Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles RUGER AMERICAN--Wassup?

OK, so I tried the "search engine",might as well have requested the info in jibberish for all the good it did me. Would like to hear from those that actually shoot this rifle--the other mindless drivel I can get off the ads.Man,these snow storms need to let up--cabin fever is starting to really set in.
Thanks,
G

308 I bought for my son has no issues, whatsoever, and drops factory loads into 3/4-1", depending. Any specific questions?

hh4whiskey
Trigger(can ya get it below 3#, accuracy, balance, hows the comb for height does the LOP feel good. Some have said the stock feels "slick",, you know--all those things that would turn it into one of your favorites, Thanks
G

Me, I looked close at it about this time last year. One of the competitors, the X7, won over it. I'm not sold on the stock, the fore end was very flexible, etc. of the RAR.

The finish on the metal seemed respectable. Here's a good read if you haven't yet: RAR vs. X7
This read was the one that pushed my decision.

My X7 is a 7-08 and has been a great shooter. The X7 trigger is really quite good IMO. The X7 is about $20 less around here vs. the RAR.

Don't get me wrong, however, I don't think the RAR is a bad buy.

Bought a 243 as a truck gun and love it. Accurate, light, balanced, good trigger. She ain't purty but she works.

My extended review from this summer. I posted initial impressions then more opinions as I worked with it for a while.

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbth...nother_Ruger_American_review#Post7927082

I haven't tried to go below where it's at (close to 4#), and won't until my son gets more time behind it. I don't have a need for this one to go below 3#, but if it was a 223/22-250, I would. Comb height is fine for low and medium rings. It's a little thin for going higher...probably why they have the free cheek rest offer. LOP is a bit short for me (6'2"), but works great for my son. The stock is 'hard' plastic, but not really slick, considering. It balances where it should (see below)and feels VERY slim in the hand. I did add plumbers putty to the hollow stock, to deaden it some, add weight for my kid, and balance it out....was a touch nose heavy. Light gun overall. I'd buy another. Good value. Not a purist's rifle, but a good, practical setup.

The trigger will adjust down to around 3 pounds--but that depends on the individual rifle. Some will go a little lower, and some a little higher.

Have two seasons and 8 WY pronghorn on my RAR.243, using 87 gr. Hornadys and H414. Not difficult to make it shoot with a variety of bullets and loads. I picked up a 22-250 RAR on the strength of the .243's performance and so far it seems to follow
suit. Likes 63 gr. Sierra smp's very much.

You reminded me, and I verified, that the RAR in 22-250 has a faster twist. I'd be very serious about getting a RAR in 22-250 if I didn't have one already (in 1-14" twist unfortunately).

Just for consideration the Thompson venture currently has a $75 rebate and is selling retail for about $315-400. Seems like owners are pretty happy with them and accuracy reports have been excellent.

I picked up a 22-250 a few weeks ago. It ia a 1/10 twist,measured it with a cleaning rod.
Took it to the range with 68Horn. bthp and it printed tiny groups.
There was a problem with stiff extraction though.
Upon further inspection, the extractor cut in the bolt rim intruded onto the bolt face, causing the primer to flow into
the trough in the bolt face, if that makes sense?

Contacted Ruger and they sent UPS to my house to pick it up,prepaid postage.

Point being you may want to look the rifle over before buying.

I bought one in 7mm-08 for my 13-year old son. It shoots well. 1" groups with Hornady Whitetail factory ammo, it did not like Federal and Remington that I tried.

<1" group with Sierra 140g HPBT and Varget.

Yes, I have Varget powder but I need more. May have to try a load with IMR4064. The rifle didn't like loads with RL15.

I have one in 7mm-08 with lightweight Talleys and a Burris 3-9 ballistic plex. Haven't developed a load for it yet as it shoots Federal Fusion 140s just fine. Feeds great, trigger feels good, and I like the stock ergonomics. Great gun or the price.

I worked with 8 or 9 different rifles this year, including a couple semi-custom Kimbers with Swarovski and Huskamaw scopes. I managed to get all doing 1/2" give or take a tenth or two. As far as shooting way out there, the latter Kimber is doing 2" groups at 800 yards. Talking about 100 yard groups, a single sample of a Ruger American in .308 with a simple Leupold 2-7 matched or beat them all. My final test group put 3 Bergers in a single hole I couldn't measure - somewhere in the 1's. A quick 3-shot to confirm sight-in ran about 3/10". Just a sweet shooting rig.

If it ever thaws out around here, I've got 8 different loads worked up that always showed promise in my Rem 700 SPS. Am actually looking forward to wringing out this Ruger American. Its weight and balance impress me--lets hope the accuracy does as well. In running the action, I am having the occasional glitch with the last cartridge feeding. Will call Ruger Monday.
G

I bought one in 30.06 for a truck gun and it will shoot 3/4"" groups with cheap 150 gr. sierra pro hunters over RL 19 all day. It out shoots some of my 1000.00 dollar guns , really happy with it.

I am going to buy a 223 compact and first try 60gr nos part and maybe 75gr swift scirrocos for deer. This should make a good rig for a youth rifle.
I really wanted a used Remington M7 youth with the cheap wood stock and 18-1/2" barrel but I am not waiting to find one.

ditto in 30-06 Every load under MOA so far.

They sound like a success story. I'll get one in 308.

Nice reading all the inputs.