r/canadaguns • u/Nathanbks18 • Mar 11 '26
Gun and gear reviews Ruger American Ranch 5.56 Accessories
Hello 👋🏻
I recently purchased a Ruger American Ranch chambered in 5.56. I originally wanted a scout-style rifle, but I plan to set this one up more for longer-range shooting at the range, but I want to be able to shoot short distance as well. I don’t hunt — this rifle will be used strictly for range shooting.
I had a few questions:
- Since the rifle accepts AR-15 magazines, which brands or models would you recommend that are reliable and easy to find?
- For optics, I’m looking for the best value for the money. I’m used to Vortex optics, but I’m open to other suggestions if there are options with better clarity or performance for shooting at around 100 yards and beyond (I know it's a 16 inch barrel, so it might be difficult)
- Are there any accessories or upgrades you would recommend to improve the rifle? I plan to try it with the factory stock first, but I’m interested in other additions that could make it a better range rifle.
- Ammunition-wise, can the rifle safely shoot .223 Remington, or should it only be used with 5.56 NATO? Also, do you have any preferred ammunition that tends to perform well in this rifle?
Thank you for reading and for your advice!
4
u/gnu_gai Mar 11 '26
I've put together a copypasta for whenever the 5.56/.223 chamber question comes up, enjoy:
There are two relevant civilian bodies/methods (US and Euro+), and two military, as follows:
- Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers' Institute (SAAMI),
- Commission Internationale Permanente pour l'Epreuve des Armes à Feu Portatives (CIP) [founded by one of the Liège proofmasters to standardize European proofing]
- USAF SCATP
- NATO EPVAT
All four place the piezoelectric transducer in the chamber wall of the test barrel, however CIP and EPVAT drill a hole in the side of the cartridge case to measure the pressure, while SAAMI and SCATP rely on the pressure transmitted through the case as it expands, resulting in the American pressures appearing lower overall
.223 Remington is proof rated by the civilian bodies (SAAMI and CIP) for 380 MPa and 430 MPa respectively
5.56 NATO is proof rated by the military methods (SCATP and EPVAT) for *drumroll please* 380 MPa and 430 Mpa
TLDR: the proof pressures for the cartridges are identical. 5.56 factory loads are higher pressure \on average\***, but no factory load is going to be over the proof limits*
An additional thing to consider: some manufacturers are legally required to mark their civilian firearms with civilian chamberings, even if they are actually working to military chamber specs
The only functional difference between the cartridges and their respective chambers for shooting factory ammo out of a commercial barrel is that the 5.56 chamber spec is looser ahead of the case mouth, and has more freebore. This means a 5.56 barrel is inherently less accurate, but handles chamber gunk better
4
u/Moist-Wolverine-8531 Mar 12 '26
👏
Good lord, thank you. 👍 The amount of BS on this topic (and .308 vs 7.62x51mm) is mind-boggling.
2
u/FD4L Mar 12 '26
Many foreign manufacturers will stamp their rifles/barrels in civilian calibers because of past practices of treating "military" calibers differently on import to the US. Ruger makes their firearms in the US, so they dont have a problem with import rules.
If a firearm stamped 223, manufactured in the last 30 years, was damaged after discharging 5.56 ammunition, I would never purchase anything from that manufacturer.
2
u/NemrahG Mar 11 '26
For the ammo you can use either .223 or 5.56 in it, mine prefers heavier ammo, like 62grs and higher.
The main thing I’d recommend upgrading is the stock, the factory one is pretty cheap and flimsy, magpul makes an aftermarket stock that still uses AR mags. I also really like the mdt field stock too, but it uses AICS mags.
For optics the vortex diamondback tactical is cheap and works well out to 300yrds. There’s also tons of LPVOs for ARs that would work well too.
Cross mags work well, personally though I found all AR mags are mid in a bolt action.
1
u/HappyCan7250 Mar 11 '26
I personally love vortex scopes, but I also really like the Bushnell R3 and R5 lineup which are quite affordable if you want a change from vortex. Dante Sports has some good deals on optics and that is usually where I buy mine from with some of the sales they have. Check out their selection, they almost always have some models of vortex and Bushnell on sale.
There has been some good sales on Riton scopes as well. I got one a bit ago, but they also have some Lpvos and some sites have them on sale right now. I have been quite impressed and happy with my Riton Primal 3 4-16x44 for $250 (has side focus knob which was a big selling point for me, I much prefer having adjustable parallax vs fixed 100 yd like most budget scopes have)
I've also been quite happy with my Sig Sauer Buckmaster 3-12x42 (or 4-12x42 maybe? Not home right now). Rangeview sports had them for $180 and is very good value for $180. The Riton scopes are also very good value if you can get them on sale.
But Bushnell and Vortex are going to offer the best warranties. Riton is lifetime unlimited as well, but I don't know for sure if they offer it in Canada or only the US. I believe Sig Sauer also does a lifetime warranty on their optics.
All the options come in around $200-$250, except the Bushnell R5s which runs closer to $350.
I have also been super happy with my Vortex Triumph HD for only $130. Shockingly good glass for being so cheap, and comes with vortex rings included. I don't know how Vortex is selling them and making a profit, but they're only available in 3-9x40.
My MVP patrol in 223/556 also takes AR mags and I find the 10rd LAR mags are the best. Running a 5/30rd PMAG is kinda pointless with how big they are and how low they hang obviously. LARs let you run 10 and are steel, they seem to fit the best in my MVP patrol.
1
u/swift_gilford Mar 12 '26
For optics, I’m looking for the best value for the money. I’m used to Vortex optics, but I’m open to other suggestions if there are options with better clarity or performance for shooting at around 100 yards and beyond
Without a budget and a better definition for '100 yards and beyond' we can't really give you a suggestion
1
1
u/dct_ Mar 11 '26
Had a gen 1 for a few years now
1:I had good luck with duramag LAR mags, although I've switched to AICS (see #3)
2: 16" barrel is fine under 600 yards (see #3), i have old eyes and threw on a match pro 5-30
3: the stock flexes like crazy, i swapped for an mdt field w/aics mags. with a 16" barrel there's a lot of muzzle flash, i threw on a birdcage and it helps significantly. if you're shooting bench or prone a bipod and rear sand bag are your friends.
4: 223 is fine in a 5.56 chamber but not the other way around. with the 1/8 twist i've had good luck with 62 grain plinking grade ammo and 69 (nice) to 77gr grain match grade. only problem i've had was one failure to eject with a hot-loaded (or cooked off in a hot chamber) hornady super-performance 75gr 5.56 but that may have just been a bad batch, the primer popped clean out of the case.
edit: formatting gore
6
u/h3IIfir3pho3nix N E R F G U N S Mar 11 '26
1) Cross Pistol mags are made in Canada and work well. 2) That's really going to depend on your budget, the rifle will be able to shoot out to 500m if you're doing your part so performance isn't an issue. 3) Aside from a good bipod or rifle rest, I wouldn't add accessories until you've shot it for a bit. You may also need a cheek riser depending on your cheek weld. 4) .223 can be safely shot out of 5.56 guns. As for preferred ammo, buy a few brands and try them out for performance. Each rifle is different.