Ruger American in .30-06 is $20.00 more than a 10/22

[Aragon]

I was just at Big 5 Sporting Goods and they have the Ruger American on sale for $279.95. Next to it was a Ruger 10/22 for $259.95

Made me curious about any difference in cost to produce the two rifles? Both had plastic stocks. I consider that a good deal on the American and not a good deal on the 10/22.

 

[Jackal]

The 10/22 was about $40 overpriced.

 

[jmr40]

And the American is about $70-$80 cheaper than normal. How much it costs to manufacture a gun is not really a consideration of value. How well they work and how much competition from other manufacturers is the key My guess is that it costs just about the same to manufacture either. There isn't really much competition for the 10-22, lots of budget center fire bolt rifles all of about the same quality.

 

[Dr_2_B]

I don't know much about the American. Is it a good rifle?

 

[dakota1911]

Good price on the American Rifle and the 10/22 was over priced.

 

[montanaoffroader]

@Dr_2_B

The American is not a bad rifle overall. Some find the stock to be a bit flimsy for their taste, and I have heard of a few people having feed issues.

The ones I have used (both chambered in .243) have had no issues and been quite accurate, capable of 1-2 MOA in the right hands.

If I were looking for a budget priced hunting rifle, the American would certainly be on the short list. A good value for the money, IMO.

 

[sappyg]

For 280 I'm a buyer on the RA (Ruger American) regardless of caliber. That's a good number.

A 10/22 at 260 kinda turns my nose. Not going there.

 

[General Geoff]

What kind of 10/22 was it? A run of the mill 16" barreled carbine seems a bit expensive at 260, but there are distributor specials which routinely fetch more than that.

 

[Aragon]

And the American is about $70-$80 cheaper than normal. How much it costs to manufacture a gun is not really a consideration of value. How well they work and how much competition from other manufacturers is the key My guess is that it costs just about the same to manufacture either. There isn't really much competition for the 10-22, lots of budget center fire bolt rifles all of about the same quality.

Sure it is. A big consideration. In any event I would still like to know which one costs more to produce and by how much?

 

[rule303]

While I have no idea what the actual production costs are, just by the design I would think the 10/22 is more labor intensive to produce. The American was designed to be economical to produce on modern tooling, and the most of the parts are machined ready to assemble with no additional fitting/finishing. The 10/22 design goes back to 1964, and has a lot more parts with complex angles and finishing requirements. Any way you look at it, for $280 the American is a steal.

 

[loose noose]

I'm looking to purchase a 10-22 come next Thursday for the princely sum of $365.95, however it does have a full Monte Carlo/Mannlicher Stock in stainless steel brand new in the box. I doubt seriously if I'm paying too much, as they discontinued making them, and it should go up in price.

 

[Clint M]

I have owned around 10 different laminated stainless mannlicher 10/22's they are a nice little carry rifle, they do vary greatly in accuracy. Be careful with the front end cap screw it will pull the threads out easy from the wood, and be lost, it's easy to fix this problem.

 

[Agsalaska]

You know how we all desire the older bolt action rifles we come across and cherish their character, functionality, and craftsmanship. 30-40 years from now our grandchildren will not feel the same way about the crap we are putting out today.

 

[Aragon]

While I have no idea what the actual production costs are, just by the design I would think the 10/22 is more labor intensive to produce. The American was designed to be economical to produce on modern tooling, and the most of the parts are machined ready to assemble with no additional fitting/finishing. The 10/22 design goes back to 1964, and has a lot more parts with complex angles and finishing requirements. Any way you look at it, for $280 the American is a steal.

The 10/22 has been greatly cost reduced over the years in terms of finish, plastic parts, etc.

 

[Harrington-Richardson]

Bought a 10/22 from Bi-Mart circa 1998 for about $90. I can't warm up to rimfire.

 

[Aragon]

You know how we all desire the older bolt action rifles we come across and cherish their character, functionality, and craftsmanship. 30-40 years from now our grandchildren will not feel the same way about the crap we are putting out today.

