Is the "Ruger American" rifle available to the public yet? If it is, any input?

The American is suppose to be in the supply pipeline and available since Nov 2011,but still might have a few thin spots in the stores. I haven't handled one,only seen the reviews,and those are excellent. Seems Ruger took the best of the Tikka T-3,T/C Venture and Savage Axis plus a little Browning A/X Bolt,put a Accu-Trigger like system in it and made a fine affordable rifle. The rotary magazine might not be quite as smooth as the Browning X-Bolt vertical feed,but is an excellent way to get straight line feeding instead of an off-set stack system.

I like removable magazines,if they have good support structure around them like my A-Bolts (I like the floorplate/removable box system still),X-Bolts,Tikka and Venture and the American. The American is fully lugged and blocked into the stock for a solid bed too. I know the Savage Axis has been getting good reviews but it sounds like the Ruger is worth the extra money too. At an MSRP of $450 you might find them for less most places. Since I haven't handled one yet I can't give it full endorsement but it seems dang nice. Since I'm use to the 60 degree bolts I can appreciate the 3 lug 70 degree in the American as being a great feature for use and scope mounting. You should be able to have a local store order one for you specifically,or you might have to go direct to Ruger.

Now,270 is about the finest dedicated deer cartridge available,and cost for any other deer hunting cartridge isn't going to be enough difference to matter. 30-06,308,270 are normally within pennies per cartridge for factory ammo using equal bullets. I reload for my rifles because I have a 300 WSM that would bankrupt me if I bought factory premiums,and I can tune all my rifles now,but you won't save the investment cost of reloading for one or two rifles in a common cartridge. Now,there is surplus military 308 available,and 308 is a fine cartridge but not enough over a 270 to warrant a switch in a hunting rifle just to shoot cheap stuff. If you don't have a 223 or 22-250 or 243 as a varmint rifle this might be the chance-but many states restrict game hunting to 243/6mm and above and I don't personally advocate .224 centerfire as a deer caliber. So, I would give the purchase of an American a hearty thumbs up,but getting something that competes with 270 and is inexpensive just in't going to happen unless you do a Mosin Nagant,and AK/SKS aren't that great for hunting in my opinion at least.

The Ruger American is rather scarce at the moment but a Marlin XL7 in .30-06 may be suitable, they're very accurate for their price (which is in the low 300s). I can't say if the ruger is the superior or if the marlin is as theres just not much on the American yet.