New to Ruger rifles...magazine question

[bowserb]

I've been thinking about a bolt action rifle in 5.56mm to supplement my AR-15 (or replace it in the event something drastic happens in D.C.) Also as a teaching rifle for the grandchildren. Yes, a .22 would be even better for that, but I don't have unlimited funds and also don't want to add still another caliber to my ammo inventory. Ideally, I would prefer a rifle that will use AR magazines. I've read that some Ruger bolt actions use AR magazines, but Ruger seems hesitant to disclose that info...if it is even true.

Anyone here able to shed light on that? AR mags in a bolt action 5.56 rifle from Ruger? Mossberg has some, but Ruger is my first choice. Thanks.

 

[22/45 Fan]

The Ruger Gunsite Scout rifle in 5.56 NATO/.223 Rem uses the Accurate Mag ( Accuracy International style) magazine, not the AR-type. It comes with a 10-round magazine and ShopRuger sells additional ones in 10-round capacity. You can get a 5-round magazine directly from Accurate Mag and both capacities are about $75 each. Ruger's 20% discount coupon that comes with the rifles can be used to reduce the magazine cost.

Mossberg does have a bolt action 5.56 that uses AR magazines but requires a special hinged tab on the bolt to feed properly and I'd be a bit concerned about it's durability.

Unless you plan to need a large number of magazines and cost is a big consideration, go with the Ruger.

The Ruger Precision Rifle does take several different magazine designs but is not available in 5.56 and will not accept AR-15 magazines.

 

[bowserb]

Thanks, 22/45 fan. The Gunsite Scout rifle is a bit beyond what I have to spend...OK, quite a bit beyond my budget. The Ruger American Ranch, with an MSRP of $529 is more in line with what I'm ready to spend on an extra rifle. Coincidentally, $529 is what Academy is getting for the Mossberg MVP Predator (msrp $694). The AR magazine has appeal, as I have many of those already plus a loader/unloader. Like ammo, the more different kinds the more inventory required. I already have ammo cans full of magazines. These little 5 rounders...$40 each. Ouch. I see gunmagwarehouse.com has them for $28, but still, that's going to add up if I don't want to spend my range time reloading magazines. OTOH, I've read a lot of complaints about Mossberg MVP feeding issues.

Thanks again for the suggestion.

 

[WAYNO]

Not because it's cheaper...But because of the ability to use AR magazines, the Mossberg is my choice. It works exceedingly well. I believe Ruger is missing a good part of the market because of their choice to use proprietary (read expensive and hard to find) magazines.

WAYNO.

 

[22/45 Fan]

I believe Ruger is missing a good part of the market because of their choice to use proprietary (read expensive and hard to find) magazines.

AI magazines are neither proprietary or hard to find. They are expensive relative to AR mags. However, making AR magazines work in a bolt rifle has it's own difficulties and problems.

 

[bowserb]

AI magazines are neither proprietary or hard to find. They are expensive relative to AR mags. However, making AR magazines work in a bolt rifle has it's own difficulties and problems.

Good point. It seems that Mossberg has a flawed plastic mag well that cracks easily resulting in feed problems. A 3rd party replacement metal magwell costs $75 plus shipping plus labor (owner or gunsmith). As usual, there's no easy answer.

 

[bowserb]

Thanks guys. I went with my rifle brand preference for this purchase. My LGS just ordered the Ruger American Ranch in 5.56. Will be here Friday. $399.95...thank goodness it was under $400! Decided to suck it up and ordered 3 extra mags, too. Time permitting next week, I'll do a break in and then see how it shoots with American Eagle .223 55 grain, since I have about 3,000 rounds of the stuff.

As great as the appeal of using AR mags, as the Mossberg MVP does, I can also see the advantage of a flat bottom stock with no protrusions. While I don't shoot from the vehicle window, with a beanbag I could easily with this rifle. Looking forward to it. This also helps with my diversity needs. I now finally have a Ruger in my safe, along with Colt, Mossberg, Sig Sauer, Springfield Armory, Smith & Wesson, Wyndham Weaponry, and Glock. As the liberals say, diversity is good!

In another thread I'll ask a scope question.

 

[dfletcher]

Pacific Tool and Gauge advertises Remington 700 bottom metal that works in the Remington 700. Initially marketed as "drop in" function they learned slight machining of the underside rails is required for 100% feed reliability. The machining isn't visible and you can return to original set up. I'm by their shop often, let them use one of my 700s as a guinea pig for the set up.

Probably no great advantage to the set up, folks don't exactly use tons of mags or 30 rounders in a bolt rifle.

 

[WAYNO]

It seems that Mossberg has a flawed plastic mag well that cracks easily resulting in feed problems. A 3rd party replacement metal magwell costs $75 plus shipping plus labor (owner or gunsmith). As usual, there's no easy answer.

I've gotta ask. Do you have one of these Mossberg's, and did the plastic crack on yours? Or did you just read that, nearly word-for-word, from a gun rag?

WAYNO.

 

[bowserb]

I read quite a few accounts of mag wobble and feeding problems, and at least some seemed to be attributed to the plastic magwell. Then I read a couple of homemade fixes, and then a third party upgrade. The metal magwell seemed to be a good, reasonably priced, long term fix. However, since the Mossberg was already more expensive than the Ruger, and there were other things I liked about the Ruger, that's what I bought. Coincidentally, my first day on the range doing a barrel break in, I met a lady who had the Mossberg. She thought it was fine, but then she used it as a single shot with no magazine at all. And what I write here or anywhere, unless I put it in quotes and disclose the source, is my own words. I've not read a "gun rag" report on the Mossberg.

I took the Nikon P223 3-10x40 scope off my AR, bought some Leupold rings to replace the high Nikon AR rings, and added a cheek booster to the stock, and now this Ruger American Ranch is my favorite range rifle. My wife prefers the AR and red dot I have on it, but she is more a volume than precision shooter. I want one round in the middle. She'll shoot 20 figuring one is bound to go in the middle.

I'm sure the Mossberg is fine. I'm not attacking anyone's choice of rifle, only explaining my choice. The Ruger is an excellent value. So is the Mossberg, but all things considered, the Ruger was my choice. I also own an AR, a Mossberg 20-gauge, a Colt XSE, Glock 19, Sig P227, Springfield Armory XDM-45, and my wife owns a Smith & Wesson M&P Shield. All but the Glock were carefully considered purchases. The Glock I won in a drawing. I carefully considered this bolt rifle purchase, too, and I am happy with my decision.

 

[WAYNO]

I read quite a few accounts of mag wobble and feeding problems,

That's fair, and I appreciate your response. I had never heard of the issue until you mentioned it, and neither of mine have had any issues. This caused me to research it, and I did find a blog, nearly word for word, about the wobble and magwell failure issue. But I've not experienced the issue, or heard of the issue from anyone who actually has owned one of these rifles. Thanks.

 

[FergusonTO35]

I've never understood the appeal of detachable mags that only hold 3-5 rounds, seems like just another thing to get lost with no real advantage. If you really anticipate needing a fast reload such a low capacity mag isn't going to help you that much, not to mention the fact that nearly all such mags cost $40-80.00 each. I would much rather have a blind mag or hinged floorplate.