Ruger American Stock Options....Ready to Invest?

So, Ive owned all of the major brands of stocks (tho not all the boyds models) available for the Ruger American rifles, and used them enough to be comfortable with them, I figured it was time to share my findings.

Ill probably break this up into three separate posts, including the stock, stocks, in this one and the others getting their own post or two as there are quite a few pictures.

Boyds, the model I owned being the Tacticoo....er Provarmint 160+ shipping
Magpul, Hunter 260-299+ Shipping
Bell and Carlson, Medalist 299+Shipping

Starting at the beggining.....

The factory stocks, that come on the Ruger Americans are actually pretty good.
Newer ones with the honey comb supports being a bit stiffer than the older ones.

Cast in "bedding blocks" allow for consistent, non changing torque on the action screws. I have a habit of pulling my actions pretty regularly, and Ive never needed to re-sight my RAs after re-torquing to spec.

The newest predator (and other short actions "special" model) stocks are also set up to use replaceable mag wells, allowing either the standard rotary magazine, or the AIC pattern mags.
I believe you CAN retrofit an older rifle to the newer stock and AI mags, BUT rugers mags are a bit wider at the top than say, a Magpul. The newer actions have a cut out to allow for the mags to sit properly, but on the older guns they do not. I THINK if you use a magpul magazine, or other AI pattern mag thats got a thinner upper profile you should be able to get away with it.

All the American stocks come with a very nice squishy pad.

Some of the downsides are that they are still fairly flexible, and the pistol grip has sort of a fat base, which bothers my hand, tho others find it comfortable.

There are also little tabs at the front of the older stocks barrel channel, which i believe are there to reduce barrel gap where its visible. I removed them on all of my rifles before even shooting them, so i cant say if they affect accuracy or not.

The stocks are also set up for optics which are fairly low to the bore. Very nice on a hunting gun using small/medium optics, but larger optics, in high mounts, are hard to get a good cheek weld unless using a comb riser.

I personally dislike the molded in trigger guard, id pay an extra 20-30 bucks for it to be a separate piece, but hey it works.

All in all, I think the stocks are very usable, and on a pure budget hunting rifle id be hard pressed to spend the extra to change it out.

Some pictures of the factory stocks.
Old vs New forend supports
Left is a RAM, right the new Predator/Go wild stock

Ranch


Mag wells on the newer Predator stocks. Notice the steel inserts so your action screws are still bearing on metal.

Difference in AI mags, Ruger on the right.


Riser height with a scope in high Warne rings.

Boyds ProV.

The Boyds stocks are the least costly of the replacements available, and come with the most options in style, material, finish, and other upgrades.
Ive handled a few of the newer sporters, and find that the wrists of the stocks are not to my liking, but otherwise very nice for the cost.

The stock I had on my RAM, was a ProVarmint in Laminate gray, with the standard finish and no checkering or adjustable riser.
Base cost for that stock is 160ish, total cost landed was something over 200.
Skys the limit from there.

Pros

Solidly built, with good balance.
This stock actually handled quite well on my 24" (26ish with the brake) barreled RAM. It was heavy, but well balanced and the gun swung smoothly and predictably.
There is a weight removing channel running the length of the forend, that does help bring some weight back. As does the solid, and heavy butt end.

The grip is set up nicely for either laying your thumb along side of the stock, or if you have larger hands wrapping it over the top. Its got a very nice feel to it, especially when shooting prone, or from a bench.

The forend is wide and rides bags well. It also comes with 2 sling swivel studs. So you can mount a swivel mount pod on one and a regular sling on the other should you like. Since the material is Laminate drilling a whole or two and attaching a rail is easy and secure. The only caution i would make is that right at the front the material could be pretty thin unless you go into the solid nose of the stock.

Finish is smooth, but dosent get slick when wet. Its also very even and attractive, especially on the matte finished actions.

Comes with separate trigger guard, and mag catch. They are plastic, but functional on the base models. Metal upgrades are available
Boyds uses Savage trigger guards.

The barrel channel is plenty wide enough for the stock predator size barrels, and clears easily. Its probably good for most after market barrels that follow the same profile upto about a .8-.85" muzzle.


Cons

The bedding lugs are loose in the stock, and must be bedded. While doing so its hard to say if the action is bottoming out on the inletting, before the lugs are bottoming out in their inlets, mine did.
To prevent that I actually shimmed up the lug inletting a bit, so i could run a couple pieces of paper between the action and the stock

Soft plastic trigger guard and latch that come stock, do not allow for full torque values. I added pillars. The rear ran clean thru the trigger guard so the rear action screw tensioned on that instead, and on the front it went to a brass insert i put in the latch.

