Ruger Ranch 5.56/223

L

LIVINtheLIFE

New member
Hey everyone. New to the forum and somewhat new to predator hunting, other then on my previous trap line dedicated predator hunting is new to me. Anyways I just ordered a Ruger American Ranch in 5.56/223, 16.5” 1:8. Unfortunately because of ammo shortage in Canada there is nothing available in my local area for factory ammo(aside from some cheaper Federal Eagle FMJ rounds, I plan to buy a couple boxes, use to sight the rifle in and re-use the brass), so I’m forced to start reloading from the get go.

In saying that anybody with experience with this rifle or similar and what your using would be great! Primary animals I will be after are coyote and wolves, we have more wolves in the area then coyote, but our coyotes do get rather big ~40lbs. I have some BLC2 and CFE223 on hand at the moment, federal match primers, but I have not ordered any bullets yet, this is where I’m stuck. My local supplier can get just about anything Hornady or Winchester right now but that’s it. I don’t wanna waste $$$ on 100piece boxes if I don’t have to, which is where anybody with this particular rifle might be able to help out. I’m leaning towards a box of Winchester 46gr HP to use on the coyotes and the Winchester 64gr PP for wolves and deer. Hornady substitutes potentially are the Varmint 55gr SP’s and the Match 60gr BTHP. I could also go for the VMax’s, not really a price issue more so I don’t want them to splash on wolves or bigger coyote. Minimal fur damage is a must. Thanks everyone!
 
I can try to help your new venture a little bit. I've got some Hornady 55 sp's, Nosler 55BT's and some Nosler 52 gr. hp's. PM me your address and I'll send enough to work up a load with each bullet.

I forgot to add, welcome to the forum.
 
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I shoot 53 grain V MAX on our Okla coyotes,but with wolves in the picture I would probably go with a different bullet design to get deeper into them.I deer hunt with my 223 and have good results with Barnes Triple Shock bullets.Have to go after a wolf one time in my life.Good luck and keep us informed.
 
Originally Posted By: SubpaRI can try to help your new venture a little bit. I've got some Hornady 55 sp's, Nosler 55BT's and some Nosler 52 gr. hp's. PM me your address and I'll send enough to work up a load with each bullet.

I forgot to add, welcome to the forum.

Outstanding gesture!!! Good on you SubpaR!!! Good people here!!!
 
I'd go with the 64gr PP for everything you knever know what is going to respond to your call in wolf country. The little 46gr Win HP is what they load in the 22 Hornet and 218 Bee so might be a little fragile for the 223 on larger game. I did load them years ago in the 223 when I could get them bulk cheap and used reduced loads for ground squirrels raiding my garden and for hunting snowshoe rabbit for the pot.

The 55gr softpoints should do the trick also.
 
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I have had good luck with the Sierra 52 grain bthp bullet in several 22 caliber cartridges ranging in size from 221 FB to 22-250 and 220 Swift. The 8" twist barrel should give you lots of other options with longer/heavier bullets. The Mini-14 can be finicky, nut hopefully you'll find a bullet that will shoot well in it.

btw - I'm a born and raised Texas native (north central Texas) and I see and hear "from the git go" being used fairly often. Maybe I'm limited in awareness, but I don't think I've ever seen "from the get go" in print before. Is it a Canadian saying?
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I have an 18 inch 1/8 that shoots Hornady 60 grain V-Max really well around 2900fps with Canadian made AA2015.

For Wolves though... Hmm..

My dream is to be in this dilemma.
 
The Win 64gr Power Points would be the go to bullet for wolf country. The Nosler 60gr partition would be my second choice. Note the rifle in my avitar. Feel free tp PM me as i have tricked my SSRanch and it is a consistent 1.5 MOA shooter. However its favorite bullet is the 53gr Sierra MatchKing but i am not in wolf country so I have not worked up loads for bullets over 60gr in the 1:9 barrel.
 
Ive got that rifle shoots 55 gr vmax great. I load it over a max load of varget but I'm sure one of your powders will work fine.
Should be as much chance for splash at the lower velocity youll get out of short barrel 556.
 
What ever bullet you decide on, you should probably crimp the bullet in since it's a semi auto.. This means something with a cannelure.

I would go with a 64gr or bigger myself. That rifle can be finicky! FL size & keep your case lengths very close in tolerance & crimp firmly into the cannelure. CFE is a good powder to go with.

Good luck
 
I'm a little confused if the OP is talking about the Ruger Mini 14 Ranch Rifle or the Ruger American bolt action Ranch Rifle?
 
Could be the bolt! the mini 14 is what I own so it was the first thing to pop in mind... The bolt will be easier to load for no doubt.
Either way, you made a great choice for fur in IMO.

Good luck
 
I have a ranch in 5.56 as well. I have been having good luck with cfe 223 and the 60 grain Hornady sp as well as the 55sp. I have a few 64 pp on hand but haven't tried them yet. If wolves are a possibility I would keep those or something similar in the rifle at all times. The 60 grain nosler partition would be a good choice. A couple others are the 63 or 65 grain sierra. The 55 sbt is a tough bullet as well. I would stay away from the polymer tipped frangible bullets for wolves. Keep us posted on your results.
 
Originally Posted By: 204 ARThe first or second sentence says Ruger American Ranch with 16.5" barrel.

And yet some of the responding posters make references to the Mini 14. I saw that Mr. T and the A Team were logged in and viewing this topic so I got a little confused. I know those guys could use some advice, I've never seen so many shots fired and not hit anything as what the A Team put into the air.
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Originally Posted By: SlickerThanSnotOriginally Posted By: Winny FanWhere did the OP go?


he went to the outhouse and wolves got him. rip

LOL. The Mounties might have him on suspicion of possession of a semi auto rifle, the Mini 14. Hope you guys are happy!
 


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