New Ruger American Compact 7mm-08

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Woodsbum

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Well I finally pulled the trigger on a new American compact in 7mm-08.Got the last one at the lgs.Sold my CVA Hunter in.243 to help fund the Ruger.Pulled a Nikon 2-7 off the CVA.So far I'm pretty impressed with the feel of the action.What should I be looking for accuracy wise compared to the other Americans?
 
Just the cal.,with the amount of black bear in the area I talked myself into getting a compact rifle in a larger cal.,plus I really want to try 7mm-08.
 
Woodsbum said:
Just the cal.,with the amount of black bear in the area I talked myself into getting a compact rifle in a larger cal.,plus I really want to try 7mm-08.
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Makes sense . I always look at the Cva s


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I've have Predator versions in 308, 6.5 CM and 223. All of them will keep 3 shots under 1", usually well under 1". I have several "nicer" rifles costing much more that I like better for aesthetic reasons, but they don't shoot any better. I've never seen one of the standard models not shoot well. I think they are the best option for a budget rifle.
 
You're gonna like the 7-08 round. I have a Remington model 7 old style with walnut schabel forend and 18.5" barrel and its a deer killin' dude.

I just bought a RA full size in 243 off GB for a total of $275 NIB. So far the best I have gotten for groups at 100 yards is around 1.5". But I just picked a load and shot it with 100gr Nosler Partitions. It seems to be still breaking in but getting better all the time. And maybe I just haven't found the right load yet.

The three in the bull were my last 3 shots. The top 3 were after I just cleaned the barrel. Now I'm ready to hunt. The bull is 2" so about a 1.5" group.

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My 9 year old has one. It will shoot 110 ttsx into 1 1/8 inch 5 shot groups at 200yds. I am sure It would do better with a Berger or Matchking.
 
I have the full size version of the same rifle. With hand loads I can get inside 1" as long as both the rifle and I are rested. For factory ammo, I got Winchester/Combined Technology Ballistic SilverTips to group just a smidge over 1". Calipers called it 1.094" And they are very consistent. I would say though, be extra diligent to keep your barrel clean if you use those coated bullets. I've also recently had good luck with Hornady American Whitetail. I checked my POI with them, only two shots, but they had same POI as the Winchesters within 0.5", and the two I fired where touching.
 
Tallest said:
I have the full size version of the same rifle. With hand loads I can get inside 1" as long as both the rifle and I are rested. For factory ammo, I got Winchester/Combined Technology Ballistic SilverTips to group just a smidge over 1". Calipers called it 1.094" And they are very consistent. I would say though, be extra diligent to keep your barrel clean if you use those coated bullets. I've also recently had good luck with Hornady American Whitetail. I checked my POI with them, only two shots, but they had same POI as the Winchesters within 0.5", and the two I fired where touching.
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I would say just the opposite about those "coated bullets". I shoot the C.T. ballistic tip in my Mod 70, 7wsm coyotee. It. Has never been cleaned. It has conservatively 400 of those "coated" bullets down the tube. I will clean it if it ever needs it. Shooting .75 groups at 200, it still dont need it.
 
i bought the first left hand Remington 700 sps in my area in 7mm08 and have used it every years since to kill a pile of deer, using varget and 120 gr nosler BT bullets , with a 2.5x8 leupold it shoots moa three shot groups at 100 yards.
 
A guy I met at the gun club was shooting 2 - 4 inch groups at 200 yards with his Ruger .243 using Winchester Deer Season ammo. Redfield scope. I was impressed!

Jack
 
You don't mention wether you hand load or shoot only factory ammo.
My Stevens 200 with 22" barrel was shooting 3/4MOA 5 shot groups. Didn't matter what weight or manufacturer of bullet.
Really liked Alliant PP2000 powder.
 
I'm starting out with factory ammo,guess it was a good idea I got two sub 1/2" groups at 50 yds.with Hornady Whitetail 139 gr. interlocks.The bolt seems to work faster than my t/c compass.
 
I’ve been loading and shooting a 7mm08 for 20+ years now. Killed a dump truck load of deer and pigs with it. First one was a Sako 75 Hunter, then Remington 700 SPS Varmint I modified heavily and just got a Sako 85 Finnlight. All three love a 150grn NBT or CT over 45.5grn of H4350 or H414. The 4350 is a smidge more accurate but the 414 is about 75-100fps faster depending on the rifle. All are sub MOA though.

As for the RA, I bought both my son’s RA’s, one a 6.5 and the other a 7.62X39 Ranch. Both have excellent accuracy with the 6.5 being close to one hole at 100yds. They are perfect for the boys, just not my cup of tea as far as actions go.
 
reynolds357 said:
I would say just the opposite about those "coated bullets". I shoot the C.T. ballistic tip in my Mod 70, 7wsm coyotee. It. Has never been cleaned. It has conservatively 400 of those "coated" bullets down the tube. I will clean it if it ever needs it. Shooting .75 groups at 200, it still dont need it.
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Well, as long as it's accurate, do what you will.

But I do know that if you ever go to clean it, you will clean and clean and clean and clean before you get anything to pass through without coming out black.
 
Tallest said:
Well, as long as it's accurate, do what you will.

But I do know that if you ever go to clean it, you will clean and clean and clean and clean before you get anything to pass through without coming out black.
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Montana extreme copper remover strips the black and the copper in no time.
 
Bore Tech Eliminator works great too. I recently deep cleaned my Ruger M 77 that had been shooting Winchester Ballistic Silvertips for several years with nothing done to the bore. Swab with a wet patch, scrub with nylon brush, soak for five minutes or so then followed by several dry patches. Repeated the swab, soak and dry patches maybe five times. I was rather surprised at how much copper I got out. Totally recommend Bore Tech coated rod and proof positive brush, patch puller and jags. You know when the rifle is clean and you're not drawing copper out of anything other than the bore.

7mm 08 is for certain a terrific chambering. I bought a Savage 110 in 7mm 08 several years ago for my daughter. She's done well with it.
 
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My wife finally wanted to start hunting with me last year. I bought her the Ruger "Go Wild" 7mm/08. I find myself carrying it a lot when she stays home. One of my favorite rifles. My go to load is Hornady 139gr SST 41.0 grains of RL15 and 2.800 COAL. The rounds touch each other at 100 yards. I think you have a dandy rifle.
 
bought her the Ruger "Go Wild" 7mm/08.
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I am looking pretty hard at those, mainly because Ruger only makes the American Predator 7mm/08 in Left handed. I called Ruger and confirmed, the Go Wild is essentially the same rifle, plus a paint job and a muzzle brake.
 
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