Ruger American Experience

Rsbenden,

Actually I think most of us didn't initially expect much from a $350 rifle, ie the Ruger American, but many purchased it with the thought of having a functional rifle and for a decent price. Not everyone needs nor wants a high-dollar custom build and for many a $350 rifle is plenty good enough. Different strokes for different folks, right!

However, after quite a bit of reviews have surfaced, it seems the American is exceeding expectations in general, though there have been some issues. What would you expect from a $350 rifle? Looks like those guys got a much better rifle than the price tag indicates. I have a $3,000 custom rifle (then-purchased in the 90's) but I am looking seriously at the American as a next purchase. I'm not ashamed to own a $350 rifle if it will shoot like my buddy's does, and I definitely wouldn't cry as hard if I slipped and dropped it on a rock, as opposed to my $3,000 one.

As to the magazine, I read that there were issues with it early on, but to my understanding it has been corrected. My buddy's rifle functioned flawlessly.

My question is, why would my buddy replace the so-called "flexo stock" and "craptastic trigger?" To make it shoot better? I don't quite get your meaning.

 
My sister-in-law has one in 7mm08; I can vouch that it will clover-leaf a mid-range load that I pulled out of the book, no work up, no seating depth adjustment, just 139 gr hdy blems over AA4350. I was impressed with it. I also know that the magazine started coming apart, but after getting the wrong one as a replacement, Ruger is sending them 2 of the correct ones. Great customer service and an accurate rifle.

I'm strongly considering a Predator, maybe in 204. And I didn't think the stock was that bad, especially compared to early injection molded stocks from the 90's. I don't think I'd buy a cheap rifle, just to spend a bunch on aftermarket parts.
 
6mm06, I was of hunting age in the 60s early 70s . The Rem 600s Rem 700s Rem7s ADL/BDLs were what I was was weaned on. Wood stocks,cheek mold great blueing.....quality wood and steel precision parts. Did I mention Walker triggers? when I put a plastic stock not even a pillar bed in it in my hands and a junky lookin Mag that I fear would break if dropped on the pavement and latch it in with a plastic mechanism~it gives me pause. I hunt the Allagheny National Forest alot here in Pa.n it takes 1.5 hrs to get there,the very last thing I want to happen is a mechanical failure from my equipment. For ever stuck in the 60s 70s n 80s when they built guns right and they werent engineered to fail as it seems everything is today. for the same money I bought a slightly roughed up 1968 Rem 700 30-06 BDL that shot sub moa w 180 federal bluebox.Im not here to bash these new guns,rattle can em n whoop the snot out of em cuz thats what they are for. Im forever stuck in a long gone era of amazingly afordable rifles that were built with pride by American hands and built to last. I dipped my toe into the world of plastic guns and the bottom end was TC Venture predator 22-250,the most accurate rifle Ive ever owned is a Savage 12 VLP 22-250 due to the fact the new Remmys are weak as the rest now.....Savage =change.I did it,stock n trigger swap,inside 1" at 200. To wrap this up~ to each his own my friend,Im not here to judge anybody's choice in weapons I just grew up in a different time.
 
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I got my Ruger American 22 -250 0ver 3 year ago my 204 for Almost 2 years and no problems yet! My hat goes off to Ruger for another fine well made hunting rifle!
 
Well because of all the good reviews everyone has been posting, I think a Ruger American in 7mm-08 is going to take up residence in my safe. I found a guy that is retired and got his FFL to make a little money and he beats most peoples prices by $50-$75.
 
I have the predator .223, the standard .243, and the predator .308. They are accurate and inexpensive, my expensive accurate rifles have set in the safe for a couple of years now.
 

Originally Posted By: rsbenden I was of hunting age in the 60s early 70s.... I just grew up in a different time.

Yep, me too. That's the era I was trained in too. Things have changed a lot since those early days, and some of it takes a lot of getting used to. Plastic has taken over practically everything, from metal school lunch boxes, glass soda pop bottles, to firearms. It's a sign of the time we live in.

Then there are those firearms that are pretty darn good that you and I (and others) wouldn't have even considered way back then. A good example is Glock pistols, or even semi-autos for that matter for a self defense weapon. I remember when the first composite stocks came out, and were black. What a piece of ugly junk I thought. I was a sucker for pretty wood. Still am.

I remember seeing my first compound bow on a shooting range in Camp Lejeune, NC way back in 1972. My impression at the time was "what is this world coming to, when bows have cables and pulleys." What a contraption it was. It took many years to wrap my mind around that concept. I finally did and enjoyed some of the best and most memorable hunts of my life.

