Stinky Coyote, nice write up and review of Rugers baby Grendel...
Ive built several AR pattern guns in 6.5 Grendel and have become a fan of the caliber, especially for hunting whitetails. Last fall my son dropped a whitetail at approximately 100 yards with his 12 Grendel AR. He fired a single 123 grain Hornady SST and the deer dropped like it was hit by a bolt of lightning. When I saw the Ruger Ranch chambered in 6.5 Grendel sitting in my local dealers lineup, I almost sprained my arm reaching for my wallet.
I topped mine with a Leupold 2-7 power scope with the Fire Dot illuminated center of the crosshairs. The reticle lines in this scope are a bit thicker than I like for a long range scope, however the dot allows me to take a shot in the dark woods at the end of legal shooting. Additionally, the 2 power is perfect for an in-the-woods short range shot and at 7 power I can make good hits out past any distance this rifle might see.
This is a short and handy rifle! Ive put a flash hider/suppressor host on the nose to allow me to quickly twist on a SilencerCo Omega 300 can. The suppressor muffles the Grendel round to where it sounds like an unsuppressed 22LR fired from a rifle. Easily hearing safe.
My complaints are similar to SCs. First, I am accustomed to having the ability to lock the bolt. This feature becomes a plus when moving through brush which can snag and inadvertently open your action. I assume the simplicity of the rifles action precludes adding this feature without prohibitively increasing cost.
Second, I find the butt-pad is too sticky and can prematurely grab clothing before I have it properly positioned on my shoulder. Although the Grendel doesnt have recoil requiring such a robust pad, they likely designed it to soak up the thump of another Ranch caliber, the 450 Bushmaster. On that, will any of Rugers other butt-pads fit the Ranch stock with a less sticky material? When I say fit I mean it will screw on without any fitting.
Overall, this little rifle will compete for my favor when I reach for a deer rifle this fall. Currently my other Grendel choice is an 18 AR with a 1-8 Trijicon LPVO. Both are more than enough gun for whitetails in my area; Both are handy and quick to point; Both have clear glass suitably powered for in-the-woods short range and any longer range shots I might take; And both are set up to accept my suppressor.
I think the short little Ranch Rifle will be my choice.
Edmo
Ive built several AR pattern guns in 6.5 Grendel and have become a fan of the caliber, especially for hunting whitetails. Last fall my son dropped a whitetail at approximately 100 yards with his 12 Grendel AR. He fired a single 123 grain Hornady SST and the deer dropped like it was hit by a bolt of lightning. When I saw the Ruger Ranch chambered in 6.5 Grendel sitting in my local dealers lineup, I almost sprained my arm reaching for my wallet.
I topped mine with a Leupold 2-7 power scope with the Fire Dot illuminated center of the crosshairs. The reticle lines in this scope are a bit thicker than I like for a long range scope, however the dot allows me to take a shot in the dark woods at the end of legal shooting. Additionally, the 2 power is perfect for an in-the-woods short range shot and at 7 power I can make good hits out past any distance this rifle might see.
This is a short and handy rifle! Ive put a flash hider/suppressor host on the nose to allow me to quickly twist on a SilencerCo Omega 300 can. The suppressor muffles the Grendel round to where it sounds like an unsuppressed 22LR fired from a rifle. Easily hearing safe.
My complaints are similar to SCs. First, I am accustomed to having the ability to lock the bolt. This feature becomes a plus when moving through brush which can snag and inadvertently open your action. I assume the simplicity of the rifles action precludes adding this feature without prohibitively increasing cost.
Second, I find the butt-pad is too sticky and can prematurely grab clothing before I have it properly positioned on my shoulder. Although the Grendel doesnt have recoil requiring such a robust pad, they likely designed it to soak up the thump of another Ranch caliber, the 450 Bushmaster. On that, will any of Rugers other butt-pads fit the Ranch stock with a less sticky material? When I say fit I mean it will screw on without any fitting.
Overall, this little rifle will compete for my favor when I reach for a deer rifle this fall. Currently my other Grendel choice is an 18 AR with a 1-8 Trijicon LPVO. Both are more than enough gun for whitetails in my area; Both are handy and quick to point; Both have clear glass suitably powered for in-the-woods short range and any longer range shots I might take; And both are set up to accept my suppressor.
I think the short little Ranch Rifle will be my choice.
Edmo
Embrace the Automation...