I've been looking at the Ruger American in 243win. All the reviews I've looked at have been stellar. Has anyone here had personal experience with this rifle. I never know how to take a lot of the reviews published. But if what they say is true about them then the price makes it an easy decision.
Ruger American good buy?
- Thread starter JRWhit
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Kachok
Member
Don't own one, did some research on it, almost all reviews are solid, worth a shot in my book. Just don't like the flaky matte finish on them. I DO like the fact they make a 1:9" twist on a 243, that allows you to use longer/heavier bullets if you wanted to.
Really likeing the 243 idea, but if they offer a 6.5 Creedmore I will own the first one I see even if I have to re-blue it.
Really likeing the 243 idea, but if they offer a 6.5 Creedmore I will own the first one I see even if I have to re-blue it.
I do not own one but I have shot one in 30-06 and it was a fine shooting gun. I was actually surprised at how affordable the rifle is and would have no trouble buying one if I didn't already have way too many hunting rifles. I feel the same way about Savage rifles. Good, solid rifles at an affordable price. Mossberg....not so much.
My shooting buddy has a Ruger American in .243. I've put about 75 rnds thru it.Good, solid rifle. My Marlin XS7 in .243 seems a little more accurate but I've had a few months to work up loads. Also, the trigger on my Marlin is a little better but his Ruger may improve with age.I don't see anything wrong with the Ruger American.
Like the Remington 783 the American is incredibly cheap looking weapon. It makes the old generation of affordable rifles like the 788 look like handmade customs.
I have seen them shot at the range and they seem to perform just fine. I have no idea what kind of durability they sport but IMO they look terrible, they feel terrible, but they don't shoot terrible.
The ones I have seen shot about 2 inches or so at 100 yards off the bench. Which to me is ok for what they are and I have no idea how good the shooters I was watching are with a different rifle. One older gentleman I see shooting one in .243 regularly seems to be knowledgeable and I know he is an experienced hunter. He acts like he would buy his over again.
If it were me I would save my money a little longer and buy a Hawkeye or a used M77 Mark II. I love Ruger rifles, both bolt and single shot. But I don't think the American is for me.
I have seen them shot at the range and they seem to perform just fine. I have no idea what kind of durability they sport but IMO they look terrible, they feel terrible, but they don't shoot terrible.
The ones I have seen shot about 2 inches or so at 100 yards off the bench. Which to me is ok for what they are and I have no idea how good the shooters I was watching are with a different rifle. One older gentleman I see shooting one in .243 regularly seems to be knowledgeable and I know he is an experienced hunter. He acts like he would buy his over again.
If it were me I would save my money a little longer and buy a Hawkeye or a used M77 Mark II. I love Ruger rifles, both bolt and single shot. But I don't think the American is for me.
I have two Ruger Americans. One of them is a 30/06 and the other is in 308. I love them, love them. Both are sub MOA when I do my part and the function is flawless. I am now seriously thinking of the 243 but would honestly like something slightly smaller of coyote hunting. Do not hestitate you will love it and they can be habit forming. I also have several Mk11 riflles by Ruger and the American is every bit as good and the trigger is even adjustable to the owner. Save a little more for Hawkeye??? The Hawkeye is over 800 and the American is under 400. That is lots and lots of ammo and hunting trips with a rifle that would be very difficult to beat.
WoodchuckAssassin
Member
As long as it's NOT a Remington 770, you're good to go 
The Ruger has a real nice trigger, smooth bolt, and an ugly stock. 2 outta 3 aint bad. I might go for a TC Venture before the Ruger (even though I LOVE Ruger). It's about $100 more, but they feel a lot more solid. I shot one in 308, and it was a very accurate gun. I've never shot the Ruger.
The Ruger has a real nice trigger, smooth bolt, and an ugly stock. 2 outta 3 aint bad. I might go for a TC Venture before the Ruger (even though I LOVE Ruger). It's about $100 more, but they feel a lot more solid. I shot one in 308, and it was a very accurate gun. I've never shot the Ruger.
If you have $500 to spend and you want a decent rifle/scope combo then the Ruger is acceptable as is the Savage. Both are in the $400 range (often with a cheap scope) add a $150 scope with a couple of boxes of ammo puts you in the game for $600.
I think there are many rifles that are better and they all cost more. For the low price it seems the Ruger American is an excellent gun. You can also put a $1200 scope on it and maybe make it better. If you are hunting whitetails in the eastern part of the country then the Tasco that comes on the rifle is probably good enough.
I think there are many rifles that are better and they all cost more. For the low price it seems the Ruger American is an excellent gun. You can also put a $1200 scope on it and maybe make it better. If you are hunting whitetails in the eastern part of the country then the Tasco that comes on the rifle is probably good enough.
critter
Member
I have a friend with a Ruger American in .243. As each of his 3 kids in turn got old enough to begin deer hunting, that was their 'starter rifle'. Each of them took several deer with it and many of them were with neck shots. Never been a problem of any kind with it that I know of. It, to me, is a really nice looking gun.
sayak
Member
They musta been triplets then, as the Ruger American just came out a little while ago.
ironworkerwill
Member
It shoots good! My buddy has one in a .243 I have the marlin XS also in .243 both are copies of the savage action.
Kachok
Member
Ripping off the Savage action/trigger is a common trait nowadays, their design was just remarkable for affordable production and solid performance. I have owned six Savages, all of them are good shooters, very reliable, and none of them cost me much $$$. Only glaring flaw with Savages is their very very rough rifling, but that does smooth out during break in. First couple cleanings I get alot of fouling and lead flakes, usually by the third cleaning that is at a minimal or non-existent.
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