Magpul Hunter for Ruger American

[Bartojc]

Looking for opinions both good and bad about the Magpul Hunter Stock for a Ruger American. One of my hunting rifles is a plain American in .243. I've thought about restocking it but never moved on the idea. I've owned it now about 6-8 years and am thinking on doing something with it again. I have thought about a Boyds or something else. The Magpul Hunter has be wondering if it worth my time and money.

-Jeff

 

[LoonWulf]

My only real complaint is that its heavy. The weight and bulk (which is great on a heavier rifle) is a little much for the pencil barrel standard.

IF your looking to add weight and stability, as well as some basic adjustability, then it will work well.

I did a write up on the American stocks available at the time. Dont know if it will be useful to you or not, but heres the link to the thread.
https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...options-ready-to-invest.848144/#post-11062220

 

[Bartojc]

The weight is a slight concern. The standard American is so light to start with. I've done the resin in the forearm to stiffen, but its still pretty light.
I doubt I'd have an issue with the weight, and it might help stability. I do hunt with the rifle every year so. I was also wondering about that pencil barrel in the barrel channel on the Hunter stock. I assume the stock barrel channel is wide enough to accept the predator barrel. Does that leave a wide weird looking gap if using it on a pencil barrel ? Not that looks matter that much to me but they matter a little

*edit*

@LoonWulf , your review you linked is probably the best honest review I've read. Thanks for the pointer. All the other reviews are mostly "Yeah its great and you can hang M-loc stuff off it" Would a pencil barrel get lost in the barrel channel do you think, and would the balance be there ?

-Jeff

 

[LoonWulf]

The weight is a slight concern. The standard American is so light to start with. I've done the resin in the forearm to stiffen, but its still pretty light.
I doubt I'd have an issue with the weight, and it might help stability. I do hunt with the rifle every year so. I was also wondering about that pencil barrel in the barrel channel on the Hunter stock. I assume the stock barrel channel is wide enough to accept the predator barrel. Does that leave a wide weird looking gap if using it on a pencil barrel ? Not that looks matter that much to me but they matter a little

*edit*

@LoonWulf , your review you linked is probably the best honest review I've read. Thanks for the pointer. All the other reviews are mostly "Yeah its great and you can hang M-loc stuff off it" Would a pencil barrel get lost in the barrel channel do you think, and would the balance be there ?

-Jeff

Because of the shape of the Magpul stock, the thin barrel would for sure bug me..... But, that's mostly just cosmetics and personal preference

 

[FL-NC]

Beware that there are several generations of Ruger Americans, so whatever you decide to do, make sure you are ordering the right stock. FWIW, I have 2 Ruger Americans. While the factory stock is uglky, it doesn't effect accuracy in the least.

 

[Captains1911]

The weight has always been a turn off for me. I’m sure it’s quality, after all it is magpul, but adding 1.5 lbs just doesn’t make sense to me for anything but a bench gun.

 

[Captains1911]

Perhaps a bit off topic, but I think a Timney trigger is the best upgrade you can make to a Ruger American.

 

[LoonWulf]

Perhaps a bit off topic, but I think a Timney trigger is the best upgrade you can make to a Ruger American.

Trigger improvement is probably one of the most cost effective ways to improve a firearm.
Ive got Timneys on other guns. I never tried changing the trigger on any of my Americans, I usually put a reduced power spring in and polished them, but it would be a good route to go.

 

[Captains1911]

Trigger improvement is probably one of the most cost effective ways to improve a firearm.
Ive got Timneys on other guns. I never tried changing the trigger on any of my Americans, I usually put a reduced power spring in and polished them, but it would be a good route to go.

I recently installed a Timney in my American Predator, and couldn’t be more pleased. The factory trigger was really the only complaint I had with the rifle. The stock doesn’t bother me.

 

[LoonWulf]

I recently installed a Timney in my American Predator, and couldn’t be more pleased. The factory trigger was really the only complaint I had with the rifle. The stock doesn’t bother me.

Thats almost exactly the opposite for me, I never had an issue with the triggers but hated the stocks lol.

 

[hoardingthemanual]

I’m running one as an upgrade to a $500 savage 308. I absolutely love it when compared to the factory savage stock. The factory savage stock is absolute junk. I have a diamondback tactical 6-24x50 on it too. My total unloaded weight is 9lb 4oz.

I like the higher comb which comes factory equipped. It also houses an aluminum frame within it as opposed the hollow plastic from the savage factory. The thumb cut outs are nice. It’s not for most people (especially on this forum) but if you’re not trying to be part of a group, it’s a great stock when compared to the trash that is the factory savage stock.

 

[Captains1911]

It’s not for most people (especially on this forum) but if you’re not trying to be part of a group, it’s a great stock when compared to the trash that is the factory savage stock.

What do you mean by this?

 

[jmr40]

The best accessory for the Ruger American is to buy more ammo and/or upgrade the glass. They are butt ugly but work just fine as is. Anything you do to it is at best a lateral move and possibly a downgrade. The stock doesn't need to be stiff in order to be accurate due to the unique bedding system. The trigger is fine.

 

[Bartojc]

The best accessory for the Ruger American is to buy more ammo and/or upgrade the glass. They are butt ugly but work just fine as is. Anything you do to it is at best a lateral move and possibly a downgrade.

This is where I have landed over the years I've owned the rifle. Its been hunting for a number of years. I use it and as I've gained confidence in it use ot for my foul weather gun because of the synthetic stock and because of its crappy looks .

If I could fix the low comb stock though it would like it better, and possible shoot it more comfortably. I use a stock sleeve or whatever to raise the comb slightly and it works ok. I've stiffened the forearm with fiberglass resin and its works well enough. All in all you are mostly correct. THere is nothing "wrong" with the rifle as it sits.

Sounds like the Hunter stock is ok, but at a weight penalty. If that's a deal breaker depends on me or the user. The other possible penalty might be the barrel channel in the hunter with the pencil barrel of the American standard. I'm usually not one for "looks" but in this case I have to admit I'd like to see what it looks like before I took the plunge.

Maybe a Boyds is the answer to the question that really shouldn't be asked


-Jeff

 

[hoardingthemanual]

It’s a wonderful stock. Don’t need an essay to say it.

 

[Captains1911]

The best accessory for the Ruger American is to buy more ammo and/or upgrade the glass. They are butt ugly but work just fine as is. Anything you do to it is at best a lateral move and possibly a downgrade. The stock doesn't need to be stiff in order to be accurate due to the unique bedding system. The trigger is fine.

Disagree on the trigger. Mine was awful