Ruger AR-556 MPR in 450 Bushmaster

[JDouglas]

I purchased a Ruger AR-556 MPR in 450 Bushmaster a couple weeks ago. It has an 18 3/4” barrel with a 1:16 twist. Ruger is putting their Elite 452 triggers in these. It is a two stage trigger that breaks at 4 1/2 lbs. The furniture is all Magpul with a 15” handguard and it also has a redesigned muzzle brake. The bolt is made from a special super-alloy and the the lugs are beefier and according to Ruger it is the strongest 450 BM bolt on the market. It’s fairly lightweight at 7.4 lbs and it comes with a 5 round magazine. I removed the follower in the bottom of the magazine and now it holds 6.

Before the first range visit I put on a Leopold 2-7X33 Slug Hunter scope. The reason I used this scope is because the BDC reticle matches the ballistics of Hornady 250 FTX perfectly at 50 yd increments out to 300 yds. It is light weight and I can leave it on 7 magnification all the time while hunting deer in Iowa. I already own a Ruger American 450 BM that is a tack driver and I was hoping to get similar accuracy for this rifle. It did not disappoint. First I shot a few groups with factory loaded 250 FTX. It was apparent that the scope would be a limiting factor at 100 yds. My 2 1/2” targets were difficult to see but despite this at 100 yds all the 3 shot groups were under 2” center to center. I brought some reloads along loaded with 37, 37.3, 37.6, 37.9, 38.2, and 38.5 grains of Lil Gun. I loaded three of each charge. I used Lee dies including their factory crimp die and rounds were loaded to the exact same length as Factory Hornady 250 FTX. Primers were Winchester. All the groups were about 1 1/2” CTC with the best group being 37.3 grains and 1/2” CTC making one small ragged hole. All 40 rounds functioned flawlessly. I haven’t read any other reviews on this rifle and took a chance and couldn’t be happier. The MSRP is a little high at $1099 so I waited for it to go on sale at Brownells and got it for $749. I like the Magpul accessories and won’t have to change a thing.

[Al in Mi]

Nice report, first one I've heard on the Ruger.

[JDouglas]

Thanks, here are a few targets.
First the best factory Hornady 250 FTX group out of five groups.

[JDouglas]

Here is the best group that was 37.3 grains of Lil Gun.

[Al in Mi]

That rivals a lot of bolt guns for sure !!!!