Got my rifle. It is very light. My FFL guy said this 30 06 will knock me into the next county. I admit, when I purchased the bullets, I thought, what have I done? Then I read more about the 30 06 and how much it is loved by hunters and has been for years. I also thought, people whine about the LCR, LCP stinging and not being easy to shoot and polymer 9mm not matching steel ones and that is all has not computed for me. So, I picked up 150 grn ammo and decided to try it at 50 yards. Oh, I put my Vortex SPARC on the foremost position.
I braced myself and (oh used bore laser to zero red dot indoors at 20 yards) wham! It surprised me but I was on paper (12 inches). The bolt is really smooth. Next shot was within 6 inches (no bench). This is my first time firing a non-10/22 rifle. From there i remained within 6 inches 8 shots. I moved to the 100 range and stayed off hand within 8 inches with first 4 and the next four was within 4 inches. I think that is pretty good for a guy with no real rifle experience. I do have good trigger skills and practice racking bolt and holding rifle at home because it does get heavy. My red dot is 2 moa and pretty bright. I pretty much hit within the red dot area. The gun is accurate and I am going to really love it when I get better and buy some low recoil 30 06 and ultimately reload my own. I will get the dies maybe this summer when I get up to 100 or so shells. For now, I will practice dry fire and 10 to 20 shots every couple weeks.
I am a hand gun guy for now and cannot wait to get my CZ Phantom back from Cajun Gunworks for full action and trigger job. Also, my SR 1911 needs more time with my hand loads, etc. Oh, I think the 10/22 has helped me prep for a real rifle. I will shoot that more.
So far as this being cheap. I bet I could hut hog and deer with this by the time I get training and a good scope. Besides, I have purchase 9 guns and 10 Spydercos in 2 years, not counting holsters, ammo, reloading stuff, red dots and etc., sent a kids to University, got two others in private school, leave to visit brother in Europe in a month and maintain house. I believe my priorities are working out for me. Some day I will add a classic shotgun to the brake action 20 gauge I got from dad when I was a kid. Then, I will decide what gives me the most pleasure and go big-1911, rifle shotgun, rifle, optic or Gunsite and go big.
That is how I roll. I thank those that recommended this nice value American Rifle. Oh, I am a Ruger guy so that fit. Thanks Juk for telling me where to find it because is is not readily available. Though I would likely have preferred a .308, I will like this. Maybe my first real semi-auto rifle will be the mini 14 or 30, unless I decide to stay with my lone bolt and 10/22. Stay tuned.
