Ruger Target Grey Stainless M77 Frontier rifle

[michael_aos]

Add maybe .10 for powder and a primer and you are shooting for under .30 a shot.

I can probably get to $.30 for my AR-10. Once-fired Lake City brass, 140gr Core-Lokt bullets.

But with the 43" OAL and 12.21lbs, it's not really "handy".

Mike

[michael_aos]

I bet if you take all that weaver rail, flashlight ninja stuff off your AR in 9x19, you could easily get it around 7 pounds.

I'm at 9.20lbs with the GG&G sling-thing, Magpul stock, Trijicon Accupoint, Armalite 1pc mount. PRI BUIS and cheap vertical forend. 8.02lbs without the scope (BUIS only).

It really is a SWEEEEEET shooter. Grace always complains that she "doesn't like shooting long-guns", but she's always grinning ear-to-ear after she empties a magazine.

Mike

[michael_aos]

This SDI SR-15 has 1/9" twist, so 69gr's should be ideal.

It weighs 6.67lbs with a Leupold 1.5-5x20mm and 6.96lbs with a Leupold 3-9x40mm.

The 1.5-5x20mm seems better suited, but at <4x, I can still see the fixed gas-block. No problem with the 3-9x, even at 3x.

33.75" OAL, and awfully "handy".

Maybe I don't really need another rifle...

:shock:

[Hoser]

This SDI SR-15 has 1/9" twist, ...

What the hell is an SDI SR-15? Pics?

[Marlin]

This SDI SR-15 has 1/9" twist, ...

What the hell is an SDI SR-15? Pics?

+1 on pics.

[michael_aos]

SS&S has the 2005 model (blue bbl) in .243 for $599.

Mike

[michael_aos]

I've thought a little more about the problem I'm trying to solve.

Lets say the premise is if you shoot more, you become a better shot.
And lets presume if it costs less to shoot, I'm able to shoot more.

I've got a "match" AR-15 (20" floated JP bbl, McCormick trigger, ACOG). Weighs 9.42lbs and 39.75" OAL. Over $2K spent. Shoots XM193 for practice and capable of utilizing "match" ammo.

I've got a "match" bolt-gun. Lilja bbl, trued action, HS precision detachable box magazine, Nightforce scope, badger rings & rail. Weighs 12.92lbs and 45" OAL. Over $3K spent. Shoots only "match" ($.50)handloads.

Each is purpose-built, and I think they're about perfect for their respective purpose.

Neither one seems quite "right" for camping, hiking, loaning to a friend, shooting rocks, prairie dogs, crows, random targets of opportunity.

So I think what I want is a general-purpose "practice" rifle shooting "practice" ammo. If these are "top fuel dragsters running nitro methane", then I'm thinking a "Ford Taurus" for the equivalent of daily driving.

But then they say "practice like you play", so then I'm right back where I started.

I've also got that AR-10 in .260, SDI 1/9" SR-15, and an 8lb Ruger K10/22T.

Mike

[michael_aos]

The Ruger Frontier is appealing for a few reasons...

.243 is right between .223 & .264.
Lightweight & short
Relatively inexpensive
Simple & unmodified or customized
Inexpensive 2.5x fixed scope

Downsides
Another purchase (I could shoot a lot of "match" ammo in an existing rifle for the cost of another whole setup).
No cheap factory ammo
Yet ANOTHER caliber to reload
Accuracy is unknown
"different" than either the "match" AR-15 or "match" bolt-gun[/b]

[Gman]

It's funny how these decisions kind of wander. I was looking for a Remington 7615 pump .223 that accepted standard AR mags. I wanted a cheap repeater for plinking and a bit more reach than my handguns. Then I priced a 7615 and it made more sense just to get the AR.

[michael_aos]

Hauled a ton of crap to the range today, and as suspected I didn't use 1/2 of it.

I think the "scout" concept with a 2.5x fixed-power scope isn't going to work for me. I set up an MGM "prairie dog" auto-popper at 300yds. I'd say about 6x was the minimum I needed just to tell what it was. I don't think I ever did even hit it at 6x. 9x was MUCH better.

So I think my "general purpose" rifle would have at least a fixed 6x scope, or something like 2.5-8x, 3-9x, 3.5-10x.

I'm still leaning toward 7-8lbs scoped and around 1m OAL is probably right.

Mike