While the Ruger Precision Rifle market continues to thrive, there is still backlash from those that do not see the “BIG” picture. Let’s first address the short-sighted “hater” trend. This same exact pattern of “bashing” occurred back in 2004. That was when the 10 year AWB (Assault Weapons Ban) eclipses and was not re-signed by President Bush Jr. There was some backlash and “haters” bashing those starting to buy AR-15s and talking about it. At the same time, the GWOT (Global War on Terrorism) was in its second (OIF II) phase. And at the same time (September 26, 2006) Zuckerberg launched Facebook publically. All of these factors contribute to the current social media gun frenzy we now see. It just took time to metastasize. Secondly, there is the bashing of the 6.5Creedmoor cartridge. The 6.5Creedmoor cartridge was developed circa 2007 by Hornady and put into production in 2008. 2008-2009 is about the same time the “tactical bubble” popped and the rise of social media based gun companies and advertising started. Acceptance of the 6.5Creedmoor on the competition Precision rifle scene was widespread almost immediately. Science and Ballistics do not lie. And at that time, Precision Rifle matches, competition forums (with the exception of Snipers Hide) were not widely known. Now, there are hundreds of competition forums, groups, and avenues of information sharing. When the abundance of rifles chambered in said cartridge are on or hit the market, and different companies are pushing the cartridge, we see the backlash. And for the record, I personally do not own a RPR. The company I work for does have them for testing and marketing. I do run 6.5Creedmoor in both bolt gun and AR configurations for matches/training and for work related testing. History lesson complete.
I digress.
Most of the RPR “bashing” comes from those that:
1. See so many new shooters entering the ranks of the precision rifle community and immediately begin to share their “years” of experience. (After they just bought the rifle 2 weeks ago.) I get this point. Bluntly put, there are people that have been doing matches, training, and wrenching/building on guns for DECADES. We know who these people are. But people that immediately jump into this discipline and do not want to listen to the actual experts, but yet take advice from a flashy IG gun-famous non-shooters, or the most well know “tactical” instructor. I tend to listen to people winning matches, those that have trained the top competitors and SF/JSOC personnel, and those that have been building precision rifles for decades. Many of these walking encyclopedias of knowledge are untapped by the average beginner in precision rifle. Remember, we are all students.
2. Another factor that “haters” do not understand is the business aspect. Meet Joe Snuffy. Joe wants to shoot 1000y, and learn about Precision rifle. He buys a RPR in either 6.5Creed, 6mmCreed, or even .308 so he can learn, hunt, and maybe compete. Joe then needs an optic. Joe then needs extra magazines. Joe also wants a good sling. Joe also needs a bipod. Joe wants a suppressor and a suppressor cover. Joe needs a Chronograph (cough.cough. Magnetospeed, I know, shameless plug) Joe wants to run good factory ammo, and also wants to learn ammo reloading. Finally, Joe wants to get into training classes.
Let’s count how many companies, minus the initial purchase of the RPR, that now have been affected by one single RPR purchase: 10-12 separate companies. And this is before any customization (hand rails, barrels, and trigger.) Wow, so now a single RPR purchase has now generated sales for a dozen or more companies. How many RPRs have been sold to this date? Here is where I add GGTS. (Go Google that shit.)
Joe then goes out with a group of friends and shows off his new rifle. Guess what happens; Friend A, B, C, all want in on this. Rinse and repeat the cycle. If Joe has enough money and wants to dedicate himself to matches, Joe goes to some matches. Joe now sees the custom bolt guns being used. Joe then starts asking questions to those doing moderately good to winning matches. “Hey, what action are you using?” or “Excuse me, what Chassis is that?” and “What Scope is that?” or “what is your load data and velocity?” Joe then starts to plan out a custom bolt gun, or maybe a competition level AR. More companies now being involved.
So while it’s cool to bash and hate new shooters getting into precision rifle shooting with the RPR, the “creed” or whatever scope they are using, remember this; it is making the market thrive. It’s forcing innovation that is not as evident in other markets. It’s forcing other companies to develop new product lines to supplement rifles on the market. It is also forcing competition to keep up. Ask yourself, or actually ask your grandfather, what was the backlash like when the .308 Winchester was developed and brought into circulation? His answer might be, “well, we wouldn’t have worried about what some jagoff on that idiot box you kids call the internet said about it, we just wanted to face shoot commies and hit the target.”
F.I.S.O.
-RWH
