Ruger American 1st impressions

[Float Pilot]

My buddy down the road has bee wanting a bolt action rifle for the last few years, but he is exceedingly tight with cash.

So finally his wife bought him a Ruger American in 30-06 a week or two ago for $340 on sale.
Then he found a 4x12 Nikon $165 scope with a BDC type reticle on some sort of internet sale.

So we hauled it out to the range yesterday to get it on paper and try for some groups. Unfortunately he only brought two types of ammo.

Impressions: for this one rifle only.

1. The plastic magazine has quite a bit of play in it while inserted.

2. For some reason the cartridges are canted slightly nose down in the magazine and the bullet tip tends to hang up and require lots of force to over come. It does not load smoothly nor quietly.

3. The trigger break is very weird. The little Glock type safety lever moves back, but then the main trigger appears to have no motion and the rifle finally goes off after squeezing the heck out of the darn thing. I know this is supposedly adjustable and I hope that something helps. It feels like 8 pounds right now...

4. The recoil pad is very affective, but so soft and thick that it almost goofs up having a repeatable cheek weld.

5. The rifle carries well for field use due to its light weight.

6. The rifle does not stabilize well for standing unsupported shooting because the muzzle end is so light that all the weight is towards the rear.
This rifle needs a shooting stick, or the support of being fired over a back-pack.

7. The stock's surface appears slippery to the eye, yet it seems ok while actually firing.

8. Muzzle jump is pronounced due to the light muzzle end.

9. This rifle hates 150 grain American Eagle FMJ. The bets group with that stuff was still over 2.5 inches at 100 yards from a bench.

10. Remington 150 grain Core Lock ammo was slightly better at 1.25 inches being the best group at 100 yards.

11. After 3 or 4 shots the barrel becomes hot enough that the groups wander all over the place. It needs lots of cooling time.

 

[jmr40]

I don't think they are at their best in 30-06. They are a little too light for that caliber. I bought a 223 compact first. Liked it enough to buy a 308 standard rifle a few weeks later. I have much better guns, but both of these shoot .5-.75 MOA with anything I put in them. They are cheap enough that I don't worry about leaving one in the truck or bashing it around on the ATV.

I think they are the best of the budget guns. I sorta wish I'd waited for the Predator version which came out only a few weeks after my purchases. A slightly heavier barrel and threaded for a suppressor.

 

[Bartojc]

I have an American in .243. Your assessment of the detachable box magazine is pretty accurate. It reminds me of something off a toy rifle. I would have thought they could have come up with something a little better.

My trigger is nice though. Breaks clean and plenty light. They are adjustable, supposedly between 3 and 5 pounds. Maybe something wrong with yours ?

My .243 is a shooter, but as you said they heat up fast. The only ammo I've used to date is regular cheap green box Remingtons and I can get sub 1" groups.

Other than the magazine I like mine a lot. To me it seems decently balanced. I have a Leoupold VX-1 on it. I could perhaps use a little weight in the stock, but it's intended to be a lightweight rifle so I'll leave it for now. I'm going to use it for a cheap alternative deer rifle and summer varmint use.

-Jeff

 

[Float Pilot]

Since this belongs to the guy down the road, I will probably not get to work it over. He has no experience with accurate bolt action rifles, so he has nothing with which to compare it..
So he is happy for the time being.

I agree that they are probably the best of the low end rifles. But I just can't get myself to fall in love with the darn things.

 

[bamajoey]

Two good points out of eleven ain't bad. Was the owner impressed or does he have buyers remorse?

 

[Float Pilot]

Well until he finds a good load and fixes the trigger it will not do what he thought he was going to be able to do....

He has seen the groups fired from my rifles with my hand-loads and he fired a nice $3000 AR-10 heavy barrel variant with match ammo that made him think long range shooting would be his cup of tea.

Then he read an article where the writer was shooting a Ruger American at 800 yards and hitting gongs.

So he expected all sorts of wonderful things from a rifle and scope combo that only cost him a little over $500.

He certainly needs to try more than just two loads.

 

[mac66]

The American is a light weight hunting rifle not a bench rest, competition or battle rifle. One or two shots is all you should need. Have the owner adjust the trigger to where he likes it. Use a sling as a support while standing.

 

[Float Pilot]

True. And I love my light weight hunting rifles.

