ruger safari 308

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SFAR ™

Bigger and stronger where it needs to be and remains smaller and lighter than comparable .308-sized rifles.

Capacity Compliant

TALO Distributor Exclusive

The acquisition, ownership and use of firearms is heavily regulated. Some models may not be legally available in your state or locale. Know the law and shoot safely.

A true Small-Frame Autoloading Rifle, the SFAR is nearly identical in size to a traditional 5.56-caliber modern sporting rifle.

Made from a 7075-T6 hard-coat anodized aluminum forging, the upper receiver is complete with brass deflector, forward assist, and full-length Picatinny rail. The lower receiver features a generous flare on the magazine well for easy magazine insertion.

Venting holes in the upper receiver, barrel extension, and bolt carrier ensure that excess gas is directed safely away from the user.

Chambered in 7.62 NATO / .308 Win., the SFAR combines the ballistic advantages of .308 Winchester with the size of a traditional MSR.

The Magpul MOE SL stock and MOE grip provide positive control and ergonomics. The receiver end plate includes an additional socket for a QD sling swivel pocket and fills the offset space at the rear of the receiver.

Bolt and barrel extensions are CNC-machined from high-strength super alloy steel that outperforms traditional C158 bolts. Tapered lug geometry further strengthens the breech to support larger short-action cartridges.

The bolt carrier assembly features a chrome-lined 8620 steel bolt carrier and nitride-processed gas key staked in place. The titanium firing pin has been DLC-coated for long service life. The bolt includes dual ejectors and an optimized extractor to ensure positive extraction and ejection of the spent case through the enlarged ejection port.

Compatible with most mil-spec MSR trigger groups, receiver end plates, charging handles, pistol grips, and adjustable stocks.

4140 chrome-moly steel barrel is cold hammer-forged with ultra-precise 5R rifling. The heavy profile barrel balances nicely and its attractive, black nitride finish helps ensure exceptional accuracy, longevity, and easy cleaning.

Ruger ® 2-port Boomer muzzle brake has large perpendicular surfaces to redirect gas and reduce felt recoil. 5/8"-24 muzzle threads on the barrel remain compatible with other brakes, flash hiders, and suppressors.

Equipped with a Ruger Elite 452 ® trigger that delivers a smooth, crisp 4.5-pound 2-stage trigger pull. A full-strength hammer spring and lightweight hammer ensure fast lock times and consistent primer ignition.

Also includes: one, 20-round Magpul PMAG magazine and is compatible with SR25/AR-10-pattern .308 Win/7.62 NATO magazines.

Features listed above are available on all standard models, but may not appear on Distributor Exclusive models. See individual spec sheets for model specific features.

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Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc. is one of the nation's leading manufacturers of rugged, reliable firearms for the commercial sporting market. With products made in America, Ruger offers consumers almost 800 variations of more than 40 product lines, across both the Ruger and Marlin brands. For 75 years, Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc. has been a model of corporate and community responsibility. Our motto, "Arms Makers for Responsible Citizens®," echoes our commitment to these principles as we work hard to deliver quality and innovative firearms.

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Ruger Small Frame Autoloading Rifle (SFAR): A .308 Win. in a .223 Package

The ruger sfar (small frame autoloading rifle) cracked the code on producing an ar-10 that's as light as an ar-15. it's essentially a .308 winchester, packaged in .223 size..

When I began my outdoor writing career back around 2006, it seemed like every rifle I tested was some flavor of AR. Most of them were great guns, but I found myself struggling to say something new and unique about rifles that were anything but. Innovations were subtle and incremental—at best. This year, I finally get the chance to talk about an AR-style rifle that is new and unique. Ruger’s new Small Frame Autoloading Rifle (SFAR) does what no other rifle that I’m aware of has ever done: It is chambered in .308 Winchester but in what is essentially a .223-size package. Let’s take a step back to the 1950s where this story begins. When Armalite’s Eugene Stoner invented the rifle that we know now as the AR, he did so in 7.62x51. This rifle, widely known as the AR-10, was later scaled-down by Stoner and Jim Sullivan into what would become the 5.56x45 AR-15.

Though the features were similar, AR-10s are significantly larger and heavier—two pounds, on average—than AR-15s, making them less desirable for widespread use. Over the years, many users have sought the punch of the AR-10 but without the weight and bulk, leading ballisticians to effectively max-out the power available on the smaller format rifle. The result was the development of niche cartridges such as the 6.5 Grendel and 6mm ARC. With the SFAR, Ruger engineers went in a completely different direction. They figured out a way to effectively wedge an AR-10-size cartridge—.308 Win.—into an AR-15-size rifle. The result combines the power, versatility and ammunition availability of the .308 in a light and handy package.

From the outside, the SFAR basically looks like an AR-15 with an AR-10-size magazine well. The SFAR is currently available in two formats: the Model 5611, a full-size rifle with a 20-inch barrel, and the Model 5610, a 16.10-inch barreled carbine. They weigh in at 6.8 and 7.3 pounds respectively. I tested the more compact Model 5610. Both rifles wear cold-hammer-forged 4140 chrome-moly barrels made in-house by Ruger. Rifling is 5R, and twist rate is the standard 1:10. Barrels are black nitrided for corrosion and wear resistance, so combined with the durable results of the hammer-forging process and the nature of the .308 Win. cartridge, the life of a barrel should be extremely long.

The barrels are threaded 5/8x24 and equipped with a Boomer muzzle brake, which has two ports per side. Since the muzzle is threaded, a variety of muzzle devices can be installed, including suppressors. I did not mount a suppressor to the SFAR during testing, but doing so would have been as simple as removing the brake. True to Stoner’s original design, the SFAR is direct-impingement gas-operated. The 5611 uses a rifle-length gas system while the 5610 I evaluated uses a mid-length setup. To accommodate the wide variety of loads on the market and to maximize reliability, a four-position rotating gas regulator is located at the forward edge of the gas block, under the fore-end. The gas regulator constricts or expands the diameter of the gas port, allowing the user to control the flow of gases into the receiver. The system is adjusted using a 3/16-inch hex wrench that comes stored inside the hollow pistol grip. Notches on the side of the regulator allow for improvised methods of adjustment in the field if the wrench is misplaced. A screwdriver will work, as will something like a pocketknife if you’re really desperate. There is a reason that most 3-Gun competitors use adjustable gas systems: They can be a really effective means of keeping the muzzle on-target. The first regulator position allows for maximum passage through the gas system, maximizing reliability.

