NEW Ruger American Ranch in 7.62x39

It is a bit curious that ruger chose the .311 bore as opposed to .310 which is what I typically see in other US manufactured barrels--my guess (and I'm sure someone will quickly correct me if I'm wrong) is that they figured the accuracy impact on .310 cartridges would be minimal vs. being able to operate comblock bulk mil-spec cheapo plinking ammo.

Hornady's dies come with an expander ball for both .310 and .308 and they say you probably won't need any adjustments other than switching them out to seat a .308 bullet. I personally don't see the advantage in doing this--I know there are gobs of .308 bullets with much higher BC pointy boat-tail/spitzer designs out there but much like the 300 blk when you stuff a longish bullet into the case you're going to be encroaching on powder capacity and performance. The better performing powders I've used so far for the x 39 tend to be stick-like powders--though the new CFE BLK, being a smallish spherical powder that works well in the x 39, has been a game-changer for the reloads I've done with it. I still haven't tried 1680 but will do so shortly. Stick type extrusions have their own issues with getting them into the case and bullets seated in compressed loads. The AR 47 I recently put together using a cheapo PSA upper is IMO a genuine 100 yd MOA shooter with the right cartridge. Cavity back makes a .310 125 gr monolithic bullet which features their "cavity pocket" at the base enabling a grain or so of extra powder capacity to be used and reportedly has a very wide petal opening velocity range--starting at something around 1100 fps.

Ruger is generally very savvy about their new rifles--again, just a guess, but I'm sure they wouldn't bother bringing the x39 out on the predator ranch design if it was not an inherently accurate rifle--at least superior to their semi-auto offerings.
 
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Geezerbiker
You don't have to wait for Starline brass. Graf's has PPU, Winchester and Lapua brass in stock...
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and Hornady makes brass as well. I like Starline. I don't have to reload today. I have tens of thousands of rounds of commie ammo to play with.
This is not a paper punching MOA rifle. It is, for me, a close range hog killer in heavy thickets and cover. I could care less about most of the 'negatives' talked about here. It will do what I want it to do, and will be fun to shoot as well.
 
I have one on the way; it will be here on Thursday. I can't wait to get this out and shoot the heck out of it in the desert. I have quite a few super accurate varmint type rifles, but sometimes it's just fun to sit around with friends and plink. This rifle will let me do that. I will probably end up reloading for it, but in the meanwhile I will just have fun.
 
I understand. I'm one of those reloading junkies that has to reload for almost everything I shoot and I was researching brass prices anyway...

Tony
 
Definitely try reloading for it--much of the rap against the x39 is based on impressions of combloc bulk ammo that has been prevalent as the ammo of choice for decades.
 
I'm not saying I'm going to buy this rifle tomorrow or next week, but if I did, what would be a good, compact, and light weight scope to put on it?

Red dots are a no-go for me. Astigmatism.
 
I too have astigmatism and have found the primary arms ACSS 1 x 6 300BLK/7.62 x 39 scope to be very effective for a hybrid tactical red-dot/illuminated reticle to the ranges you can expect the x39 to be effective at. It's not a light weight, however--and it's also made in China--which is an automatic demerit in my book for any optic since my track record with Chinese-made optics has been miserable.
 
I was also looking at scopes for my CZ carbine, and found that Leupold's 2-7x32 is about the lightest on the market at only 8 ounces. This would enable the package to stay light and trim, while giving adequate magnification for the ranges this round is best suited to.
 
I looked at all the scopes and I liked the Bushnell and Redfield the most. The Bushnell is nice it's built around the 7.62x39 cartridge, but that's also the drawback. Couldn't really use it on a non 7.62x39 rifle.

Also, being a 2-300 yard cartridge, I don't think scopes that go beyond 4x are necessary.
 
I just ordered one from Bud's. I have a 3x9 Leupold that I intend to mount on it. The deciding factor was it takes the Mini 30 mags. I think I will retire my Winchester 94 30/30. Indiana now allows a 30 cal rifle on private land.
Light, portable, cheap ammo and does away with those rotary mags. What's not to like?
 
Nosler did a trial run of .311 Accubonds about a year ago. I think they were 125. That's what this rifle needs. Another advantage of designing it to accept mini-30 mags is that they will sell more mags this way. They make a good mag too.
 
Nosler did a trial run of .311 Accubonds about a year ago. I think they were 125. That's what this rifle needs. Another advantage of designing it to accept mini-30 mags is that they will sell more mags this way. They make a good mag too.
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Did those bullets have crimp grooves? Their bullets tend not to have them in my experience. I agree that 125 gr bullets tend to better than the pervasive 123 gr ones--at least in my AK and AR 47.
 
Its neat but at that price I would just pay a little more for the CZ 527. The set trigger on the CZ is great and my iron sights were dead on at 100yds. Don't get me started on the gorgeous wood.
 
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