However to quote Col Whelen

"Only accurate rifles are interesting".

So I tend to be a little picky on setting up my light weight rifles.

 

[dprice3844444]

put a folding bipod on the front to add weight

 

[sappyg]

I have a thing for light and cheap rifle. The RA wins me over as the best in terms of bolt design. It has no peer IMHO.
The magazine is the week link for me. I think that lock up is superior to the Savage offering in this econo line up. Yet, the magazine function itself is the poorest of design I think I've ever seen. In this case, the use of polymer feed lips are a poorly thought out rendering. This above all else takes away from the true potential of this rifle and it's intended purpose.
Accuracy for me has been all over the place. I've had absolutely stunning results and what could better be described as a pattern... At best. The sample of the two I have owned so far tend towards a pattern. The accuracy is there. You just have to find it. If you're so inclined. If it's worth it to you.
The RA shows what Ruger is capable of but not what Rugers potential is as an innovative manufacture. Up until the release of this rifle my faith in Ruger was unshakable. Not so much now. I find myself less impressed by companies motivated by surveys. The RA is timely but, out of touch all the same.
The rifle can't be anything more than what it is. It's simply a cheap Ruger. Maybe even a little less so but there you have it. The problem is... Ruger gets in it's own way.
I like the trigger and it carries well. Heck, I really don't have a problem with the stock. But, compared to the ultimate budget rifle (rem 788) it comes up a bit short. As such, the rifle will likely prove to be an also ran.... Something I think Ruger is content to be a part of.

 

[Dentite]

I like that there are decent affordable rifles being made. On the other hand, when you consider factors such as how many years a hunting rifle can be used (a bunch), the cost of ammo you will run through it, the fact that rifles have decent resale value, etc you can easily make the arguement that it is worth spending a bit more for something you will really like vs something that just gets by.

For example, a $400 rifle vs a $800 rifle. Over the course of 10 years you will pay $40 a year for the nicer rifle. Each year I will spend more money than that on reloading components for the single rifle.

That being said I've bought cheap rifles and more expensive ones. Nice to have options.

Thanks for the review.

 

[Corn-Picker]

Every now and then I'm tempted to buy a Ruger (right now it's their guide gun in 375 Ruger). Then, I think back to that darned early 90s MKII with boat paddle stock in 7mm mag that I had. Least accurate hardest kicking (for caliber) POS I ever owned. I know it's been twenty years and I should "let it go" and give Ruger another chance, but I'm too afraid I might buy a pig in a poke. I know it's not fair to compare a $350 gun to an $800 one, but these stories still make me nervous.

 

[Ky Larry]

I know exactly what you mean, Corn-Picker. I ha d a Ruger-77 in .243. Beautiful blued and walnut, Weaver V-16 scope. The thing would not shoot. I free floated it, glass bedded it,added a Timney trigger, Conetrol rings, switched scopes, shot every factory load and reload I could, and the POS still wouldn't shoot. Got rid of it and haven't bought a Ruger since. A few weeks ago I bought a Ruger American in .308. We'll see how it shoots. I know this is not a $1000 rifle so I don't have unrealistic expectations of it. If it will shoot sub-1" groups, I'll be happy.

 

[Arizonan]

three words
Less THAN desirable!

 

[Kachok]

In it's price range I would consider the Marlin X7, I bought one shortly after they came out, darn thing would shoot almost as well as the Tikka, girlfriend even shot a tiny cloverleaf with cheap FMJ ammo. Never cared much for its ergonomics but if you could get past that it was a darn good gun. I wanted a Ruger American in 243 but mixed reviews have kinna turned me off, as did the piss poor finish that you can scratch off with a fingernail. I would rather spend a few extra bucks for quality. My only Ruger is a 77 MkII, not the most accurate gun I have ever owned but it is good enough out to 300 yards and I like the feel of it.

 

[gamestalker]

I'm not exceedingly happy with them either. But when you spend $300-$400 for a bolt gun you get what you pay for in today's market.

I've been able to get the .243 and .270 to group after some tuning, but some of the other issues are simply just cheap workmanship, plastic everything. Watch that magazine release and the magazine, they break very easily, ask me how I know.

And Ruger isn't the only one that's manufacturing this type of inexpensive product line for those who don't want to drop $1K or more on a real deal range rig. Rem and their 770, Savage Axis, and a few others out there are slapped together for the guy who just wants a once a year hunting rifle. And for the most part, they can be made to shoot pretty decent, but the cheesy stocks, plastic latches and magazines, well, that's another story.