I guess I have come to accept the new norm, while maintaining a love affair for the finer things. The Ruger American feels better in my hands than does the Savage Axis. But hey, I can learn to love an ugly duckling if it shoots tiny little groups. Seems those little groups just do something to my psyche. The American wouldn't hold much interest for me if 1.5" or larger groups were all I could expect. But man, when my buddy, who is not known to be a great shot (hope he doesn't read this), can shoot a 3/8" group with factory ammo, then I sit up and take notice.

 
Good post ,David.

BTW, I hit our biggest local gun show today. Made it a point to handle an RA also. For a cheap price point rifle they don't look to bad. Seemed to be on the heavy side, though they don't look heavy. I'd like to shoot one, just because.
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Tim they weigh about the same as my other hunting rifles for the most part, 7 3/4 - 8 1/2 lbs depending upon what weight scope i put on them. I still have the first targets from my .223 and .308 rar and they were interlocking holes first time out. Yep their cheap but they work.

I did fall on my .243 on a rocky wet hill and it packed the barrel full of mud and scared the stock but even though i landed on both the stock and the scope it was still dead on after cleaning the barrel. Thats hard to beat for $350.
 
First time in my life,
308 Bullets holes doesn`t look like that.
Look`s like he was using wadcutter 158gr, or a hole punch.
Sorry I dont trust what I see on front page.

 
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you're right - those do look like hole punch cutouts, including the chads that sometimes leave in the holes.

i usually shoot cardstock, and i always get nice little pucker's left behind where they go through & tears in a radial pattern around the bullet hole.

ZDE9Dmm.jpg


 

Now boys, I assume you are speaking about my target. Lets lay the nonsense aside. If you have access to a box of Herter's .308 ammo, the same stuff we shot from the bench, then look at the little wadcutter type ring on the bullet. I even made reference to it further down on the first page. It's an unusual bullet to be sure and I haven't seen one like it before. My buddy picked it up, to my understanding, at the new Cabela's store in Bristol, Virginia where he also purchased the Ruger American. I will get up with him (I actually tried to phone just now but he's not home) and get the box and remaining ammo for a few photos to maybe satisfy inquiring minds.

Now I know that there's a lot of junk and falsehoods on the internet and a guy can't always trust what he hears or sees. I also understand you guys questioning the neat little rounded holes in the paper. I can live with that, but I do think you could have addressed it in a much better way, with a little more tact, you might say. Essentially calling the target fake, spouting out to the whole world, without investigating first, kind-of lets your character show. But my reputation is well established here and should speak for itself. I take offense to your words since it brings into question my good name.

There's probably not much I can offer to satisfy certain minds. For those that know me very well, the issue has already been settled. Actually there was never a question about it with most since my reputation precedes me. My grandfather used to say that about all a poor man has is his reputation.

I can show a box of Herter's ammo and the little wadcutter ring on the bullet, but that still probably wouldn't satisfy some minds. I guess the next best thing is to invite nonbelievers to come shoot the rifle for themselves, with the ammo and then give an honest assessment of what they see. Anyone of you is invited. If interested, send me a PM.

Just for the fun of it, and to give your mind some exercise tonight (I'm speaking specifically to Eclipse71 and Plant One), close your eyes and try to visualize how this bullet might impact a piece of paper that is attached to a cardboard box backing. Here's a link to a box of Herter's ammo from Cabela's. The first three photos are taken from the Cabela's website. Zoom up the photo on the Cabela's website and look at the bullet design. You can draw your own conclusions. I actually made a mistake on the target when I listed the name of the cartridge. It's a 150 gr. SPCE and not SPCF.


http://www.cabelas.com/product/Herters-reg-Rifle-Ammo/1403960.uts













Oh, and it's said that reading is good for the brain, so Eclipse71 and Plant One, here's something for some exercise. Read the whole page
on the first link below and see what they say about the bullet. Here's a quote just in case you don't like reading: "Some people love these
for target shooting as the entry hole is often a perfect, easy to see circle."


http://ammo.com/bullet-type/soft-point-cutting-edge-spce


Read what fisherman66 says in the 4th paragraph. https://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?p=3776751
"Oddest thing though. The bullet holes look like they were punched out with a hole punch. Cleanest edges I've ever seen"


It's always prudent to quietly check out information first without tromping on another man's pride and good name.



 
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Here's what I know... If 6mm06 said its so - it's so. There are plenty of wannabes and bs'ers here, David ain't one of them.
 
Originally Posted By: skinnyminnyI'd trust 6mm06 in a roomful of 21 year old naked virgins. And if he said he only looked them in the eyes I'd believe him.

Now that's faith, or blind-sided foolishness. LOL. Man, I hope I don't ever get in that situation. I'd hate to be made out to be a liar for looking into those beautiful eyes.
 
Originally Posted By: fw707David, if that ever happens to you please call me ASAP.
You know I'm not too far across the line here in KY.

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Well, if the phone ever rings, then please get here in a hurry.
 
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