Ruger American rifle ?

[flipajig]

I'm looking at one for my daughter in 7-08.
I've already settled on a 7-08 for her and was wanting to build a Encore for her and then I saw the Ruger they are asking 349.00 and a Encore is running 650.00
What is the good the bad and the other?
Flip

 

[Geno]

I have read many articles (reviews) about these rifles. Good words are abundant. Legitimate complaints? I haven't seen any. In handling them myself last week, I have noted the following:

The Good:
1) They shoot, most sub-MOA.
2) They're priced right.
3) Love the 70 degree A-bolt throw!
4) Action is smooth.
5) Trigger is awesome!
6) Love the detachable magazine!

The Bad:
3) They feel "cheaper" than most rifles because of the stock.

Going back to points 1 & 2, they shoot sub-MOA and are priced right. I own a couple M70 Ultimate Shadows. The Ruger American reminds me of an Ultimate Shadow minus the controlled round feed. For me, the Ruger American is on my must-purchase list. By the way, Ruger proofs and accuracy tests each rifle before it leaves the factory. Must buy!

Geno

 

[adelbridge]

I was going to give my daughter an encore but I thought long and hard about the decocking. Go with the ruger.

 

[firesky101]

I bought the first American in .308 I could find. I do not regret the purchase one bit. As mentioned the stock feels pretty cheap, but it does what it needs to in my book. For the value you will have a hard time finding another rifle with so many features. Savage has some bargains as well if you are open to other suggestions.

 

[flipajig]

Thank you for the replyes looks like I'm starting another layaway plan.
I'm not a savage fan my Rugers are another matter.
Flip

 

[firesky101]

Yes thats why I got an American. All my buddies affordable tackdrivers were savage, and I like being different. I also like Ruger so that helped.

 

[Kachok]

I like the Ruger, it is a Savage knockoff but I like Savages so that does not bother me a bit. I already have a 308, 30-06, 7mm-08 and 270 but if they ever chamber it in 6.5 Creedmore or 260 I would have a really good excuse to get one of my own, I just really like 6.5mms they are my favorite. Only gripe I have with the American is the flimsy matte finish which probably won't hold up too well in this hot/humid climate.
7mm-08 is a FINE choice for a young shooter (as are the 6.5s and 25 cals), the recoil is very manageable and it is a noticeable step up in performance from 243s IMHO. If you handload PM me and I can give you some pointers on it.

 

[220slow]

I don't like a hammer gun for a new shooter either

 

[WoodchuckAssassin]

My only gripe is with the stock. Like others have said, it feels cheep when compared to the encore or venture (or even the Stevens stock). The bolt feels real nice, and it shoulders nice and quick. If I were you, I'd get it. A lot of people don't like them because they're not as customizable as, say, a Stevens platform, but since this gun is for your kid, I wouldn't worry too much about that.

Happy Hunting!

 

[WoodchuckAssassin]

Oh, I forgot to say that you made a good round choice!

 

[Geno]

One of the qualities I see in the American, especially when chambered in .243 Win, is the 1-9 twist. That would be perfect for the 95 to 105 grain projectiles. My M70 .243 Win has a 1-10 twist. It is very accurate, but is at its best shooting 58 to 80 grain projectiles.

I would definitely like an American or three. I have been wanting a .30-06 Sprg, and I see the American as the perfect platform for adding that cartridge at a bargain basement price. In truth, my issue is choosing which chambering to choose in an American: .243, 7-08, 308, 270 or 30-06. Decision, decisions.

Geno

 

[jmr40]

I can live with the stock. The Ruger magazines seem like the weak link to me. I'd still rather have the Ruger.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

I sighted in my nephew's American in .308 and really liked the rifle.
The good, it was plenty accurate with factory ammo, so I know I could get a good load worked up with little difficulty. It is lightweight which I love.
The bad, the stock is a little on the cheap side, but that doesn't bother me. For a $300 rifle, you can't beat it IMO.

 

[flipajig]

I realy appreciate all the replys it's a done deal layaway is going to happen. I already load for the 7-08 for my Encore Pistol it has responded very well to IMR 4064 Remington corloc and Nosler BT both on 140 grain.
Flip

 

[David Clark]

With the way the new American is selling I would bet that there will be lots of after market stuff for it by mid year like different stocks, screw on barrels etc.
Dave

 

[03Shadowbob]

I have one in 30-06 and it is a sweet shooter. The stock is not the best but it really shouldn't affect most people's uses of the gun.

 

[Kachok]

I realy appreciate all the replys it's a done deal layaway is going to happen. I already load for the 7-08 for my Encore Pistol it has responded very well to IMR 4064 Remington corloc and Nosler BT both on 140 grain.
Flip

If you want a feather light kicking round for her try a 120gr Pro Hunter and H380, that load shoots cloverleafs even in my super picky Browning and the recoil is in the low 243/6.5x55 range. H380 and Big Game are the only two powders that have given me consistent sub-MOA performance in my fussy 7mm-08, but the H380 does well all the way from 120gr to 160gr so I am a happy camper Big Game is more of a specialty 140gr load if you want alot of speed, but it feels like shooting a 280 Rem.

 

[depcon3]

Ruger American

I bought an American in .308 last Fall, wanting a short action lightweight. My version of an economy Scout Rifle, sort of. The price is right, I like the detachable magazine idea with the cushy recoil pad, and the trigger pull is fine for a hunting rifle. I put a Redfield Revenge 4-12 scope with the Accuranger Range estimating reticle on top and did a short barrel break-in before working up a load in it. I settled on the Sierra 165 Game King bullet over 40-something grains of VV N540 (can't remember off the top of my head), and it was grouping around 3/4" at 100 yards, I think. I ran it out to 750 yards on the range and it did great, more than enough for a hunting rifle. The whole package is lightweight, affordable, and plenty powerful for the things I hunt. I'm very happy with it. The only compromise for me is the thin fore-end on the stock, there is a lot of flex in it. The magazine goes in and comes out easily, but I did have some feeding issues early on. I had to bevel the inside edge of the front of the magazine so that the nose of the cartridge didn't hang up. Once that was done, it worked great.

I took the rifle on an Axis deer hunt in January and used it to take three deer. I'm happy with it!