Ruger American rifle in 308 review

Thanks for the review, good to hear it from the field.

It's always tempting to go after beautiful high $$$ rifles, but in truth, there are several "beginner" rifles that sling lead downrange just as well, although without the window dressing.
 
Not sure why the photo of my target was removed . Here it is again

Ruger American Rifle .308 , 168 gr Fed gold metal match at 100 yards

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Center of impact to center of impact 3/4 MOA
 
That rifle likes those dudes for sure, if you handload start testing those bullets with different powders and weights, and come up with something tighter!! Dang good starting platform.:)
 
Has anyone used a 30-06 version of this rifle. I held one and it is definitely on the light side. I'm wondering how well the recoil pads work.
 
IMO , the recoil pad is one of the best stock from the factory pads out there . Its soft and very giving but not sloppy when you shoot .
 
That's great to hear. Rifles have gotten so expensive, it's good to see a lower priced model performing up there with the more expensive models. Great first gun or truck gun.
 
I just put one on layaway for my wife and kids to use, .243 win. As soon as I pick it up I'll let you know how it shoots. $329.00 at my local Cal Ranch.
 
That should be a great cal. for them . The .308 , 30-06 can beat you up a bit but the recoil pad helps . When you get the rifle look through all the papers . There is one that has a code for a free cheek pad .
 
Just got that free check pad ordered yesterday, now to look around for a decent scope. I just really want one that lets in a lot of light because there are times that I dont have a lot of light on the range I use. I got a simmons scope for a 22lr that when the light is not perfect at the range the scope is useless. I want to avoid that mistake this time around, does that tasco allow for low light shooting? Thanks for the advice.
 
Good review. To the point. Sounds like a great rifle value.
I question the need for more magnification. My choice in hunting scopes is about 1.5X5. After all that brings a 500 yard critter to within the equivalent of 100 yards, an open sight shot. But, that's me.
 
I'm sorry but I have not used the scope in low light yet . The range I go to is out doors and I've only been there while the sun was out . I'm in San Diego so the sun is always out :D I've played around looking through the scope around dusk and at night . Although the light is good it is not great for sure . You may want to consider getting the Oversized 50mm lens . Tasco does make a 3-9x50 world class scope http://www.amazon.com/Tasco-World-3...5511&sr=8-1&keywords=tasco+world+class+3-9x50

As for needing more magnification . Your right , the range I go to has targets at 300 yards . With the tasco 3-9x40 I have no problem seeing the target at 300 yards . I shot a 3 1/2 " three shot group at 300 yards so it is plenty of scope . If and or when I go hunting I now know that scope will be fine . It's also not likely I'll be trying to take down any game any farther then that .:)
 
As a neophyte gun guy, and one with a big, wide pragmatic streak, this rifle appeals to me. My other rifles are milsurp, minute-of-man types, and I feel the need to add an MOA gun to the mix. What I'm wondering about the American is if it will be a durable, long-wearing gun - will it hold up to 20 seasons of hunting (or 20 years in the safe as an inexpensive, just-in-case gun)?

I'm not sure of course, but this may be shaping up to be one of those products that the experts will look at like a calf at a new gate, but that intrepid souls will buy and reap the benefits of getting in on the ground floor of a line that slowly and steadily gains acceptance and increased value. After all, we've established that it's fully capable of tight groups ....

Thoughts?
 
Barefoot

What I'm wondering about the American is if it will be a durable, long-wearing gun - will it hold up to 20 seasons of hunting (or 20 years in the safe as an inexpensive, just-in-case gun)?
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Cus it's a brand new design know one will really know for a while . The only concern I really have is the bedding system . Over a longer period of time and a few thousand rounds . Will those stainlees steel blocks get loose in the stock . How ever if you plan is to put less then a thousound rounds through it for the life of the gun I think your good to go .

this may be shaping up to be one of those products that the experts will look at like a calf at a new gate, but that intrepid souls will buy and reap the benefits of getting in on the ground floor of a line that slowly and steadily gains acceptance and increased value.
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IMO this is where we are headed . I sure hope so . After market parts ( stocks , barrels ) in the future would be great
 
I picked up a new American in .308 Winchester a couple of weeks ago, at the Bass Pro in Birmingham.
With a new Redfield Revolution 3-9X mounted, and using Federal factory 150 grain ammunition, it gave me a three group best of .75 inches. Every group was under an inch.
The scope tracks beautifully, and stays on zero when set. Even got a $30 rebate on the scope, making it an even better deal.
The rifle was a bargain, on sale at $379, and then a discount for using a new Bass Pro Visa card, and $65 in Bass Pro points taken off.
Ruger sent me a free cheek piece as well. I am very pleased,
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Just got back from the range and was reaching a bit today . I started out making sure the gun was zeroed @ 100yds . I started out using my friends rest/sled/POS http://www.amazon.com/Caldwell-Stea...=UTF8&qid=1351764483&sr=8-1&keywords=gun+rest
here are my first shots @ 100yds using the rest

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I was getting very frustrated at the grouping (I shoot better then that ) . Then I noticed the way the front of the stock had to sit on the rest . The stock was making contact with the barrel when I was shooting . So I stopped using that rest and used some carpeted blocks of wood from there forward . I had the gun resting on the blocks almost at the magwell area . This kept all presures off the barrel and I shot this group with the next shots I took
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Now that I new it was not me I started to reach out to the 300yd target . This is my 2nd try the first was a joke :confused:
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After that I adjusted my scope 4 clicks up and shot again . There was a little wind out there but I did not compensate for it . here is that target . It does look like I was shooting a little right in all the shots . I may not have had the scoped zeroed perfect .
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I wrote In my original review of this rifle that the stock can make contact with the barrel and may effect your accuracy . I now can say it WILL make contact when you rest the rifle up at the front of the stock . I have not used a bypod with this rifle yet . It apears if you do not charge the bi-pod and just let the gun rest on it . The stock will make contact with the barrel and it WILL effect your accuracy . Im not even sure I charging it will work . I do have a bi-pod on my Savage . I think the next time I take the American out I will try it with a bi-pod and see if it's any better .

All-in-all I'm still very happy with the rifle and do recommend it .
 
Well I just got done sanding the heck out of the inside of the barrel chanel of my stock When I was done I had given the barrel an extra 1/6 to 3/32 of space all the way around . I think this will work . It definitely has a bigger gap between the barrel and the stock and is is still ridgid when handling the rifle . I used 1/2" flexable ruber conduit as a sanding block . Started with 80gr to 150gr to 220gr to 320gr . Sorry I forgot to take a before picture. Trust me the stock was almost touching the barrel in some areas . :cool:

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