Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Ruger American or?

"I hate the look and feel of most of those entry level rifles and really don't care for plastic stocks...."

KY221,

Felt the same way and was disgusted when Ruger came out with the RAR. Then I needed a suppressor host, couldn't find a Remington (due mostly to the trigger recall) so I picked up a RAR Predator in 308. I like it a lot, extremely accurate, like the tang safety, nice & light (which is a consideration when putting the additional weight of a suppressor on a rifle). Going to pick up the RAR Ranch version in 300 BO next.

The RAR Predator comes in 6.5 Creedmoor, might give that cartridge a look, has a 22 inch barrel I believe.

Jerry

Never had an RAR, so can't comment there.

I don't think you could go wrong with an ADL, especially at the prices you can get them for now.

Agreed. I picked up a 243 XS7 (stainless) for a truck gun. Installed a Weaver VX9 on sale for $119 from Natchez and loaded up some 100 SGKs over N160 that I used for nothing else, just to use it. The gun has yet to shoot that load over an inch and shoots 85 TSXs and 85 NPs almost as well over Varget.

It's no gem, but I don't care if I beat briars out of the way with it to get where I'm going, or hand it to anyone for a loaner on the farm. It's a a real value.

Don't own one, but that does seem like a pretty nice package for about anything needing doing with a rifle.

cdnnsports has Rugers in .204, .223, .22-250, .243, .25-06, .270, 7mm-08, .280 and 7mm RM also.

As well as .300, .300RCM, .338W, .338RCM, .375 Ruger.

$499 to $549 for most.

Buy a Howa.




Travis

Another good choice.

PSA is out of the Marlin XS7s in 243, so that is no longer a $200 option.

I know that a lot of people dislike Wal-Mart, but they have youth model Remington 700 ADL(?) in 243 for $380+/- with a throwaway 3-9x40 scope and Weaver-style rings.

I'd find me a 257Roberts even if I had to pay a little more. Great deer rifle and a great varmit round. You can keep this gun in your arsenal forever. Thank me after your purchase. powdr

Actually for deer hunting in Kentucky if I could only have one rifle it would be my muzzleloader. We have 3 seasons a early ML a 10 -15 day regular gun season in most zones and a additional week long ML season in Dec. Frankly until about 5 years ago my longest shot had been with my ML at about 125 yds. Easily 90% of my shots have been under 100yds. So a ML is really not much of a handicap. I can also relate that coyotes don't seem to care for them either. So I would probably look for a nice clean New Englander or Renagade and use it for all three seasons.

Some really good suggestions here.. Thanks guys. Most people seem to really like their RAR. I'm going to keep my eyes peeled for a 700 ADL first because then I wouldn't have to resell, then buy a 700 later. I could just modify to my liking as I go. If I can't score a good deal on a 700 by November, it looks like the RAR will be getting the nod....

My favorite push-feed, next to the old 2-lug Sakos. All forged, one-piece bolt, easy bolt take-down.

Come to think of it, if you replaced the plunger ejector with a blade, it'd pretty much be a Sako.

RAR in .243 Redfield scope over leupold Vx1.

Yes it is.




Travis

Not long after I bought my S&W 1500 back in '83 the synthetic stock craze started. Since there were no aftermarket stocks,or anything else as far as that goes, for the Howa at that time the gunsmith used a Brown Precision for a Sako.

If I was in your shoes, 700 SPS/ADL from Walmart or Academy in 243.

379.00 at Academy today.

Thats a good deal^

I bought 3 americans last year,at $319 each
22-250
7-08
223

SPS 243 on the classifieds right now, 350.00

Despite my advice to get a good muzzleloader I would also mention that you are also in KY so don't forget you are just an afternoon drive from Whitaker and Buds. Either should be able to easily fix you up with a nice Howa for the same $ as a RAR . I will also venture that given your parameters of deer and varmints in Kentucky a good 243 would be hard to beat.