Ruger RPR 223

Stugotsnutz

Stugotsnutz

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Ruger RPR 223
First off, I understand the feeling of being not a caliber for precision, that being said. Any ideas on why else it is discontinued. Was interested coming from an AR format to an RPR, seemed like a logical step, but now worried about Rugers decision to stop making it, is it just a demand thing or more serious concerns with the design. Not issues like mags, and bolt shroud, simple fixes. Thanks any info is helpful before I take the plunge.
 
Almost certainly a demand decision. Which sucks, because a 223 trainer is the best way to become a better shooter imho.
 
todbartell said:
so expensive. Ruger probably sold a hundred American Predator 223's for every RPR.
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Perhaps, but doesn't Ruger still sell enough rpr 308, when they are the same price as the 223 models in relation to American predictors in 308?
So is the caliber demand is the relevant criterion, not the model and price point. I suppose because of the lack of distance capability or 223, not the model or expense. I like the format, adjustability, etc of the rpr, was concerned if there was a functionality problem, rather than merely demand or less expensive options available, that may explain why they stopped production. I understand your reasoning, just seems like an apples and oranges comparison.
 
What makes you think the .223 can’t reach out? A slow twist barrel shooting 55gr bullets might not get there. With a fast twist you can push 80, 82 and 90 gr bullets out to 1000 yards without a problem. In fact the 80 gr SMK is a little better in the wind than a 155 gr .308 SMK bullet. Bullet drop between the 80’s in .233 and 155gr .308 are almost identical.
 
Just general consensus I suppose, Maynard, I don't know that they are okay out to 1000, since I have only shot my AR out to 300 with hornady 75 bthp. That's why I started this thread hoping to justify the rpr in 223, not just anything in 223, but a similar format with some more flexibility in adjustment.
Thanks
Stu
 
75 gr bullets will make the trip to 1000 yards if you have the twist. I think the RPR in .223 has a 1:9" so it should be OK.
 
maynard said:
What makes you think the .223 can’t reach out? A slow twist barrel shooting 55gr bullets might not get there. With a fast twist you can push 80, 82 and 90 gr bullets out to 1000 yards without a problem. In fact the 80 gr SMK is a little better in the wind than a 155 gr .308 SMK bullet. Bullet drop between the 80’s in .233 and 155gr .308 are almost identical.
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Trajectories perhaps, but visual indication of a hit is going to be a problem.

maynard said:
75 gr bullets will make the trip to 1000 yards if you have the twist. I think the RPR in .223 has a 1:9" so it should be OK.
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It is a 1 in 7".
 
I would suspect that the discontinuation of the .223 RPR is due to poor sales because the average person doesn't consider the .223 to be a viable long range round. I'm not saying it isn't capable but all things considered it wouldn't be my first choice either.

I would hazard a guess and say that we could expect to see the RPR released in .224 Valkyrie in the future. The Valkyrie is a round that was specifically designed from the ground up to do a better job at doing what people are only trying to accomplish with the regular old .223 Rem.
 
My personal experience with the 5.56 model is this:

I have no issues running warm / hot factory loads so far; my idea of hot is Federal Green Tip xm855 62gr ammo and this stuff is running north of 3100 fps in my gun's barrel. If there is cratering, it is very slight and usually means i left a round chambered in a warm barrel during 30 deg NB summer weather while shooting PRS style courses of fire.

Handloads, I can't really comment / gripe about the factory chamber as I haven't played with anything else other than ARs with 5.56 chambers. These are the OALs i get with the following bullets touching the lands using hornady OAL gauge with modified case:

2.412" with 80gr Hornady ELD-M (These stabilize quite well in the 1-7" twist for the factory barrel.) I have managed to get 2800 fps with the factory 20" barrel and it takes me approx 35 MOA with a 100m zero to dial to 1000m. With no wind, these things are impressive and give 178s in .308 some serious competition.

2.402" with 75gr Hornady Amax (I wish Hornady still made these....)

2.260" with Sierra 69 SMK (this is cool cuz my bulk accuracy load for ARs / AR mag length are 0.010" off the lands already and shoot like I worked up the load specifically for the RPR....lol)

The factory mags will accept an internal OAL of roughly 2.550"; lots of wiggle room to seat 80gr bullets. The only other mags I've tried are MDT polymer 223 mags; these almost work but due to the short feed lips and the shape of the RPR's bolt body can misfeed / double feed. Accurate mag steel 223 mags with the binder plate removed are gonna be my next mag to try down the road.
Some might even say the choice of AICS style magazines hindered sales too. I've seen some angry youtube reviews where people who bought the RPR were disappointed that it doesn't take AR mags like the mossberg MVP.

For a .223 bolt gun, it may not be the lightest option. Mine has a Vortex Viper Gen 1 PST 6-24 in MDT rings with a harris bipod and weighs almost 14 lbs unloaded.

Overall, the RPR in 5.56mm could make an awesome trainer / bulk practice gun if you already have an RPR in 6.5mm / .308 / 6mm or even one of the discontinued .243 models.
 
That's too bad because the 223 RPR is my fave.
Its one of the few production rifles that has an action and magazine long enough to feed the 223 with 80 grainers with an OAL of 2.5 inches and throated accordingly... And eject a live round at that length.
This really helps get the most out of such a small caliber.
I get around 2850 FPS with mine and you could never get there with SAMMI spec OAL.
SAMMI spec for 223 is like 2.25 inches OAL and the extra 1/4 inch helps get up to about 25 grains of Varget depending on how light your cases are and if fire formed.

Lots of guys are talking about the 224 Valkyrie, but really with the RPR 223 you can hand load for just about equivalent performance.
 
Maple57 said:
That's too bad because the 223 RPR is my fave.
Its one of the few production rifles that has an action and magazine long enough to feed the 223 with 80 grainers with an OAL of 2.5 inches and throated accordingly... And eject a live round at that length.
This really helps get the most out of such a small caliber.
I get around 2850 FPS with mine and you could never get there with SAMMI spec OAL.
SAMMI spec for 223 is like 2.25 inches OAL and the extra 1/4 inch helps get up to about 25 grains of Varget depending on how light your cases are and if fire formed.

Lots of guys are talking about the 224 Valkyrie, but really with the RPR 223 you can hand load for just about equivalent performance.
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Maple, how did you get yours throated? I can only load 80gr ELDM up to about 2.390" before they start touching the lands.
 
adamg said:
Maple, how did you get yours throated? I can only load 80gr ELDM up to about 2.390" before they start touching the lands.
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Mine came that way.... using 80 grain SMKs anyway.
Not sure about the ELDMs... could be the ELDMs have a stout nose profile compared to 80 SMKs.
 
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