Ruger American

[luteai]

Anyone have any experience with the American?  Are they accurate, any problems with the rifle?  The price, manufacturer and detachable mag have peeked my interest.  Thanks for your comments.

[ckr]

I got my son the 308 compact.  It's a good deal.  Shoots straigh and light weight.  We are working up some loads now trying to fine tune everything.  I like the feel of the Ruger over any other gun in that price range.

[Curly]

I picked up an American in 7-08.  Haven't mounted a scope on it yet, so haven't been out to shoot it yet.........but I like it so far.  Seems like a great rifle for the price and I've read lots of great reviews.  (Plus it is made in the USA)

[Southpole]

On the Guns & Ammo forum, page seven, 5th topic from the bottom, TwoSixFourWins wrote a detailed American Ruger .243 review. I couldn't figure out how to cut and paste the thread topic here, sorry.

[jackmaster]

my daughter has the 7mm-08, synthetic, super lite detachable mag, came with a cheaper end scope mounted and bore sighted, 8 shots through and she was hitting the 200 yrd gong at paul bunyan, its a tack driver, shoots really smooth and my daughter is 15 and weighs maybe 95 pounds soaking wet, she loves it  and it comes with the accu trigger. dont know if there are pros and cons to the accu trigger, but daughter sure digs it 

[dmv9]

I've got the 30-06 with a redfield scope. It is awesome!

[huntnphool]

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,142830.msg1895221.html#msg1895221

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,134895.msg1797126.html#msg1797126

[Curly]

my daughter has the 7mm-08, synthetic, super lite detachable mag, came with a cheaper end scope mounted and bore sighted, 8 shots through and she was hitting the 200 yrd gong at paul bunyan, its a tack driver, shoots really smooth and my daughter is 15 and weighs maybe 95 pounds soaking wet, she loves it  and it comes with the accu trigger. dont know if there are pros and cons to the accu trigger, but daughter sure digs it 

I think you are using the term for savage rifle's trigger (Accutrigger).  The Ruger American does have an adjustable trigger though........probably not too dissimilar to the Savage.....but it isn't an accutrigger.

[jackmaster]

my daughter has the 7mm-08, synthetic, super lite detachable mag, came with a cheaper end scope mounted and bore sighted, 8 shots through and she was hitting the 200 yrd gong at paul bunyan, its a tack driver, shoots really smooth and my daughter is 15 and weighs maybe 95 pounds soaking wet, she loves it  and it comes with the accu trigger. dont know if there are pros and cons to the accu trigger, but daughter sure digs it 

I think you are using the term for savage rifle's trigger (Accutrigger).  The Ruger American does have an adjustable trigger though........probably not too dissimilar to the Savage.....but it isn't an accutrigger.

maybe it is a ruger, i thought it was the american, guess i am gonna have to have a look see when i get home, i know i got alzhiemers damn it, i will probably forget to look   

[Curly]

    

[Karl Blanchard]

The father of two of my youth hunters picked one up in .270 for his boys to use this past hunting season.  I had it for a couple weeks so I could work up a low recoil load for it and I must say for an ugly, cheap rifle with a crap stock, it flat shoots lights out!  With the 130gr ballistic tip I loaded for it, it was shooting 3/4" groups @ 100yds.  Very good rifle if a guy is looking for an accurate, "meat and potatoes" gun.

[huntnphool]

my daughter has the 7mm-08, synthetic, super lite detachable mag, came with a cheaper end scope mounted and bore sighted, 8 shots through and she was hitting the 200 yrd gong at paul bunyan, its a tack driver, shoots really smooth and my daughter is 15 and weighs maybe 95 pounds soaking wet, she loves it  and it comes with the accu trigger. dont know if there are pros and cons to the accu trigger, but daughter sure digs it 

I think you are using the term for savage rifle's trigger (Accutrigger).  The Ruger American does have an adjustable trigger though........probably not too dissimilar to the Savage.....but it isn't an accutrigger.

It may not be called  "Accutrigger" but it certainly is much the same. http://www.ruger.com/products/americanRifleCompact/features.html

[Curly]

  

So Ruger calls their trigger "Marksman".     Do you think they were looking at Savage when they made the American and came up with the term Marksman trigger? 

