Thoughts on the Ruger American Centerfire. Experiences please.

I'd appreciate the info too. I've read the online reviews and some here. Wouldn't mind picking up an inexpensive 7mm-08 or 223 just to have around.

I'm sure you have already checked out the American's specs on the Ruger site..

That being said, I recently bought one in 243 cal. I love it. Took me 8 rounds to zero it @ 100 yrds (1/2" group). The bolt is very smooth and feels very substantial. You'll hear complaints about the "tupperware" stock being flimsy, I like it, it's got a great recoil pad and it's not flimsey compared to others.
In my search for an inexpensive HUNTING rifle (it's not meant for benchrest), I narrowed it down to the Ruger and the Marlin X7. I was torn between those two for quite some time but decided on the American for a few reasons.
The trigger is excellent, adjustable and mine breaks like glass just leaving it as it came from the factory. The "plastic" magazine works perfectly and is one one of the reasons for my choice..."detachable", plus the Marlin did not offer a 243.
It balances very nicely @ 6.25lbs (w/out scope) and carrying it in the woods all day was not a chore.
The scope mounts are Weaver and I had no problem mounting my scope.
I hope this helps! Personally, I don't think you'd go wrong with any of the current offerings in this catagory. Pick up a few and see which one rings yer bell!
BH

I have the American in the 308 compact version ( 18 inch barrel ).
6 lbs without the scope. Lightweight to carry all day.
Great hunting rifle shooting 1 inch groups at 100 yards.
Understand that this is a hunters rifle- not meant to be a beach rest rifle.
Ruger customer service is fantastic, I know because I had to use it.
The mag would not feed rounds up to the gun.
I understand that Ruger subs out their mags.
I called them they had another one in my mail box 5 days later no questions asked.
It did not work either.
I called again and had another one again in 5 days no questions.
This one they range tested before sending and it works great.
They also sent a prepaid envelope to send back the other mags for research.
I chose the 308 caliber because it is the most versatile one available.

243 here because I wanted an inexpensive hunting rifle in that caliber. I really bought it more to loan out than use myself.

The stock and magazine feel "cheap". Probably because they are. The gun shoulders well. The trigger is excellent. Recoil is moderate for a 243, not great and not bad. It has a Nikon 3-9x50 on it and zeroed easily.

I would either go with the American or the Savage 110. Both are similarly priced and both are good shooting guns in the same general price range. I normally hunt with a Savage in 30-06 and can't say enough good things about the rifle. DO NOT buy the Savage Axis instead of the 110. The accu-trigger really is wonderful. Maybe they make an Axis with the trigger but the ones I have shot have very heavy triggers and are difficult to pattern because of it.

I have a 2005 youth model Ruger 77 Mark II in .243.An accurate deer rifle.The tip of the bullets were being wiped until I moved the magazine back in its slot and tightened it.A little too much clearance front to rear,but easily fixed.

Have a .223, .243, .308 and .30/06. With the exception of the .223 all have been great guns for the money. Because of the feeding and chambering problems I wish I'd never purchased the .223 I know you didn't ask. the .22 RF is a great little gun, accurate as hell.

The .308 is a short action.
I'd be in no hurry to get an American in .223- got mine beginning of the week and had to immediately call Ruger for a hopefully good magazine. The one that came with it won't feed the last round.
I'm really tiring of being a beta tester....for all sorts of products.
My .308 has been flawless.

FT, Have owned an Am. in .308 for about a year now and nary a hiccup. Shoots consistently at 1" or just below @100 yds. Have not experienced any feeding issues. The only changes I've made to it was to replace the Weaver bases with Talley lightweight low 1pc. ring/bases and sprayed the stock with Krylon flat olive for a base coat and then applied a Rustoleum textured finish(like really fine grains of sand) and sealed it with a Krylon flat clear. Looks a little better and much grippier. Shoots better than a $300 rifle should.

Field Tester said:

I was looking to pick one up in Centerfire possibly. .30-06, .308, 7mm-08 and like calibers are the type of reviews I'm looking for. What worked? What didn't? Did you like the overall feel and experience? Would you recommend another rifle in the same price point in it's place?
!

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The American is easy to get excited about that's for sure. Great trigger borrowed from Savage. Accurate just like the Savage. Stock is nice and light just like a Savage Axis. Matter of fact the stock looks like it nearly came from the same mold. Detachable mag like the Savage. Heck, if it didn't have Ruger stamped on it you might mistake it for a Savage!
Shoot, the American just may be the best Axis that Ruger has made. I like the short bolt throw but to me it's not as smooth as the Axis. I like the magazine retention better than the Axis but that's as far as it goes.
The Axis magazine works. The American mag is about the only thing that Ruger brought to the table and it is a miserable disappointment. I guess the powers that be at Ruger must have assumed that since to 10/22 rotary mag works then all rotary mags must work. They do if they are designed correctly. Here Rugers strong suite, and on the surface a good play, falls flat for me. The American is the first and only bolt action CF rifle that has ever had, not only once but, numerous failures to feed. This simple rifle begs for a simple box magazine. Like the Savage!
Keep in mind, I can only comment on the American compact in 223 and the Axis 223 specially. But, since you asked, Ruger misses another easy layup for the win. That 1/8 rifle twist brought me to the table but since it is chambered for a very tight 223 throat the 1/8 rifling is a non starter for me. I've actually had problems chambering 223 rounds in the American that my Savage can handle without fuss. I get the impression that the same people that thought the rotary mag was a good idea also thought the 1/8 rifling is what people want. I think it is but, who wants a rifle in 1/8 that can barely handle a basic 55 gr boat tail. This is where the American looses me. If you're gonna borrow someone else's idea you might as well go all the way.
Would I buy another American? Probably not.

