Ruger American Bolt Actions

Some folks miss the point of the budget rifles - they are not meant to have walnut stocks and polished bluing. What they are, though, is good solid American made rifles.

All the budget guns out there - the Ruger American, Savage Axis, Remington 783 are great, affordable rifles for hunting and range shooting.

I have the Axis for my daughter and the 783 for myself. I don't like the mags on the American but from everything I've heard, they are good guns.
 
The old adages apply:_"You get what you pay for."_In this case you can take that Ruger Sows ear and hopefully make it into a Silk purse later with the addition of a new & better stock_ aftermarket trigger_ bedding_smoothing its action if so inclined. But no matter how much time & currency you spend to make that American model a better rifle. Its still a Sows ear do to its (model) read on its barrel scroll engraving.

MA: Save your money. Look at higher grade models.(Sako, Kimber, Model 70s & alike) Buy well. Than be happy knowing "you indeed bought the Best."
 
The cheap and flimsy stock does effect accuracy on the rifles where the cheap plastic is warped so badly that it is pressing against the barrel; or when the shooter torques the stock over into the barrel.
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But the stock doesn't touch either the action or barrel. That is the point and why it doesn't matter how cheap or flimsey the stock is. They simply shoot. It is a new way of manufacturing rifles that some can't seem to grasp. They are still trying to solve problems the way they would with a gun made 100 years ago. I have 6 rifles set in stocks that cost 2X what the American costs as well as several more in factory walnut. I can put enough pressure on all of them to make them touch the barrel, but under "normal" use it doesn't happen with any of them, including the American. This is simply a non-issue that some want to be critical of.

First lets define real quality.

No rifle in the history of firearms has cut more corners in order to be produced more cheaply than the entire line of Remington 700's. In fact when first introduced they were highly criticized for being cheap junk. They introduced a receiver made from a steel tube instead of being machined. The recoil lug is a washer. They use stamped sheet metal for an extractor. They braze the bolt handles onto the bolt and every single rifle made between 1946-2012 left the factory with a defective trigger. But because they put a cheap stick of shiny wood on them, polish the metal and stick a $900 price tag on them they are called quality.

The American uses a stiffer action. The bolt is thicker, stiffer and the bolt handle is attached so it won't fall off. The trigger and safety are better designs. The extractor is much better designed as is the bedding system. They are at least equal in accuracy, but because it has a plastic stock, dull finish and a $350 price tag some call it junk.

Maybe we need to re-evaluate our priorities.
 
...The American uses a stiffer action. The bolt is thicker, stiffer and the bolt handle is attached so it won't fall off. The trigger and safety are better designs. The extractor is much better designed as is the bedding system. They are at least equal in accuracy, but because it has a plastic stock, dull finish and a $350 price tag some call it junk.
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I agree--these innovative features are often over-looked in the discussion of the rifle that only focuses on the stock. And the safety button design is thumbs-down one of the best ones I've ever used on any rifle in any price class.

I don't entirely agree with your assessment of the free-float though. The problem is that the swivel stud is a bit far out on the foregrip--so when resting the weight of the rifle--say on a bipod or front bag--it can make the grip contact and put pressure on the barrel. Easily remedied though.
 
jmr40 said:
But the stock doesn't touch either the action or barrel. That is the point and why it doesn't matter how cheap or flimsey the stock is. They simply shoot. It is a new way of manufacturing rifles that some can't seem to grasp. They are still trying to solve problems the way they would with a gun made 100 years ago. I have 6 rifles set in stocks that cost 2X what the American costs as well as several more in factory walnut. I can put enough pressure on all of them to make them touch the barrel, but under "normal" use it doesn't happen with any of them, including the American.
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Firstly... I did not quote the rest of your post, because you're barking up the wrong tree. I own several "budget" rifles, and I am not arguing about action or barrel quality (in general).

You also seem to have taken my statement the wrong way. I was not talking solely about mis-use of the rifle. I was referring to stocks warped so badly from the factory that the fore end is pressing against the barrel - generally on the left or right side, not the bottom.

Savage has a much bigger problem with warped stocks than Ruger, but Americans do show up with nasty warpage.

Pressure points have been proven to be useful on some rifles, and even some in the 'budget' class (such as with the Marlin X7s). But, uneven, unbalanced pressure is not conducive to optimal performance.


You made a blanket statement than stocks don't affect accuracy on 'budget' rifles. I simply wanted to point out that your generalization was far too broad, and therefore incorrect.



Maybe we need to re-evaluate our priorities.
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Yep.
Take a look at what Remington did.
They took a horrendous "budget rifle" with a press-fit barrel and polymer action insert, and redesigned it.
It still sucked.
They tried again, and people still didn't like it.
Then, they bought Marlin and realized that the X7 was a great design and far higher quality than their own budget rifle.
So, they increased MSRP of the X7 by 45%, in order to push it into the upper tier of the 'budget' class and the bottom of the 'entry level' class of rifles, so that their crappy 770 would have a chance.
It still out-sold their nasty design by 4 to 1.
So, they made some cosmetic tweaks to the receiver and barrel nut of the X7, restyled the bolt (but retained the same geometry and same bolt heads), and simply stole the trigger from the X7.
Then to make sure this new model, the 783, would be "superior", they made Marlin discontinue the X7 line.

So, now you have a Marlington X783 being sold under the Remington name, as the 783, even though it's really just a Marlin X7 with some makeup and a Remington barrel.
Priorities. ;)
 
My Savage Axis shoots MOA out of box with a $44 dollar Tasco, my crappy mounting job, and my shooting skills, and core-lokt hunting ammo.


