Ruger American .308 plastic parts?

[lobo9er]

OK so I bought a Ruger American in .308 based on positive reviews and price. Sighted it in at 50 yards today... all good. Looking forward to getting out to where I can shoot a 100 yards or more. But whats up with the plastic "bolt shroud" and magazine. So my question is ... has there been any failure reports of either of those parts? I couldn't find any so I am not really worried but not all that thrilled either. That said I am happy and looking forward to deer season. As I bought this for an inexpensive knock around gun for hunting. I have never seen a "bolt shroud" before, is that common? To me it looks more like a quick fix in design mistake.

So anyhow any thoughts appreciated, thanks in advance.

 

[gamestalker]

I had problems with the plastic follower in the magazine, but after some work with a dremel I got it working fairly reliably. However, not too long ago I sent it in to Ruger for a repair to the bolt, nothing faulty, a factory round blew primer seal and trashed the extractor, which also took out a small piece of the bolt that houses the extractor.

Fast forward, so when I got it back from Ruger, they replaced the entire stock for some reason, and provided a new upgraded version of the magazine, which now has a metal follower,so it feeds 100% now.

The stock is actually pretty decent for a bargain rifle, I like the steel bedding platforms the action is solidly stationed into. I don't know if the new stock had something to do with the new magazine, or if they just changed something else about it, but either way, I like that it's completely free floated, and it doesn't feel as flimsy now.

I've been able to shoot some pretty decent groups with that American 270 win., under an inch, but it would have been impossible if not for the lead sled helping compensate for the terrible 3.5 lb. trigger, which is crunchy, and has about a half mile of creep. But I've taken steps to solve that problem, I ordered a Timney trigger, should be here in the next day or so.

So Burris Zee rings, good glass, a new trigger, and I should have another reliable and accurate hunting rifle. It's no Rem. 700, but even those need some tuning and TLC to get them shooting well these days, been there, done that a few times.

I think the American is a pretty solid rifle for the money, and Rugers CS is outstanding.

GS

 

[jmr40]

Even if the bolt shroud fell off it won't make the rifle inoperable. Tikka has been using them for years with no problems. Tikka uses plastic magazines too. The magazines were my biggest concern before buying too, but they have proven to work.

I've had a 223 and 308 for about 2 years now. The 1st run of 223 magazines would not feed the last round. I contacted Ruger and they sent me a replacement magazine that does work. I've since bought 2 spares for both 223 and 308 for a total of 3 each. This was a problem with virtually all of the early 223's, but no other calibers, and Ruger replaced all defective magazines. I've since read online that some guys figured out that the feed lips were just a little too close together and a few minutes with a file or dremel would fix them instead of returning them to Ruger.

The 1st run of stocks were too floppy in the forend to suit many. I found that a generous free float made it impossible for the stock to touch the barrel and they worked fine. More recent guns have a stiffer stock and it seems to make shooters happier. Older stocks had a series of supports molded in in parallel lines across the width of the forend. Newer stocks have a series of supports in an "X" pattern through the forend.

About a month ago I bought a 3rd American, one of the Predator versions in 308. I sold the standard model after buying the Predator. With its slightly heavier barrel it is amazingly accurate.

 

[lobo9er]

Thanks for the replies. It carries Rugers name so over all no big concerns. It was mostly being all excited to check out my new toy and finding the plastic pieces in question was a bit anti-climatic feeds nice and so far shoots straight about all I can ask for and paid 349.99 before tax. Used a red field reevenge I already had so it makes for an affordable hunting rig. I'll take some pictures later.