Ruger Announces New All-Weather® Ranch Rifle Chambered in 6.8 SPC

Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. (NYSE: RGR), is pleased to announce the introduction of the versatile Ruger® Ranch Rifle in the flat-shooting 6.8mm Remington SPC cartridge. This Special Purpose Cartridge (SPC), is extremely well suited to longer-range varmint and deer hunting applications in the redesigned Ruger Ranch Rifle.

The 6.8 SPC uses a .270" diameter bullet with performance similar to the venerable .257 Roberts. Its 110 grain bullet has a 2600 fps muzzle velocity, and at 100 yards has 78% more energy than a 55 grain .223 bullet. 115 grain bullets have a muzzle velocity of approximately 2500 fps, with moderate recoil and muzzle blast. On average, it packs about 20% more punch than the .223 cartridge, and its trajectory is close to that of a .308 Winchester out to 500 yards. Its ballistics and energy at 300 yards are virtually identical to the .243 Winchester-a fine, flat-shooting deer cartridge.

The All-Weather Ruger Ranch Rifle defies the elements with a matte-stainless barrel and receiver mounted in a black synthetic stock. With recent improvements, including an adjustable "ghost ring" aperture rear sight and a protected non-glare post front sight, the Ranch Rifle is at home in a scabbard, on a horse, or in an ATV. The All-Weather Ranch Rifle wears a flat, non-slip rubber buttpad, has an 18-1/2" barrel, and weighs 6-1/2 pounds.

The All-Weather Ranch Rifle in 6.8 SPC comes from the factory set up for scope use. Patented Ruger scope bases are machined directly into the receiver and can never shoot loose. A set of stainless steel Ruger scope rings, an $80.00 value, is included free with each Ruger Ranch Rifle. A patented recoil buffer protects the scope reticle from damage due to rapidly moving parts when firing this autoloading rifle, and its side ejection of cartridge cases easily clears the lowest-mounted scope.

"Ruger Ranch Rifles, based on the original Mini-14's introduced in 1974, have proven themselves around the woods, farm, and ranch by meeting the needs of working outdoorsmen and enthusiasts," said Sturm, Ruger President Stephen L. Sanetti. "With the addition of new calibers like the 6.8 SPC and improved features made available in the last year, the Ranch Rifle offers even better value and superior longer-range performance. This 6.8 SPC in the Ranch Rifle makes a great deer gun!"

For more information on the Ruger Ranch Rifle chambered in 6.8 SPC and the extensive line of Ruger products and services, visit http://www.ruger.com.