The American is very similar.

I'd say go for it. You can only make it better.
 
Quality is subjective

Some need to enhance how they feel about their material possessions by spending more money for nothing more than status approval. For instance the idea of a Cadillac pickup. It is made off of the GMC frame, chassis, engine, tranny, etc. But then the interior is pimped up, the paint is upgraded, wheels are shinier, etc. Does it do anything better than a GMC or Chevy work-truck? Yeah---if you are quality snob, it makes you feel better about yourself. If that makes your duck quack, then go for it. :D
 
Don't overlook the American Rimfires... having owned the Marlin XT and Savage MkII & 93, I found the Ruger to have a better stock, trigger, magazine and finish... and they shoot great as well. FWIW
 
Ruger American Predator - 1,000 yards w/ 6.5 Creedmoor

"Finally, we took a long walk to a location where we could get a 1000-yard shot. The range was built on a recently harvested wheat field, and had steel targets ranging in size and distance from 200 yards to 1,000 yards. Fortunately the Kansas wind was taking a break for the holiday and we only had a 5 MPH full value wind blowing from right to left. I plugged some data into an iPhone app, put the data on the gun and pressed the first shot at 1,000 yards. There were a few adjustments made, but after the Predator was dialed in. It could not miss the 3’x3’ plate at 1,000 yards."

http://www.gunsamerica.com/blog/1000-yards-500-rifle-rugers-american-predator/
 
Staying inside 12" x 12" on that 36" x 36" plate would be impressive for a factory rifle. Just hitting the 3' X 3' plate repeatedly can be done pretty easily with a $100 Mosin.
 
The original poster was asking specifically about Ruger American Rifles which is why I posted the reply about Ruger American Rifles. Go figure.
 
Bud of mine has one it will surprize you how good it shoots.His is a 22-250 seen him shoot beer cans @ 350 no problem. for the money theyre hard to beat.
 
JMR40, the flimsy stock indeed affects the accuracy. The stock torques so bad that it actually twists in the bedding area. If you doubt me on this, shoot one in a factory stock and then put it in a properly bedded Boyds laminate and observe the difference.;)
 
Ruger American bolt action 22 LR

What a really nice gun at a very reasonable price. Accurate, nice adjustable trigger, top tang safety. good open sights. If you need, want , or got to have a 22LR that is American made and an excellent price point, this is the one to have. Everyone needs one of these. Perfect banging around gun as well. All ready for a scope as well. set up for #12 weaver rings. A really good buy!:D
 
Quote: Bud of mine has one it will surprize you how good it shoots.His is a 22-250 seen him shoot beer cans @ 350 no problem. for the money theyre hard to beat.

Really?? The Americans are selling for about $370 without the scope around here, you can get a Remington 700 ADL with a cheap scope from WalMart for the same price. The American is not even in the same class as a Remington 700. The American is a over priced disposal rifle in my opinion. Heck I only paid $300 for this Ruger 77 MKII 280 Rem. with the Bell & Carson stock used and it shoots 1/2" 100 yard groups with Berger 168 gr. VLD's.



Buy used and get a better gun!
 
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Wow fritz 34

That is some kind of a good deal you got there.Dont guess I'd buy a RAR where you live either..But my Bud got his used for 168.00 out the door with a 4x16x50 scope & bipod .Being we're talkin deals I got a Win Mod 70 SS 22-250 VARMINT for 350.00 with a Leupold tac 3x10x50 used. But by all means grab your MKII jump up on the fence & crow.I like the MKII's also own 2 in 25-06 Didnt give 500.oo for both.I'M just saying.Hope you have a great day.BIG P.
 
Yeah your buddy paid about $168 more than he should have. Like I said, $300 for this rifle used and I can easily sell it for double that right now, without the scope of course, I paid right at $1000 for that. Jeeze, how many used Ruger Americans would I get for the price I paid for that scope. That's the thing, when you buy a Ruger American, you can bet you will never get your money back. If you buy a quality gun and you take care of it, you will get your money back and possibly even make money. Besides where do you get that I was jumping on a fence and crowing??? I just stated that the Ruger Americans are over priced junk! You can get a real quality firearm for the same or less, new or used. All you have to do is look around. My buddy has 3 Americans and there is nothing special about them. He has a 243, 22-250 and a 308. I don't own a gun that wont shoot better than any one he has, on my worst day. None of his shoot great, his 22-250 is the best shooting of the bunch and on a good day it will only shoot a 1 1/2" 3 shot group.
I paid $600 for this 223 Ruger MKII brand new 6 years ago, it is more accurate than any American my buddy has, and 6 years later I can still get my $600 back out of it. Try that with the American, they sell for $370 and your buddy paid $168, sounds about right to me. That's the difference in junk and quality. Take a American to a pawn shop, they wont give you anything for it. I know because my dad owns a pawn shop. Another thing, I wouldn't buy a used 22-250, you might think you are getting the deal of a lifetime until you find you have to spend another $450 to have it rebarreled. I have a 22-250, they eat barrels if you shoot like I do. I go thru a barrel on my Savage 12 BVSS about every other year. I do ALOT of prairie dog shooting.



As a matter of fact this year I rebarreled my 22-250 for the last time, I rebarreled it with a 308 Douglas XX barrel, it is just my target gun now. I got tired of replacing 22-250 barrels and Bought a Bushmaster Varmiter SS, a 223 will do anything the 22-250 will do on the prairie dog town except go thru barrels like the 22-250. Here is my 22-250 Varmiter replacement.

 
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