Ruger American Ranch - Which Caliber?

[p_ham]

Not much to gain with the AI chamber in .223.

Only 175-200fps..

I wonder how going about AI'ing a 5.56 would go as I assume most reamers are based on 223 AI and some of the neck/throat dimensions of a 556 chamber might be larger than those in a AI reamer. Or are there reamers that don't even touch the throat?

556 has a larger diameter freebore than 223, but throat length varies. Shortest to longest: 223, 223 wylde, 556, 223 match. I'm not sure what the standard spec is for 223ai.

Neck dimensions are very close, with the match chamber being the tightest.

You can get body reamers but I'm not sure it'd be worth the money to have one ground.
You can also get reamers ground to whatever spec you want but expect to pay about $400 for a reamer.

 

[Wind Gypsy]

Only 175-200fps..


556 has a larger diameter freebore than 223, but throat length varies. Shortest to longest: 223, 223 wylde, 556, 223 match. I'm not sure what the standard spec is for 223ai.

Neck dimensions are very close, with the match chamber being the tightest.

You can get body reamers but I'm not sure it'd be worth the money to have one ground.
You can also get reamers ground to whatever spec you want but expect to pay about $400 for a reamer.

Yep, didn't know how that would play with a 223AI reamer if the neck/freebore diameters were smaller, especially with a reamer that had a longer/narrower freebore than a .556. Would be some funky throat geometry!

 

[p_ham]

Yep, didn't know how that would play with a 223AI reamer if the neck/freebore diameters were smaller, especially with a reamer that had a longer/narrower freebore than a .556. Would be some funky throat geometry!

Ya it could end up with a weird compound throat

 

[Cornbread]

Too bad they don't offer a .25-06

 

[tzone]

I have a .223 /5.56 and a .300 BO. The .223 has dropped more deer and pigs than I can count. The .300 BO was a bad caliber choice for my type of shooting. Probably going to sell it or trade it sometime.

What don't you like about the 300 BO?

 

[Redmt]

What don't you like about the 300 BO?

Too short of a range.

 

[Don Fischer]

.223 and then take it to your local GS and have it chambered for 223AI. Sweet rifle and cartridge.

Why not just get a 22-250 and call it good?

 

[Wind Gypsy]

Why not just get a 22-250 and call it good?

This thread is a poll of choosing a cartridge. 5.56 is an option, 22-250 is not.

 

[aroundandout]

.223. ammo availability/cost to shoot.

 

[Sam Colt]

Neighbor bought 2 ranch rifles in 5.56. Says after they come for his AR, he needs something to shoot the 25,000 rounds of green tips he has tucked in the crawl space.

 

[pilsner]

.223 all day
Check out the nearly.5k reply long thread of pics of deer/elk/moose/bears taken with 223 and 77grain TMKs over on RokSlide forum.

 

[USAF Ret]

.223 all day
Check out the nearly.5k reply long thread of pics of deer/elk/moose/bears taken with 223 and 77grain TMKs over on RokSlide forum.

I have read it. I am loading the 77 TMKs.

 

[Redman]

.223 accurate, fun to shoot, can be used on varmints to deer, and ammo is everywhere.

 

[USAF Ret]

.223 accurate, fun to shoot, can be used on varmints to deer, and ammo is everywhere.

The ammo being everywhere is about to change. Ugh. But, I have enough components to keep me good for a while.

 

[Ringbill27]

7.62x39 is the obvious choice. Cheap plinking ammo and 123gr TSX w/ 29.5grs +/- more or less of an unknown powder = 2500fps at the muzzle. Deadly on deer.

Naw 7.62x39 is my favorite of the ranch rifles but probably not the best these days.

What did you end up with???