Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Ruger Confounds Logic Sometimes

Inexpensive does not always mean poorly made.

For years, when talking about Savage or Stevens rifles, I've seen or heard people say things like "it's an entry level rifle" or "a budget rifle". It's "only good for a 15 yr. old". "They're okay to learn on." etc.

Most of those people wouldn't know a good punch if they got smacked in the head with one.

Some of you should be crabbing about the prices you're paying for a so called "good rifle". You're spending additional money, so it's got to shoot better, right?

Hmmm, people spend twice the money on a Remington 700, and then spend more money replacing the trigger, or having their gunsmith rework it. Some real loons even swap out the new OEM barrel and/or re-bed the stock.

Fewer rifles have wooden stocks, and OEM plastic stocks are the norm these days. They're cheaper to produce, but I don't always see lower prices for plasti-rifles.

For the prices they're charging for a new Rem 700, Model 77 or Model 70, I'd expect perfection right out of the box. No tweaking. Nothing. Just attach a scope and start shooting 0.5 inch groups.

I mentioned it earlier, but I'm a fan of the Ruger American Rifle. It's a lot of gun for the money. I also have kids that are getting into hunting. My oldest daughter (10) has been at it for a couple years. I can't wait to get them on the prairie dog fields in Montana with their 223 compacts. They'll have lots of trigger time here too.

The Ruger American Rimfire is also a great option for the kids. The interchangeable comb really helps with younger shooters as well. The higher comb lets them get behind the scope in a very comfortable fashion. Ruger deserves kudos for the thought of appeasing shooters of smaller stature.

While some bash the inexpensive versions offered by Ruger, I praise them.

Steve,

why are you talking about a Tikka in this thread?

I don't know.

I remember my first Tikka. The stock was solid. The trigger broke like glass. No need to bed the barrel. And those barrels! The Scandinavian barrel cobblers make them so well. Some get screwed onto Sakos. Some onto Tikkas.

Jiminy Jillickers! Or is that Yumpin" Yiminy!"

never tells a Finnish is a scandinavian lol ...

but the barrels of Tikka are coming from Sako factory so there is nothing wrong .... older tikkas had less plastic on them ... T3 is the entry level for Sako line ...

Plastic is the new metal. It's also the new wood.

Plastics are easier to grow and don't take up as much space on the planet as trees. They plant monomers, but because monomers will stick to almost anything, they grow like weeds. I think that's what my prof. said. I'm not sure. All I really remember is the fumes.

Forgot to mention that I found out last week that Ruger's now offering an American package with a mounted 3-9x40 Redfield Revolution scope. Suggested retail on Ruger's site is $679, so real-world price will be somewhere in the $500 to $550 range.

I understand that's a capable scope. It sounds like a good deal. Here's the pic from the site.



and here's the link. http://www.ruger.com/products/americanRifleRedfield/models.html

In my case, I've got a 4 power Weaver sitting here. That should work.

Yeah, the Redfields are pretty good. It's too bad there isn't a 4x!

Is your 4x Weaver one of the El Paso scopes, or more recent?

No, it's recent production. I got a screaming good deal at a gun show. NIB $100.

Good snag!

Finnlander

All that said I might be talked into a RAR compact in 223 Rem with the 1-8 twist. With 70g Speers or the Nosler Bonded bullets it could be a good intro for my two boys into pigs and goats in the next couple of years. They are still too little for bigger rifles for a few years yet.

John you have always managed to bust a lot of scopes... I think that will happen to anyone who shoots a lot.

In the rifle breakdown category that is not something I would worry about with the Ruger American because IME about everything Ruger makes is just tough, and durable,and built to last.

I'm making fun of it because it's a funky rifle but I have no doubt the thing will work and shoot well, so for the money I understand the appeal.....make a great Wyoming or Montana truck gun.

John I am probably being a snob. Like I said above, I might yet grab one.

Its just that I have this unrealistic (yet completely reasonable in my mind) expectation that if I buy a rifle it will give me at least 25 years of trouble free service.

Its a product of growing up shooting late 19th century Mausers, Lithgow made SMLEs (sporterised and otherwise) and other rugged but otherwise basic and common firearms, that never ever broke.

Never mind that they had two stage, heavy triggers, clunky actions and awkward scope mounting arrangements!

Fear not, I will make it into the 21st century!


I do still have those nagging doubts about the long term viability of some of these new rifles but the best thing might well be to check it out and see how it goes.

Anyway thanks.

- Bob

Those Ruger Flattops in .44 Special were definitely a home run.



Travis

I can't tell you how much insight I've gained over the years reading PARAGRAPH after PARAGRAPH on bullets/scopes/guns etc that BobinNH has no experience with.

It's been a real pleasure

We've got some gun savvy guys at Lipseys to thank for taking the chance. One of the guys responsible is a member here.

5:00 o'clock comes early in TN, huh?

You could retire on what I've blown on rifles, scopes and bullets,and hunts....

But who cares, right? I mean looking back you have had SSSOOO much to offer. LMAO!

So many posts Scott, and so little substance from you...like.......nothing. Not ever


Go have another drink on the back porch...

I've got the same in a 7-08 with a new 6x Weaver. I bought it when my daughter decided to hunt and took it out to shoot it once. Light, well balanced rifle that functioned well and shot the two or three loads I tried into 3/4". My daughter informed me she is not a rifle hunter but a bow hunter so it has sat in the safe since. Nevertheless, I wouldn't be afraid to go on a serious back country hunt with the rifle. I imagine Ruger will do well with the Redfield scope and rifle package.