Ruger American

[BLJ]

I've got 4 centerfires and 3 rimfires. Stocks are flimsy and need some work, triggers aren't bad, sub MOA with factory ammo, pull the trigger and animals die, same as everyone else. I really like them for the price. Watch for sales.

 

[PsRpOiGrRiAtM]

I’ve got a couple .308s that outshoot their price tag for sure. Stocks are flimsy, but that hasn’t shown to be a problem at the range. Bell and Carlson makes stocks for them that look good to me, but they are almost the same cost as the guns themselves when they were introduced. Mag spring issues were corrected a few years ago. Mine had misfeeds but I contacted Ruger through their online customer service portal and provided my SN and had two mags inbound within a week.

 

[Nomosendero]

I think there's more satisfied Ruger American customers than Christensen Arms customers

Haa Haa, I think you might be right.
I Have a RAR 308 and my Wife has a 6.5CM, both as back up rifles (in theory)
Whenever I buy a more expensive rifle I always hope they will outshoot the Ruger so my Wife won't ask me over and over why I bought the expensive rifle.

 

[Shady oaks]

I bought one in 308 solely because it was on sale for $299 (they were making room for 350/450 here in MI) and it shoots amazing so far. Only have a few rounds down the barrel. Go into it knowing that it's a no thrills gun, you'll be blown away. Bolt isn't the smoothest and the looks are bland, but man am I glad I bought it.

 

[Rich M]

Go heft one and buy it if it feels good to you. It will shoot and hunt just fine.

I have a Ruger American Ranch Rifle (RARR) in 350 Legend. It shoots an inch at 225 yards and 1/2 inch at 100 yards. Better than I had hoped for. I've got better rifles but we're talking about this one - I'd do it again.

 

[mmac]

I hope to not agree with Bluetick as I just picked up a traverse... But those rugers are ugly, feel cheap and look worse. However, I was stunned when I loaded some fusion ammo into my 30-06 and shot a .5 inch group. Did it again and again and never even cleaned it. They are remarkably accurate.

 

[FLATHEAD]

I'm wanting one of those Ranch Rifles in 5.56,,,,I currently dont own
a 22 centerfire, but I have acquired 500 - 50 and 70 grain projectiles
for when I do.

 

[BLJ]

I'm wanting one of those Ranch Rifles in 5.56,,,,.

I worked over the stock a little on mine. It’s a shooter, for sure.

 

[JAC8504]

I have 3 calibers. 300 blackout, 22, and 6.5 cm. Accurate and fair to carry. What I don’t like at all is the bolt won’t lock shut on safety .

Agreed on the bolt handle opening on safe

 

[TREE ‘EM]

I bought a RAP 6.5 when they first came out. Right out of the box it shot under MOA. I took everything apart, cleaned, relubed and nibbled a little bit at a time off the trigger spring until I got it where I wanted it. Then I addressed the stock and bedded an aluminum rod with devcon in the forend and bedded the V blocks. Next range trip produced 1/4 MOA groups until all day.
Rifle $350
Aluminum rod (I’d recommend using an arrow) and epoxy $10

The RAR is the most fun ever had for $350 with my clothes on.

 

[Squirrel Master]

I bought one today. A Predator model in 308. I'm kind of old school in that I like wood and blued rifles, but they're so hard to come by now, and so expensive, I wanted something I could haul around all season long and not worry about the weather or getting it scratched up, etc. I put an older Leupold VXII 3-9x50 on it and will zero it tomorrow. I'm hoping it'll serve me well from now on. If I can get 1''-1.5'' groups at 100 yards with factory ammo this will be my primary rifle from now on. The vast majority of my hunting is from a deer stand and under 200 yards so it should be perfect.

 

[bruceleroy]

I had a sub MOA 308 Predator that I sold when I got my Sig Cross that cant shoot for shit. I really regret that now...

 

[Zappaman]

I've almost bought one a few times, but the price has crept up and I can get the Savage Axis II (*in stainless) for a little less. Both guns have been said (many times) to shoot "tiny holes". But I'm sure you'd be happy with the Ruger (*and if it still was under $500 after shipping, tax and FFL... I would too).

 

[Fordguy]

I've almost bought one a few times, but the price has crept up and I can get the Savage Axis II (*in stainless) for a little less. Both guns have been said (many times) to shoot "tiny holes". But I'm sure you'd be happy with the Ruger (*and if it still was under $500 after shipping, tax and FFL... I would too).

The axis and axis ll will both shoot, no question about it, but they are more of a low budget rifle. The flimsy, lightweight, rattly, plastic safety on the few that I've seen and shot was very irritating, They seemed to have a few other rattles too, but I didn't examine them that closely. It just didn't lend confidence in terms of longevity. Other than that, and the 6 lb non adjustable (read- adjustable if you don't mind figuring out how to do it) trigger on the original axis (axis ll comes with an adjustable trigger) they're a bargain. The Ruger American- ugly as it is, just feels like a more solid piece of equipment. Nothing rattles, and there are no loose parts. For some reason that gives me a lot of peace of mind.

 

[BLJ]

@Squirrel Master. Mine seems to prefer the lighter bullets instead of the heavies(150>175/180). I shoot Federal blue box 150’s through mine. 3 under an inch at 100 from the bench is easy. Modest recoil as well.

 

[Sam Colt]

The American Hunter with Magpul furniture is a shooter, but the weight adds up fast.

 

[Squirrel Master]

@Squirrel Master. Mine seems to prefer the lighter bullets instead of the heavies(150>175/180). I shoot Federal blue box 150’s through mine. 3 under an inch at 100 from the bench is easy. Modest recoil as well.

Good to know!! I have a couple boxes of those, and some 150 gr Winchester PP's. It's warmed up enough now that I'm about to get out and put some rounds through it!!

 

[nobody]

I'm a big proponent of these rifles. I bought a predator in 6.5 creedmoor model back when I was broke in college for about $380 out the door. I stuck a Leupold VX3i on it with a CDS dial and it shoots every flavor of factory ammo into less than 1.25" groups. It shoots factory Hornady Precision Hunter, 140 ELDM, and 140 bulk loaded american gunner to the same point of impact for my zero, and it shoots all of those well below MOA, usually closer to 1/2 MOA 5 shot groups. It's not as refined or balanced or fancy as my X Bolt, but it doesn't shoot any worse either, so I really wouldn't say I gained any performance going with the X Bolt, just overall rifle quality and fit and finish. But the "lesser" ruger american predator still shoots right with the X Bolt.

My barrel has got about 2800 rounds down the tube now and is starting to throw the occasional flier, my rifling is slowly getting eaten. Call me crazy, but it shoots so good I'm going to re-barrel it next year. Hopefully it's not a mistake, but I just like the gun!

 

[Nomosendero]

I don't think it would be a mistake plus with their barrel nut you could have 6CM, 6.5CM, 308, yaada yaada!

 

[BLJ]

@Sam Colt. My RAP 308 with an 18” barrel, 5 in the mag and a 3-12 Vortex Diamondback is 9#, 12 oz.