Thread: Ruger American youth in 223 . 18" stainless steel barrel Accuracy issues

The last Nephew ( 13 years old ) is in the process of being introduced to hunting. I've bought a Ruger American All weather Youth in 223 (18" stainless steel) fitted with a Sonic 35 Moderator and a generic Bipod . I've had an older Leupold 3 -9 x 40 duplex scope . I've tried various factory Loads including my standard go to Hornady 55 Grain soft nose, 62 Grain soft nose Winchester and a 45 Grain Winchester with little success 1.5 to 2" groups are the norm . In theory the 55 Grain seems the best for the 1 - 8 twist. The best groups come surprisingly from the 45 Grain hollow point Winchester. After lots of practising he shot his first two Goats at about 80 yards two week ends later he shot another 2 another two closer to 160 Yards ( all neck shot). I've approached Ruger USA and have asked what Factory round is best suited to the rifle. I was disappointed to have had less than helpful response ( All shooters have their own preferences) further recommending that I contact Ruger New Zealand . Ruger New Zealand seemed more approachable but offered to start a load work up program. Id have thought that the manufactures and their representatives would have tried their own rifles and know what works best.

You Tube suggests that I should expect 1/2 " groups at 100 yards. Siera Game king 55 grain from Buffalo River seems promising

Has any body tried the Ruger American all Weather . What is the best factory Load for this Riffle. All suggestions are gratefully accepted

Have you tried another scope and checked the rings and bases are tight? Ditto with the suppressor off? Have you tried the paper under the barrel channel trick?

Hey duckshooter i have the ruger ranch in 223, 16'' barrel and sonic suppressor initial range testing i wasnt that excited as it was grouping about 1 1/4 inches with my 60 grain hornady hand load, but after about 100 rounds down the tube its turning in 1/2 inch groups at 100 the scope on top is a leupold freedom 2-7 x 33. If you hand loaded ill send you the recipe.

The "help" you got from Ruger USA/NZ isn't that surprising. Mass produced factory rifles that have been built to a price and fitted with no frills barrels and plastic stocks tend to be a bit hit and miss. Ruger can't advise what particular brand of ammo will work best because no two rifles off of the same production line can be guaranteed to have a particular liking for the same stuff. So they don't know if anything's going to give you 0.5" groups, and if you're getting 1.5-2" groups with most cheap stuff, that's probably well within what they would deem "good enough".

My advice... A 1:8 is spinning short lightweight bullets much faster than is necessary to acheive stability (a 1:12 will stabilise 55gr bullets). Much like the wheels on your car will judder if they aren't balanced (and that juddering gets worse the faster you go), your groups are going to open up more and more, on average, the faster and faster a bullet gets spun above what is needs... unless it's perfectly balanced... Which soft points aren't renowned for.

I reckon your chances of finding accurate factory ammo will be a lot higher if you try a polymer tip type projectile and/or ideally one a fair bit heavier like 65-77gr.

I had one of these, the all weather youth, sold it not so long ago as it was not being used.
I only really done range work with it mostly used Hornady 223 55gr SP, and Geco 223 63gr FMJ and it shot fine.

As Tommy said check the barrel channel, run a piece of paper between barrel and stock, if it's touching that could be your problem.
I have one in 30 06 and before I even fired it I noticed it was touching on one side . I widen the channel out so the paper run freely the whole length up to the bedding blocks and then tried it and it shot well, worth checking.

Welcome.