that's about it.
I can't say positively that it would work, but I also think it's very unlikely it wouldn't.
Now the mags themselves may need some attention, at least the larger ones. I've not yet had an x39 AR so I don't know which mags work.
Which budget bolt 223? (Part 2)
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I can't say positively that it would work, but I also think it's very unlikely it wouldn't.
Now the mags themselves may need some attention, at least the larger ones. I've not yet had an x39 AR so I don't know which mags work.
TTv2
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OP, I don't mean to hijack, but I too wish Ruger had offered an x39 American option that used BRAND SPECIFIC AK mags from companies like Magpul and Tapco. Put that in a disclaimer that the rifles are "guaranteed to work with Magpul and Tapco AK magazines" and that there is no guarantee of success with AK magazines not made by those companies.
Instead Ruger went with the Mini 30 mags and it turned me off of the x39 American. I just don't care enough about 7.62x39 to get me into buying another magazine system.
I'm not saying mag compatibility is the end all be all for a bolt action rifle, it's just if someone owns a rifle in 7.62x39 the liklihood of that rifle being a Mini 30 and not an AK is astronomically low. It'd be like making a pistol caliber carbine and only make it available with an internal mag that uses stripper clips.
troy fairweather
Member
I think maybe they went with the mini 30 mags because it's easier to get 5 round mags over the ak ones. It is still a hunting rifle.
I have a Savage 12FV from cabelas (mines in .204 ruger tho) and absolutely love it. As for the stock flex I put a graphite arrow shaft in the forend and filled it with JB weld (helped a fair amount) and to help balance the weight filled the rear end with silicone.
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BigBL87
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No worries. It's a very valid discussion. Honestly, if it weren't for the mag compatibility I probably wouldn't be looking that hard at an American. Not that they don't look lite great rifles, there's just not a bunch else that separates them from competitors in their price range. The reality is, as someone who likes to have at least 3 mags per rifle it saves me $70 or so dollars buying just 2 mags (seems to be the general going rate for proprietary bolt action mags) since I have plenty of AR mags. That's that much more ammo or other accessories I can buy.
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BigBL87
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Zombie thread time!
I ended up buying the Weatherby Vanguard Heavy Barrel. Last week, I happened to notice that Amazon had the FDE Hogue Overmold w/ full bed block mispriced at the pillar bedded version's price ($131 as opposed to $230+) so I jumped on it despite not being a huge fan of FDE. It's been growing on me since I swapped it, can't wait shoot it. Don't mind the messy work bench.
I ended up buying the Weatherby Vanguard Heavy Barrel. Last week, I happened to notice that Amazon had the FDE Hogue Overmold w/ full bed block mispriced at the pillar bedded version's price ($131 as opposed to $230+) so I jumped on it despite not being a huge fan of FDE. It's been growing on me since I swapped it, can't wait shoot it. Don't mind the messy work bench.
Skylerbone
Member
I’m writing this for posterity’s sake; I own a Predator and can positively say that the forend not only has flex to it but also some slight twist that makes barrel contact. Easy enough to address with a dowel and sandpaper but there none the less.
The Weatherby looks nice by the way and should make for a fair shooter.
The Weatherby looks nice by the way and should make for a fair shooter.
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BigBL87
Member
Full disclosure, I had to sand/dremel quite a bit out of the front of the barrel channel on the Hogue to get it to free float. The Vanguard wasn't remotely close to free floating in the original stock, but they don't claim it to be either.
dh1633pm
Contributing Member
I went with the MVP (not on your list so I won't dwell). I have a Thompson in another Caliber and I like it. Your list isn't a bad one. Not sure you could even make a bad choice.
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BigBL87
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I looked at the MVP actually when I was gathering information, but IIRC I think the barrel lengths were shorter than I wanted at least in my price range. I figured with my AR being a 16" barrel I wanted to go with at least a 20" barrel to get a little extra legs out of .223 in addition to hoping to get a more accurate rifle than my AR is capable of. Mounted the scope this afternoon, so here's the finished product since I'm responding to a post anyway. I'm actually surprised, for being a heavy barrel on an already heavy action and a fully aluminum bedded stock, it actually doesn't feel as heavy as I'd expect.
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BigBL87
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Just weighed it, came in at 10 lbs 6 oz unloaded. Certainly not lightweight but not too bad for what it is. I think the setup is balanced pretty well which makes it feel a bit lighter.
cdb1
Member
If it were me it would be a Weatherby.
yeah for all the weight I've actually found the Howa/Vanguards to be surprisingly pleasant to carry.
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BigBL87
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Captcurt
Member
I agree with Picher. The Weatherby is heavy but the 223 Vanguard that I had was one of the most accurate rifles that I have owned. The Savage 10 that I have is pretty darn good too but it is a 300 WSM and doesn't have the Accutrigger. I have owned a couple of the Ruger Am in other calibers and all of them shot very well. I know this doesn't help any but honestly, you can't go wrong with any of them. Flip a coin is all I can say.
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