Ruger American 7mm-08

[KsSkaEnthusiast]

On this episode of buying a rifle I really don’t need but found too good of a deal to pass up, we have a Ruger American compact in 7mm-08.
Walked into my local cabellas to check out anything cool they might have and spotted this little goodie for 350 with a sling and a Nikon prostaff 3 scope. That in its self is not knock their head off amazing but the friend I was with has a leupold vx freedom 3-9 that he can’t get sighted in on any rifle and said if I can get it to work on that, it’s mine to keep. Consider me sold, walked out the door for 410 with a box of American whitetail to go with it. Got it out to my land to shoot today and could not be happier.

I usually don’t have much interest in short actions but 7mm-08 was my exception and when I stumbled across this I knew it would be my easiest way to wander into the caliber. It is stupid light, doesn’t recoil hardly at all, shoots and I got an extra scope out of the deal that can go on anything I need. I even have a non compact original American stock that I can slap on to get some of the length of pull back although I haven’t measured to see if it’s any different.

 

[jmr40]

I've been impressed with those rifles for a while. The new ones are getting close to being overpriced, but they are good rifles regardless. I have no issues buying used and you did good. If for some reason you decide you want to sell it, you'll get most, if not all of your money back. If you'd bought that package new and sold it you'd get the same for it as the one you bought used.

 

[KsSkaEnthusiast]

I've been impressed with those rifles for a while. The new ones are getting close to being overpriced, but they are good rifles regardless. I have no issues buying used and you did good. If for some reason you decide you want to sell it, you'll get most, if not all of your money back. If you'd bought that package new and sold it you'd get the same for it as the one you bought used.

That’s what I thought too. And I got a free leupold thrown in the deal so I felt like I have a safe buy and get to satiate my interest in another caliber.

 

[Newtosavage]

VERY accurate little rifles, and super light too. Good buy!

 

[d2wing]

Nice. I really like my Tikka 7-08. You scored. Great deer rifle. Or whatever else you want to hunt.in the States.

 

[KsSkaEnthusiast]

VERY accurate little rifles, and super light too. Good buy!

This is my 4th one personally and the 8th I’ve gotten to shoot and every single one has been lights out. I’ve always been impressed!

Nice. I really like my Tikka 7-08. You scored. Great deer rifle. Or whatever else you want to hunt.in the States.

Spot on for what I need. I think this is going to offset my 2 savage 110 lightweight storm 270s as my best walking gun.

 

[mshootnit]

that sounds like a neat little rifle

 

[Cowhide Cliff]

I've got one as my truck gun I got on sale at Rural King a few years back then picked up a Leupold scope in Cabelas bargain cave. about 500 bucks by the time I got rings and all on it. I would have preferred a 7-08 but they were out of them during the sale so I chose a 308 instead.

I have to say for the money it is the most accurate rifle I've ever had any experience with. I haven't seen many factory rifles a lot more expensive that will shoot with it and it shoots as good as some custom rifles I've handled.

 

[mshootnit]

I feel like 135-145 gr. is about ideal for most deer hunting with that round.

 

[KsSkaEnthusiast]

I feel like 135-145 gr. is about ideal for most deer hunting with that round.

I've always felt like the most ideal power/lethality to recoil deer rounds are 140gr 6.5 creed, 140 7mm-08 and the 130gr 270 if you are trying to keep it really simple. Obviously there are many many many many more and it depends on where you hunt but for my doing those have been the top. i've had the other two and shot most of my deer with 270 at this point but i'm excited to crack into the -08

 

[KsSkaEnthusiast]

As an update I did put the normal ruger American stock on it and i think i gained 1.25 inches of LOP back. Makes it feel even better to boot with the ease of recoil.

 

[CptnAwesome]

I bought a Ruger American 7mm-08 "for my wife" about 4yrs ago and love it. Accurate little rifle. I load low recoil rooms for her with 120gr Sierra Pro Hunters and it's very accurate.... Actually it's been pretty accurate in everything I've shot in it in 120 and 140gr.

Very good "budget rifle" and a good cartridge. It comes close to the 280 Rem and with handloads you can just about match it's performance.