Ruger Rifles, Feedback needed

[chrisb]

Thanks for the feedback and recommendations guys. Anyone else out there making a 6lb rifle in .308 with a 16.5" barrel?

[Jellymon]

Rugers are great rifles, whoever says they dont group either cant shoot or has a bad apple. Groups are from a Stock MK2 30-06 with the factory 8lb trigger, 100yds. But for the money I think the Tikka t3 is a better gun, and its about 6lbs if I remember right. Plus they're cheaper than rugers.

[haugenna]

Dump the Ruger.  Get a Tikka. 


Ruger's are not known for their accuracy.  A good shooting ruger is an exception rather than the norm. 

[gunnarnewt]

     I've owned Rugers for 30 years, from the tang safety, to the new hawkeye, 300 Win Mag to 7 mm-08, and never had a problem with them. Sure the trigger is a little tight, but if you're doing what you're supposed to and pulling, not tugging the trigger who cares? All have been extremely accurate, and well built rifles. I don't think you can go wrong with one.

[Miles]

Here's a thread about Rugers.  They are discussing the triggers, and drum roll please.....accuracy problems.

http://www.thehighroad.org/archive/index.php/t-59127.html

[rainshadow1]

I never thought they compared with the other big names, but I got a well worn 338WM model 77 as a gift from my Uncle, it shoots very very well. Easily comperable to my Rem 700, or my Weatherby Vanguard. I've also got a 10-22 and a #1, both are great guns.

[runamuk]

I dont really know much but I have a hawkeye in 7mmoh8 and after a new trigger it is a great rifle, I also have a ruger markIII pistol with the standard 1000lb ruger trigger but that is one fun pistol to shoot and its pretty as can be...I also had a blackhawk in 357 it also came equipped with the heavy trigger and still was a great gun however I do not deal well with a ramp sight and it wasnt gonna be an easy fix like the triggers.

The little shorty laminate is an awesome gun they feel nice but the laminate is heavy compared to the standard wood stock I have wanted a compact in 243 for a while now and maybe someday....

[Emptyhanded]

I bought a SS Hawkeye in .243 a few years ago. It is completely stock except i put a lighter trigger spring in it. It shoots Federals 85gr Sierra BTHP lights out and most of my hand loads as well. Both the factory load and my handloads consistently print sub MOA groups. Also, one of my buddies has a MKII compact in .243 win, its a good little shooter as well. He only shoots factory Rem Core-losses out of it but it seems to shoot them pretty well. The compacts are pretty damn loud due to short barrel, but i don't see that being a problem. Anyways, I think you'd be happy with the Hawkeye. Ruger has made some great improvements with the Hawkeye line. Accuracy seems to be pretty  consistent from what I have read and seen.
Another option would be a Remington Model 7. They are compact and handle really well. My brothers got one in 7mm-08 and i had one in .243 a few years ago. Both are good shooters. Down side is they are fairly expensive from what i remember. Not sure what the price on them is now though. 

[Curly]

Savage might be worth a look:  http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=237074194

[Alchase]

Here's a thread about Rugers.  They are discussing the triggers, and drum roll please.....accuracy problems.

http://www.thehighroad.org/archive/index.php/t-59127.html

More then 2/3 of the posts in the thread were praising the accuracy of the Rugers, lol.
 
Give me a couple minutes and I could post links to problems with every major manufacturer.
I do own a M77 MK II, in 7 mm mag, it has an awesome three position safety. I could never understand why you would want to put a weapon in battery, just to unload it like most manufacturers were doing back then. It it held up to 20 years of some very brutal use. Before I replaced it as my go to rifle with my Sako, 300 win mag. I am not easy on my weapons. Besides a few scratches in the beautiful wood stock, the gun still shoots incredibly. Ruger is no better and no worse then any of the big manufacturers. They all have their own idiosyncrasies that you have to deal with.
I have seen some horrible weapons produced by every manufacturer. Those were the exceptions though.
 

[Miles]

Here's a thread about Rugers.  They are discussing the triggers, and drum roll please.....accuracy problems.

http://www.thehighroad.org/archive/index.php/t-59127.html

More then 2/3 of the posts in the thread were praising the accuracy of the Rugers, lol.
 
 

And 1/3 were not.    There are numerous threads about Rugers and their accuracy issues...there is/was a problem.  I've experienced the problem and it left a bad taste in my mouth with regards to Rugers. 

[Curly]

http://www.browning.com/products/catalog/firearms/detail.asp?value=023B&cat_id=035&type_id=215&content=x-bolt-micro-hunter-firearms

Browning X-bolt micro hunter might be worth checking into also.  20" barrel and 6lb 2oz.

[mebco09]

I own two rugers, one in .30-06 and one in .338 WM.  The heavier barreled .338 shoots way better than the rather lightweight .30-06.  Bolt, extractor, safety etc. are Mauser style, which IMO is the only way to go.

I read something a while back about excessive barrel whip in the ruger lightweight barrels effecting accuracy, however I also read that in order to keep costs down, ruger made the determination that MOA accuracy was not what their rifles were engineered for, thus some variation in point-of-impact is considered "in-spec" for their hunting rifles. 

They are really the "chevrolet" of rifles: good enough to get the job done and within the budget of most guys...also, American made.  I enjoy hunting with mine.

[jackmaster]

i have a ruger#1 singleshot falling block, i have hunted with it forever, nock on wood havent had to shoot a critter more than once, its in a 30-06 so ammo is easy to come by and its an absolute tack driver i have tried shootn other rifles and none of them shoot as smooth as mine my dads 270 shoots nice, but still not as nice as the ruger#1, the trigger pull came perfect from the factory but i also like mine light, what it boils down to is what you have confidence  in, alot of people dont like the idea of huntn with a sigle shot

[chrisb]

They are really the "chevrolet" of rifles: good enough to get the job done and within the budget of most guys...also, American made.  I enjoy hunting with mine.

While I don't think it's acceptable to ever own a Chevy, I see what you're getting at here. 

This is actually the purpose for the purchase, a hunting rifle that shoots MOC (minute of critter) not to shoot sub MOA at 500+ yds. Also keeping in mind that my "home" hunting range lacks area for shots beyond 150-200 yds anyway the 16.5" barrel seemed perfect to me.

I've looked into the Tikka's based on the overwhelming responses as well and they aren't bad, just a little longer than i had in mind but I'll keep them in the plans as well when i get a chance to head out shopping.