Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Ruger American vs Tikka T3

Boxer,

You work for Ruger? I was in the market for another 223. Now, instead of spending big bucks on a build or top shelf factory gun, you have me considering this Ruger 'Merican.

May have to grab one of those Rugers!

This guy nailed it.

How thin is the barrel on the RA?

Can someone mic one at the muzzle and give me an idea of its contour?

We talking Kimber skinny or closer to the Tikka?

TIA

Can you just take the blade off? I did it on a Savage and it worked fine.

My American .243 is .570" OD at the muzzle. Hard to nail down the contour since everybody's is a little different but I'd call it pretty close to a #2.

My Tikka T3 .223 is .630" at the muzzle.

For comparison a Remington standard Sporter is .660" at the muzzle and a Remington Mountain rifle contour is .550", but Remington uses a proprietary contour that narrows down over approx. the first 13" and then runs straight to the muzzle from there.

Jim which do you like better with the LH factor out of the equation. And which is more accurate? Thanks Kurt

I've got one of the Ruger American Predator rifles in the pipeline. It's a 223 Rem. Should be here in a few days.

It's a little heavier barrel than the regular American, supposed to be about .66" diameter at the muzzle. 6.6 lbs before scope.

.66 is nice n right - heft in a 224 bore.

Great feedback, sounds like the RAR is a buy.

Enough good things to not worry about plastic on the Tikka or the Tupperware.

Either rifle IMO is one to scope, load n go. No frills low cost reliable tool to steer bullets.

Larry is that wire or?

My 223 Predator measures .675 at the muzzle. It balances nicely too.

Now I need a can...

Sounds nice, I'm looking forward to getting this rifle up and running.

I got the Predator through Davidson's. $362.00 total.

I'm anxious to get my hands on the 6.5 Creedmoor too.

Which glass are you planning for the 223?

I've got a Vortex Viper 3-9x40 that I'm going to put on it.

That fixed the problem, priceless creativity.

Pretty interesting how Tikkas were slammed for their receiver "port" and DBM, but doesn't seem to be a problem with RAR's. Made in the USA might carry some weight after all. Hate the stock on both though.

Looks like Maxima Chameleon, maybe 30 pound?

Kurt, I have to give the nod to the American just for the ergonomics mostly, I like the way the stock feels better than the bigger and slippery Tikka stock. Bolt throw smoothness is about equal, the Tikka is more accurate but we�re only talking a couple of tenths. My Ruger .243 will put a 3 shot group in the .5� or .6�s, the Tikka can shade a half inch fairly easily and those little bugholes are not uncommon. The Ruger magazine seats more easily and more positively, you have to slap the Tikka mag to make good and sure it�s seated properly. Trigger pull goes to the Tikka for a bit more crispness but pull weight is close, about 2 pounds and change for the Tikka and right at 3 lbs 2 oz for the American with the stock trigger spring.

Tikka shot themselves in the foot when they changed the .223 which I have from an 8� to a 10� twist, I ordered mine expecting the faster twist and it came in with a 10" twist.

I�m not quite as critical about small stuff as some folks so I enjoy both of them for what they are. Either one is equally conducive to hitting an 8� gong from the kneeling position which is most of my shooting.

Tikka action is also smoother than a Vanguard, M70 or M700.

I may have to pick up a SS full size RA 7-08 for my wife.

The local Cal Ranch stores have the T3 stainless on clearance for $487. I picked up one in 30-06 and I'm considering another in 7-08. I need to find one of these RAR predators in 6.5 creedmoor. Any chance they'll be making one in stainless?

Bb