At the second position, less gas is allowed through, which cuts recoil and what I call “bolt carrier bounce”—the effect of the carrier slamming the buffer rearward with more force than is necessary to cycle the action. The third position is even more restrictive and is designed for use when a suppressor is attached to the barrel since these devices can create significant back pressure from trapped propellant gases. The final position is a shutoff, effectively making the rifle a straight-pull bolt action. Ruger recommends running the gas regulator at the lowest setting at which the rifle will function reliably with the chosen ammunition. The simple method of determining this setting is to dial down the regulator until reliability suffers, then open the system back up one step. When in doubt or when reliability trumps all else, run the system wide-open. The magic to the SFAR, though, it is under the hood. How did the engineers make this work? They started by increasing the strength characteristics of the bolt and the barrel extension that it interfaces with.

There are steels today that simply weren’t available when the AR was designed. Taking advantage of these materials, the SFAR’s bolt and barrel extension are machined from a high nickel content, high-strength steel that can handle the increased load of the .308 Win. Although the bolt carrier group is of similar size to the AR-15s, the two are not interchangeable. The lugs on the SFAR’s bolt are beefed-up and tapered, adding additional strength. The bolt carrier, the profile of which is noticeably different, is machined from 8620 steel and is chrome lined. The firing pin, made from titanium, is DLC-coated.

The SFAR ships with a 20-round Magpul PMag detachable box magazine, but it is designed to be compatible with all AR-10/SR-25 mags on the market. The .308 case is obviously larger and heavier than that of the .223, so a more robust ejection system was necessary. The SFAR uses two plunger-type ejectors that extend from the breech face. A traditional, though larger, AR-style extractor is used. I tested the gun at the most-forgiving gas regulator setting, but reliability was 100 percent with all three loads used. One of the stars of this show is the trigger. The Ruger Elite 452 two-stage trigger broke repeatedly at 3.3 pounds, which is far better than the advertised pull weight. Zero creep was detected. The safety/selector is a standard AR-type, as is the charging handle and the forward assist. Anyone comfortable with a modern sporting rifle will be able to manipulate the SFAR’s controls without issue.

The SFAR 5610 is built with a free-floating, 15-inch, Lite aluminum handguard. There is a short, railed section toward the muzzle and another section back toward the receiver while the three, six and nine o’clock fore-end positions are M-Lok compatible for accessory mounting. QD sling inlets are integral and are situated on both sides of the handguard. The SFAR is equipped from the factory with a Magpul MOE SL stock that allows the user to adjust the length of pull to six positions, ranging from 11 to 14.25 inches. Since the buffer tube is the standard mil-spec size, any AR-15-compatible stock that uses that tube diameter can be installed. The pistol grip, also a Magpul MOE, is AR-compatible also and simple to change out if desired.

Before shooting the SFAR, I assumed it would be a handful in terms of recoil. I was wrong. Despite being significantly lighter than a traditional .308 semiauto, recoil was mild—even with the gas system in its wide-open position. I credit the muzzle brake for this lack of felt recoil. Given the potential versatility of the SFAR, I wanted to test it with an appropriately capable optic. I’ve become a big fan of the stable of variable-power scopes that are capable of true 1X magnification. These scopes are as fast as a red dot at close range but can be used for precision shooting at longer distances. I had an EOTech Vudu 1-10x28mm on hand, and it was a perfect match for this carbine. I test-fired the SFAR with three factory loads and found it to be an accurate setup, with some impressive groups along the way. The best three-shot group overall came from the Federal Premium Gold Medal Berger load. It measured just 0.41 inch.

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So the SFAR is no doubt innovative, but what is it good for? Well, I live in the heart of feral hog country, where these destructive creatures wreak havoc on agriculture. Trapping is a more effective management tool, but hunting them is more fun. Night hunts are common. AR-10s are a very popular tool among those who are serious about going after them, but honestly, I’ve never wanted to lug that much weight around. When you start with a nine-pound rifle and then add a thermal or night vision optic as well as a suppressor, you’re carrying a heavy and bulky load. To me, the 16.1-inch-barreled SFAR is the solution to this problem, and it just might be the perfect hog gun for such endeavors.

The .308 chambering of the Ruger SFAR begs the question of whether other similarly sized chamberings are on the horizon. A 6.5 Creedmoor seems possible, especially given that it shares the same maximum pressure specification of the .308. A 6mm Creedmoor? A .243 Win.? Ruger is tight-lipped regarding future models, but that doesn’t prevent us from speculating. I expect the SFAR line to grow significantly. Given the amount of innovation that has taken place in the AR world over the past two decades, I shouldn’t have been surprised by or skeptical of the SFAR, but I was. Just when we assume that we’ve seen it all, a company surprises us. Ruger’s use of modern materials and innovative engineering methods has produced an incredibly capable but portable rifle and carbine. A reliable and accurate semiautomatic .308 weighing less than seven pounds is truly something special.

Ruger SFAR Specifications

• Type: direct-impingement AR
• Caliber: .308 Win.
• Capacity: 20+1 Magpul PMag detachable box magazine
• Barrel: 16.1 in. (as tested); 1:10 twist, threaded 5/8x24
• Overall Length: 34–37.25 in.
• Weight: 6 lb., 13 oz.
• Finish: Type III hardcoat anodized, black nitride
• Stock: Adjustable Magpul MOE SL
• Sights: None; Picatinny rail sections on fore-end and receiver
• Safeties: Two-position receiver-mounted lever trigger two-stage, 3.3 lb. pull (measured)
• Price: $1,229
• Manufacturer: Ruger, ruger.com

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Review of the Ruger SFAR: A 7 Pound .308 That Carries Like a 5.56

We put Ruger's SFAR through its paces and have a full review of why you should-- or should not-- add one to your gun safe

Michael Crites

Licensed Concealed Carry Holder

Reviewed by

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Products are selected by our editors. We may earn a commission on purchases from a link. How we select gear.

