Ruger announced its new Small-Frame Autoloading Rifle, or SFAR earlier this year and we have spent the past few months kicking the proverbial tires on this 308 Winchester-chambered AR. We were surprised at its performance. 

Table of Contents

Intro
Specs
Function
Shooting & Accuracy
Customer Reviews
Pros & Cons
Final Thoughts

 

Intro

 

Ruger's last .308 semi-auto, the SR-762 carbine was a two-stage piston-driven gun with a 16.1-inch barrel that hit the scales, unloaded and sans optics, at a beefy 8.6 pounds. It was discontinued in 2018. It is safe to say that the sub-7-pound SFAR is a different beast altogether. Using a barrel and bolt that are roughly the same size overall as the company's AR-556 series and using standard AR-15 trigger groups, receiver end plates, charging handles, pistol grips, and adjustable stocks, the SFAR is about as AR15 as it gets without being chambered in 5.56.

Ruger has hit the ground running with the new rifle available in both a 16-inch (6.8 pounds) and 20-inch (7.3 pounds) format.

 

The Ruger SFAR in .308 Winchester.
We've been assessing the SFAR in its shorter 16-inch carbine variant. Ruger also makes it in a 20-inch format. (All photos: Chris Eger/Guns.com)
The Ruger SFAR in .308 Winchester.
The SFAR stands out as being nearly identical in size to a traditional 5.56-caliber AR, while chambered in .308. 

 

Both variants of the SFAR use CNC-machined 7075-T6 receivers and come standard with cold-hammer-forged barrels with 5R rifling and 5/8-24 TPI muzzle threads. Other standard features are a four-position regulated gas block, a two-port Boomer muzzle brake, and a free-floated handguard with M-LOK slots. They also come standard with Ruger's Elite 452 trigger advertised with a crisp 4.5-pound two-stage pull. 

Both accept SR-25 pattern mags and ship with a 20-round Magpul PMAG while a Magpul MOE SL stock and MOE grip are installed. 

 

Specs (16-inch variant, via Ruger)

 

  • Barrel Length: 16.1 inches
  • Overall Length: 34-to-37.25 inches depending on stock position
  • Length of pull: 11-to-14.25 inches
  • Height: 7.2 inches from grip bottom to upper receiver top
  • Weight: 6.8 pounds (unloaded, sans optics or accessories)
  • Barrel Rifling: 1:10 RH twist, 5-groove 5R 
  • Barrel Type: cold hammer-forged 4140 chrome-moly steel 
  • Muzzle Thread: 5/8"-24TPI
  • Magazine Capacity: 20+1 SR-25 pattern
  • Bolt carrier construction: Chrome-lined 8620 steel

 

Function

 

Key to the marketing of the SFAR is that it is a .308-caliber AR that isn't the size of an AR10, SR-25, or AR-308. In its weight class-- 6.8 pounds unloaded in the shorter 16-inch model-- there isn't a lot of competition out there, especially at the price point Ruger is advertising for these. For instance, the POF Rogue, specifically designed from the company's Revolution platform to be the lightest .308 semi-auto rifle available, is similar in weight but has a significantly higher (starting at $1,899) asking price. In another example, Dark Storm Industries has been hyping their new lightweight DS-25 platform, billed at 6.7 pounds, as perhaps the lightest .308 carbine on the market with an MSRP of $1,495.
 

The Ruger SFAR in .308 Winchester.
The SFAR carbine feels very AR15ish, but runs .308. 

 

The Ruger SFAR in .308 Winchester.
Besides its AR15-sized format, the SFAR even compares nicely to Ruger's 5.56 caliber Mini-14 line in both length and weight, coming in shorter and lighter than most models. 
The Ruger SFAR in .308 Winchester.
Check out this comparison between the SFAR and a Diamondback DB10P .308 large format handgun, the latter with a 13.5-inch barrel and Gear Head Works Tailhook Mod 2 stabilizing brace. Although the DB10P is a little shorter, after all, it is a pistol, it hits the scales at more than a pound heavier than the SFAR while not being able to replicate the velocity and downrange performance. 

 

A lot of the secret to the size of the SFAR is in the bolt carrier group. Ruger explains that the rifle's bolt and barrel extensions are CNC-machined from a "high-strength super alloy steel that outperforms traditional C158 bolts." The lugs have a tapered geometry that the company stresses "further strengthens the breech to support larger short-action cartridges." When it comes to the carrier group itself, the SFAR uses a chrome-lined 8620 steel bolt carrier and nitride-processed gas key staked in place. It also has a DLC-coated titanium firing pin. Meanwhile, the bolt uses dual ejectors and an optimized extractor.

