Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Ruger American .223

Just put a Ruger American .223 on layaway at the shop where I work part time.

Someone had traded it in, unfired, with the stickers still on the stock. (got a good buy!)

I'm going to mount a Leupold 12X AO scope on it, from another rifle I recently sold.

Anyone else running one of these rifles in .223?

Virgil B.

Yes

Steelhead;

Any feedback, good bad, or ugly?

What bullet(S) are you running?

Thanks! Virgil B.

I've shot 40gr Vmax, 62gr Barnes and 75gr Amax, all have shot well. Mine is the compact version.

I have the standard version, and so far all I've done is sight it in with 50-grain Nosler Varmageddon factory ammo, which put 10 shots into slightly over an inch at 100 yards. The group was shot as fast as I could carefully aim and pull the trigger, my standard for a rifle that might be used on prairie dogs.

The one I bought has an 18" barrel. Must be the compact model. Seems light.

Sounds like they shoot well.
Should make a good all-around light packing critter getter.

I've got loaded ammo, dies and probably a 1,000 rounds of brass. Should be set for lots of fun!

Thanks!

Virgil B.

Bought a compact SS one for my son this summer. Changed the rings on it last week and took it to the range to sight in. Cheap 55gr remington ammo, 4 shot ragged hole at 100yds. Pretty happy with it. Might change out the stock though, it's quite flimsy.

I have the compact. It shoots bulk FMJ into an inch or slightly more. Better quality loads well under 1". The stock is a bit flimsy, but with a generous free float does not effect accuracy. Aftermarket upgrades just turn a $350 budget rifle into a $500 budget rifle that doesn't look or shoot a bit better.

Vbshootingrange: My friend and former co-worker bought one of these for his 12 year old sons first Deer Hunting season here in Montana this fall.
We took it out last week and sighted, and broke it in with factory ammo.
We all took turns shooting it with a 4x12 variable scope on it.
I thought it shot pretty fair with the factory hardball ammo (Winchester IIRC).
I liked the trigger and the feel of the stock.
I will let you know if/when we shoot it with quality Hunting type ammo.
Best of luck with yours.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

Nope never heard of them!

Did the guy on the campfire ever get the mag extensions made for these to shoot heavier bullets??

Not yet.

It's a hobby and of low priority.


https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbth...8949238/5/Latest_on_Ruger_American_223_m





Mike

I guess he forgot he had to kiss your ass.

He doesn't and I'm certain I'm either blacklisted or will be dead last on the list.

It sure would have been nice to have made an attempt to get these out in our lifetime for those that bought rifles on the premise that they would be able to use them as repeaters with the mod.

You would think with a list of 75-100 publicly spoken for and probably many more privately spoken for a prudent investor would attempt to recoup their investment also.

Am I frustrated yes, is it the end of the world no.

I didn't say anything the manufacturer didn't say either.

Mike

Checked my "stash" and I have over 300 rounds of loaded .223

Mostly 50 grain TNT's but some 55 grain Noslers, and some 64 grain W-W power Points.

Also have about a 1,000 rounds of brass, and five boxes of Hornady 60 grain bullets.

Looks like I'm SET for lots of FUN! (GRIN!)

Virgil B.

I have one and put it in a Boyds Laminate. It shoots everything from 40gr-80gr under an inch with Varget. I would say I really like it if not for the magazine, but I can deal with that for the price.

Yep. I have a compact.

I have the standard version in stainless. Its been a solid 1-moa shooter out to 500 with the 75gr AMAX touching the lands... if the shooter is capable. And an absolute hoot shooting out to 1200+ under decent conditions. Its been an extremely easy rifle to shoot well, which was what I was looking for in order to get a lot of rounds downrange while re-re-learning to read the wind.

I did reinforce the fore-end, added a Timney, and modded the mag for extra COAL. Only thing I don't like is the ejection if you run the bolt slow. Usually doesn't affect me, but a spent case will sometimes fall inside the action when I let others shoot the rifle.

Lots of positive feedback. This is reassuring!

Thanks guys!


Virgil B.