Ruger recently debuted what they term the Small Frame Autoloading Rifle, or SFAR, which is nearly identical to a common 5.56-caliber M4 but carries the satisfying wallop of a .308-caliber AR-10.

We’ve put one through its paces and have a full review of why you should– or should not– add one to your gun safe.

In This Article

Overall score.

EXCEPTIONAL

2024 awards & rankings, performance scores, other sellers:.

• Lightweight
• Reliable & Accurate
• Uses many common AR-15 parts
• Comparatively inexpensive in its type

Considerations

• The brake is obnoxious, especially in closed-in areas
• Can be undependable when suppressed
• Carbine has limited accessory rails

Our Verdict

Ruger’s SFAR has a lot of positives going for it for those looking to deliver a more capable round from an AR-15 without bringing along the weight penalty that usually comes with it. The 308 is unquestionably able to handle larger game and deliver a bigger punch downrange at distance.

At the same time, it is probably the most commonly available MSR caliber on the market after 5.56/.223. Shoehorning the ability to use it in a carbine/rifle platform that remains the same size and dimensions as an AR15– while still using the same furniture, trigger, and many accessories of this smaller and more common family– is a big win.

It will be exciting to see what Ruger does with this series in the future, especially if additional caliber options arrive.

Test Scores

How where does Ruger’s SFAR stand on our 60-point scale? Here are the scores:

Accuracy: 8/10

The SFAR was solidly accurate up to 500 yards, averaging under 2 inches at 100 yards, and performing well with an LPVO and Eotech XPS holo.

Ergonomics: 9/10

The SFAR’s M4-style feel, standard controls, and adjustable stock provide excellent ergonomics. Gas issues when suppressed are a bit of a drawback.

Features: 8/10

The SFAR has a litany of top-notch features, including an adjustable gas system and logical QD sling points. Downsides? It lacks an ambi charging handle and the brake is obnoxiously loud.

Fit & Finish: 9/10

Ruger maintains its reputation with the SFAR’s high-quality fit and finish, ready to use out of the box.

Reliability: 7/10

Generally reliable, we saw two stoppages in 500 unsuppressed rounds and a few more FTEs when suppressed due to gas issues. Keep it clean.

Value: 8/10

Ruger SFAR offers excellent value compared to other AR-10s, providing a smaller, adaptable platform with quality features at a reasonable price.

A Quick Intro

The SFAR is a gas-driven semiautomatic rifle laid out roughly as an AR-15 but chambered for 7.62 NATO/.308 Win.

Don’t think of it as an AR-10, as it is much smaller and lighter, especially in the receiver, but more accurately think of it as an AR-15 that has been recast– not stretched out– to accept the 308.

Perhaps the only competition in the AR space is the much more expensive POF-USA Revolution series, which we’ll touch on later. 

AR-10 and L-308-style rifles, built on the traditional split-receiver direct-gas-impingement design pioneered by Eugene Stoner, are nothing new.

They predate the smaller AR-15 by almost a decade. However, today’s AR-10s are a beast when it comes to weight. Look at some of the more popular examples on the market such as the Knight’s Armament SR-25 PR, which, with its optimized 20-inch barrel and M-LOK equipped handguard hits the scales at 10.5 pounds– and that’s before adding any optics, sling, or ammo.

The chopped-down 16-inch KAC SR-25 CC carbine still hits the 8.4-pound mark right out of the box. Even the “lightweight” .308-caliber Springfield Armory Saint Victor carbine, with its thin profile 16-inch barrel and free-floated 15-inch aluminum handguard, has an unloaded weight of “a mere” 7.8 pounds.

The Ruger SFAR carbine, introduced in 2022, beats that last example by an easy pound, coming in at a weight more akin to a basic 5.56-caliber carbine with the same length barrel.

Key Features of the SFAR

Let us go over some of the key features of the rifle, to better understand the platform as a whole by the sum of its parts. We’ll start at the back of the rifle and work towards the muzzle.

All SFAR models currently in Ruger’s catalog use Magpul’s excellent MOE SL series stock and MOE grip. As you may have noticed, these are meant for the M4/AR series, and the SFAR, which uses a standard Mil-Spec-sized carbine receiver extension tube, accepts these without issue. 

They are collapsible, allowing a 3.25-inch range of motion that translates to a very modular 11-to-14.25-inch length of pull for the user. It has dual-side release latches for this adjustment, and an ambi (left and right) QD sling point in addition to two flat sling slots. 

The SFAR makes a radical departure from AR-10/308s in the form of its receivers.

Made from 7075-T6 hard-coat anodized aluminum forgings, the receivers are almost the same size as those seen on an M4/AR15 with a few exceptions such as in the volume of the bolt carrier group in the upper– to accept a streamlined .308-caliber BCG– and in the magazine well in the lower, the latter to accommodate standard SR-25 style .308 detachable box magazines.

The upper is complete with a brass deflector, forward assist, and full-length Picatinny top rail and includes pressure vents for the gas system. It also accepts standard AR-15-style charging handles.

Key to the design in terms of being able to manage the pressure of a .308 round in an M4-sized receiver, the vented barrel extension used in the Ruger SFAR is CNC-machined from high-strength super alloy steel that the company says, “outperforms traditional Carpenter C158 chrome-nickel alloy steel bolts.”

To be able to easily expel spent .308 brass, the receiver has an enlarged ejection port.

The lower receiver accommodates standard AR-15 style, mil-spec trigger groups, receiver end plates, pistol grips, and adjustable stocks. The end plate includes an additional socket for a QD sling swivel pocket and fills the offset space at the rear of the receiver.

