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Anyone else tried the Ruger American rifle?

So.... I am 64 and couldn't see dropping big $$ on a rifle that will probably be toast the next time I roll my ATV. Cheapest thing I could find - Ruger Predator with threaded barrel in 308Win. I grabbed a box of Winchester Black box 168gr BT's..... and color me shocked when 10rds all chrono-graphed within 2fps. I could never get close to that with my match rifle and handloads - ever. Is this the result of computer machining at Ruger and better quality at Winchester? Its is a tack driver.... and all I wanted was average from this rifle. Oh, I did add a muzzle brake. What think?

Update:

Oh, the brake is the combination Brake/Quick Detachable holder for the new Stingerworx 'Hunter' 308 suppressor I have waiting NFA approval.

5 Answers

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  • 2 years ago

    Rifles are not dangerous and will never be banned.

    Yes, I've tried both the Ruger American and the Savage Axis II. They are both fantastically accurate for a $300 gun. Oddly, you yourself have recommended both rifles to people asking questions here. It seems only a little odd that you're now posting a (pseudo)question about the very rifle you recommended to others.

  • 2 years ago

    Only Ruger I shot was the 10/22. What I hear from snipers perspective, it will fall a tad short and for other reasons than accuracy.

    Might not quite be a tack driver, but with about 1 MOA average, for the money you can't go wrong.

    Decent Leupold optics you are good to go.

    Maybe a pitfall over 300 yards is the gun is light making target acquisition difficult.

    I am used to the plastic stocks.

    My take, the predator .308 build is well worth it, What I get from Ruger it is an overgrown 10/22 on steroids.

    Banging around in an RV, you might look into the pelican poly carbon cases, that is what I have for both my shooters and maybe some light scuffing on the case severe abuse, but the gun is unscathed.

    https://www.pelican-case.com/1700.html

    More:

    I tried a brake on my Styer, only issue was 800 yards and out my group goes to hell.

  • ?
    Lv 7
    2 years ago

    I hope never to roll my ATV even though I do make it on two wheels often...a roll breaks something every time.

    BTW ; I thought Alaskans were big on dog sleighs and snowmobiles. Also CNC machining is taking over like predicted 40 years ago...lots better results than a manual machinist humped over on machines built for smaller people standing on his feet 8-10 hours and getting doused with sour coolant trying to maintain surface finish that CNCs are immuned to with total enclosure and controlled speeds. Hand finishing is a minimum whereas in the past a standard operating procedure. However, I have a tackdriver Mini-14 from the 70`s...before CNCs.

    I like Ruger rifles...most flavors.

  • Adam D
    Lv 7
    2 years ago

    I have a Ruger American Rimfire and I'm happy with it so far. I've only put cheap ammo through it, but I'm getting fine accuracy for the setup I have. I'm hoping later this summer to try some different ammo and see what it is capable of.

    I've never had issues with factory ammo for my purpose, which is hunting. I don't chrono though, so my measure of accuracy and acceptability is groups on paper and deer on the ground.

    If I was in the market for a .308, I'd go with either a Ruger American or Savage Axis. Either could be had in my area with a cheap "starter scope" for less than $500, brand new.

    "the next time I roll my ATV" - do you frequently wreck your ATV? Perhaps you should reconsider your driving habits.

    EDIT: For those interested who live near a Rural King, this week the Ruger American can be bought online for $270. No scope, but RK only charges a $13 flat rate shipping fee and no transfer fee.

  • 2 years ago

    The Ruger American and Savage Axis II are both excellent economy rifles and some are very accurate out of the box, having the stiffer barrel only improves the harmonic damping and heat dwell. Some of the performance comes from the minimal cut receiver, even on a round stock machined action that helps; the Ruger also adds in a recoil block system for the barrel/stock/action interfaces. And yeah, I handload too and I'm happy getting sub-MOA with my Brownings so getting that from a rifle under $500 is pretty good. I'm not a personal fan of brakes, but nothing against them, sometimes they add to harmonics positively or negatively.

    I don't have a chrony, I just print nice groups with hunting loads and not much fuss, so if I was neck sizing and everything else ... I'm a little surprised you went with 168s to start with on factory loads though, especially when the COL can vary so much round to round and from min to max per box.

    EDIT: Something I'm able to do is use Sierra Game Kings for practice loads and I get the same groupings as I do with the Nosler Accu-Bonds I use for hunting in the 30-06, wish the 300 WSM would do same so I wouldn't blow through so many Barnes TSXs.

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