Good point; instead of "not void warranty" I apparently should have said "keep customer service from blaming me/keep the ball in Ruger's court."


As for the ammo:
Based on the VOR-TX ballistics table, it seems the absolute maximum range would be 300 yards (and, realistically, probably a bit less, since the test barrel length is likely longer than 18").

I guess the reason I'm drawn to the Barnes bullets is the hope of consistently getting exit wounds to help with tracking. Reviewers on several sites using the 70gr. load attest to getting good-sized exit wounds even beyond 200 yards.
I'm generally going to prefer aiming for the lower 1/3 mark behind the shoulder, which should mean not too much tracking, but having a >.22 cal hole on the opposite side seems to be a bonus in case the shot ends up being a double-lung.
Perhaps I'm being too nervous about the cartridge's performance.

Have you had consistent exits with the NPs, or am I expecting too much out of a .223/5.56?