waste of time. Run a ladder test or load groups of progressively larger powder throws then pick out the best group.

This is the first time a factory load has outperformed my handloading efforts. I generally do ladders and work up to a powder charge but since the powder charge work had already been done for me by Federal and their load has beaten tall the loads I have worked up, I thought I'd go with what they had and and I must say it worked pretty well. Now I just need to tweak it. I may do a powder ladder using IMR-4064 but first I'll try messing with the OAL.

The 165 NBT groups are Top Right and Bottom Left on the target below.

I'll give feeler gauges a try, thanks! Its tight so I may have to trim the feeler gauge to get it in there

I'd like someone to do a head to head comparison with the Browning BAR Stalker, which is 6.6 pounds with a 22" barrel.

Mandatory viewing if you’re considering buying a SFAR or already own one

Man i like the idea of this rifle, but so many mixed reviews.

I could be talked out of this one. It seems be be on the positive side of the bell curve accuracy wise.

Man, that sure speaks poorly of Ruger quality, at least on this model.

I was able to get mine to shoot federal fusion 150s into 1.25" - 1.5" groups....using a suppressor and had the gas block on setting 2 (I changed out the buffer in mine to an H2). My next range outing will be to see how it cycles on gas setting 1 for a box or 2 and see what drop looks like at 200 yards -