Premium match grade ammo testing in the Ruger SFAR's

Testing out the Federal Premium Gold Metal 308 168grain in both the 16" and 20" Ruger SFARs
• Ruger SFAR Cycling and...

[@donvann]

Ruger came out with a new gas regulator that opens up the gas port on setting 2. If you call Ruger they can send you one at no charge. They can even tell you based on your serial number whether you already have it or not.

[@publicdefender77]

I appreciate that. I actually already already have it for both rifles. These are both first gen. Since I am putting on a suppressor I'm actually wanting or thinking i want a smaller setting on 2. kzbin.info/www/bejne/p4Ocf4usgZqGbdksi=EliY5yMpw48mO4un

[@735Secure]

That’s the absolute best match factory ammo out there. Far better than even the Hornady ELDM’s.

[@donvann]

It's the temp. After the first shot you should have set the gas on 3 based on the weak ejection. In hot temps ammo will shoot hotter, colder = weaker. Sometimes it depends on the powder used and how it does in that temp. I usually have good luck with GMM 168 in my 16"SFAR.

[@publicdefender77]

That is good to know. I definitely thought the air temp and density was affecting it.

[@snowg4953]

Break in like ruger says. They say setting 3 for a reason.

[@publicdefender77]

Yep. I have videos of them from break in all the way past 1000 rounds. Spent over 300 rounds on setting 3 on both rifles. Setting 3 is also ideal for low power 308 and most 7.62. Here is the playlist below. Runs great. This particular video is an ammo and temp exception. Also had the gen 1 gas regulator. kzbin.info/aero/PL3jSjc0gMIZ8VsJvWiOasAb1tKDmx8iiQ&si=c6AelrtmH43M_cSx

[@donaldtilley6122]

You can call ruger and tell them you want the new improved gas regulator. They changed setting 2 to keep it from jamming . They send them out free of charge . Takes about two weeks or less to receive it

[@donaldtilley6122]

If you call ruger pls keep me posted if the new regulator works with that ammo . It helped me

[@publicdefender77]

I already have them from Ruger for both rifles. Not sure if I am going to install them. The hunting 308 rounds I shoot with run great on this gas block. Once I install a suppressor I think a smaller setting 2 might be better for a mid setting. Setting 3 is the same on both gas blocks and that is ideal for 7.62 and target 308 like this 168, especially in cold weather.

[@davidwarren3433]

Put the gen 2 gas regulators in your rifles and your problems will most likely go away.@@publicdefender77

[@reddog1ish]

Thanks for sharing! Good info.

[@publicdefender77]

Hope it helps. I will run this again on setting 3 and see how that runs.

[@mikaeljonsson2078]

I have the 20" version, and I've seen guys switching the original carbine buffer weight to a H2 buffer weight with good results. Seemingly it both shoots softer, and become less sensitive to different ammo with the heavier AR-15 H2 buffer weight (which is the the exact same size).

[@publicdefender77]

I switched to the 2nd generation gas regulator and it solved the issue with that ammo.

[@Wisconsinsportsman]

Hard to believe that wouldn't run on setting 2.

[@publicdefender77]

Yea I should have moved it up to setting 3 right away. I'm going to try those again on setting 3 to see how they run.

[@coltonowens2742]

I'm just not convinced Ruger has that Gas Regulator dialed in. They need to go back to the drawing board on that imo. Seen to many youtubers with erratic behavior, that becomes solved when they swap to a different gas block. I'd check your gas key on the BCG to, but I think its just the block that needs help.

[@YesIFondle]

I have the 16" sfar. Did rugers reccomended break in process of 100-200 rounds on setting 3 then swapping it to setting 2. Only issue I have ever had was 1 tula round get stuck in the chamber. Other than that ran 10 different kinds of ammo and never had any other malfunction.

[@publicdefender77]

I have had great luck with both of mine. This ammo was a surprise.

[@Bedlam_6]

Match ammo does not mean more powder or velocity, the specs are just more consistent. a lot of times they have less velocity.

