Ruger SR-556E and SIg 516, Opinions?

LeeEnfieldNo.4_mk1

LeeEnfieldNo.4_mk1

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I have really taken a liking to 16 inch carbines lately, and am seriously thinking of selling my 20" heavy build and picking something a little smaller and lighter. Anyone have any opinions on the SR-556E or the Sig 516? Some things that I wonder about the ruger are the non-chrome lined barrel and 1/9 twist. Would a standard barrel be compatible or are the barrels proprietary to the Ruger?

I would like to use this as a general shooter and also do Service Rifle, would the 16 inch be adequate for SR? I understand the standard lengths are 18 and 20.

In Comparison, my build has a 20" ATRS stainless heavy profile barrel, matched Titanium Nitride bolt, 12" Midwest Free float rail, with a pretty much standard lower with Fixed A2 Stock. I was planning on doing more of a precision style rifle, but I figured if Im gonna go that route id rather do one up in .308.

Would this be a wise decision to switch based on my needs for a rifle?

Thanks.
 
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From what I've read good quality but front heavy. Also a piston system. I wouldn't think it would be a good choice for service rifle. Lots of fun but I wouldn't think it would be a good choice for that type of competition.

One more wrinkle. Check out the DPMS GII Recon 16" 308AR. Just picked one up. Pretty nice. Not a service rifle firearm but may be good for 3 gun etc in the heavier calibers.
 
I'm a big fan of the 516. I've only held one, never shot it. It felt far more balanced than the ruger IMO. Also, check out the torture test on YouTube, pretty convincing stuff :)
 
It's an awesome gun, love mine! A bit more heavy but hardly a concern...very reliable & accurate. Ruger makes great guns & reasonably priced!
 
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16" would be a minimum for SR but the best shooters are using 20" C7A1(The CAF shooters) and a lot of the civis are using 18" and 20" match barrels with reloads 75-77gr bullets.
But I know one guy who uses a Norinco 16" and shoots very very well, top 1/3 and another guy who uses a Noveske 16" and always finishes in the top 10.

So in the end its the shooter who knows his gear and can hit the movers at 200m consistently.
I used a 16" Windham Weaponry with an ELCAN Specter Dr 1-4x and could make the 400m-500m shots fairly decent but I cant hit anything on the 200m movers because of bad technique and I cant lay flat on my ankle, (lack of flexibility) in the kneeling position like many of the other shooters who look like Yoga instructors! lol

BTW your 20" ATRS stainless heavy profile barrel is perfect for SR matches...a lot of prone position shots out from 300-400m and 500m
I bought a JP Enterprise 18" match upper for SR matches and will use my DDM4v2 16" for CQB
 
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Thanks for the input. I am still very interested in a Piston system though. I might try and track down a Adams Arms system and convert my 20" over to piston. It wont hurt accuracy that much if at all will it?
 
Sig has the nicest packaged rifle out there period for an AR-15. The 516 series are packed full of so much stuff for the price. The balance very well and there fit and finish are superb. And reliability is not an issue with these at all.
 
LeeEnfieldNo.4_mk1 said:
Thanks for the input. I am still very interested in a Piston system though. I might try and track down a Adams Arms system and convert my 20" over to piston. It wont hurt accuracy that much if at all will it?
Click to expand...

http://info.stagarms.com/blog/bid/297530/The-difference-between-Gas-Piston-and-Direct-Impingement-technology-for-an-AR-15

"The direct impingement has proven itself through the years on the AR-15 platform and replacement parts are inexpensive, easy to obtain, and generally made to a set “mil-spec” standard. Due to the hot gas from the fired cartridge being redirected into the action it will quickly heat up and become dirty requiring a cool down period before the bolt carrier can be removed from the rifle.

The action of a piston rifle remains cool and clean, even after shooting 100 rounds in rapid succession. The bolt carrier can be removed immediately and held in your hand without burning yourself. The trade off for the action staying cool and clean is that you will experience snappier recoil when shooting which makes the piston rifle a little less accurate, especially for follow up shots. Finally, piston system parts are not interchangeable between manufacturers due to there being no set standard and the use of proprietary pistons and bolt carriers."
 
I would go Sig 516. Very light for a piston set up and high quality. Sig also competes for large international contracts. Many of the smaller companies do not and can not pass the rigid government tests.
As far as accuracy is concerned, the HK MR223 is extremely accurate, much better than most DI guns. Quality of the barrel and what you feed it is much more important than wether the gun is DI or Piston.

Rich
 
Rich LPS said:
I would go Sig 516. Very light for a piston set up and high quality. Sig also competes for large international contracts. Many of the smaller companies do not and can not pass the rigid government tests.
As far as accuracy is concerned, the HK MR223 is extremely accurate, much better than most DI guns. Quality of the barrel and what you feed it is much more important than wether the gun is DI or Piston.

Rich
Click to expand...

The HK MR223 is a 4,000 dollar rifle: "The key improvements, made by HK, are their patented self regulating short-stroke gas piston system"
To be objective and fair you cant compare this HK to a $1200-$1500 dollar DI AR...

You need to compare a DI and Piston in the same price range, similar barrel and ammo, although the Piston will be $300-$400 more.
 
Murdoc said:
Sig has the nicest packaged rifle out there period for an AR-15. The 516 series are packed full of so much stuff for the price. The balance very well and there fit and finish are superb. And reliability is not an issue with these at all.
Click to expand...

++1111

I have the Sig516 and it is a tack driver. Get one you won't regret it. Fit and finish are superb. Make you're you clean it before shooting, lots of gunk inside the buffer tube. Ran mine on adverse mode for the first 200 rds for break in and normal settings after. ZERO issues and cleaning the rifle is a breeze. =o)
 
ogradyrw,

Good point, HK is expensive. But I seem to hear everyone say that DI is always more accurate, which is not necessarily the case. Piston guns are usually a bit more expensive than DI guns, way more expensive for the good ones.

Rich
 
Rich LPS said:
ogradyrw,

Good point, HK is expensive. But I seem to hear everyone say that DI is always more accurate, which is not necessarily the case. Piston guns are usually a bit more expensive than DI guns, way more expensive for the good ones.

Rich
Click to expand...

Combat accuracy I would believe are similar at 100m BUT for me it's not that, it's the fact about the parts not being compatible for the piston.
Piston is cleaner than DI. If you're going to be firing at very high sustained rates of fire, like full auto, gas piston is also more reliable.
In the AR platform, civilian semi-auto purposes there is absolutely no advantage to gas piston...
 
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