Looking at getting into shooting a cheap centerfire cartridge.

Are you settled on bolt action?

I built up an ar in 7.62x39 for that exact reason, cheap to shoot and fun!

I got a PSA lower and Bear Creek Arsenal upper. Granted I shopped for a few months to find sales but my total with cheap optic and some magazines is right at 500

Edit: didn't notice you were thinking bolt action only. Maybe check out a Howa? A but more expensive than the ruger but in the same ballpark price wise

Ruger PCC.

Tons of 9mm goodness! The 10/22 upsized for adults!

I've seen and examined all three, and I would say your order is accurate.

I haven't shot any of them but I've heard reports of the ruger american being accurate

Mn Fats said:

Ruger American Ranch in 7.62x39. Might be nifty with a red dot. Only about $450 otd. Anyone have experience with these?

Click to expand...

Looks like it would be fun, especially if it is legal for deer where you hunt.

My father has the Ruger American Ranch in 7.62x39. The bolt can be a little stiff, but the sucker is way more accurate than I thought any rifle could be with $0.20/rnd Wolf surplus FMJ and a $60 Simmons Wal-Mart special. It is one of his favorite rifles, and my 10YO has already laid claim to it if he ever decides to sell it.

I kinda like this and am considering one,.....and its threaded
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/798886281
or..............
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/800782786

My buddy just picked up a Savage Axis II in .308. I believe it is also available in .223. Kinda considering it myself at about $400 price point including the scope. Axis II has the accutrigger. He got his at Buds guns.

I'm thinking of getting the Ruger American Ranch myself. Most of the reviews and opinions have been extremely positive

I really wasn't interested in a bolt rifle, but being super accurate with super cheap ammo got my attention

Ruger American Ranch in 7.62x39. Might be nifty with a red dot. Only about $450 otd. Anyone have experience with these?

Click to expand...

I paid $389 OTD for mine in 5.56 that takes AR magazines. It is pretty handy with 10 round mags in it, wouldn't want the bigger ones in a bolt gun. The version in 7.62x39 was the same price and those take the Ruger Mini-30 magazines. I have better rifles to big game hunt with so I had no need for anything but 5.56/223. It is cheaper to shoot and the compact rifle makes a good varmint rifle. Mine is quite accurate, and by all accounts so is the 7.62 version.

I'd highly recommend one in the cartridge that works best for you.

I think a bolt action is a better choice for hunting and target shooting. AR's are fun but you tend to shoot more and hit less. But AR's work. Because of price AK's and SKS's are pretty much a thing of the past. Of the two cartridges .223 and 7.62 x 39, I prefer the .223 Because you have more range, you can go prairie dog hunting with it as well as deer with correct bullets. But both are close range on deer. I prefer the 7-08 although I have used both the 7.62 and .223. You would probably be happy with either one. There are lot's of choices on rifles. Another cheap rifle I hear is accurate is the Remington 783.

My bolt action 223 is a Mossberg MVP thunder ranch model. It uses AR mags. It does not feed well with metal mags, Pmags work best. With good ammo like MK 262 (77 grain SMK) or Hornady 75 grain BTHP match, I get about 1 MOA. I don't know how it would act with any other ammo, as I have never fired anything else through it. Here is my MVP:


I currently have 2 Ruger Americans, a Ranch in 300 BLK and a predator on 6.5 CM. I previously had a predator in 308, but I decided to sell it and get the 6.5. All 3 are great rifles. The 223 RAR is now available in a version that takes AR mags. If I didn't have the Mossberg above (which works just fine) I would be buying a RAR in 223. I get 1 MOA from my 6.5 CM using Remington 140 grain Core-Lokt. My RAR in 300 will shoot a 1" group with subsonic ammo (remington 220 grain or Hornady 190 grain sub-x) at 50 yards, I would never try to kill a deer with that rifle and round past 100. Here is my RAR in 300 BLK:

I can't speak for the 7.62 x 29 rifles. The only rifles I have used in the caliber are SKS, AK, and Mini 30. None were especially accurate with any ammo. If you are looking to fire typical 7.62 x 39 "economy ammo" (imported steel case) through whatever rifle you get, I would say not to expect stellar accuracy. Or I could be wrong- but before I committed to the x 39 rifle and cheap(er) ammo for it to save $, I would research the matter with people who have tried it, and decide what your accepted level of accuracy (or lack thereof) is. Or just choose the 223.

I would choose 7.62x39. the cheap 223 ammo is terrible. Cheap 7.62x39 is a little better.

Deleted.




GR

Of your options listed, I'd have to pick the Ruger American in whichever caliber and variant strikes your fancy.

My dad has an American Ranch in .223/5.56 that takes AR-15 magazines. It seems to be a good shooter, and you can't argue with the price.

My bolt-action .223 is a CZ527FS. I have no regrets over the decision but I won't deny it cost a pretty penny more than the Ruger.

Also, I don't find that I tend to miss more often with my AR-15 carbine than I do shooting the CZ. I always look at large-capacity magazines as giving me the option to hit more targets between reloads, not as spares in case I miss the first 5 or 10. Though I've seen plenty of people who do just keep pulling the trigger until they make a hit. They tend to not be very good shots with revolvers, bolt actions or lever guns either.

The Ruger American rifle is available in 6.5 mm Grendel and wolf makes relatively cheap ammo for it.
Just another option to consider

For what your looking for I would get the ruger American ranch. Many people report sub moa accuracy with the steel case stuff and I believe them because my 7.62x39 AR15 I built shoots sub moa with wolf hp’s. Indeed there is nothing at all inaccurate about the Russkie round or the steel case ammo.

My adventures with deer hunting with 7.62x39 from last year.

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...case-7-62x39-for-hunting-with-cfe-blk.843198/

It’s become my favorite rifle, especially since I have kids and other hobbies competing for reloading time. I’m working through a case of 1000 wolf hp’s I got for $220, and I pick more up locally every couple months for $4 a box on sale. Pretty darn cheap entertainment.

IMHO, the Ruger American Ranch has a lot going for it.

Personally I would prefer the 5.56 version.. mostly because it could use the match loading's available as well as the cheaper FMJ loads.
So it would be nice to have that option available.

Some of the various 5.56 / 223 FMJ loads I have found to be more accurate are MEN 56gr, GECO ( .223 version ) , and Norma.

Typical Fed. XM ball is pretty dismal in my barrels.