Even if the rifle is ugly, I don't care.  Hopefully the group size will be pretty.   

[huntnphool]

 

So Ruger calls their trigger "Marksman".     Do you think they were looking at Savage when they made the American and came up with the term Marksman trigger? 

Even if the rifle is ugly, I don't care.  Hopefully the group size will be pretty.   

TMike bought a compact 7mm-08 for his son this past season and said they are very happy with it too.

[Karl Blanchard]

 

So Ruger calls their trigger "Marksman".     Do you think they were looking at Savage when they made the American and came up with the term Marksman trigger? 

Even if the rifle is ugly, I don't care.  Hopefully the group size will be pretty.   

  If it shoots like the one I shot then the group size will be BEAUTIFUL!

[Jason]

I bought one for my oldest boy in .270, pretty accurate for a cheap and ugly gun shoots 1" 100yd groups all day long.  Here in a couple months Ruger will have out Stainless Americans.

[luteai]

Thanks to all for your replies.  I agree the stock is a tad on the ugly side! May need to give one a try after all the good reports.

[huntnphool]

Thanks to all for your replies.  I agree the stock is a tad on the ugly side! May need to give one a try after all the good reports.

At that price, why not.

[RadSav]

Here in a couple months Ruger will have out Stainless Americans.

Yeah, that should be a winner come March! 

Barrel and action in stainless for $80 additional.  If they would make the stock look a less like used plastic waste it would be taking a good bit of the T3's business I think.  And if they have sales like they have been having with the blued steel a guy might be able to get one for under five bills!

[bigsads]

The father of two of my youth hunters picked one up in .270 for his boys to use this past hunting season.  I had it for a couple weeks so I could work up a low recoil load for it and I must say for an ugly, cheap rifle with a crap stock, it flat shoots lights out!  With the 130gr ballistic tip I loaded for it, it was shooting 3/4" groups @ 100yds.  Very good rifle if a guy is looking for an accurate, "meat and potatoes" gun.

I agree, picked one up at BiMart in Aberdeen out the door for 347.00, slapped a vortex 3x9 crossfire (149.00) some millet rings, and with 130g Nosler Ballistic hunting, and accurate 3100 I was able to dial it in to -1 inch at 200 yrds.  flat out tack driver, and 100 yrds I am cutting holes with 3 shots you can cover with your thumb.  Best bang for the buck rifle out there

[luteai]

I got to fondle, I mean handle one at the White Elephant in Spokane today.  Like it more than the Mossberg entry level.  $319 but no 7mm-08 on hand to buy. (22-250, .243, .308 and .270 only)

[bobcat]

That's a good price. Just get the 308, it's practically the same as the 7/08 and ammo is cheaper and easier to find.


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[huntnphool]

That's a good price. Just get the 308, it's practically the same as the 7/08 and ammo is cheaper and easier to find.

A little cheaper and easier to find yes, but some people just like a flatter shooting round.

[Heredoggydoggy]

Unless you've got your heart set on a 7mm08, don't make the mistake I did one time--I walked into a gun shop in 1980, and there was a whole row of new Ruger #1 rifles on display.  Every caliber but 25-06.  I said: "If you had one in 25-06, I'd take it!".  The guy said "wait right there!", and went into the back room and brought out a box with a 25-06 Ruger #1 rifle in it.  I was stuck! 

[bobcat]

That's a good price. Just get the 308, it's practically the same as the 7/08 and ammo is cheaper and easier to find.

A little cheaper and easier to find yes, but some people just like a flatter shooting round.

There's not enough difference in trajectory to make any significant difference. You want flat shooting, load up some 130 grain Barnes bullets in a 308. Just my opinion of course. But a half inch difference at 300 yards isn't much.

[Bob33]

That's a good price. Just get the 308, it's practically the same as the 7/08 and ammo is cheaper and easier to find.

A little cheaper and easier to find yes, but some people just like a flatter shooting round.

A little flatter and a bit less recoil.