While the SFAR lower will accept any standard AR15 style trigger pack that meets a mil-spec dimension, it comes equipped with Ruger’s in-house Elite 452 series 4.5-pound 2-stage trigger.

It isn’t bad in our testing and the company stresses that it blends a full-strength hammer spring with a lightweight hammer to ensure fast lock times and consistent primer ignition. We don’t hate it.

Bolt Carrier Group

Closer in size to the BCG seen on an M4 than one the user would expect to encounter on an AR10 style .30-caliber rifle, the SFAR’s bolt carrier assembly has a chrome-lined 8620 steel bolt carrier and nitride-processed gas key. It has a DLC-coated titanium firing pin.

The bolt includes dual ejectors (instead of single) and an “optimized” extractor.

Like the upper receiver, the bolt has a series of gas vents built into it that allow excess pressure to bleed off during the cycling process. This brings us to the…

While the SFAR has a direct gas impingement system, it isn’t what you normally see in either an M4/AR-15 or an AR10/308.

It is user-adjustable with a 0.750-inch 4-position rotary-regulator gas block accessible via the slots in the handguard with an included 3/16-inch ball-end Allen wrench.

This allows the user to adjust the system to work with various loads and with a suppressor. Setting “1” is fully closed, essentially making the SFAR a bolt-action rifle using the charging handle to work the action (which can be tough if it is dirty) while setting “4” is fully open. 

The 20-inch rifle sports a longer rifle-length gas system while the 16.1-inch carbine model has a mid-length gas system. 

Both the carbine and rifle variants of the SFAR use a 15-inch Lite free-floated aluminum handguard covered liberally with Magpul M-LOK accessory slots on the 3′, 6′ and 9′ o-clock positions, seven on each side for a total of 21 slots. It also has QD sling sockets toward the muzzle-end of the handguard. 

It should be pointed out, however, that the rifle and carbine variants of the SFAR use different handguards, with the variance being at the top of the guard.

On the 16-inch barreled carbine, the top rail has been docked in the center in a sort of hourglass arrangement to save weight, dropping the top Pic rail to two short sections at the front and rear.

On the 20-inch rifle variant, the full 15-inch top rail carries Picatinny, which, with the added weight of the longer barrel, adds a half pound to the gun’s overall weight. 

Ruger uses a heavy profile barrel in the SFAR constructed via a cold-hammer forging process from blanks of verified 4140 chrome-moly steel.

That’s carbon steel, not stainless, or even CMV, and the tensile strength of such steels is something like 95,000 psi+ which is more than enough to handle the 60-62K psi pressure curve of a 7.62 NATO/.308 Winchester round. 

While coming short of being a match-quality barrel or heavy bull barrel, it is still better than thin pencil-style barrels often seen on low-cost .308 ARs, and the odds of the average user ever “shooting out” one are low. Ruger uses 5R rifling with a 1:10″ RH twist, a rate that allows for good bullet stabilization.

The barrel is coated in a black nitride process that tends towards easy cleaning and longevity as it is less susceptible to oxidation.

Carbine vs. Rifle variant

As covered above, the substantial difference between the carbine and rifle variants of the SFAR is in the upper, with the carbine running a mid-length gas system and having a 16.1-inch barrel inside a slimmed-down 15-inch handguard with limited Picatinny sections at the 12 o’clock position.

Compare this to the rifle variant which runs a rifle-length gas system and a 20-inch barrel inside a 15-inch handguard with a full top Pic rail. In terms of heft and length, the difference breaks down to about a half pound and four inches, with the rifle obviously being that much greater in terms of tape and curbside weight. 

The difference between the two in terms of user experience can be dramatic as the longer platform has a softer recoil impulse due to the rifle-length gas system.

Eight ounces more weight also helps to absorb recoil while the 25 percent longer barrel wrings better performance from the round via increased velocity.

However, that extra weight and length can add up in the field and in maneuvering in tight spaces where the carbine may be more welcome, even if its recoil is slightly choppier.

Performance and Precision

We ran our SFAR carbine on a wide range of loads, from light military surplus rounds to heavy 180-grain match loads from Gucci-level ammo makers.

We found it to hold decent accuracy, zeroing in with a Tango series LPVO at 100 yards and verifying out to 500 on 12-inch plates. In short, it could zap it if you could see it.

Typical 3-shot groups fired from the bench at 100 yards averaged under 2 inches, some very much under.

For more practical style shooting and shooting on-the-move drills, we switched up to an Eotech XPS backed up by the company’s G33 3x flip-away Magnifier and found the setup good to go at moderate ranges.

The SFAR handles great in terms of size, feeling much more like an M4-style AR15 than anything chambered in .308.

The surface controls are standard, oriented on the left-hand side of the lower when it comes to the bolt release and safety selector, and the right with the charging handle, forward assist, and mag release.

The MOE grip is common to the industry and feels good. If you don’t agree, it is easily swapped out as is the Magpul SL stock, which is one of the better M4 collapsibles on the market.

Our biggest complaint in terms of ergos comes from the seven vent holes in the bolt, paired with similar gas bleeds in the receiver that tend to give the user a bit of gas to the face, especially noticeable when using a suppressor. 

The features on the SFAR, primarily in terms of general layout and specs, are top-notch.

The Magpul stock is better than a lot of competitors’ furniture and is easily adjustable. Plus, there are QD sling points in the most logical places, something that you don’t appreciate until you break out a nice Blue Force Gear two-pointer.

Further, the adjustable gas regulator puts the user in the driver’s seat in terms of performance across various loads and with/without a can.

While it doesn’t have some nice-to-have extras like an ambi charging handle, you don’t really miss them. Also, while the “boomer” brake on the muzzle helps with recoil, it is incredibly loud, especially when on an indoor range.

Fit & Finish

Ruger in general has never been a slouch when it comes to producing finished firearms that are ready to go right out of the box. The fitment and overall finish of the SFAR continue that lineage.

Reliability

Ruger has been in the semi-auto .308 rifle game for a minute. Long before the SFAR was a thing, they had the SR-762, a piston-driven AR-10 that debuted in 2013 and remained in production for several years. Something to consider: the SR-762 weighed almost 9 pounds unloaded and cost over $2K– and that’s in 2013 dollars.

