u/Tentative-Interests

A few years ago, I received this Ruger SFAR 308 as a gift from my father. At the time, I neither had the time nor the place to really sort it out.

Recently, I mounted up a scope and took it to the range… to be immediately disappointed. I’ve never owned a rifle that simply refused to run.

I went back and did a little research to discover that significant break in was required, and that even after, many rifles seemed to suffer from tight chambers and finicky gas systems.

I decided after my research to change… nothing. I simply trudged on through operating failure upon operating failure with all ammo types… expending hundreds of rounds, cleaned it vigorously, and lubricated it excessively.

And then this week… a breakthrough, on two separate occasions. Now it just runs and runs… all ammo types - setting 2 or 3 with no problem whatsoever.

Here’s what I feel like I learned:

I should have saved myself $400.00 of ammunition and spent that money on an upgraded gas block immediately.

This rifle needs to run clean, very clean. It also needs excessive lubrication.

I appreciate the tight tolerances of Ruger production, but all it resulted in was creating a diminishing return on value.

I didn’t buy it… but if I had I would certainly not recommend you do. Spend the extra money on something that runs right from day one.

This was the first handgun I ever purchased. Taurus 415 SS in 41 Mag for $319.99 in 2003 (about $550 in today’s money).

I replaced the factory “squishy” grips fairly early on. I had to send it back to Taurus twice within the first few years, and I later found out failures in this model were common. However, for the last 20 or so years its performed flawlessly.

Does anyone else have one ?

I recently inherited some things from my father, and I was going through them and came across this cylinder.

The throat measures approximately .357
The chamber diameter measures approximately .460
The chamber length is approximately 1.265 from the rear face of the cylinder to the throat.

What caliber is this? And what does the cylinder look like it fits?

A 44 special chambers. It’s almost like it’s a 44 magnum necked down to a 357.

I've owned this rifle since 1996, and it was a gift from my father. Over the years, I never really shot it with any intention (mostly offhand at short ranges). Recently, I decided to try to "sort it out” for hunting, hoping to take it when I hunt with my sons and build some investment in the rifle, so I can eventually pass it on with some memories attached.

In my area, the terrain is a mix of heavy woods and open fields, so I wanted to install a scope. As someone with a little bit longer length of pull, I wanted the scope mounted low and forward. I decided on the Ashley Performance scope mount and then selected a 2-8x35mm Burris scope because of the smaller eyepiece diameter (1.6"), which would allow me to get the scope lower on the receiver than many modern scopes with large rubber eyepiece adjustments (Vortex for example). The mount requires Leupold dual dovetails, which are no longer in production, so I had to purchase two sets of medium standard rings and use the dovetails from each. Overall, I was exceedingly pleased with the aesthetic this produced. [Pic 1 of 8]

I took this setup to the range, and quickly discovered I couldn't hit the broad side of a barn with this thing at 100 yards. At least some of the problem was my benchrest technique, and after using some tips, I was able to at least get it on the paper, but it was still all over the place. I took the standard advice and tried four or five different types of ammunition to no avail. Nothing seemed to improve the situation.

At that point, I decided to pull off the forend, barrel bands, and magazine tube and shoot the rifle with the barrel alone. I was pleased to find that the rifle performed well, although it was somewhat difficult to hold steady with only a small part of the receiver resting on an elevated support. Still, the results were promising. [Pic 2-3 of 8]

While disassembling the rifle, I immediately noticed a significant issue. The entire rifle was essentially in a bind. The magazine tube cap screw was putting significant tension on the barrel, the front band was extremely tight, and the rear band was so tight it was difficult to disassemble. I later discovered that the entire rear band, forend, and magazine tube connection area was in a complete bind, so much so that the rear band bolt was actually bent. [Pic 4-6 of 8]

After some research, I followed the common advice and shortened the magazine tube where it meets the receiver by about .01 inches with a file. I also relieved the forend where it meets the receiver with a sanding block, just enough to give the rifle some room to breathe.

I then reinstalled everything somewhat loosely. It went together far better than it came apart. I simply tightened the front and rear band bolts to something approximating "snug." During all of the shooting leading up to this, I also noticed that the trigger could use some improvement, so I installed the Ranger Point Precision trigger and headed back to the range. [Pic 7 of 8]

The results were much improved. With a 170-grain Federal jacketed soft point, I was able to hold about a 1.7-inch group at 100 yards, firing 5 rounds in a row while the rifle was hot. [Pic 8 of 8]

Ultimately, I'm fairly happy with the results. At this point, I'm probably going to restart the process of trying different types of ammunition and then work on really settling the scope in, so that I end up about two inches high at 100 yards with a group size, hopefully, between one and two inches.

Last night, I installed the RPP trigger on my 90’s Marlin 336. The very first time I closed the lever, the spur on the end of it, contacted the trigger and took the paint right off.

The trigger itself is great and feels much better than the factory trigger.

I just wish I had known this was going to happen and would have simply went with the silver one. I’m not really disappointed, in light of the reality that all these rifles fit together a little differently, and “eliminating the flop” has its price.

Just a tip for anyone else considering the change.

I inherited this Ruger SFAR in .308 (made in 2023) unfired in the box, and since pulling the trigger for the first time it’s been nothing but trouble. Like many others… setting 2 is too little gas and setting 3 appears to be too much.

After doing some research here, and a few other places, I tried a friend’s H2 buffer and it’s operating well on setting 3 with all ammo types.

Here’s a few questions:

1. What H2 buffer should I buy for it ?

2. Do you think this has the “updated” gas regulator?

In the future I may consider the Riflespeed gas block but for the time being I’m pretty happy.

This is my 444 Marlin that I purchased new in 1998. I’ve decided to bring it back out for a new scope, some TLC, and some range time.

I see the popularity of the 45-70 here… and 444 fans ?