Inletting on the back of the stock was WAY off height wise. With the compound angle of the action and safety, they followed the safety.
No fixing that one. Id have preferred if they had followed the actions angle, or made it two angles.

Heavy, which can be good for a fixed position gun, so the buyer needs to understand what they want.
you can also remove some weight, but most of it will come from the back of the stock, making the whole thing front heavy again.

Stock Pad is fairly unforgiving. If the stock weighed less or your shooting a .300-.338 it might be an issue. For my 7mm, it didnt matter.

Inletting on the magazine well needed some work in the corners to get my mag to snap in and drop free with finger pressure.
Speaking of, there arnt any factory options to use AI mags (tho aftermarket metal and inletting are available.)

The comb Is STILL low for a scope in high rings. Either get the adjustable riser, or figure something out. I used a cartridge holder and foam padding (Thanks VT!)

Conclusion

All in all, I LIKE this stock for the cost.
The wood, laminate, cap, and checkering options, give you a way to spruce up what is otherwise a very utilitarian rifle.
The action fit was pretty good, and while the high rear of the action bugged the heck out of me, I DID get used to it. On a sporter style stock it might not be much of an issue as the angle of the wrist is shallower.
The added weight at the rear balances the guns with longer, heavier barrels, but may make a standard feel butt heavy. Im positive it would make a ranch or compact, feel butt heavy unless material was removed at the back.

If you want to add some weight, want your rifle to wear wood of some sort, have a sporter at a lower price point, or easily adjustable stock. than this would be my first, and probably last stop.
They are a good value, and offer good options, If (when) i get another American, Ill probably be using another one of these stocks, a sporter this time.

Ram decked out with riser, extension (most folks wont want that), front rail, and aftermarket bolt handle.


Pillar and the vblock that sits on it.


Gap at the back of the action tang.

Weight of the stock, the plastic savage guard.



Ill do the other two later tonight



Magpul Hunter

The basic design is pretty much a fat forend, high comb, sporter, and it does pretty well from all the positions Ive shot it from. Its easier to shoot freehand and from weird positions than the ProV, but offers almost as stable a feel and performance from prone, or off the bench.
Its a pretty heavy stock, but since the weight comes form the rather prodigious action block in its middle, its fairly well balanced.


Pros

The grip on this stock is a little steeper than a regular sporter, but not nearly as vertical as a "target" stock. Its also fairly slim, allowing you to wrap your hand around the stock and giving a bit of extra control. If you like putting your thumb down the side of the stock, the grip allows you to do that, but its not as nice for that as a more hand filling grip.

The action block is big, heavy, and solid. Your action screws directly to the action block (tho the actual vblocks are still separate pieces), then the magazine/bottom metal attaches from to the block from the bottom. The stock is multiple pieces, that also attach to the action block.
This is about as solid a lockup of action and stock as can be, since the action block basicly becomes a mini-chassis to which the rest of the stock is attached.

The mag well takes AI magazines, and the release is much less obtrusive than whats on the factory AI capable RA stocks. The 3rnd ruger mag also fits almost flush, which is actually really nice.

The forend has slots for Mlock (surprise), which makes attaching rails and other stuff to it very easily. Its wide and square, tho it tapers forward and isnt as wide as it seems like it would be. It rides bags well, and sits pretty nicely even on hard flat surfaces.
It also tapers back in about 3/4" inch up, which allows for a fairly natural grip on the forend.
There is a bit of a hand/barricade stop on the back of the forend, and Ive actually used it when shooting off the back of my truck to hook the bed rail.

The rear of the stock allows for length of pull adjustment via spacers, and height of comb can be changed by swapping combs. The stock comes with a fairly high comb installed, which aligned my eye correctly for my 30mm Midas btr with a 50mm objective (rings are low, because the Go Wild comes with a much higher rail than the other RAs Ive owned).
it also has a nice, squishy pad

There are lots of places where you can pull panels off to paint or make alterations as you see fit...this will appeal to a tinkerer more than your average user.

Cons

The plastic that this stock is made from dosent feel as.....robust? as I would like from a 300+ dollar stock. Its plenty good enough, but if you disassemble it you need to be careful reinstalling the screws that go into plastic to keep from stripping them out. The individual pieces also feels pretty flimsy when not attached to its action block, or when separated from each other. Again, this probably wont ever be noticed by your average user.