Before that, the company had developed the Ruger XGI project in the 1980s, a program that made a .308-caliber upsized Mini-14 but never delivered it to market.

This being said, the company has taken the past 35 years of experience in the autoloading .308 space as a class in how to make one work and work well.

When it comes to the SFAR, we had fairly good reliability. Throughout more than 500 rounds fired unsuppressed through the platform– across a mix of at least eight different commercial and military surplus loads– we observed two stoppages.

Both of these were failures to eject on a very dirty gun that was easily cleared. A mean stoppage rate of 1:250 under basic conditions, which isn’t bad.

When it came to firing the SFAR suppressed, the stoppage rate bumped up a bit as the gun seemed to want to choke up with FTEs every 20-30 rounds until we dialed in the adjustable gas regulator to smooth it out. Still, even with the regulator, we found it to deliver an FTE about every 75 rounds or so.

Our hypothesis for that is the gun doesn’t know what to do with all the extra gas forced back into the chamber when suppressed and the overflow vents in the receiver and bolt start to get gummed up, thus resulting in not enough gas available to kick out the brass fully before the bolt starts to move forward again.

Overall, we put right at 1,000 rounds through the SFAR carbine, half unsuppressed (with two stoppages), and half-suppressed via three different direct-thread suppressors (with about a dozen assorted jams). In short, she doesn’t like to run both suppressed and dirty at the same time, even with the regulator.

The solution: keep it clean, especially when enjoying some quiet time.

The Ruger SFAR offers amazing value for what it is. Go shopping for AR-10s and even entry-level examples such as the S&W M&P10– which hits the 8-pound mark even with a 16-inch barrel and does not have an adjustable gas system– have a basic starting price of $1,100.

For a skosh more, Ruger gives you a smaller and nimbler platform with a better trigger and gas system that can still deliver and uses a ton of common AR-15 parts.

Competitors

Preceding the Ruger SFAR into the light “308 in an AR-15-sized” rifle was POF-USA’s 6.8-pound 16.5-inch barreled Revolution (which has an MSRP of $2,699) while the company’s more “entry-level” 5.9-pound 16.5-inch barreled Rogue series costs $1,899 .

Another newer player in that field is Dark Storm Industries who have been advertising the new DS-25 platform , billed at 6.7 pounds, with an MSRP of $1,495. 

In short, Ruger’s 16-inch 6.8-pound SFAR carbine, at a current ask of $1,329, is the value option in terms of cost while being imminently more available than either the POF Rogue/Revolution or the Dark Storm DS-25.

With the Revolution, you get a lot nicer features (fluted chamber, ambi charging handle, 9-position gas system, ambi surface controls, smoother rifle-length gas system) but you pay twice the price for what some would argue is the same concept.

Still, for what it is, nobody can touch the SFAR in terms of cost for what Ruger is offering.

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Ruger SFAR: Full Review

Ruger's multi-­role smallframe autoloading rifle —sfar — combines ar-­10 power with ar-­15 portability. here's a full review..

(Photo by Mark Fingar)

It wasn’t long ago that AR-­10-­style rifles chambered for 7.62x51mm NATO were a topic of debate and admiration at shooting ranges and around campfires. Even Grandad, with his distrust of the “plastic” AR-­15, could get behind Gene Stoner’s .30-­caliber platform. Afterall, the .308 Winchester — the 7.62’s commercial counterpart — was a descendent of the two-­time World War winner, the .30-­’06 Springfield. As a military cartridge, the 7.62 NATO saw action in M14 rifles and M240 machine guns, among others, while the .308 Win. has been feeding Winchester Model 70s (and every other bolt action) since the early 1950s.

In the realm of personal-­defense and self-­reliance, Gunsite founder Col. Jeff Cooper championed the .308 cartridge as the ammunition for his Scout Rifle concept, an all-­purpose bolt action. Among preppers and survivalists, the endless “if you can only have one” debate further encouraged the popularity of a magazine-­fed .308, and semiautomatic options such as the AR-­10 were heralded by tactically minded riflemen. Such platforms would be reliable game-­getters and superior protection against two-­legged varmints thanks to the greater capacity and rate of fire.

Around 2015, it actually seemed as if the debate was finished when DPMS, then part of the larger Remington family of brands, introduced the streamlined GII AR-­308. Although Stoner’s original prototypes weighed less than 7 pounds, unloaded, commercial renditions with beefed-­up components, longer barrels and additional accessories often tipped the scales between 8 and 9 pounds. As a result, the platform was criticized for its size and weight. The DPMS GII AR-­308 reversed that trend by redesigning its legacy receivers, barrels and bolt assemblies with the goal of shaving ounces. The result was an attractive and highly functional semiautomatic .308 that, in its original configuration, weighed just 6 pounds, 14 ounces.

Case Closed, Right?

Not so fast! Just as it seemed we could all settle on a new generation of lightweight .30-­caliber autoloaders, pairing the power of our favorite hunting rifles with the AR-­15’s portability and familiar manual of arms, forces conspired to shake up the market. For one, a raft of metric sixes began feeling their oats. The 6.5 Creedmoor’s ascent shifted from slow-­burn to meteoric rise. Too, autoloading cartridges meant to offer the AR-­15 more “thump” engendered zealous support, including Bill Alexander’s 6.5 Grendel and Remington’s 6.8 SPC, which was once considered the military cartridge of the future. Finally, interest in commercial suppressors took off and .30-caliber autos that could be loaded for both super-­ and subsonic performance garnered special attention. J.D. Jones deserves credit for ticking those boxes with his .300 Whisper cartridge, along with Advanced Armament Corporation (AAC) for taking the concept into large-­scale production through its .300 ACC Blackout loads.

While space doesn’t allow for a longer discussion, suffice it to say the quest for the perfect rifle, if you could only have one, was far from over.