[@publicdefender77]

Yes, more consistency. This is definitely not the same as hunting 308.

[@dabears52501]

This is surprising to me??? My 16" really likes the Federal Gold Medal Sierra Matchking 168gr BTHP. I've got the best function & groups from that round. My boxes look different than yours??? But I think it's the same??? I don't understand?? I ran 10 rounds of cheap Magtech 150gr last weekend in 34° temps no problem. Got a vid up on it. 🤔🤔🤔

[@publicdefender77]

Yea, this needs setting 3 which is ok but surprising. I Normally run $25 an under a box so this pricey stuff will not be something I buy again for the sfar. Saw yours running well. It's about time 😆

[@dabears52501]

​@@publicdefender77right! It took me a few frustrating hairpulling range days & a new part to finally start to trust & have fun with this rifle. I'm still testing ammo at this point. Right now it looks like cheaper 150gr for mag dumps & plinking. Hornady & Federal Match 168gr for precision? The Winchester 180gr is a thumper but maybe a 180gr match ammo would group well?? I did buy a box of Hornady Superformance 150gr to try for some groups. It's a zinger. 3,000 fps but EXPENSIVE!

[@publicdefender77]

​@@dabears52501are you running yours on setting 3 for the premium 168s?

[@dabears52501]

@publicdefender77 no. The replacement regulator started on setting 2 & still is. 80 rounds of 168's with no problem. Best 100 yard 3 shot group was with 168. 1.75" group. With a better rest & some practice I think I can tighten that up to 1".

[@kawasakicruisader5600]

I don’t understand why you didn’t adjust the gas blocks on the guns.

[@publicdefender77]

Exactly. Not sure what I was thinking. My next video I did run the 16" flawlessly on setting 3 with the same ammo.

[@donaldtilley6122]

What setting is your gas regulator set on 2 or 3

[@publicdefender77]

Both guns on setting 2 for this video. Just ran them on setting 3. Here is today's video with the 16" kzbin.info/www/bejne/noabXqSngpyifc0si=UzNZjcwiIeFNegSq

[@bobbyblaze3081]

What magazine you using? My SFAR rifle do the same with ProMags they are garbage.

[@publicdefender77]

Thanks for the info. This is a 10 rd magpul. Pretty sure just needed to be moved to 3 and it would have run. What size promag are you having issues with?

[@bobbyblaze3081]

@@publicdefender77 it was with their 20 round magazines

[@publicdefender77]

@@bobbyblaze3081 good to know. I tested a 40 round promag in this video. Not too bad until the last 7 rounds. Low spring pressure.

[@bobbyblaze3081]

@@publicdefender77 same with the 20 round mag the last 4 or 5 won’t cycle and bolt won’t lock back either

[@bobbyblaze3081]

You earned me as a subscriber keep up the great work

[@roul3688]

My 20” took a good 400 rounds before it cycled reliably on setting 2

[@publicdefender77]

What ammo do you generally run?

[@roul3688]

@@publicdefender77 M80 and hand loads. 150gr FMJ for plinking, 168gr Hornady AMax. IMR 4064 for both loads.

[@publicdefender77]

I just put in the updated gas block in both of these.

[@roul3688]

@@publicdefender77 I’m going to have to contact Ruger for one. I initially sent it back because it wouldn’t cycle. Came back worse and they stopped responding to my calls and emails. They were supposed to send me a regulator that I was going to modify myself but they never did.

[@triggerbarPhD]

Ugh. Stinking star 😂😂😂. That’s weird I would not have thought that ammo would cause problems. Yah maybe it was the weather. Is your lube cold weather sensitive?

[@publicdefender77]

That is a good point. It did redeem itself in the cold on setting 3 with no hiccups.

[@triggerbarPhD]

@@publicdefender77 that’s awesome!! And that’s what setting 3 is for right? Adverse conditions!

[@publicdefender77]

@@triggerbarPhD Right! Some people think setting 3 is only for "break in" spoke to Ruger a while back and they did tell me to use 3 for all 7.62 and some 308. Hopefully yours is running like a Honda.