 

The Ruger SFAR in .308 Winchester, bcg compared to AR15
Note the size of a standard AR15-pattern 5.56 bolt carrier group, bottom, compared to the BCG of the Ruger SFAR in .308 at the top. While a different layout, they are roughly the same length, one of the features that helps keep the SFAR with a shorter receiver compared to other 308 caliber ARs.
The Ruger SFAR in .308 Winchester, bcg compared to AR15
The groups are virtually the same size but of a much different layout. Note the SFAR uses a single key screw.
The Ruger SFAR in .308 Winchester, bcg compared to AR15
The SFAR bolt, left, with beefier lugs, versus that of a standard AR-15. 
The Ruger SFAR in .308 Winchester
Another factor keeping the weight down is the free-floated 15-inch ultralight (and ultra-thin) aluminum handguard. Incorporating Magpul M-LOK slots along the 3:00, 6:00, and 9:00 positions, about a 10-inch run of the top rail has been tapered in the center, leaving Picatinny rail sections at the front (2 inches) and rear (3 inches). Those guys who just must have a full-length top Pic rail on their handguard probably won't love the SFAR as configured.
The Ruger SFAR in .308 Winchester
We went with a basic configuration with the SFAR, adding an Eotech EXPS3 red dot on a QD mount for a primary optic, Magpul MBUS3 backup sights, and a BFG Vickers sling on Magpul QD swivels. Shown as equipped with 20 rounds of 180-grain Federal soft points loaded in the steel Duramag was 9.45 pounds, but that is ready to rock. Of course, you can just run irons and switch to a skimpier strap to shave weight, but you get the idea. 

 

You can drop this weight down even further with a lighter stock and rail. One of our customers said he got his SFAR down under 6.5 pounds by swapping out the standard furniture for a Midwest Industries Combat Rail M-LOK handguard and changing the stock to the CAR15 Ultralight. Something to consider.

 

The Ruger SFAR in .308 Winchester
The black nitrided 4140 chrome-moly steel barrel has a heavy profile and is cold hammer-forged with 5R rifling. Note the mid-length gas system that ends in a 0.750-inch 4-position rotary-regulator gas block. Of note, the 20-inch SFAR uses a rifle-length gas system.
The Ruger SFAR in .308 Winchester
The four-position adjustable gas block came set at "3" which we found worked for everything we fed it (commercial ammo in 149-180 grain weight bullets) without issue, although some case head swipe would tend to point to this setting being over-gassed. However, we haven't run it suppressed yet, or with more exotic loads, which is where this block will come in handy, turning it down to a "2" or lower. It adjusts via an included 3/16-inch ball-end wrench that is stored in the Magpul MOE grip bottom. Fundamentally, the lower the setting, the lighter the recoil. Turning the regulator down all the way will close off the block, making it essentially a bolt-action rifle. 

 

To help tame the felt recoil of the lightweight .308, Ruger has outfitted the SFAR with a two-port "Boomer" muzzle brake to help redirect gas. It does that in spades. Note this video of us on the range, paying close attention to the spotting scope bag to the left of the brake. It is a thumper for sure. 

 

 

The Ruger SFAR in .308 Winchester
Surface controls are located on the left side for right-handed shooters.
The Ruger SFAR in .308 Winchester
The right side has a brass deflector, forward assist, and enlarged mag well. Of note, the SFAR ships with a black SR25 PMAG and we ran it with several similar mags we had on hand already, including FDE PMAGs and Duramag steel mags. 
The Ruger SFAR in .308 Winchester
A nice feature we liked about the SFAR was the fact that it came with three different ambidextrous QD points for sling attachment: at the end of the rail system (both left and right side), receiver end plate, and in the Magpul MOE SL stock (both left and right side). 
The Ruger SFAR in .308 Winchester
Speaking of Magpul, we elected to run a set of the company's new MBUS3 flip-up sights in addition to the red dot. They sit lower than the previous MBUS family but still co-witness through the Eotech and still include tool-less elevation and windage adjustments-- about 0.7 MOA and 0.4 MOA per click respectively with the 20-inch sight radius we were able to reach-- while having the enhanced front post from the MBUS Pro. Plus, they weigh almost nothing (25g with hardware). 