Small Frame Autoloading Rifle

Though no consensus for model or platform yet exists, I’d argue some basic parameters for an all-purpose rifle have emerged. First, we want a magazine-­fed semiautomatic for easy ammunition management and firepower. Though we like the AR-15’s trim profile and familiar suite of controls, we’d prefer a chambering with more power and downrange performance than the 5.56 NATO/.223 Rem. Finally, although we don’t necessarily need it to be suppressor-ready, the ability to easily add a can would be nice.

Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to introduce Ruger’s Small Frame Autoloading Rifle (SFAR), a definitive contender if you can only have one.

Here’s the highlights, then I’ll describe it in detail: The SFAR is a gas-­driven semiautomatic rifle chambered for 7.62 NATO/.308 Win. It follows the basic pattern for a lightweight — sub-­7 pounds — AR-­10, but it also includes a gas regulator to reliably function with a broad range of ammunition and suppressors.

At the heart of the rifle is the cold hammer-­forged barrel made from 4140 chrome-­moly steel and featuring 1:10-­inch twist and 5R rifling. At launch, Ruger introduced two models of the SFAR, one with a 16-­inch barrel — the subject of this review — and one with a 20-­inch barrel. The 16-­inch gun utilizes a mid-­length gas system and weighs 6 pounds, 13 ounces, whereas the 20-­incher runs on a rifle-­length system and is heavier at 7 pounds, 5 ounces. All else is the same. The barrel has a durable black nitride finish, and the muzzle is threaded 5⁄8-­24 to accept accessories. Included with the SFAR is Ruger’s two-­port Boomer muzzlebrake.

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Taking a close look at the gas system, the low-­profile gas block utilizes a four-­position regulator to control the amount of gas syphoned from the barrel and used to power the semiautomatic action. The faces of the rotary regulator are numbered and correspond to increasing amounts of gas. At “0”, or off, no gas is let into the system; the rifle will operate as a single shot and require manual operation to cycle. Conversely, the highest setting, “3”, signals the gun is running wide open. Most ammo is going to run well at setting “2”. Setting “1” is ideal when a suppressor is equipped. A channel in the handguard allows access to the regulator, and adjustments are made using the 3⁄16 ball-­end wrench that comes stowed in the grip.

The SFAR utilizes direct gas impingement to cycle the action — no pistons used here. Gas syphoned at the gas block travels through the tube and into the bolt assembly’s staked gas key to push the carrier group rearward. A common experience when shooting direct-­gas guns, particularly in large chamberings, is an unpleasant blast of escaping gas. As a remedy, Ruger added venting holes into the bolt carrier and through the barrel extension and upper receiver. The ports ensure that any gas not used to cycle the bolt carrier is evacuated forward.

The key to the SFAR’s relatively svelte design is its comparatively small bolt assembly, which appears closer in size to an AR-­15 than the expected AR-­10 components. Ruger was able to accomplish this thanks to the gas system and superior construction materials. Regulating the gas effectively ensures that the bolt carrier group and barrel extension aren’t being battered with every shot. Too, Ruger achieves greater durability by machining those parts from a high nickel content, high-strength, super alloy steel. Previously, to handle the large, stout, .308 Winchester cartridge, reciprocating parts had to be engineered bigger and heavier. Not so with the SFAR.

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A detailed look at the bolt-carrier assembly, the carrier was chrome lined for durability and lubricity. The firing pin is titanium and features a diamond-like coating (DLC) finish. Finally, the bolt face features dual ejectors and a robust extractor. Rifles with components upgraded in this manner typically exhibit better-­than-­mil-­spec reliability when it comes to feeding, firing, extracting and ejecting.

The upper and lower receivers are 7075-­T6 hard-­coat anodized aluminum forgings. The upper has a full length of Picatinny rail and an enlarged ejection port with a brass deflector. The lower receiver’s large angular magazine well, flared at the mouth, is the only external evidence that the SFAR offers with regard to its chambering. In all other respects, the SFAR looks like an AR-­15. Controls are familiar fare, including the radial safety selector and bolt catch on the left side, magazine release and forward assist on the right. The charging handle is a touch better looking than a mil-­spec component, and Ruger’s Elite 452 two-­stage trigger is refreshingly clean for a production AR assembly.

As for furniture, the SFAR wears a lightweight 15-­inch aluminum handguard. It’s a slick design with M-­Lok slots on the 3-­, 6-­ and 9-­o’clock flats. Lightening cuts are throughout, and small portions of the rail are topside at the front and rear. The configuration accommodates the addition of sights and accessories without adding unnecessary weight or impeding a clamping support hand grip. The pistol grip and adjustable stock are from Magpul’s proven MOE SL line. Both the buttstock and the handguard have ports for adding a QD-­style sling socket. Also from Magpul is the included 20-­round magazine.

At the Range

I had a good feeling I was going to like the SFAR after pulling it out of the box, performing a functions check and giving it a few dry­fire trigger pulls. I hadn’t done any research on the gun at that point, so I was assuming it had a standard trigger. Nope. Ruger’s Elite 452 delivered a consistent 4-­pound, 3-­ounce, pull with just a touch of takeup, a clean release and no overtravel. It’s not a high-­end cassette-­style drop-­in unit, either. It’s just well made, properly dimensioned and well manufactured to prevent the grit and grind that characterizes many production ARs. Honestly, that trigger told me almost everything I needed to know about the gun: The SFAR has no frills, but is made of durable, well-­made components throughout.

I mounted a Leupold VX-­5HD 3-­15x44mm riflescope and selected a variety of ammunition for performance testing. Included were Black Hills 168-­grain boat-tail hollowpoint (BTHP); Lehigh Defense 152-­grain Controlled Chaos (CC); and Remington Hog Hammer with a 168-­grain Barnes TSX. I also brought Federal’s American Eagle 150-­grainer for zeroing and familiarization fire.

Most noticeable was the lack of recoil. Now, .308 Winchester isn’t going to thump you, but a hundred rounds through a lightweight rifle could soften you up. Not in the SFAR. The combination of proper gas regulation, the Boomer brake and just enough weight in the gun made for a very tame shooting experience.