Being built the way it is the barrel channel is fixed and you cant open it up any more. Thankfully its pretty generous, and unless you install a straight tube, it should provide plenty of clearance for anyone swapping out barrels. At the same time this also means that the barrel/stock gap is excessive even with the Wild/Preds heavier barrel.

The things bloody heavy. This is the heaviest option for any of the stocks. While its called a "hunter" youd best be in good shape if your gonna carry a rifle outfitted with one of these all day. The weights also in the middle, which makes it balance a little long on a standard Pred, tho its probably perfect on a "standard" or any of the lighter front ended variants.

Tho the LOP is adjustable, the stock only comes with one comb. This is fine for the most part, but maybe a little high if you are using a lower optic. It also means you cant simply pull the bolt out of the action. you have to flip it over to remove, or insert.

Does not come with sling swivel studs. Admittedly this is a minor gripe, but again for a "hunter" stock it annoyed me to pull the thing out and not have them.


Conclusion


This stock is a pretty good jack of all trades.....but its a master of none.
Its not light enough to be a good walking hunter, its not on a heavy enough gun to be a really good fixed position rifle. The grip angle isnt steep enough, and its too thin to be a REALY good bench gun, and its too bulky and heavy to be a fast action rifle. The materials are good but not fantastic.
And its expensive....
Now does that make it a bad option? No, its actually a very GOOD option, especially for someone who dosent really know what they want to do with the gun. Its better at everything, besides being easily portable, than the factory stock, and its better than the other aftermarkets at the things that they arnt so good at.
Where I see this as being nearly perfect, is when used for field shooting where a lot of walking, and fast off hand snap shots arent common.
From a blind, ridding in a vehicle, or other form where you might need the extra stability for one shot, but then have to make a shot from a less than ideal position the next.

Im mostly using this gun as a range toy, but unlike the ProV stocked RAM, Im comfortable enough using it for anything.


The action block, and stock body...you can see the upper part of the forend laying on the bench.


Flipping the bolt to get it out of the rifle dosent take much effort but its something you have to do.

The stock with the 3rnd Ruger mag installed, Mlock rail on the bottom, and 2 extra spacers. I pulled the grip panels to paint them, there are screws which attach the stock to the action block underneath there.



stock weight sans magazine.

Balancing on the pistol grip and forend.

troy fairweather said:

great write up and photos showing some of the differences. we still got to get out and shoot the 6.5cr predator my dad got in a trade, hope it warms up soon dad has 5 or 6 boxes of ammo to try. the go wild, how durable does the hydro dip seem.

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If the pred shoots anything like my wild, it should be pretty impressive.

Id call the durability about average. It wont wipe off and takes regular handling just fine, but my buddy used the gun and banged it around for about a week when we were on Molokai, its got some scars from that.

troy fairweather said:

i had a very early savage edge now the axis, and the hydro was so soft. i was starting to rub off from having my harris bipod on. i like the coating on the B&C stocks tho you could scare it some on hard stuff. i shot a deer one time resting on a rock wall and dragged the stock after i shot. it only made the finish dull. i wonder how a clear coat over the hydro dip would do.

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I'm pretty sure what bc uses is an epoxy.
Clear over dip should work fine....and I think thats actually a step in some processes. You would want to uses something that can flex tho.

LRDGCO said:

Thanks for that useful comparison.

Any experience with the Boyd's "At One" adjustable laminate stock? I put my previously sporterized Swede artillery model 17.5" barrel, in one and used a multiplane adjustable butt plate extension. It took some fitting but the lug recesses/wells are super tight and it uses all the Swede metal. Reminds me of my Anshutz target stock from when I used to do Biathlon. Dropped a Timney trigger in at the same time. Remarkable rifle.

I'm toying with one of the Howa barreled mini actions in 6.5 Grendel in an "At One".

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Unfortunately no.
I've owned an older Sporter, a couple ProVs, and for a short time a couple newer sporters, but never the @1.
Maybe @horsey300 can chime in on them tho, I believe he's using at least one.

Bell & Carlson Medalist


The B&C is a stiffer, nicer feeling sporter replacement.
It weighs the same (or very nearly) as the factory stock, so your not saving any weight. It does feel better in my hand, and balances farther back a bit, which makes for a less front heavy rifle.
This is also the most expensive stock of the lot. I got mine on sale, and total cost landed was about 300 (with help from @troy fairweather, otherwise it would have been closer to 400).


