I bought a RPR in .243Win and took a bit of time researching it and playing with it. I just got back from shooting the NM PRS match with it shooting it bone stock and not even adjusting the trigger. Shooting my first PRS match that is considered one of the hardest with the best shooters and hanging in there, it was not the rifle when the misses came. I got off sequence on a stage, mis-dialed on a stage and got zeros, but the guys I shot with were pretty impressed.
Folding stock. Shortens it up so that with a suppressor attached, it will fit in a full length bag. For a range toy, who cares. For PRS, it can matter.
With the bore in-line with the stock tube, it is more forgiving of poor technique, which, like it or not, is good for everyone.
The Samson rail makes mounting bi-pods, sling cups, bags, etc. easy and something anyone can do.
The trigger is very good. It can be adjusted (I have not yet) down under 2 pounds if you want.
The accuracy is on a par with the best out there. I have been able to shoot 4" groups at 645 yards in 5-8 mph shifting winds and under .3" in a 100 yard tube. I have shot 2 bullets and 3 charge weights and have not worked on a best load and I am still getting very good accuracy.
The barrel can be changed at home with an AR15 armorer's tool and guages. That makes the .243 (1:7.7 twist) pretty appealing.
The stock is adequate, but yes, there are better ones out there. Any AR15 stock can be put on the RPR.
I have a high dollar custom .260 in a Chassis and I can honestly tell you that the RPR is every bit as good as it is, and most others I have shot in the $4 to $5K range. When a "budget" firearm enters the market and threatens the value of the predecessors, angst is created. The vast majority of the people who have criticised the RPR have never shot one.
Go find the Shooting Gallery show on the Ruger Precision Rifle with Michael Bane, Frank Galli and myself and you will get some more info. I have not seen it, but those who have told me it was very good.
I saw some people with issue with the plastic bolt shroud. I took mine off, put a small drop of superglue on it and let it sit 2 days then put it back on. That tightened it up. In PRS Production, you can not change out parts. You can add slings, bi-pods, comps, suppressors, but it has to remain stock. $2k max retail on gun, $2K max retail on optic. Combo has to be under $3K. The RPR with a Burris XTR!! come in with room to spare and is, IMHO, the best bang for the buck on the market. Next year, I will look at a LRI bolt shroud and put on a better stock.
It is a rifle that anyone with a little bit of mechanical aptitude can configure to their liking without the gunsmith bill. Barrel swaps are easy and quick. It is a budget rifle that delivers performance well above its price point and I would not hesitate to recommend one and there is a good chance I will end up with another in .308 at some point.