Any unhappy Ruger American owners?

[CptnAwesome]

I've read a lot posts here from ruger American owners and most I've read have been good.
Been thinking of getting one in 7mm-08. Well,,, ran into a guy that wants to sell his, it's about a year old, good shape, and he's asking $300. Says he just wants something else. Of course I won't know how it shoots till I buy it.
My question... Does anyone own a ruger American and is not happy with the way it shoots?

 

[FL-NC]

I've heard nothing but good about them. I have a new predator model in 308 waiting at the shop for pickup once I get back to the states.

 

[Bearhands]

I have had mine for 2 yrs now... it's the "regular" one in 243. It'll put 4 rounds of either 80 or 100gr Win PowerPoints into one inch @ 100yrds, often in 2 holes. Any negativity that I've experienced has only been from reading comments from folks who either don't own one or if they try comparing the American to something they paid a lot more for though I'm sure there'll be a lemon along the way that has given the owner some grief. It is what it is, it's a very lightweight accurate hunting rifle that wasn't developed to be a bench rest competitor. I love mine.

 

[jmr40]

I have 2 and have had an opportunity to shoot 2 more. They are very accurate rifles. But there are a couple of quirks to be aware of. I think the magazines are the weak link. Ruger has had some issues, mostly with the early 223 magazines. The factory mag that came with mine wouldn't feed the last round. I returned it and Ruger promplty replaced it. I now have that one and 2 spares, all 3 work perfectly.

I liked it enough to buy a Predator in 308 and ended up with 4 total magazines. I just recently discovered that one of them does not feed properly. I haven't had time to return it, but I'm sure Ruger will make it right.

There were complaints that the forend was too flimsey. My 223 came with the original stock and I solved the problem with a generous free float. It doesn't matter how flexible the forend is as long as it has enough room not to touch the barrel. More recent stocks have more bracing and are stiffer. If it has the older stock I still think it is a good deal, but it might be a bargaining point to reduce the price a little.

Original stock:



New stock:

 

[Tswitz109]

We have 2 Ruger Americans in the family, one in 308 and one in 7mm08. They are both great rifles and I wouldn't trade them for anything. Specifically, the 7mm08 is my favorite cartridge and hunting rifle. Its extremely accurate, doesn't recoil much, and will drop any animal I would be shooting at. My only complaint is that I have to put 3 rounds in the magazine because if there are 4 rounds, the first does not want to load. However, with 3 I have never had a problem. Other than that, I have no complaints and I think you will be very happy with it.

 

[FL-NC]

jmr40- regarding your 308 predator- how is the recoil with that short barrel/ light rifle arrangement? I heard the Ruger recoil pad works really well.

 

[CptnAwesome]

Good to hear. I was afraid it shot like crap the train he wanted to get rid of it. Think it'll be worth taking a chance on.

 

[CptnAwesome]

Jmr40 that's good info to know about the stock. I'll ask about that.

 

[rbernie]

I sure wish that the safety locked the bolt closed - that's a feature that I won't NOT have in a field rifle.....

 

[Baldman]

Glad to hear some more good reports. I have a Predator in 223 on order which should be in this week. I read many good things, but then once I bought it I found 2 bad reviews that the accuracy was crap. I was afraid I made a bad purchase, I guess I'll see when it comes in and I get a chance to shoot it.

 

[Dr T]

Mine (a 22-250) is OK, but I really didn't like the factory stock (and the magazines). I ended up restocking it with a Boyd's laminate and gave it to my son-in-law. I filled the spot (lightweight varmint rifle) in my collection with a Tikka 22-250...

BTW, it is interesting to compare the Tikka T3, Ruger American, and T/C Icon side by side. They are like Triplet son's by different mothers (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjW_yvrC0cE).

 

[hubcap91]

While I do prefer a good Savage I don't see much to complain about with the Ruger American. Is it a 1000yd rifle out of the box? No. This rifle is marketed to your average hunter and I think this rifle is capable of filling most hunters needs.

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[Captcurt]

Not impressed with the rimfire.

I haven't had any experience with the cenerfire models but have owned 2 of the 22 rimfires. I wasn't impressed with the triggers on either and the accuracy was average at best. I have had several rimfires that would beat my Rugers any day of the week.

A friend at the LGS has a 223 Predator that he touted as awesome. Maybe I am too picky..

 

[tahoe2]

My buddy bought a 308 American last fall, he liked it so much, he bought a 243 this spring. That said, they are both fun to shoot, accurate, and lightweight.
Recoil on the 308 is not bad at all. I haven't taken them apart or cleaned them, so I know nothing beyond what I've stated so far!

 

[morcey2]

My son is very unhappy with his. He bought it, shot it a few times, then got stationed overseas so he couldn't take it with him. His is a 308 and it's quite accurate. I think he should have gotten the 7mm-08, but he didn't ask me before he bought it.

Matt

 

[Nature Boy]

I'll go ahead and ask. It's quite accurate and he's very unhappy?

 

[Victor N TN]

Our oldest daughter's friend has an "American" chambered in 308. It shoots very good. The adjustable trigger is pretty good. Not quiet as good as the OLD Remington's. But very good. I was able to adjust it to 4 pounds with no problem.

It's a little light for me. But for tramping through thick brush all day, it would be very good. I wish I had something like it 40 years ago when I was in the woods from October to March.

If I were in the market for a new rifle, it would be a tough choice between the newer Savage "Scout" or the Ruger "American". I like them both a lot.

 

[morcey2]

I'll go ahead and ask. It's quite accurate and he's very unhappy?

Yes. Because he's 6000 miles away from it for the foreseeable future.

 

[Jesse H]

Plan on getting a RA Rimfire as a suppressor host and eventually teaching my little one to shoot. Read nothing but good things, but can't help thinking about a CZ as well. Any thoughts?

 

[Cleveland48]

I have the American predator in 6.5 creedmoor and it outshoots a lot of the higher end Guns I've owned. With the factory 120 and 140 grain amax have all been around the .5 to .8 " range. All may hunting hand loads are under 1MOA. With my two main loading coming in at about .6. I'm very pleased with this gun. It looks and feels cheap cause it is cheap, but it's performance is up there with a lot of high end Guns.


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[DougW]

Good friend bought an American in .308, had the barrel shortened to 17", threaded, and runs a suppressor with a Zeiss (SP) scope. He is upset that he likes it better than his .308 Remington's or his AR10's.

 

[ifit]

Picked up the ruger ranch in .223/5.56, wanted a light short compact bolt action, have not shot it yet..but so far pleased with it. need to get better scope rings n sling then..gtg

 

[webrx]

Have a 243 and 270, both good shooters, you can feel the recoil in the 270 after 10 or so rounds at the bench, my son (14) would not shoot it. I added sand to the stock and this reduced felt recoil to about 243 levels or pretty close.

The advantage of using sand, is when it goes into the field, you can take the sand out, and it is lightweight again. I did not notice any difference in accuracy with or without the sand in the stock

d

 

[FiveInADime]

Picked up the ruger ranch in .223/5.56, wanted a light short compact bolt action, have not shot it yet..but so far pleased with it. need to get better scope rings n sling then..gtg

What does the flash-hide/muzzle-break do? Is there less recoil?

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[wild willy]

Both of mine a .243 and a 7mm-08 shoot fine.But I remembered why I stopped buying hunting rifles that the safety doesn't lock the bolt down.Fine for varmint hunting or setting in a stand but a PITA in the brush.