Ruger RSI 308

[410-er]

Kinda racking my head on bullet weight for my RSI 308.I know not to expect 1 hole accuracy but 1 to 1 1/2 would be good.
Scope on it is Leupold 2-7
I'm seeing where the 1:10 supposed to like 180 or heavier.
For the guys that have or had one what was what you reloaded in it?

 

[MIshooter]

I don't have the RSI but I do have a 1A which has a slim barrel and it loves the 165gr bullets. Same went for the M77 Scout rifle I had.

 

[j p sixguns welldone]

the old 165gr speer grand slams.

 

[WAYNO]

I only loaded 130 and 150 grain bullets, and did not experiment otherwise.

And they worked quite fine.

 

[JiminMaine]

I would load an assortment of different bullets, different weights and different powders to see what shoots best in that rifle. I would try 150-200 grain bullets and see what works best.

I don't have an RSI in 308, mine is in 35 Rem. and 7x57. I can get sub-MOA groups with my 35, haven't worked up a good load for the 7mm yet.

 

[Dry154]

The Ruger Precision Rifle assuming that's the RSI 308 common typo for Ruger Precision or similar in .308 with its standard 1:10 twist is pretty versatile, but it does tend to favor the heavier end for best accuracy, especially if you're chasing those 1–1.5 MOA groups which is realistic for a factory gun, not one hole perfection without hand tuning.

From guys running RPRs or similar 1:10 .308 setups

168gr like Hornady A Max/TMK, Sierra MatchKing, or Berger VLD Super common sweet spot. Many report tight groups sub 1 MOA to 1 MOA)with Varget, IMR 4064, or Reloder 15. Great all-around for mid range.

175–180gr SMK, ELD-X, etc. Often the favorite for longer stuff or stability. Folks say their 1:10 barrels love 175s, with some getting sub MOA easier than lighter bullets. 180s work fine too if you're pushing distance.

Heavier 190 can stabilize great with the fast twist, but velocity drops more in shorter barrels, and not everyone sees better groups.

Lighter 150–155gr Can shoot surprisingly well some get 1 MOA, but more rifles prefer jumping to 168 for consistency.

Start with 168 or 175 SMK/TMK on Varget around 42–44gr, work up safely ladder test seating depth and powder charges. Your Leupold 2-7x is solid for 100–500yd work, plenty of eye box and clear glass.

Every barrel has its own personality, so buy a variety pack like Nosler or Sierra test packs and see what your gun likes. You'll probably land in the 168–175 range for reliable 1–1.5 MOA.

 

[Jim Walsh]

My RSI in .308 gives me .75” accuracy at 100 yards with the Nosler 165gr. Accubonds. I get the nearly the same with 150gr. Winchester Power Point.

 

[DerekR]

I have a red pad RSI in .308 with the same Leupold 2-7 VX-II on it. It is very accurate with 150 grain factory Winchester ammo. I've killed a pile of deer with that gun. It is LOUD though. I'm considering working up a load at about 2200 FPS with Speer 170 FP bullets meant for the 30/30. I never have a shot over 150 yards where I hunt.

 

[6GUNSONLY]

I dont have my RSI anymore but it shot plenty good with both 150 and 165 grain bullets. Usually Nosler Partitions or Sierra Prohunters. I never tried 180s in it, and rarely shoot that weight in .308 except in my old Browning BLR for a woods load (180 gr. Sierra roundnose).

 

[kmoore]

Get a box of federal 168 match ammo. For a test, see how good they shoot. Then beat that if you can with handloads. Distance matters, 200 to 300 yds the 168s will likley be the best. Longer the range, heavier 175 or even heavier match bullets can do better. I am talking match bullets, not hunting bullets.

 

[410-er]

Tried 150,168 and 180's with 4064 and Accurate 2230.Got 2-4" groups.
Have it at the shop now getting floated.Barrel was touching many spots on the stock.Hope it helps as I really like the gun.

 

[Paul B]

I have three Ruger RSI rifles chambered to the .308 Win. Got into all three because their previous owners could not get a decent hunting load from tem. I won't go into the two year struggle to find a load until one day at a gun show, I ran into gun writer Sam Fadala. We got into talking and he had four boxes of the Speer Nitrex .308 ammo with the 165 gr. Grand Slam bullet which he made me a nice deal on.
I took one box to the range and that was the first time that rifle shot a 1.5" group. most groups had been closer to 3.5 to 4.0". A few days later I took another box and had the same results with the difference being I also chronographed the loads. Box #3 got broken down to check components. Brass was marked Speer and as Speer manuals call for magnum primers I figured they were CCI 250s. Powder was the problem. basically it looked very much like W760 or maybe W748. Average charge was 49.0 gr. in the ammo, I dropped W748 early on due to the fact that one of my load books showed 46.0 gr. as doing 2480 FPS vs W760 and 49.0 gr. doing 2640 FPS. The Speer ammo did 2560 FPS in the RSI and 2610 in a Winchester M70 with 22" barrel. So, W760 was close enough.
I used one of the rounds of the Speer ammo to set the seating depth of the reloads as a starting point and loaded up a box of ammo. 49.0 gr. W760. 2640 FPS (22") and 2550 FPS (18.5") with Winchester brass, CCI 250 primer. Loads in the RSI do around 1.25 to 1.50 on avaerage Bullet is the 165 gr. Speer Hot Core. LGS didn't have any Grand Slams in stock. Change any other component and the groups go all to hell. Fussiest rifle I ever owned.
My late wife fell in love with my RSI so I had to chase one down. Same problem, oor groups. For spits and grins, I used what worked in the first RSI. Bingo! Now wife was happy with her own RSI and I with mine. Number three I more or less fell into and as the price was right, I bought it.
Two more things and you're on your own.
1. remove the metal muzzle cap and carefully use a Dremel tool with a cratex bit and take off enough metal so that it makes no contact with the barrel.
2. The load of 49.0 gr. W760 is considered the maximum load in that manual. I recommend starting two gr. below and working up. According to the manual, pressure is 50,000 C.U.P. The load has proved safe in the three RSI rifles and i safe in three other .308 Win. Rifles I own.
Paul B.

 

[XUSNORDIE]

The Ruger Precision Rifle assuming that's the RSI 308 common typo for Ruger Precision

No typo they are two different rifles....with the RSI being much better looking compared to the tacticool RPR

I think the RSI is one the best looking rifles.

My friend has one that shoots lights out with 168 gr Hornady Amax bullets at 200yds.

 

[410-er]

Gunsmith called and said he floated end to end and bedded the action.Gotta pick it up and back to the range.

 

[XUSNORDIE]

Give us a report.....with pics of that RSI...

 

[410-er]

As soon as I don't have to trudge thru a foot of snow !

 

[410-er]

Finally got to the range.About 8" of snow and terrible foggy.Some times could not see any target dots at 100 yds.
Gunsmith said barrel bedding and action from factory was TERRIBLE ! He floated barrel, head to toe, and bedded action.
Worked up 150 gr Sierre SPBT with 4064 .Best group was 45.0 at 1" and 45.5 at 1 1/2".The 4 inch groups were gone and worst was 2 1/2".
Scope was Leupold 2x7 on 7x to shoot.
I can live with that.Gonna try Sierra 180 and maybe 200gr.
Most say stick with 4064.

 

[XUSNORDIE]

Yep today was a bit soupy....the rain/mist on the snow is like wading through a slurpee....