Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Ruger American in 243 or 7mm-08

I'd like to see a higher comb on the American as well. Seems better suited to low-pro irons than a scope, at least to me.

I bought a Ruger American about a month ago in 7mm-08. I've been very happy with this rifle. Took it to the range and with handloads was staying in the 1/2 to 3/4 inch range at 100yds. It shoots close to my Coopers at about $1500 price diference.

David,

I went with a 7-08 about a year ago. A 7-08 can do all that a 243 can do, but that doesn't work the other way around IMO.

I did closely look at the RAR, but in the end decided to get a X7 in 7-08. I think the RAR is a great gun...but for the stock. I couldn't warm up to it and the forearm is very flexible...and I don't believe there's any aftermarkets for it yet. The X7 is close in weight and will have a 22" barrel. I can see the value the shorter RAR compact (i.e. swinging it in tight quarters).

I thought this was a good read on the subject: Ammoguide Article
Let us know what you decide.

I bought a RAR last year in 7-08 and put a Redfield 2x7 on it.

Turns out it weights the same as my Rem 700 Mtn Rifle in .30-06 with a Leupold VXlll 2.5x8

I am shooting 140 gr Nosler Partitions in it and not missing the recoil of the .30-06 in the light Mtn Rifle.
Took two deer and four hogs with it so far, am very pleased with it.
For the upcoming fall hunting season, I plan to hunt antelope and cow elk with it in addition to more deer.

I bought it for my grandson but he won't be able to hunt big game for 6 more years so it should be well broken in for him by then.

'Bought one in .243 last week (Compact). Shot two hogs in the eye with it this weekend. I'm very pleased.

The compact (18" barrel) also has a short LOP, how does that fit a grown man?


P

Surprisingly well. I didn't weigh it, but it feels heavy for it's size and balances WAY better than Model Sevens do. Shoots .75" with cheapo Winchester Power Points too.

Ruger American: 4 shots, 100 yards, 223 Rem loaded with 50gr Nosler BT over Ramshot TAC. Scoped with a Leupold 6x.

The only thing I don't like is the bolt lift on my rifle is pretty hard; coupled with the light-ish weight ofte rifle, rapid-fire off-hand shooting isn't as easy as with my other rifles with lighter bolt lifts.

Now that's an endorsement!

That IS an endorsement. I don't need another truck gun, but this thread has me wanting to try a RAR.

I picked up a used compact in 223 from a buddy. Intend to wring it out this weekend.

If in doubt, if you have a choice, take the 7-08. A little more is a lot better once you quit punching paper off the bench. jm2cts

I bought a RAR in 22-250 for my son right before deer season last year.
I put on a scope ,and this is the first group it turned in using factory ammo to get it sighted in.




I threw together a couple boxes of a load using 53 gr tsx and 4320,and we both used it to take our deer for the year.



I was so impressed with it and the price of a new one,was so low,I sold my cz 527 that my son had been using,and bought another one in 7-08 for myself after season.
I was unable to get it sighted in last winter on the one time I tried,but to be fair,it was below zero,and blowing 25-30 out of the north,and I was laying on the ground in the snow and ended up turning the scope adjustments the wrong way and just gave up and went inside.

There seems to be an abundance of them in 7-08 on Davidson's site.

Noting that you're from Washington state, with the 7mm-08 you have a rifle imminently suitable for such emergencies as running into a big bull elk that needs shooting. Not to mention our deer up in this part of N.A. tend to be bigger, too, then many regions of the continent with which the less fortunate are stuck.

John - just saw your post. Have you done a work-up on your RAR yet? Another poster stated his fore end seemed whimpy, possibly contacting his barrel, affecting its harmonics. Homesteader

I have the 7-08 and it's every bit as accurate as any of my customs, or semi customs. Shooting 140 Nosler BT's right now, but tried the 120's and they shot just as well. Great gun for the money, even with a flimsy stock!

..........Easy! By using a slip on recoil pad. I do on my Ruger Frontier compact and I'm 6'3". LOP goes from 12.5" to 13 5/8" in 2-3 seconds. And when wearing thicker clothing it can be removed if desired for better handling.

Always a way to work around the trivial stuff.

Big.., I don't know how well that would work on the RAR, it comes with a fairly large butt pad on it. Putting another one over it might give it a weird feel, youre talking about 2" of rubber on the butt!

...........If u can get a slip on recoil that fits the stock butt well then I don't see a problem. Imo, all that would be felt is the rubber from the slip on recoil pad. It shouldn`t matter if the factory pad was 1/2" thick or 2" thick. Your feel would be the same.

I paid $18 for my Limbsaver slip on pad to use on my Ruger Frontier compact and it works great. 12.5" factory LOP to 13 5/8" LOP in 2-3 seconds and the reverse can be done a little quicker.