Ruger American rifle caliber

If elk is in the mix, 30-06 would give you the opportunity to shoot heavier grain bullets. The 308 would be better for paper since it's not as "hot" as the 243 or 270. I have two Marlin XL7's, 30-06 & 270, and they do quite well. The Ruger is very intriguing, but the book is still out on it. I just added a 280 Ruger Hawkeye to my collection, and that one shoots very well also. If I had an itch to buy another gun, I would look at the Ruger American in a 243, just because I don't have that caliber or a short action.

If it's a paper puncher you seek with the possibility of medium big game (slight possibility of Elk) then you left out 2 of the best possible calibers. .260 and 7mm.08. Both are extremely accurate rounds with great selection of bullets (if you reload). And they both do it with very mild recoil. Makes for a lot longer range time comfortably. I personally love the 7mm.08. To me, it is the ultimate deer/hog cartridge. And you can load up some heavy hitters and go after Elk out to 250 yards very easily. You can get the M77 Hawkeye in classic or all weather in 7mm.08.

OK so I am not a huge Ruger fan, but vs the budget Remingtons and Marlin (who is now owned by Remington) I say give the new Ruger a shot, now mind you I am never the first to buy any given rifle or caliber, but if it were me I would check out the Tikka, Savage, and TC Venture first. I have owned five savages now and they have all been reliable, and accurate shooters. My Tikka T3 Stainless is a dream gun, and the TC Venture is quickly catching traction as a great budget sporter weight rifle (savages and tikkas are both lightweights) Now I have never had any hands on experence with the Ruger American but I will give you my basic impression of it from what I have seen. It is a low profile lightweight rifle, very much like a browning X-bolt in it's design, even has a similar rotery magazine. The trigger is a two stage very similar to the Savage Accutrigger for sure. It adjusts down to 3lbs, not quite as light at the Tikka's 2lbs, but as light as you would ever want probably. The stock reminds my of a Tikka/Sako with it's slim apperence (which I perfer) Ruger FINALY decided to go free floated barrel which is a big step up for them, and they even threw in a bedding block system which means they have all the accuracy features that the Savage/Tikka rifles use, so if it is put together well expect it to be a sub moa shooter, I personaly will wait for a few range reports before I serously look at one.
Oh and I would go 308 because 30-06/270 are better with 24" barrels and 243 is a little too puney for my likeing.

a 7mm08 would be my pick. eastbank.

You'll like the .308, but I wouldn't wait 6-8 months for any rifle, except a custom one. You should just buy a Rem, Winchester, Tikka, or Savage and be shooting for several months while your dad waits for his Ruger American. You can even let him shoot your rifle while he's waiting.

I too am a huge fan of Ruger products.
I would go with the '06 since elk is possibly on the agenda. If it were just deer, any of them.

It's a cool rifle, the wait will just give you time to do more research and figure out what "accessories" you want

Mostly I am a paper puncher, I find it to be meditative for lack of a better word. If I were to hunt it would be pig most likely followed by deer, and maybe (a big maybe) elk if I went to go hunt with my cousins.

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While the Ruger American would not be my first choice (I'm currently lusting after a Winchester Model 70, but they are about 2X the price) they do make a good product, and the price isn't bad. For the Ruger platform, I think I would go with the .308 chambering. It should handle everything you want.

I am hoping two months but my dad guessed 6 or 8

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Ouch! Personally, I would never wait even two months for any rifle. IF I was told it would be that long I'd buy something else. YMMV.

I don't hunt with anything larger than .270 Winchester (I have several rifles in it). But also, I don't hunt anything larger than moose, hence not having a bigger gun. I have a Ruger in this favorite round of mine and it has done well for elk, deer, antelope and paper.

Since you seem to be looking for one gun to do everything, I voted for the 270. It is an accurate round that can also handle most animals in North America.

here is a third vote for 7mm-08

Is Ruger making real short actions for short cartridges in the American, or are they doing it like a Tikka with a long action and a bolt stop?

I don't think they are even making a 7-08 for the American (yet) I think it is just 308, 30-06, 270 and 243. Though the 7mm-08 is a fantastic deer rifle, not to mention HIGHLY versitle for handloaders.

Seen this at Ruger Forum for $359

If I spot one that cheap, I will be REALLY tempted to give Ruger another shot. Good looking setup for that kind of money.

The Ruger is a really light rifle. It weights 6.25 pounds. The 30-06 version would probably have harsh recoil.

try this one,it's light

ITEM DETAIL
Item #: 7123
UPC_Code: 736676071234
Description: RUG M77 HE BA 308 SS SYN
Manufacturer: Ruger
Model #: M77 Hawkeye All Weather
Type: Rifle
Finish: Hawkeye Matte Stainless Steel
Stock: Black Synthetic
Sights: No Sights
Barrel Length: 22"
Overall Length: 42"
Weight: 7 lbs
Caliber: 308
Capacity: 4+1
Action: Bolt Action
# of Mags:
Chokes:
Packaging:
Receiver: Matte Stainless Steel, Integral Optics Base
Chamber:
Muzzle:
Features: 1" Scope Rings, Steel Floorplate with Ruger Logo

Sugg. Retail Price: $859.00
Your Price:
Sale End Date: NA
Quantity in Stock: 13
Quantity to Order:

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*A = Allocated

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Good deal on a very good scope that would fall right in to your needs. http://www.midwayusa.com/product/149054/nikon-prostaff-rifle-scope-4-12x-40mm-mil-dot-reticle-matte

NIKON PROSTAFF. I have two, great scopes at any price, hella good scopes for the money.

^ +1 on the Nikon Prostaff. I have a fixed power on a .22, and my brother has a 3x9x40 on a .30-06 and they're great. Best $150 you'll spend on a scope IMO.