 

Shooting & Accuracy

 

We went to the range with a variety of Federal and Speer factory 7.62 NATO and .308 loads to both zero the MBUS3 and Eotech, and evaluate the rifle for accuracy and dependability, tapping in assorted PMAG and Duramag SR-25 magazines as well. In all, we have fired some 400 rounds so far through the SFAR, with no issues when it came to reliability. 

 

The Ruger SFAR in .308 Winchester
Everything that was loaded fired and ejected without issue. 

 

When it comes to accuracy, the SFAR surprised. The combination of the heavy profile 1:10 cold-hammer-forged barrel and Ruger's 452 series two-stage trigger (which we found to break at around 3.5 pounds) proved a winner, especially when firing from the bench on bags against no wind. 

 

The Ruger SFAR in .308 Winchester
After zeroing the MBUS3s and Eotech separately with 149-grain Federal American Eagle XM80 7.62 MSR ammo at 25 yards and seasoning the barrel, we pushed out to 100 and were able to get some decent performance when it came to accuracy. As we had a bunch of this stuff on hand pre-pandemic, about half of what we ran through the SFAR was this load. 
The Ruger SFAR in .308 Winchester
Federal's 150-grain soft point Non-Typical Whitetail.
The Ruger SFAR in .308 Winchester
Federal Premium Gold Medal Sierra Matchking in 175 grain.
The Ruger SFAR in .308 Winchester
Federal's 180-grain Power Shok soft point, is one of our consistently favorite .308 loads for hunting, especially for hogs in dense brush. 
The Ruger SFAR in .308 Winchester
Speer Gold Dot 150-grain GDSP-- a solid choice for self-defense rifle applications. 
The Ruger SFAR in .308 Winchester
And Federal's beautifully performing 185-grain Berger open-tip match. Of course, this was from the bench, but it shows that the SFAR can deliver as a hunting rifle, especially if hunting from a shooting house or blind where you can get a good, stable platform.

 

We were able to run the SFAR on a 10-inch steel gong at 200 yards from the bench and, more often than not, were greeted with a "ping." The misses at that range were more likely due to the shooter than the rifle. 

We plan to add a suppressor and some glass with a bit of magnification to it, then stretch the legs on the SFAR to 500 yards to see how that accuracy holds up at range. Likewise, with those higher round counts, we will be able to speak to wear and tear in future updates. 

Pros & Cons

 

Pros

  • AR10 performance in an AR15 package
  • Available in 16 and 20-inch barrel formats
  • Suppressor ready with an adjustable gas block and threaded muzzle in common pitch
  • Decent factory trigger
  • Extremely accurate 
  • Excellent value when compared to contemporaries
  • Good furniture

Cons

  • Short Pic rail on top of the handguard
  • No 6.5CM options, at least yet
  • Still over $1K
  • Heats up fast in extended use

Final Thoughts

 

In a small framed .308 that feels like a light AR15, you must expect the gun to be rowdy and, to a degree, it was. However, the felt recoil was less than what you typically get with most AR10s and felt more akin to, say a 7.62x39 platform of equivalent size. You may be able further dial the recoil down with a different buffer-- although Ruger says they are proprietary they look the same as an AR carbine buffer. 

When it came to performance, the SFAR showed up for work, at least at the ranges we had available, and proved both accurate and dependable. Ruger clearly intends the rifle to be a Swiss Army knife of sorts, with lots of accessory slots, easy compatibility when it comes to upgrading furniture and triggers, a threaded muzzle in a common pitch, QD sling points galore, and a usable top rail-- albeit one that does not run the entire length of the barrel. 

Obvious uses would be for hunting, competition, and personal protection, offering that satisfying .308 ballistic advantage while keeping inside an AR-15-sized box. About the only rocks we can throw at it is that Ruger currently doesn't offer it in 6.5CM or .243 and the combination of a heavy profile barrel and thin handguard on a .308 means that it can get uncomfortable to the touch when shooting extended sessions with a hand-forward grip. Also, the $1200~ asking price, while good for what it is, is still a little rich for a lot of folks. Still, I am not sure you can beat that and still get a well-performing and accurate .308 in the same weight.

The Ruger SFAR is a superb offering.

 

The Ruger SFAR in .308 Winchester.
The Ruger SFAR in .308 Winchester.
revolver barrel loading graphic

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