GS

 

[Kachok]

But when you spend $300-$400 for a bolt gun you get what you pay for in today's market.


GS

You have not shot any Savages lately have you, my El-chepo Savages are both shooting under 3/4 MOA with cheap SP hunting bullets (handloads) and have yet to ever have a single issue with any of the half dozen I have owned over the years. My two current ones are a 270 WSM and a 30-06, neither is a fancy accustock version. I have heard Axis owners report similar accuracy but I personally would rather spend the extra $50 for the Accutrigger. My 06 cost me $386 NIB scoped.

 

[ironworkerwill]

Quote:
Originally Posted by gamestalker
But when you spend $300-$400 for a bolt gun you get what you pay for in today's market.


GS

You have not shot any Savages lately have you, my El-chepo Savages are both shooting under 3/4 MOA with cheap SP hunting bullets (handloads) and have yet to ever have a single issue with any of the half dozen I have owned over the years. My two current ones are a 270 WSM and a 30-06, neither is a fancy accustock version. I have heard Axis owners report similar accuracy but I personally would rather spend the extra $50 for the Accutrigger. My 06 cost me $386 NIB scoped.
__________________

I land somewhere in the middle of this argument. You'll be hard pressed to find a new Savage with decent furniture and finish for less than $650. The do shoot well!

 

[Captcurt]

JMHO

Had an American rimfire for about a week. Wasn't impressed. Ruger has a package deal now with a Redfield scope on their centerfires. Sorry guys, but if I wanted to spend $500 on a plastic stocked rifle I would opt for a Savage 11XP Hunter package. Probably in 260 Rem.

 

[Kachok]

You can get a wood stocked Savage for well under $650, last Fall Classic I passed up on a wood stocked Savage combo with Nikon Prostaff BDC for $499! It would have been worth that all day long but sadly I did not have the extra money to spend, oh well the next one is coming up soon. Bass Pro does get some great deals at their classic, I got my Model 70 Featherweight for under $500 and my Browning A-Bolt for $399, cannot hardly find them that cheap used.

 

[Captcurt]

Kachok,

To quote Crocodile Dundee, " We be mates." The older I get the lighter the gun gets and 6.5 is a favorite. I have seen some good reviews on the American but I can't see a place in my safe for one. I might feel different if the gun was offered in more calibers. That is where the Savage shines. Their 11 and 111 XP is offered in 15 calibers in their adult guns and 5 in the youth.

 

[Kachok]

Yeah, they offer the 6.5 Creedmore, 6.5-284 and the 260 for us 6.5mm fans. I personally would not mind adding a Creedmore to the collection. Savage 7mm-08s and 243s have a well established reputation for top notch accuracy even winning several production class rifle events I have seen. That said Savages are not perfect, I dislike their detachable mags, the plastic stocks feel flimsy, and they look a little blocky, I think Browning, Tikka, and Winchester have them beat hands down in those areas. My favorite magazine though is the flip down/removable one on my A-bolt I have no idea why Browning would discontinue that in favor of a generic plastic mag on the A-Bolt III.

 

[H&Hhunter]

So basically for a cheap piece of junk it ain't too bad. No thanks on the Ruger American!

 

[Captcurt]

So basically for a cheap piece of junk it ain't too bad. No thanks on the Ruger American!

Some people just need a gun to go bang. Most of the Americans shoot quite well.

 

[JR47]

Actually, in the OP, #7 is a poorly worded positive. #6,9, and 10 are all bad in that they were the choice of the shooter, not the rifle.

I own two Ruger Model 77 Rifles, one an original Model 77 in .30-06, the other a Mk.II in 7mm Rem. Magnum. Both are accurate rifles. Neither has given me a second's worth of trouble.

I also own a Ruger America Rim-fire in .22 WMR. The magazines are fine, lock up tight, and feed well. The gun will fire nine shots as fast as needed, without shifting POI. It's light, the trigger on mine is set at 3#, and it carries well. Accuracy varies with bullet weight and velocity. It likes CCI Maxi-Mag JHP best.

The guns, like anything else produced here, will be tweaked as time goes by. I mean, it took Remington what, 30+ years to fix their triggers?