The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Tactical Rifle & Carbine => Topic started by: ECVMatt on April 30, 2011, 01:00:07 PM
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This is a follow up to my original thread posted here:
http://rugerforum.net/ruger-bolt-action/31410-first-impressions-my-ruger-gsr-i-finally-got-shoot.html (http://rugerforum.net/ruger-bolt-action/31410-first-impressions-my-ruger-gsr-i-finally-got-shoot.html)
I now have about 350 rounds through the rifle with no problems related to the rifle. I have found it is very accurate and recoil appears to be on the mild side.
I have added a scope and finally got to shoot it for some groups. The scope has proved to be a challenge because I am used to a high magnification/fine cross hair varmint type scope. The scope is a standard Leupold Scout scope with heavy duplex. I am really warming up to this type of scope however. It is very fast and provided and good sight picture.
So I headed up to my range north of LA. I belong to a hunting club and we have a couple of trap ranges and a rifle range on our property so this provides a quiet and relaxed place to shoot.
(http://i338.photobucket.com/albums/n431/ECVMatt/bench.jpg)
I got the rifle on paper at 50 yards and then moved back to 100. It was challenging for me to shoot at this distance because of the low magnification and the heavy duplex reticle. Here is a picture of a typical 100 yard group:
(http://i338.photobucket.com/albums/n431/ECVMatt/100c.jpg)
I then came up with an idea to shoot a little bit tighter groups. I would first split the pie or cut the circle into four even pieces in the scope. Then I would cover the red dot in the center with the cross hairs and press the trigger. This is my best group using that method:
(http://i338.photobucket.com/albums/n431/ECVMatt/100b.jpg)
I realize that this is not how the rifle was intended to be shot, but I need to confirm my zero and make sure my load was grouping correctly.
Here is a comparison shot of the two groups for perspective:
(http://i338.photobucket.com/albums/n431/ECVMatt/100a.jpg)
Next I went to 25 yards (top) and shot as quickly as possible from a low ready position and then moved back to the 50 yard line (bottom) and did it again. Here are the groups:
(http://i338.photobucket.com/albums/n431/ECVMatt/CloseRange.jpg)
The one thing I learned from this is that beyond 25 yards, I need some type of rest or position change to hit. At 50 I knelled down and used a pipe for support. Although it slowed me down a bit, I was able to hit the target with much better accuracy. I have a lot of practicing to do.
Finally I loaded up the rifle and went for a walk to check the back fence to see if anyone has been coming on to our property. It took about an hour and I enjoyed hefting the rifle. It carries well for me and is easy to carry through the light bush we have up there. Here are some random shots I took of the rifle on this walk:
(http://i338.photobucket.com/albums/n431/ECVMatt/GSR3-1.jpg)
(http://i338.photobucket.com/albums/n431/ECVMatt/GSR2-1.jpg)
(http://i338.photobucket.com/albums/n431/ECVMatt/GSR1-1.jpg)
Final thoughts:
C-Products mags continue to suck. Do not buy them or any from the new company. They have bugs.
Muzzle blast is a non issue. It is not louder than the other two rifles I was shooting yesterday.
Accuracy is very good. With a conventional scope it would be possible to shoot some great groups. Don't believe the "Ruger's Can't Shoot" myth.
Overall this is a great little rifle and works exactly how I hoped it would. It is prefect for protecting my rural property and it very fun to shoot.
Hope this was informative.
Matt