Opinions on the Ruger GSR 16" .308

[madashell]

Even though it's a different model, it's kinda like the Ruger compact.... heavier than it should be. Which is the laminate stock I think.

It's not the prettiest gun, but it is utilitarian as mentioned so I see the appeal.

 

[BeaverMeat]

Wow, some people sure don't like things that challenge the norm.

 

[SuperCub]

Wow, some people sure don't like things that challenge the norm.

I don't like things that are made for the sake of looks without a thought to its practical use.

The 3 rounder mag is a big upgrade for usefulness.

 

[todbartell]

there's no more practical firearm than the Ruger GSR

 

[BeaverMeat]

I don't like things that are made for the sake of looks without a thought to its practical use.

The 3 rounder mag is a big upgrade for usefulness.

I mean the norm of blued steel and wood with engravings and over-glossed finish...

 

[Superbrad]

I don't like things that are made for the sake of looks without a thought to its practical use.

The 3 rounder mag is a big upgrade for usefulness.

there's no more practical firearm than the Ruger GSR

I agree with Tod..... although I also understand supercub’s opinion.....

The three round mag is an absolute must.... the ten rounder is an absolute abomination.... and fully loaded, it makes the rifle unnecessarily heavy...... but I do love having it just for range testing.....

The adjustable LOP is very handy and the action is very solid..... I can’t imagine a better dogging rifle to be honest..... or an “all arounder” out to 300.....

I have a holosun red dot on mine as well an xs site rail and it is easily under 7 pounds with the 3 shot mag installed....

 

[sherlockbonez]

I prefer the 5 rd magpul over the 3 or the 10. The 3 rounder has a nice cover and i leave that in my backpack but use the 5.

 

[TacticalTeacher]

I've had my GSR in .308 for over 2 years. I have always suffered from GUN ADD (or ADHD) And rifles tend to come and go among my shooting irons. This GSR seems to stay.

I've deliberately bought the 16.1" blued barrel in Synthetic stock since it's so light and reasonably stiff ( for some accuracy versus the typical SPS M700 Remmy noodle soft black stocks).

Love the 3 round resin Ruger magazines, but also accumulated a couple of 5 round Magpul AICS magazines along the way. I keep that 10 round Ruger (Accurate Mag sourced) branded steel magazine at home in the storage cabinet. The GSR is stupid accurate. I scoped a Vortex Crossfire 2 x 7 Scout scope and successfully grouped 3 booolits into 1.25"..... dead deer.

Then I dismounted that scope and ring set... then sold it off since this was my iron sight bush pushing with puppy dogs up in WMU 47 (Ontario). Now many of you will know me from the M14/ M305 circles as the "Clinic Guy" and also my affinity for M14/M1 Garand rigs that are so lovingly accurized, but heavy for pushing bush (Don't get old like me....) I love this look since the muzzle brake and front sight being protected by 'wide wings' sure look M14ish. Just an aesthetic thing with me, I guess.

So with a 6" black bullseye at 100m at my range from the bench ( I suck on the bench technique), I was able to iron sight 5 booolits around an orange (not Mandarin) but Florida navel style grouping. Dead deer, I figured.

I started playing with the windage adjustments and soon, I was shooting POI = POA and life is good. For you new dudes, that means Point of Impact = Point of Aim. Or simply put, "What you see is what you get". I am loving this Ruger GSR. They really hit the ball outta da park with this version! Yeah, it set me back $1400 taxes in and delivered but "There are many like this one, but this one is MINE...."


I'm really excited about carting this baby in the bush next week (Nov 6-9 , 2017)

All I can say is : get what works for you since only YOU gotta carry that baby around. Get what works for your budget, your eye appeal, your impulses, your budget, your LCF (looks cool factor), your game, your hunting style, and your success rates. It's gotta work for you and only you! Just like you guys showing up at my Precision Rifle matches. It's gotta be yours! You have to be comfortable with that rig and it's controls. You aren't gonna achieve success if you ain't confident in your rig!

Now for the other brand lovers out there... my low light afternoon scoped rig is another Remmy M700 SPS .260 with a Leupy on top.

And I did just sell my "never sell" M70 Winnie Featherlight so I can set up my 2nd son with his own SPS M700 .308 I just bought last Saturday from Ellwood Epps' used rack for $575.

I have a soft spot for Winnie Model 70s but Remmy M700s keep following me home!

Thanks for all the feedback for you other GSR shooters!

Cheers and regards,

Barney

 

[GMC403]

I don't like things that are made for the sake of looks without a thought to its practical use.

The 3 rounder mag is a big upgrade for usefulness.

A short barreled, Stainless/Laminate, Detachable Mag fed, CRF Action Rifle, Chambered in an excellent all round cartridge, with iron sights and an adjustable LOP seems really practical to me...... but maybe I'm just weird.

The flash hider and 10 round mag are kinda silly though.