Scopes? Well, start with a Savage Axis. Since it's cheaper than the American you can afford a nice Leupold VX-1 3x9 on medium rings and call it good. The trigger is easy enough to deal with and you'll have a better rifle.

Don't think just because you see a trigger with a blade coming out of the trigger it is like a Savage. Savage/s trigger is made of stamped parts with a cross pin that wobbles all over the place. All Savage did was to make a junk trigger a safe junk trigger. If your Savage trigger comes off the sear it won't go off but you won't know that it did ontill you see the buck of your life and pull the trigger and nothing happens and you have to recock the bolt. The Ruger is so much better then the Savage in every way !!!!!
Dave

I have been happy with my American .308. Its great if you are after a light, accurate hunting rifle.

I haven't had any problems with the magazine (other than ridiculous replacement cost), and the trigger is great. I like the tang safety and the action is very smooth after just a little use.

The only problem I have had is that when the stock gets hot it is pretty flimsy, but seems ok in cooler weather. As the barrel heats up it walks a bit, but even that is predictable.

the stock gets hot a lot here in the desert, especially in the trunk of my black car. Just something to think about

I have had mine in .308 for almost a year and a half now. It is a great hunting rifle. I took my first mule deer at almost 200 yards with it this past October. I've put about 300 rounds of various bullet weights through it and it seems to shoot them all well (110, 150, 165, 180 gr). I really like the trigger as well. I think for the money, you'll be very happy with it.

I have one in .243. While is does not compare to my higher dollar rifles (and I did not expect it to) it is still a shooter. My grandson used it to take his first deer. Now it is "his" rifle.....so be it. For the money, it is a good gun.

Good experience so far with my son's 30-06. We haven't run more than a box of ammo thru it but so far so good (way to cold to shoot this winter). I am going to buy a 308 for myself hopefully this year.

jotjackson, some times people think if something didn't cost a lot it is not as good as your higher cost rifle. Ask your self, does the high dollar rifle have a full size bolt body, does it have a 3 lug bolt for a short bolt lift, does it have steel v block pillow beding, how about a tang safety, roter type mag, and a great trigger -- it doesn't, but I bet it has a nice stock, right. Well I think the way Ruger is sealing these someone will have a good stock out this year for them. When they do get, you a 243, set the barrel back and have it reamed to a Norma 6 BR and you will have a great little BR rifle, you did know the barrel has a locking nut like a Savage didn't you???????/
Dave

I bought the American in .308 for my wife as a birthday present. She has never owned a long gun but just had to have one. I decided to go with the "pocket friendly" American and I'm sure glad I did. It took us about 5 rounds to zero it in with a $250 bushnell scope and it shoots GREAT now! She loves her new rifle and will barely let me shoot it now. The only thing I'm not too fond of is the "zip" sound you get when you cycle the bolt... I guess a jeweling job of the bolt would take care of that. I assume the machine process of the bolts leave small lines that cause that sound. It's nothing that would stop me from buying one for myself in 30-06 that's for sure! Overall I would say its and awesome field gun! Hope this helps!!

Some perspective...

One inch groups at 100 yards is 1 MOA. 1 MOA is pretty dang good In fact, 1 MOA is the US military's standard for sniper rifles. Point being, if the cheap Ruger American is shooting 1 MOA, then it is an accurate rifle.

I teach rifle marksmanship and very few people can shoot 1 MOA groups.

Now, a guy on another forum poo-pooed the American saying that if you wanted a cheap rifle to shoot a couple rounds a year through then it was the perfect rifle for fat dumb American hunters. I say, heck yes! I have an old Winchester Mod 70 that I shoot one round a year through. (I shoot a lot of other rifles but not my deer rifle) One shot/one deer. Every 4 or 5 years I will verify the zero with 3-4 rounds but have not had to change it in 30+ years. If the American can do that, it is good enough and I am itching to get one to play with.

mac66 said:

Some perspective...

One inch groups at 100 yards is 1 MOA. 1 MOA is pretty dang good In fact, 1 MOA is the US military's standard for sniper rifles. Point being, if the cheap Ruger American is shooting 1 MOA, then it is an accurate rifle.

I teach rifle marksmanship and very few people can shoot 1 MOA groups.

Now, a guy on another forum poo-pooed the American saying that if you wanted a cheap rifle to shoot a couple rounds a year through then it was the perfect rifle for fat dumb American hunters. I say, heck yes! I have an old Winchester Mod 70 that I shoot one round a year through. (I shoot a lot of other rifles but not my deer rifle) One shot/one deer. Every 4 or 5 years I will verify the zero with 3-4 rounds but have not had to change it in 30+ years. If the American can do that, it is good enough and I am itching to get one to play with.

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So, a person has to be overweight to appreciate the American? LOL

+1 on some hunting rifles. I used to hunt elk in Montana with a friend. This guy hunted for years with a model 70 in .270. When he passed away in his late 70s he'd taken 57 elk and countless mule deer. One day I was discussing reloading and velocities, his response was he would purchase a box of shells from the hardware store every 3 or 4 years. It boils down to one thing, knowing how to use the equipment you have in hand.

I helped a friend sight in his .22-250, and found that it had a hard time feeding well. The point of the round was getting jammed up before it went into the chamber. Then if you pull back on the bolt even just a little, to get that round un-jammed, there was a rim on the bolt that would try to feed a second round into the action.

While I like the idea of this rifle, it needs some refinement. I really disliked the bolt especially.

For the same or less money, I would opt for the Marlin Xs-7 or Savage.