The medium to long-range capabilities that came with the RPR opened the long-range shooting craze to folks who previously couldn’t or wouldn’t spend the money for a custom gun. The RPR produces incredible accuracy patterns. It punches above its weight, I guess you could say.
Another appealing benefit is the similarities of the RPR to America’s favorite rifle, the AR-15. It doesn’t just feel similar, it also looks similar. As much as we often pretend looks are secondary, the similar looks and aesthetics to the AR have certainly affected the RPR’s popularity. The rifle even created a market space that quickly started getting crowded with other manufacturers, with companies like Savage, Howa, and even Mossberg vying for a piece of the pie.
All Grown Up
The RPR has even been produced in the larger calibers, like .300 PRC, Winchester Magnum, and .338 Lapua Magnum. With chamberings such as those, there are few things out of reasonable distance for the RPR family. I’ve shot a few Lapuas in my day, and I was impressed with the way the Ruger performed. Just like its smaller siblings, the rifle just flat-out performed. Making hits beyond 1000 yards was like shooting 500 yards with a .308. Running the longer bolt and magazines was flawless, and the massive muzzle brake tamed the .338 to make it quite manageable.