The Ruger RPR – A Lot of Precision for the Price

Ruger is a mainstay across a variety of shooting disciplines and is also gaining traction in the precision rifle world, thanks to the introduction of the RPR, or Ruger Precision Rifle, introduced by Ruger in 2015. Offered in three chamberings, it was Ruger’s proverbial toe in the water of the precision-rifle world. The following year, Ruger introduced some user-experience enhancements, as well as a few more chamberings.

In 2018, Ruger released magnum-caliber options. The RPR was now well on its way to achieving firm market footing. At this time, centerfire chamberings past and current include:

• .308 Win.
• 6.5 Creedmoor
• 6.5 PRC
• 243 Win.
• 6mm Creedmoor
• 6mm GT
• 5.56 NATO
• 338 Lapua Mag.
• 300 Win. Mag.
• 300 PRC

Today, the RPR has found a niche on the firing line as a precision-rifle contender without the ultra-custom price tag.  While the RPR began a decade ago with limited chambering options, today it boasts a selection of caliber offerings that appeal to the short to magnum afficionados.

Caliber aside, there are a few different configuration options available. The standard features of the Ruger Precision Rifle include a heavy-contour barrel in a caliber-appropriate length and twist rate. Depending on configuration, this is a stainless steel or chrome-moly barrel.

The buttstock is similar, but not identical, on all models and offers significant adjustment function, including length-of-pull, comb elevation and buttpad height. All modifications are user serviceable and require no tools. Most can be completed one-handed, as well.

The next shared feature is the grip. Ruger equipped each unit with the Magpul MOE-K2+ grip, providing functional control through a vertical design.

Here’s where it gets interesting. Ruger took a custom-rifle approach to a production-gun price point. It created models integrating high-demand features with affordable components in functional calibers. Ruger offers the up-leveled RPRs with a TriggerTech two stage trigger with Frictionless Release Technology. The system comes with user-serviceable trigger-weight adjustment screws, because a crisp, clean and consistent trigger is arguably one of the more important characteristics of a precision rifle. The standard Ruger RPRs use a Ruger Marksman Adjustable trigger. This is user-serviceable using a wrench stored in the bolt shroud when not in use. Adjustment range is from 2.25 to 5 pounds.

Moving forward, some models include a barrier stop installed forward of the standard oversize magazine well, facilitating improved positional support for the shooter. The more standardized models feature a blunt-faced section forward of the magazine well for bracing against a barricade. Barrel options are different as well. The standard configurations feature a heavy contour, cold-hammer forged chrome-moly steel barrel with a proprietary Ruger Precision brake. The up-leveled models have a custom heavy-contour stainless barrel of caliber appropriate length with an accuracy maximized twist. These models feature an APA muzzle brake.

Up next for examination is the handguard. Ruger brought a few different options to the table in its precision rifle line up. First, we have the standard configuration: A freefloat, anodized-aluminum handguard with M-Lok slots on all sides to facilitate maximum optic and accessory flexibility. On the premium models, Ruger made the handguard a flat-bottomed, target-centric component with an integral dovetail on the bottom. To further delineate the premium vs. the pedestrian, Ruger offers a few models with modular weight accessories. We’ll touch more on this shortly.

In the precision rifle world, optics are their own beast entirely. Big tubes, huge objectives, oversize dials and enough bells and whistles to land a plane, optic compatibility is a huge selling point. The RPR is supremely optics friendly, with all models featuring a 20-MOA Picatinny rail for mounting optics. The RPR is made in right hand only, but both the standard and up-leveled models have ambidextrous manual safety controls.

Let’s circle back to weight. First off, precision rifles buck the carb-counting approach to rifles seen in many other applications. No Keto or carbon here, these things unloaded without an optic range from 11.5 pounds to 15.2 pounds. Add an optic, some accessories and a loaded mag and you have a full-figured firearm.

Continuing with weight, the RPR has an additional option in the premium tier of rifles. A couple of models come configured with M-Lok compatible weights for the handguard. In an apples-to-apples comparison, the RPR in 6 GT is available with weights for an MSRP of $3,349 or without for $2,799. The net difference is 2.2 pounds and $550. One has to weigh the convenience factor against ones’ after-market scavenging talents to figure that one out.

All that said, the Ruger Precision Rifle line-up is a great option for the precision rifle enthusiast looking for a great out of the box option with a strong foundation for growth if desired. The price of precision can be high, but the RPR brings production price point platforms to the table with custom precision features.

For more information, visit ruger.com.