[@triggerbarPhD]

@@publicdefender77 it’s running great now. And now that’s it’s running it’s become one of my favorite guns. I call it the gun I hate to love because I did hate it at first with my problems 😂🤣

[@publicdefender77]

@triggerbarPhD When it's running it's so dang fun. I'm lucky I have had 0 modifications and am still on the gen 1 gas block on both the 16" and 20".

[@pauld2913]

Seems that the Ruger SFAR might be the Fiat of firearms. I have watched and read many owners with consistent problems with this platform. Just not a good situation. Thanks for posting.

[@publicdefender77]

I chalk it up to the ammo and conditions in this case. It's a rather finicky gun as are many ar10s. I have had overall great luck with the rounds I have fired. Once you find the ammo it likes changing it may require dialing in the gas settings.

[@pauld2913]

Reliability is everything in a firearm, and not being able to trust a brand new rifle is a situation. Thanks for your reviews.

[@publicdefender77]

@pauld2913 glad my real world info can help out. Its always good to know what happens given the circumstances.

[@kaic9712]

@@pauld2913gas setting three seems to be able to cycle everything

[@TheAnnoyingBoss]

The ar platform is like an angry woman i say. Where its finicky sometimes. Things dont go right but when its a well oiled and taken care of unit itll fuck good hombre excuse my spanglish. It doesnt help that its ruger and it doesnt help that irs a sorta expiramental thing. Its not a bone stock ar its like this unique thing. If they can get em quality uts going to be a good gun. The issue is ruger punches em out like psa and you run into problems its no daniel defense and daniels are no lmts but you cant get an lmt. Plus if it was a daniel or lmt it would run like a glock but youd have to pay up

[@tomsmith2209]

Others have fitted a third party adjustable gas block with more settings to solve the gas issues. The SFAR is a good idea poorly executed, which is disappointing.

[@publicdefender77]

I'm still running the version 1 gas block. I'm still deciding weather or not I want to switch to the updated version. I feel too many people expect setting 2 to reliability cycle all rounds when I feel that primarily should be for hunting 308 rounds.

[@michaelbarfield528]

"REFUND"!!!!!!!

[@publicdefender77]

Refund on the ammo? I'm not blaming the gun. 2 factors here: weak ammo and I should have moved it to setting 3. I am out today and tomorrow filming with a variety of ammo.

[@claudiodominguez.]

Weaker round have cycled, that stuff is loaded way low.

[@publicdefender77]

I was very surprised by that.

[@theturkeysopinion]

🤔

[@publicdefender77]

It's a stumper. Weak 308s and the cold

[@guardianminifarm8005]

Frustrating.

[@publicdefender77]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/noabXqSngpyifc0

[@justusbryant7366]

Sooooo this gun sucks?

[@publicdefender77]

Not at all! This ammo sucks. I have 15 videos of these running flawlessly.

[@justusbryant7366]

@publicdefender77 which one would you recommend?

[@publicdefender77]

@justusbryant7366 if you plan on suppressing it go with the 16". If it will be primarily for hunting go with the 20" I like them both equally kzbin.info/www/bejne/eJazqmiXYtuNg5osi=-BOkjAolgr8NphAV

[@justusbryant7366]

@publicdefender77 supress? A 308. People wana supress everything now days lol

[@publicdefender77]

@justusbryant7366 Ruger did design this one around a suppressor with the setting 1 and its nice to be a little more quiet. 😁kzbin.info/www/bejne/ipLGYYafoJx_apYsi=YUl3ZS-7HduRyCs9

[@justbuffering3299]

16” and had problems from day one… gat a new aero precision on it. Hope this helps. Already waisted a lot of ammo trying to fix this piece of crap

[@publicdefender77]

I appreciate the info. I have had pretty good luck with mine, besides this ammo on setting 2.

[@publicdefender77]

I appreciate the info. I have had pretty good luck with mine, besides this ammo on setting 2.