 

[wapitiwhacker]

Hhhhmmm, kinda chuckling, as a lot of the criticisms are are not without merit. Mine (an 18.5") has factory furniture, an XS rail, and a Burris 2-7 Scout scope. It weighs in at 8lb. 13oz. with a loaded 3 round poly mag, and a Slogan sling or 9lbs even with an Andy's Rhodesian sling.

Ugly? Yeah, debatable, I certainly thought so when I first saw pictures of that stock. For some reason it doesn't look as bad in real life, and that butt ugly butt actually does a really nice job of absorbing recoil.

Heavy? Yup, for it's size it sure seems to be, but the barrel contour allows lots of fun at the range without waiting huge amounts of time for barrel cooling, and for whatever reason it carries a lot easier than you would think. It does not feel like a 9lb rifle traipsing through the bush with it, either slung over a shoulder or in a single hand carry.

Expensive? They do seem to be getting up there. I just watched the EE and paid under $900 shipped to my door.

Hard to argue with the overall length, as it is really handy to bash through thick bush with, and if you happen to want to carry it on a quad it'll fit across the bow and be inside the fender width.

Accuracy is hard to argue with either. No, it's not a target rifle, but just for giggles the other day I touched off 9 rounds of unknown lineage. Stuff I had cleaned out of my fathers gun room when we moved him out of his home. I think I had two 180 spitzers, 4 180 RNSP and 3 155 SPBT. All grouped quite respectably and definitely within minute of deer at 100 yds.

Heavy, and ugly? ya maybe, but handy and accurate trump that to make it a great little rifle to have in my safe.

As Tactical Teach said above, whatever floats your boat!

 

[madashell]

I agree with Tod..... although I also understand supercub’s opinion.....

The three round mag is an absolute must.... the ten rounder is an absolute abomination.... and fully loaded, it makes the rifle unnecessarily heavy...... but I do love having it just for range testing.....

The adjustable LOP is very handy and the action is very solid..... I can’t imagine a better dogging rifle to be honest..... or an “all arounder” out to 300.....

I have a holosun red dot on mine as well an xs site rail and it is easily under 7 pounds with the 3 shot mag installed....

That's a pretty respectable weight actually.

 

[BeaverMeat]

Now for the barrel length debate.

18 or 16?

Is that 2" reduced length worth the loss of velocity? Is it going to be a major factor down range at 300 yards when it comes to ballistics and knock-down power?

Let's not talk about muzzle devises... I really don't need a brake for a repeater. Flashhider just because.

 

[elker]

No one complains that it is too LOUD? 16 inches barrel will kill your ears before killing anything.

 

[wapitiwhacker]

Now for the barrel length debate.

18 or 16?

Is that 2" reduced length worth the loss of velocity? Is it going to be a major factor down range at 300 yards when it comes to ballistics and knock-down power?

Let's not talk about muzzle devises... I really don't need a brake for a repeater. Flashhider just because.

My 18.7" balances pretty much right at the magazine with a 2-7 scout scope. I don't think going with the longer barrel will be a detriment to balance with a forward mounted scope, maybe even slightly tail heavy with the shorter barrel? Personally I would take the extra 100 fps that TB says you get with 2.6" more barrel, even more-so if it means a little less muzzle blast.

 

[madashell]

Now for the barrel length debate.

18 or 16?

Is that 2" reduced length worth the loss of velocity? Is it going to be a major factor down range at 300 yards when it comes to ballistics and knock-down power?

Let's not talk about muzzle devises... I really don't need a brake for a repeater. Flashhider just because.

At typical hunting ranges in my experience the 2" here won't make any real world difference.

 

[Can-down]

No one complains that it is too LOUD? 16 inches barrel will kill your ears before killing anything.

Short barrels are louder but it's not like an 18.5" barrel is quiet.

 

[madashell]

Short barrels are louder but it's not like an 18.5" barrel is quiet.

Beat me to it ...

 

[jparent]

I have a 16.5" with a Linear Compensator on the front. It is no louder than any other 308 rifle i have fired, and quite a bit quieter than many, much smaller calibers. 223 included.

 

[flyr]

No one complains that it is too LOUD? 16 inches barrel will kill your ears before killing anything.

Remove flash hider, install S&J linear comp(nano) it will tone it down a bit for the shooter.
https://sjhardware.com/collections/accessories/products/nano-linear-comp-nlc-1-762
I have one, and install it if I am going to be shooting full power jacketed hunting rounds, as opposed to the cast I normally shoot at the range while wearing ear pro.

Edit: did not see post #38 above before posting.

 

[madashell]

Remove flash hider, install S&J linear comp(nano) it will tone it down a bit for the shooter.
https://sjhardware.com/collections/accessories/products/nano-linear-comp-nlc-1-762
I have one, and install it if I am going to be shooting full power jacketed hunting rounds, as opposed to the cast I normally shoot at the range while wearing ear pro.

Edit: did not see post #38 above before posting.

I like the compact size of the Nano comp. Any report on how it helps with muzzle climb ? Wondering how that little guy would do on an SKS barrel if there's enough meat on it to thread.