location. Since the stock mounts via an AR buff er tube style, it could be replaced with any AR-platform stock.
Nightforce Rifl escope Nightforce produces some of the fi nest magnifi ed optics available and any of their various tactical models is an excellent choice for law enforcement use. T e rule of thumb when buying a scope is that it should cost at least as much as the rifl e. T e Ruger Precision Rifl e has an MSRP of $1,399 and the Nightforce NXS sells for $1,942 at
www.opticsplanet.com.
A police scope must stand up to both the force of recoil and the bumps of occasional rough handling. You also want tactical adjustment knobs that are quick to move and fi ne enough for minute changes. Tactical turrets do not require a screwdriver or coin, but they also cannot move accidentally or on their own. Clear glass that is bright from edge to edge is a necessity. Nightforce off ers all of these attributes, along with a reputa- tion for extreme toughness in any kind of condition. The Nightforce NXS 3.5-15x50mm has their Zerostop™ fea- ture and a Mil-R reticle (Mil-Dot and three other reticles are available). This model is a second focal plane optic, which is the most common. A second focal plane means that the reticle stays the same size while the target grows and shrinks as the scope’s magnification is rotated up or down. A first focal plane reticle (an option that Nightforce offers) grows and shrinks with the magnification in relation to the target.
Zerostop
A clutch system in the top turret of the Nightforce scope is user set and locked down once a zero has been established. T e Zerostop is only for elevation, not for windage. T e concept is that sometimes a more distant shot must be taken quickly and the scope’s elevation knob can be turned without the ability to keep track of how many “clicks” it was moved. In the heat of the moment, keeping track of “clicks” is like keeping track of pistol rounds fi red in a gunfi ght—it is almost impossible. T e patented system will not allow adjustments below zero (or sub-zero) once the dust cover has been removed and the clutch sys- tem has been user set to the desired zero (usually 100 yards). Return- ing to zero after the system has been set is as easy as just turning the turret until is stops…at zero.
In addition to the elevation and windage adjustment turrets (¼- MOA, 0.1 mil-rad each), the Nightforce scope also has a parallax adjustment knob on the left side of the optic. Simply put, parallax is a condition where your eye’s slight movement when looking through the quality magnifi ed glass will cause the reticle to move slightly around on the target as your head moves. T e adjustment turret on the left dials this parallax out of the scope at various distances. It was noticeable at 100 and 200 yards, but when the dial was rotated, the parallax was easily eliminated. T e NXS used on the Ruger Precision Rifl e was developed for military use and features a low mounting profi le. It gives a practical magnifi cation range and a wide fi eld of view with its 50mm lens (with removable sunshade). Red and green illuminated reticles are available. On this model, pulling the left side turret (the parallax adjustment knob) outward turned on the red illuminated reticle.
200 Yards
At 9.7 pounds, the Ruger Precision Rifl e is a heavy rifl e for a 308 Win bolt gun. It has a 42-inch maximum overall length and folds to a more compact 31 inches for storage in a case. Adjusting the buttstock was fairly easy.
All of the Ruger’s controls are right where they need to be for easy manipulation while fi ring. While sighting the rifl e in at 100 yards, the bolt throw was fast and easy. Its 70-degree lift was fast and the oversized knob felt plenty smooth when worked back and forth load- ing and ejecting, while still having some necessary wobble. T e large bolt knob on the RPR is replaceable if desired. T e trigger is sheer perfection. It really can’t be improved upon. It breaks light and clean and has no over-travel. T e safety blade in the center compresses with the lightest touch and the grip angle aligns your trigger fi nger without any strain.
The Ammo Several diff erent factory 308 Win rounds were fi red, none of which provided any drama to the smooth operating action. T e Federal 149-grain FMJ ammo was the least expensive, but it still kept its groups well under 1 inch at 100 yards. T e Remington 165-grain Accutip Boat Tail and Federal Premium 165-grain Trophy Bonded Tip hunting ammo also provided 1-inch groups. Hornady’s Super- formance 308 Win 165-grain SST gave ½-inch groups. T e winner was Winchester Match 168-grain MatchKing HPBT.
T is comes as no surprise as its reputation is so well known that it’s the round most commonly employed by law enforcement for this kind of use. Groups at 100 yards were ragged holes touching each other. T e fi ring range’s longest distance was 200 yards and while it would have been interesting to shoot the RPR at even longer distances, the facts show that, for police use, 200 yards is just fi ne. Sub half-MOA accuracy is impressive from a custom rifl e costing twice the price of the RPR. T e fact that this is a factory-made fi re- arm with a price far lower than expected for this kind of performance is stunning. T e RPR’s accuracy is summed up by asking the ques- tions, “Do you see that car parked two football fi elds away? Do you see its license plate? Do you see the four bolts holding the plate on the car? Which one of those bolts do you want me to hit?” With the right scope, ammo and shooter, it is that accurate. Ruger’s Precision Rifl e lives up to its name. It is surgically precise in the hands of someone trained in the mechanics of long-range rifl e accuracy. T e RPR is a perfect choice for law enforcement because it fulfi lls our long-range needs right after cutting the tape on the box. Nightforce’s catchphrase is “Precision Optics for Precision Shooting” and their optic certainly delivers. T e combination of the RPR with a Nightforce optic is an unbeatable pairing for law-enforcement long- distance precision rifl e use at very aff ordable prices.
Steve Tracy is a 27-year police veteran with 25 years experience as a fi rearms instructor. He is also an instructor for tactical rifl es, use of force, less-than-lethal force and scenario-based training. He can be reached at
steventracy@hendonpub.com.
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