Ruger SR556 Takedown

As part of our coverage for AR week, we are leading the charge with a Ruger model sure to make a Californian crap in Xe’s pants. Ruger has been making AR’s for a while now, at a price that makes them attractive. The Ruger SR556 Takedown is by far the most expensive in the catalog, but it does offer some unique features for the dollar.

Features

This model comes in a black bag that is 22×8.5×4.5 inches, a tiny package for a rifle. The magic is in the barrel attachment system. Ruger figured out a way to hold the barrel and barrel extension in the upper receiver using just a simple sliding lock. To attach the barrel, you simply slide it into the upper, twist the barrel, and it locks in place. Put your upper on your lower, also in the bag, and you are off to the races. Because of the brilliant system, you can easily assemble a full sized carbine in about ten seconds. For testing, we received both the 5.56 barrel and the 300AAC.

Accuracy

The system is brilliant, but it does come with some limitations. The obvious questions are how accurate is the gun, and what is the zero shift when you remove the barrel. I set out to the range this weekend to answer those questions.

For test ammunition, this was not a place to monkey around, Hornady stepped up to provide ammunition that I know is capable of high accuracy. For the 5.56 we used Black 75 grain, and for the 300 AAC, Black 110 grain Vmax supersonic. On the optics side, we used a Bushnell DMR 2 3.5-21 scope, plenty of glass for accuracy testing.

I am giving Ruger an A+ on the design.  Swapping the barrel is simple and the gun run ran with zero failures. Accuracy wise, I have to give the gun a B-.  For both the 5.56 and 300 AAC, my groups were besting around 2 inches at 50 meters. That extrapolates to about 4 inches at 100 meters. There was also a shift of about 1.5 inches when I removed and reinstalled the barrel. That works out to 3 MOA. Those are not fantastic numbers, certainly not good enough for precision shooting.

Conclusion

While the accuracy is not fantastic, I do still like the system. It fills a niche as a rifle you could stow in places a normal AR would never fit. The carrying case is unobtrusive, it looks very unlike a rifle case. For an emergency backpack gun, the accuracy level is acceptable. I also have to give the SR556 points for simplicity. This is the first takedown model I have tested that assembles without tools.

Specs

• Stock: Black Synthetic, Collapsible
• Sights: Folding Iron Sights
• Barrel Length: 16.12″
• Overall Length: 32.75″ – 36″
• Capacity: 30
• Twist: 1:8″ RH
• Width: 2.50″
• Height: 7.75″
• Weight: 7.1 lb.
• Thread Pattern: 1/2″-28
• Finish: Manganese Phosphate / Hardcoat Anodized
• Length of Pull: 11.10″ – 14.40″
• Grooves: 6
• Suggested Retail: $2199.00

Learn more about the Ruger SR556 Takedown by clicking here.

***Check out GunsAmerica for your next Ruger SR 556 Takedown Rifle***

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