A few weeks ago I bought a Ruger American Ranch Rifle chambered for the 5.56x45. It has a 16.1" threaded barrel and weighs 6.1 lbs. without the scope. I mounted a Leupold 2.5X8 scope on it and put an A2 flash hider that I had onto it. I took the to the range today for the first time. I was using mostly Winchester white box 45gr. .223 ammo, although this rifle is chambered to use 5.56x45. When I mounted the Leupold 2.5x8 scope, I didn't bore sight it so the first shot was about 10" high and 1" to the right at 50 yards, so I made adjustments and brought it to the center of the target. I set up a smaller target and ended up with a 1/2" 5 shot group using the 45gr. ammo. 3 shots were in one hole and 2 in another. I then tried 62gr.5.56x45 ammo. It didn't shoot as good and gave me about 1.25" group. It seems to prefer the lighter bullets. I plan to make up some handloads for it before I go back to the range and try it at 100 yards. I was concerned over reports that I had read concerning the magazines not feeding properly, but I had no such problem with it.. This rifle will hold 5 in the magazine.

Nice looking rifle, Big Blue!

Is a larger capacity magazine available?
I don't know what the twist rate is but you should be able to shoot 55 grain bullets for a better BC and wing bucking ability.

It looks nice in the sand color - even if it is a plastic stock it looks better than most others.

they are not too harshly priced over here but little info about how they are going is about. I can see that with a can on it being a great wee rifle to have as a knock around gun.

Blue,
What is the rifling twist?
You'll need 1 in 9 to stabilise tje 62 grainers.
The 55 grainers will stabilise in 1 in 12 to 1 in 14.

From the angle you took the photo it looks like a tikka T3.

Nice.

1:8 twist which will handle 77 SMK. Proprietary rotary magazine.

Very nice picture. Thanks for sharing. All the best...
Gil

I always had good luck in other .223 rifles using 69gr. Nosler Custom Comp. bullets with a heavy dose of Varget. I know every rifle is different, but these have worked well in several rifles including ARs, so I'll load some up and give them a try.