Given the nice trigger, low recoil and its cold hammer-­forged barrel, I expected good, consistent accuracy, and the SFAR delivered. Five-­shot groups at 100 yards averaged just more than 1 inch, but everything I fed the gun produced multiple sub-­MOA clusters. It’s a gas gun, after all, not a fully bedded bolt action, so you can’t be surprised when a round or two wander a little and open groups up by a couple tenths.

The premise of the SFAR is to deliver .30-­cal. performance from a .223-­sized platform. Does it deliver? During my range session, I spent time doing common rifle drills, as I would with a home-­defense AR-­15. Holding the rifle at the low ready and shooting a couple magazines worth of one-­ and two-­shot “Up” drills was a piece of cake. I even did a gasser I learned the SIG Sauer Academy: Keep the rifle up and ready while transitioning back-­and-­forth between shoulders with each shot until the magazine is empty. Maybe it was the fact that the SFAR feeds from a 20-­ rather than 30-­round mag, but the exercise didn’t seem as taxing as I remembered.

Ultimately, the Mayodan, North Carolina-­made SFAR in 7.62 NATO/.308 Win. is lightweight, low on recoil and built to last, just as you’d expect from any Ruger firearm. I enjoyed testing it so much, I’m planning to keep this one close. In my opinion, with a 1-­6X scope, offset red ­dot and a .30-­caliber suppressor, the SFAR sounds pretty close to perfect for an all-­purpose rifle, especially if I could only have one. 

• Type : Direct gas, semiautomatic
• Cartridge : .308 Winchester
• Capacity : 20 rds.
• Barrel : 16 in. (tested), 4140 CM, 1:10-­in. twist
• Overall Length : 37.25 in. (extended)
• Weight : 6 lbs., 13 oz.
• Stock:  Magpul MOE SL, adjustable
• Grip:  Magpul MOE SL
• Length of Pull: 11 in. (collapsed), 14.25 in. (extended)
• Finish: Hard-­coat anodized, black
• Safety: Two-­position selector
• Sights : None
• Trigger : Ruger Elite 452, two-­stage; 4 ­lb., 3 ­oz. (tested)
• MSRP : $1,229
• Manufacturer : Ruger, 336-­949-­5200, ruger.com

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RUGER SFAR 20″ Rifle Review

Morgan Rogue    02.14.23

I love guns. I really do. But lately, I just haven’t felt that ‘fire’ about any of the new firearms coming out lately.

That is, until, I had the chance to try out the Ruger SFAR .

I have always been a fan of Ruger. My very first carry gun was a Ruger LCP. I carried that firearm for years and absolutely loved it. Our Alaskan revolver that we carried everywhere with us was a Ruger Super Redhawk chambered in 454.

We are big fans of Ruger.

And before I even go on with this review, I need to say that Ruger has absolutely knocked it out of the park with the Ruger SFAR .

The Ruger SFAR accepts .308 WIN and 7.62 NATO. It has a magazine capacity of 20 rounds. It looks and loads like a modern rifle. It’s available in a 16.1 inch barrel or a 20 inch barrel. I am a sucker for longer barrels so I opted to test out the 20 inch barrel.

You don’t even have to shoot it to know it’s a beast. Just looking at it, you know it’s a spectacularly powerful piece of engineering marvel.

And a beast it is. It’s certainly a heavy rifle, but I didn’t expect it to be lightweight like my AR-15. The Ruger SFAR is made for power and it delivers. To put it bluntly, this is an AR-15 on steroids! But in the absolute best way imaginable.

A few more specs:

• Magpul Moe SL stock
• Magpul Moe grip
• 15″ aluminum free-float handguard
• Ruger Elite 452 Trigger
• Ruger 2 port Boomer muzzle brake
• Compatible with mil-spec MSR trigger groups, receiver end plates, charging handles, pistol grips, and adjustable stocks.

I decided to mount the Vortex Razor HD LHT since this rifle is best suited for long-range hunting. I wish I had had the chance to use this on an Axis or white-tailed deer, but the odds were not in my favor this past hunting season.

So I did the next best thing and took it to the range.

I braced myself for the first shot because I knew it was going to be powerful, as a .308 WIN would be. And I feel like I still didn’t brace myself enough. The immense power that came from this rifle left me with a huge smile on my face.

I did absolutely no adjusting to the scope and it was just about spot on. Is that a testament to the scope or the rifle or me? Let’s say a little of each.

As stated previously, it is a heavy rifle, but it’s easy to attach a two-point sling to ease the load. Carrying around while hunting would be an easy task to do. The hardest part, for a small, petite woman like myself, would be actually finding a suitable position to shoot from because of the weight. I think I definitely need to lift some more weights. I sat mostly in the kneeling position as that was the most comfortable and the easiest way for me to sight in on my targets. However, I did try to move around a little and shoot and I was getting the hang of balancing out the rifle, sighting in and moving. It was a fun experiment. Maybe not practical for most scenarios with this gun, but definitely fun.

While this is an incredibly fun firearm to shoot, this isn’t a ‘go to the range and shoot at targets’ kind of gun. This is a ‘go to the range and sight it in then go hunt’ kind of gun. I mean, sure, nobody is stopping you from going to the range to shoot your own firearm, by all means!

I love the modern look, large capacity magazine and autoloading feature. Like I said in the beginning, Ruger knocked it out of the park – no, out of the world – with this release.

MSRP: $1,329

Check out the Ruger SFAR !

Morgan Rogue

Morgan writes for OutdoorHub while also being the founder of Rogue Preparedness where she helps people get prepared for emergencies and disasters, as well as thrive any circumstances.

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NEW Ruger SFAR 308 Win – Small-Frame Autoloading Rifle

Ruger had once produced an AR platform .308Win/7.62 NATO rifle in the SR-762, but it had been discontinued, sadly. Now, we know what Ruger had planned to replace it with all along. Today, the Ruger SFAR – Small-Frame Autoloading Rifle – and it is a unique spin on what most of us believe a 308 Win AR platform rifle should look like.