Pros

Solid aluminum bedding block that extends from the grip into the forend. This is the only replacement stock where the Vblocks are actually part of the bedding block. There isnt any contact between the stock and the action, even when taken to 60in-lbs.

The action inletting is nearly perfect, the mags drop free with a slight tug, and snap back into place with authority. There isnt the unsightly gap at the back of the stock like the Boyds.

The foam and glass construction is much stiffer than even the newer honeycomb factory stock.
Its still pretty light, and has a really solid feel to it. Ive got a few of the old Carbelites, and They must be using a higher density foam, or they are laying glass ontop of the medalist, because it dosent feel the same.

On forend, the barrel channel matches the contour of my RAM very closely, there is still plenty of a gap, but its the nicest looking, and cleanest of all the stocks. It should be pretty easy to open as well with sanding. The shape and taper of the forend are much more inline with a traditional straight line sporter stock. you can wrap your hand all the way around the thing if your so inclined. I find this shape and size to be ideal for shooting freehand, or from improvised field positions, and quick shots.
The stock comes with sling swivel studs installed.

The rear of the stock features a comb thats about as high as you can get without the bolt hitting it. This puts my eye in the correct location for the 3-9x42 GPO in Talley rings. Lower would still work well, but higher would require some modifications or a head up shooting style.
Its also got a well sized and sculpted cheek piece, which I find very comfortable.
Its got the nicest pad of all the stocks, a Decelerator.

The trigger guard is aluminum, and well anodized. Its also square faced and matches up very closely with the rear of the mag well inlet.

Fit and finish on this stock FEEL like a 300 dollar stock.



Cons


My Primary "complaint" would be that this stock is expensive. Its 2/3 what I spent to buy the rifle.

Im also less than thrilled with the fairly wide, unsculpted wrist. Its not uncomfortable, but i prefer some taper in and out from top to bottom, or a palmswell and matching contour on the other side.

The bedding block is aluminum rather than steel. I dont know if this will honestly have any bearing on longevity (and from my first outting it certainly dosent seem to effect accuracy).

The middle of the stock is surprisingly wide. While not offensive, it does feel a little out of place with the quickly tapering forend.

This stock isnt as forgiving from bags as the ProV or the Hunter. From a stud attached pod, It moved around more, and required cleaner form to shoot good groups, but otherwise did fine.

If your using a high scope, the comb isnt quite high enough for a solid cheek weld.

Theres only one swivel stud, so if you want a pod you have to attach your sling to that, or add another way to attach your sling.

No inletting for AI mags.



Conclusion


I have the least to say about this stock. Ive had it less time than any of the others, but its also been exactly what I thought it would be (besides the thick wrist).
This is the stock your looking for if you want an easy carrying, quick shooting rifle, thats got a little extra style and class

This does exactly what the factory stock does, it just does it with more class. It even weighs pretty much the same.
If you want AI mags tho your out of luck.
.
If doing THIS upgrade tho, id spend some time/money on sprucing up the action and trigger since your already going this far.

The rifle in the B&C stock



Close ups of the inletting and barrel channel


The bedding block and action inletting.


Forend channel and finish


Weight with a 24oz scope. (the GPO thats on there now weights bout 15)

Some random pictures.

troy fairweather said:

wow great review, i really do like these ss guns in the glass stocks, love you black/red wed with the ss. i did read that B&C did make the palm swells bigger, the older metalest like mine have the older small swell. back then guys wanted the bigger swell like the HS stock.

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My carbelites all had less rounded wrists. I haven't used an older medalist, but I could see target and precision guys wanting the thicker stock.
I would have preferred that B&C do something different with this stock, but it's not bad or even actually annoying really. If I keep my thumb on the safety it positions my hand almost perfectly.

I'm digging the stainless, black and red now also. Your idea to polish it out a bit made the difference.

Hookeye said:

I like the dims of my factory Tupperware Remington 700 stock (older checkered version).
Am wanting to upgrade, maybe HS sporter or Grayboe.
Have not handled either.
Fat grip or palmswell is a no go for me.
I did have a Model 7 in an HS stock way back and it was doable.
Just wondering if HS has done a change since then.

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I actually think Remington has some of the nicest feeling stocks of any manufacturer yet. I do prefer the newer ones which are a little wider in the grip, but I've got large hands. It's actually hard to better those older stocks tho, they aren't particularly light, but they are sturdy and plenty stiff enough for most work.

