Ruger’s American Ranch In 6.5 Grendel Part II

02/21/2020

Working with the Ruger American Ranch 6.5 Grendel has been a lot of fun. Scoped and silenced, it was tireless at the bench, digesting ammo, putting holes in targets and tolerating without complaint… less than conservative handloads. Yes, comments like that do make manufacturers break out in a rash. They work diligently to be creative in designing product, always staying between the lines for the benefit of their customers and giving clear and concise instructions for safe use of their products. From the product’s manual…

“AMMUNITION: The RUGER AMERICAN RIFLE® is chambered for many of the most popular factory-loaded cartridges manufactured in accordance with U.S. industry practice. The particular caliber for each rifle is rollmarked on the barrel. Use cartridges only of the designated caliber that is marked on the barrel. Please see “Warning – Ammunition” and “Warning – Loading” on page 14.WARNING – LEAD EXPOSURE AMMUNITION (CARTRIDGES) NOTICE WE SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIM RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY DAMAGE OR INJURY WHATSOEVER OCCURRING IN CONNECTION WITH, OR AS A RESULT OF, THE USE IN ANY RUGER FIREARMS OF FAULTY, OR NON-STANDARD, OR “REMANUFACTURED” OR HAND-LOADED (RELOADED) AMMUNITION, OR OF CARTRIDGES OTHER THAN THOSE FOR WHICH THE FIREARM WAS ORIGINALLY CHAMBERED.

Death, serious injury, and damage can result from the wrong ammunition, bore obstructions, powder overloads or incorrect cartridge components. Even the strongest gun can be blown up by excess pressure. Only use correct ammunition loaded to U.S. Industry Standards. Always wear shooting glasses and hearing protection.”

Subsequently, I am in no way shape or form suggesting or recommending any of the handloads that follow in any AR type firearm. As indicated on the handload table spec box, the SAAMI MAP pressure is 52,000 psi measured by transducer method. The handloads that follow fall between 56,000 psi and 60,000 psi MAP, with this particular rifle, with my smokeless powder, with my primers, with my brass, and with my collection of measurement equipment tools at my disposal. This is an academic exercise, my experiment, to explore the potential of the 6.5 Grendel in a bolt action firearm.

Five bullets for the 6.5 Grendel

The five Bullets pictured above were selected. The first three are hunting types, the last two are match and heavy for the cartridge. L-R: Sierra Varminter 100 grain, Sierra Pro-Hunter 120 grain, Nosler Partition 125 grain, Lapua Scenar L 136 grain, Berger Long Range Boat Tail Target. My preference is for the first three; one varmint and two candidates for medium size, thin skilled game. All are flat based and a little thicker in the ogive to preserve case power capacity. The last two are very slick VLD designs that work well in larger 6.5 cartridges and have really no long competitive shooting applications in the American Ranch, a function of its sporter profile 16.1″ barrel.

Warning: Bullet selections are specific, and loads are not valid with substitutions of different bullets of the same weight. Variations in bullet length will alter net case capacity,  pressure and velocity. Primer selection is specific and primer types are not interchangeable. These are maximum loads in my firearms and may be excessive in others. All loads should be reduced by 5% as a starting point for development where cartridges have greater than 40 grains in capacity and 10% for cartridges with less than 40 grain capacity following safe handloading practices as represented in established mainstream reloading manuals. Presentation of these loads does not constitute a solicitation for their use, nor a recommendation.

For loading VLD match jackets with a long tapering ogive and soft jacket and core, it is a good idea to pick up a VDL type seating plug from the associated die manufacturer. All of the major producers offer them at a cost of less than $10. Where necks run tight and are the soul source of bullet retention, seating pressure with a conventional bullet seating plug will damage tips, impacting balance and accuracy.

Cartridge overall length was determined by rifling leade clearance, magazine clearance and bullet seating depth. The AR type magazine never actually came into play as it can contain and feed to an overall length of 3.414″, well beyond SAAMI COL and any assembled length.

Entries on the table, with the charge gains followed by “C”, are compressed in more than a casual way. This is with new and full length resized Hornady brass. Once-fired cases offered a measurable increase in capacity, at least to the extent that a neck sizing die might be the way to go.

For those of us who live with trees and shorter shooting distances, the 120 grain Sierra soft point would outperform the 140 grain Berger inside 300 yards. The space between trees and brush in Maine is about ten feet. Yes, that is an exaggeration for dramatic effect. Thank you for noticing.

So what about the Ruger American Ranch Rifle in 6.5 Grendel?

Yes, that is a silencer. I am ambivalent relative to their use, but my ears are big fans. In this case, the silencer brings even the supersonic dB level well below 130. The American Ranch’s threaded muzzle makes its use possible with even inexpensive direct mounts.

The American Ranch is light, 6 lbs +/-, compact and well balanced. Recoil is less than modest and operation is slick. Accuracy is excellent as is the rifle’s price. Done with the review and handloading exercise, personal time was spent shooting and handloading for an additional week with no greater reason than enjoyment… even in 5°F Maine winter weather.