from-a-grand
New member
I bought a Ruger American in 308 at my local shop a few months ago with the intention of parting it out on a "frankenstein" bolt gun I am building. But I decided to scope it and put it through a few days at the range to see how it functioned first.
Factory rifle with a Pentax Gameseeker II 3-9x40, Weaver Grand Slam Steel Rings and a cheap Rock Mount Bipod.
Trigger broke at 4.3 lbs out of the box with VERY little creep. I adjusted it down to 3.5 and the creep disappeared. I like that you don't need a special "key" to adjust it as I always seem to misplace my accutrigger "key". I shot Fusion 150 gr SP's and after zero-ing it I was printing .67" to 1.1" groups off a bipod and sand bags. The stock needed to be sanded in one spot as it flexes a little too much and touched the barrel when resting on the bipod. For being less than $500 for everything on the rifle I was so impressed that I decided to keep the gun as it was and Hunt with it. It shoots consistent enough groups with factory ammo that I am sure hand loads will be even better and it is perfectly designed for carrying in the field. I would not want to punch paper with it all day as it is a bit light and bucks pretty good as a result, but for a "just hunting rifle" It fits the bill perfectly...
I was actually so Impressed that I sold my beloved M77 and bought another American in 22-250 for my walking varmint hunting. I put that together the day the gunshop got it in with a Redfield Revolution 4-12x40 Accu-Range with Weaver Quad Lock Rings... WHile set-up as-is it comes in over the $500 mark by a ways, I will still call it a "Bargain Bolt". Will give the range report when I get a chance to get her out as well.
I have owned a Marlin XL7 and shot a few Axis Models, and currently own 2 Savage 111's and I have to say, out of the box the Ruger American was the most impressive for me. My only complaint is that the stocks are a little too flexible and need to be sanded right away, which is a VERY minor complaint.
Factory rifle with a Pentax Gameseeker II 3-9x40, Weaver Grand Slam Steel Rings and a cheap Rock Mount Bipod.
Trigger broke at 4.3 lbs out of the box with VERY little creep. I adjusted it down to 3.5 and the creep disappeared. I like that you don't need a special "key" to adjust it as I always seem to misplace my accutrigger "key". I shot Fusion 150 gr SP's and after zero-ing it I was printing .67" to 1.1" groups off a bipod and sand bags. The stock needed to be sanded in one spot as it flexes a little too much and touched the barrel when resting on the bipod. For being less than $500 for everything on the rifle I was so impressed that I decided to keep the gun as it was and Hunt with it. It shoots consistent enough groups with factory ammo that I am sure hand loads will be even better and it is perfectly designed for carrying in the field. I would not want to punch paper with it all day as it is a bit light and bucks pretty good as a result, but for a "just hunting rifle" It fits the bill perfectly...
I was actually so Impressed that I sold my beloved M77 and bought another American in 22-250 for my walking varmint hunting. I put that together the day the gunshop got it in with a Redfield Revolution 4-12x40 Accu-Range with Weaver Quad Lock Rings... WHile set-up as-is it comes in over the $500 mark by a ways, I will still call it a "Bargain Bolt". Will give the range report when I get a chance to get her out as well.
I have owned a Marlin XL7 and shot a few Axis Models, and currently own 2 Savage 111's and I have to say, out of the box the Ruger American was the most impressive for me. My only complaint is that the stocks are a little too flexible and need to be sanded right away, which is a VERY minor complaint.
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