[Heredoggydoggy]

That's a good price. Just get the 308, it's practically the same as the 7/08 and ammo is cheaper and easier to find.

A little cheaper and easier to find yes, but some people just like a flatter shooting round.

A little flatter and a bit less recoil.

The 7-08 is the modern version of the .270 Winchester--for the same reasons!   

[luteai]

I'm pretty set on the 7-08. have had two before and shoot one now as do my daughter and son in law.  Makes for an easy hunting trip when all the ammo works in everyone's rifle.  I've been loading 7-08 for right at 20 years and have been very pleased with the caliber on deer, elk and a few bear.

Love the '06 to 270 comparison.  Only difference is the 308 and 7-08 are an even a closer match.  If I hadn't gotten a great deal on a Remington 788 in 7-08 years ago I'd be shooting the 308.

[Heredoggydoggy]

I'm pretty set on the 7-08. have had two before and shoot one now as do my daughter and son in law.  Makes for an easy hunting trip when all the ammo works in everyone's rifle.  I've been loading 7-08 for right at 20 years and have been very pleased with the caliber on deer, elk and a few bear.

Love the '06 to 270 comparison.  Only difference is the 308 and 7-08 are an even a closer match.  If I hadn't gotten a great deal on a Remington 788 in 7-08 years ago I'd be shooting the 308.

Everyone I know that has a 7-08 loves it!  No wonder it's popularity increases every day.   

[ndcasla]

I have had an opportunity to help sight in four Ruger American rifles, and .308, .270, & 2 30-06's.
All of them shot at least 1 1/2" groups, one of the 06's clover leafed three shots on the 12th, 13th, &14th shot out of the box. I work at a range and have seen and helped sight in a lot of rifles. The Ruger American is one of the most consistently accurate out of the box rifles I have seen, no matter the price. 

[luteai]

Curious to know how the Mossberg ATR 100 compare in the accuracy department? 

[Idahokid]

I'm looking at the Mossberg ATR in 308.Its got a walnut stock and no scope for $300.00
I think the bolt is smooth and for a hunting rifle and very little target shooting it will work fine.I have not handled the Marlin X series yet.Thats my next goal.

[Heredoggydoggy]

Just heard today that Ruger has a recall out on the American Rifles.  NOT the Carbines.  Check for more info on the Ruger website/recalls for complete info.  I don't have one, so that's all I know...

[Curly]

Just heard today that Ruger has a recall out on the American Rifles.  NOT the Carbines.  Check for more info on the Ruger website/recalls for complete info.  I don't have one, so that's all I know...

I checked the website.  The recall I saw was for the Amercan Rimfire.

[Heredoggydoggy]

Just heard today that Ruger has a recall out on the American Rifles.  NOT the Carbines.  Check for more info on the Ruger website/recalls for complete info.  I don't have one, so that's all I know...

I checked the website.  The recall I saw was for the Amercan Rimfire.

As I recall now, I think it was for the 22 Magnum version.... 

[Huntboy]

.22 mag and .17 hmr. Just saw this and had to go check mine, luckily it has the hole.

[carpsniperg2]

Here is the info.

http://www.ruger.com/RugerAmericanRimfire22WMRFRecall/index.html

[SFD2015]

My kid brother had one. He said that it was a very accurate shooter, would do good with cheaper ammo and was ugly as all get out. I do seem to recall that he felt the action on it was sloppy and that the trigger felt cheap. But for what he paid for it....

One of my hunting buddy's has the ATR and I have to say, it's a damn nice rifle! He is new to hunting and wanted to get good entry level hunting rifle. He did and he loves his! He got a cheapo scope that is actually really good on the optics (as far as I can tell).

You get what you pay for, that is for sure, but for entry level hunting or hunting on a budget, you can't really beat either of these options. Like I said in a previous thread, mine is a Remmy 770 in .300 win mag. It has taken at least 1 big game animal every year I have hunted with it, so I can't complain too much about it.

[334OKH]

Ruger is my "go to" manufacturer. I have shot a few American Rifles and they are accurate and well built. I do not like the trigger systems on them. That's just me and my preference. If you want one I don't think you'll get burned at all.