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Traditional .308 Win AR rifles are rather large and heavy. The larger cartridge demands a bigger magazine, a larger receiver to accept the round, and everything balloons in size compared to its 5.56 NATO/.223 Rem counterpart platform. This whole concept changes with the introduction of the Ruger SFAR where they tried to shrink down as much of that platform as possible to make it more feasible to carry and wield for people of all statures and sizes.

• Stock: Magpul® MOE SL®
• Handguard: Lite Free-Float with M-LOK® Attachment Slots
• Barrel Length: 16.10″ w/ 5/8″-24 TPI
• Grip: Magpul® MOE®
• Capacity: 20
• Finish: Type III Hard-Coat Anodized
• Height: 7.20″
• Weight: 6.8 lb.
• Twist: 1:10″ Right-Hand, 5-Groove Rifling
• Overall Length: 34″ – 37.25″
• Length of Pull: 11″ – 14.25″
• MSRP: $1,229.00

There’s been a hole in Ruger’s AR offering since SR-762 was discontinued. Ruger® SFAR™, or Small-Frame Autoloading Rifle, is a sub-7lb, 16” 308 AR. Not an AR-10. The barrel and bolt are the same overall size as a conventional AR-556® and the upper/lower receivers were stretched and massaged to fit the bigger magazine and cartridge into the AR-556 envelope. Ergonomics, manual of arms, and most mil-spec AR bits and bobbles are all compatible too. We have two models ready to ship at launch identical except for barrel length and handguard configuration: 16” (6.8 lb, #05610) and 20” (7.3 lb, #05611) are shipping at launch. The additional barrel length does net a bit more velocity – up to 150 fps with some ammunition – but accuracy at 100 yards has been evenly matched between the (2) models… the 16” (model #05610)… is short and handy, balances well, and not overly long with a silencer mounted.

So, as you can see at the time of its introduction the Ruger SFAR will come in two different model sizes with a 16″ and 20″ barrel option. While one might afford you more velocity than the other, they are reportedly exhibiting the same accuracy. The only thing left to ask is which one would you like to purchase?… As always, let us know all of your thoughts in the Comments below! We always appreciate your feedback.

Adam Scepaniak

Editor - AllOutdoor.com | Writer - TheFirearmBlog.com | Writer - OutdoorHub.com | Writer - TheArmoryLife.com | Writer - Tyrant Designs CNC Blog | Guest Writer - Boyds Gunstocks Blog | Guest Writer - NRA "Shooting Sports USA" | Guest Writer - Sierra Bullets Blog | Smith & Wesson Certified Armorer | Glock Certified Armorer | Firefighter/EMS | Instagram: strength_in_arms

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NEW Ruger SFAR 308 Win, Small-Frame Autoloading Rifle

U.S.A. – -(AmmoLand.com)- Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. (NYSE: RGR) is pleased to announce the latest addition to its modern sporting rifle lineup, the Small-Frame Autoloading Rifle, or SFAR™. Chambered in 7.62 NATO / .308 Win., the SFAR combines the ballistic advantages of .308 Winchester with the size of a traditional MSR. The smaller of the two initial configurations of this rifle features a 16” barrel model and weighs in at just 6.8 pounds unloaded. By utilizing superior materials and engineering, the SFAR is bigger and stronger where it needs to be and remains smaller and lighter than comparable .308-sized rifles.

Utilizing many mil-spec-compatible components and fitted with the Ruger® Elite 452® trigger, the construction and operation of the Ruger SFAR will be familiar to the millions of Americans who have already adopted traditional modern sporting rifles. The upper and lower receivers are both CNC-machined from 7075-T6 forgings and feature an oversized magazine well, forward assist, dust cover and brass deflector. Barrels are cold hammer-forged with 5R rifling, a 5/8”-24 muzzle thread, and finished with black nitride for accuracy, longevity and easy cleaning. CNC-machined from high-strength super alloy steel, the bolt and barrel extension feature tapered lugs that strengthen the breech by adding material in key areas.

“Over the course of this rifle’s development, we fired hundreds of thousands of rounds to assess and enhance real-world performance and wear,” noted Ben Parker, Lead Design Engineer for SFAR. “The proprietary design and material selection of the bolt and barrel extension help deliver a rugged, reliable, and safe rifle that we are proud to call a Ruger.”

SFAR rifles are fitted with a 4-position regulated gas block to achieve ideal function across the wide range of ammunition available in the marketplace today, whether running the rifle dirty or clean, suppressed or unsuppressed. The included, on-board 3/16” ball-end wrench makes for easy regulator adjustment, while the 2-port Boomer muzzle brake makes the SFAR exceptionally soft shooting.

The handguard features Magpul® M-LOK® accessory attachment slots at the 3:00, 6:00, and 9:00 positions and sockets for QD sling swivels on both sides. Model 5610 features a 16” barrel, a mid-length gas system and a 15” Lite free-float handguard whose top rail has been docked in the middle for improved grip access and lighter weight. Model 5611 has a 20” barrel, a rifle-length gas system and a 15” handguard with a full Picatinny top rail. Both models feature Magpul MOE SL® stock, MOE® grip and ship with one, 20-round Magpul PMAG® magazine.

For more information on the SFAR family or to learn more about the extensive line of award-winning Ruger firearms, visit Ruger.com . To find accessories for the SFAR and other Ruger firearms, visit ShopRuger.com or your local independent retailer of Ruger firearms.

The acquisition, ownership, possession and use of firearms is heavily regulated. Some models may not be legally available in your state or locale. Whatever your purpose for lawfully acquiring a firearm—know the law, get trained, and shoot safely.

ABOUT RUGER FIREARMS

$1,229.00 https://ruger.com/products/sfar/specSheets/5610.html https://ruger.com/products/sfar/specSheets/5611.html

Went and bought one $1018. Got a set of flip ups and ran a few boxes through. Pretty nice and very lightweight. Ordered a scope

Well P.O.F. will be crying in their beer at about HALF of what they are charging for a similar one.

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