The Ruger Precision Rifle: Best-Selling Bolt-Action of 2019

by
posted on March 22, 2020
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
ruger-precision-rifle.jpg

The Ruger Precision Rifle was introduced in a first-generation version in 2015 chambered in .243 Win., 6.5 Creedmoor and .308 Win. The next year Gen 2 arrived, which expanded the cartridge inventory to include 6 mm Creedmoor. Today you can also choose .300 PRC, .300 Win. Mag. and .338 Lapua Mag.

It would be easy to cite the diversity as the reason it was the most popular bolt-action rifle in sales on Gunbroker.com during 2019, except it has occupied that top slot for the past five years—literally since the famed manufacturer first offered it to enthusiasts. The real secret appears to be in the gu's features, with a generous helping of Ruger’s reputation for building quality at a reasonable price.

Eight versions are available in the regular lineup, with another seven manufactured as distributor exclusives. The latter group includes some great-looking camo color patterns, dark earth, U.S. flag motif and racy-looking red. The former group comes in your choice of, well, black.

Regardless of tone, all are built on a frame that lives up to the precision name. It begins with an in-line recoil path tailored to manage recoil directly from the rear of the receiver to the buttstock. The approach negates accuracy-robbing potential sometimes found i traditional bedding systems.

The stock, Ruger MSR, is adjustable for length of pull and cheek weld. There are QD attachment points and the bottom of the buttstock has a Picatinny rail. It hinges open and enthusiasts who prefer a different AR-style version can slip theirs on, thanks to the buffer-tube-style anchoring system.

The aluminum free-float handguard features M-LOK slots on four sides. The safety is ambidextrous and the gun comes with a 20 or 30 MOA Picatinny rail, depending on chambering, secured by No. 8-40 screws for increased long-range capabilities.

Ruger Precision Rifle bolt-action receivers and their accompanying one-piece, three-lug bolt are precision machined from 4140 chrome-moly steel. The bolt handle is oversized to speed manipulation.

The barrels, which vary in length from 20 to 26 inches—depending on caliber—are all cold-hammer forged from chrome-moly steel and have 5R rifling set at minimum tolerances. They end with the company’s Precision Rifle Hybrid Muzzle. When you add the Ruger Markman trigger, user adjustable from 2 1/4 to 5 pounds, with all the other touches, it’s obvious why the Ruger Precision Rifle has come out on top five years straight.

MSRPs run from $1,599 to $2,099, depending on configuration. For more details, take a look at American Rifleman’s video review in January 2019.

Related Reading
Customizing the Ruger Precision Rifle
NRA Gun of the Week: Ruger Precision Rifle in .338 Lapua Magnum
Tested: Ruger's Precision Rimfire Rifle


Latest

Kimber 2K11
Kimber 2K11

Review: Kimber 2K11

The 2011-style pistol was designed to address the capacity limitations of the single-stack M1911 platform, and Kimber's approach to the concept is its 2K11, a competition-ready offering with several notable features.

Favorite Firearms: A High-Flying Hi-Standard “A-D”

Manufactured in New Haven, Conn., in late 1940, this Hi-Standard pistol was shipped as a Model “A,” but a heavier Model “D” barrel was installed later to replace the original, light barrel, leading one American Rifleman reader to call it a Model “A-D.”

Ruger Helps Families In Need Through The Kids & Clays Foundation

In the effort to help tens of thousands of critically ill children and their families across the nation through local Ronald McDonald Houses, Ruger is among some of the industry’s foremost Platinum-level sponsors of The Kids & Clays Foundation.

Unlocking The Future: Smith & Wesson's "No Lock" Revolvers

The future is shaping up to be a good one for fans of Smith & Wesson revolvers. The iconic American company had released 14 new models thus far in 2025 at the time this was written mid-year. And, with one exception, they have all shared a common feature—no internal lock.

The Armed Citizen® Oct. 6, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

FEMA Notes Decline In Disaster Preparedness

A recent report from the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) noted a decline in local government preparedness for natural disasters, putting increased pressure on individuals to prepare themselves for emergencies.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.