I haven't used a Grayboe, but I've heard good things about them.

The only HS stocks I've used were heavy target style, so it had the thick target grip. The sporters look like they have a thinner grip, but again I've never handled one so can't comment beyond looks.

Wreck-n-Crew said:

Nice! Love the look on that Magpul stock. And the color scheme on the B&C.

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Thanks! I like colorful stuff lol.
Being able to take a good portion of the bits and pieces off the Magpul stock allow for some interesting personalization options.

Bartojc said:

I've been thinking of doing this to one of my RAR, and specifically using the Boyds. So, you bedded the v-blocks and used pillars. Does the Boyds come with the v-blocks, I think I read they did ? What did you bed with ? Did you fab the pillars or use purchased ones ? Did you have to drill through the plastic trigger guard to enlarge the hole to allow for the action screw to tighten against the pillar ?
Sorry for all the questions. This might make for an end of winter project. It's been a long winter

-Jeff

Click to expand...

The vblocks come with the stock.
I used marinetex as the bedding compound.
For the pillars I used threaded lamp tubing from ace, since it came in pieces pretty much the right size. I used a drill and my 4" disk on my bench sander to shorten them to exactly the right size.

I did have to drill thru the guard for the pillar to fit through. The mag catch I used a forstner to open it up to install the brass washer....that was both the hardest and sketchest part of the job.

On a do over I'd spend the extra for the metal guard and latch and not mess with that stuff.

I do believe that there are aluminum pillar kits for the Boyd's stocks and they might be worthwhile, especially if your using the upgraded aluminum trigger guard and mag latch.


One thing that wast exactly clear in my previous post.

I didn't shim up the individual v blocks. I attached them and the pillars to the action, with the action screws, which also come with the stock. Then bedded the whole shebang into the stock using electrical tape to keep it all tight.

Before that tho I wrapped the action in front and behind the vblocks with about 4 or 6 wraps of painters tape. They have to be the same amount or you'll have your action canted in the stock. I can't remember what it took to get my action to clear the stock.

Frostbite said:

Nice review, thank you for taking the time to write something useful and illustrate it with appropriate matching pictures. It kinds of comforts me in my Boyds At-One choice; I was wondering about other options, even if I am satisfied with my choice. I have poor confidence, limited tooling and no want to screw up, so I had mine installed and bedded by a professional. The gunsmith had comments similar to yours with regards to fitting. A trigger job was also done on the .223 Predator by him at the same time. The rifle now shoots sub MOA with premium factory ammunition, read Hornady with 73 and 75 pills. I prefer Caldwell sand bags, front and rear, to the bipod when at the range, the only place it has been shot so far. The rifle is very stable on the bags. It is heavy, and I like it like that for my target rifle on a budget. The wrist could be thinner and straighter, but it doesn't bother me much.

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Nothing wrong with having someone else to blame if it doesn't work!
If I didn't enjoy doing this stuff, and could afford it, I'd have a pro do the work. There would be less ruined stuff laying around my garage lol.
Thanks for the info on the @1, I'm still considering using one at some point, if for no other reason than they are a neat idea.

sevt_chevelle said:

I wish magpul made long action stocks, really like my 30-06 but the stock kinda sucks.

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I was mildly surprised Magpul didn't offer a long action option. Considering it tho, most guys looking for a cheap Target rifle are probably going short action.

With the .300 and .338 rpr, there maybe a draw for the 300Rams as cheaper "I builded...Ed....it!" Target guns
At that point it's possible.
Maybe B&C will offer other variations of the medallist for these as well

Bartojc said:

Thanks LoonWulf that explains it well. The question is do I mess with a rifle that already shoots well or to I buy something to play with

Great review of everything.


-Jeff

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Thanks Jeff!

Imo, most of the changes are really for personal preference, and less for mechanical reasons.
I think the factory parts keep everything aligned and functioning as well as the aftermarket options. Tho if you put enough pressure on the forend you may cause the stock to touch the barrel.
Again tho, barring user induced issues, it's unlikely you could better what your already getting mechanically with a stock change.
Going to a stock that feels better, and is easier to use for your particular application, tho may give you a noticeable reduction in group size.

As may changing the trigger return spring to an AR buffer tube retaning pin spring, and doing a quick polish job on the sear contact surfaces. Again original works fine, but user interface makes a difference.