The Ruger American is not "crap." It may not have a wood stock, but its polymer stock is every bit as good if not better from a functionality standpoint.

Its metal parts might be phosphate finished rather than blued, but it's also a more durable finish. The American might not have iron sights but who cares as everyone mounts a scope anyway?

Not "crap."

 

[Aragon]

What kind of 10/22 was it? A run of the mill 16" barreled carbine seems a bit expensive at 260, but there are distributor specials which routinely fetch more than that.

Run of the mill with a plastic stock...

 

[Clint M]

Polymer stocks are really crap, gun manufactures have promoted them because of the cost to manufacture them are so low. The polymer stocks are not stable in heat especially during summer months, if you leave one in the truck or out in the sun you will know what I'm talking about. They are not stable enough to provide a platform conductive to a rifle bedding platform, they bend, bow, flex all which drastically reduce accuracy, this manifest when shooting as well... they are a injection molded piece of junk from my use of them, a good replacement using laminated wood is a upgrade for a small cost.

These injection molded stocks may have a place in a truck gun or similar.

 

[CB900F]

Fella's;

On t'other side of the equation however is the fact that the design, development, and tooling costs of the 10/22 were probably fully amortized several decades ago. The 10/22 is a cash cow and I've no doubt that Ruger is taking full advantage of it. They will wholesale for what the market will bear, and it's apparent that that segment has a strong back.

I'll fully admit that I've spent some additional 10/22 money in the recent past on a take-down and BX25's for it. That market doesn't seem to be slowing down at all. It's anybody's guess what the American's, or any entry-level bolt gun, market legs are going to be, but I do know I have no need for one. In other words, though it's a good market now, how long if ever, will it take to saturate it?

900F

 

[Sheepdog1968]

I don't think of the Ruger American as a Heirloom firearm but as a spare firearm or one that only gets used a few times a year for hunting or range work it would be just fine. The reviews in terms of accuracy and utility seem to be just fine. If I didn't have what I needed, I'd be looking at it.

 

[Aragon]

Polymer stocks are really crap, gun manufactures have promoted them because of the cost to manufacture them are so low. The polymer stocks are not stable in heat especially during summer months, if you leave one in the truck or out in the sun you will know what I'm talking about. They are not stable enough to provide a platform conductive to a rifle bedding platform, they bend, bow, flex all which drastically reduce accuracy, this manifest when shooting as well... they are a injection molded piece of junk from my use of them, a good replacement using laminated wood is a upgrade for a small cost.

These injection molded stocks may have a place in a truck gun or similar.

Hogwash. It depends on the plastic stock -- just as it does in the case of a wooden stock. Some are good, some are not.

It's amusing to watch individuals attack that which they do not understand.

 

[Aragon]

I don't think of the Ruger American as a Heirloom firearm but as a spare firearm or one that only gets used a few times a year for hunting or range work it would be just fine. The reviews in terms of accuracy and utility seem to be just fine. If I didn't have what I needed, I'd be looking at it.

They are a remarkable rifle for the $$$. Terrific for hunting.

I think Ruger realized they were a distant third (or possibly fourth or fifth?) behind Savage and Remington when it came to bolt action hunting rifles so they had to take a big step to cut out a niche for themselves -- and they did with the American.

 

[Aragon]

Fella's;

On t'other side of the equation however is the fact that the design, development, and tooling costs of the 10/22 were probably fully amortized several decades ago. The 10/22 is a cash cow and I've no doubt that Ruger is taking full advantage of it. They will wholesale for what the market will bear, and it's apparent that that segment has a strong back.

Given its strong sales and non-breakthrough design, I suspect the American's design and tooling costs have also been fully returned at this point.

I'll fully admit that I've spent some additional 10/22 money in the recent past on a take-down and BX25's for it. That market doesn't seem to be slowing down at all. It's anybody's guess what the American's, or any entry-level bolt gun, market legs are going to be, but I do know I have no need for one. In other words, though it's a good market now, how long if ever, will it take to saturate it?

900F

I suspect Ruger has spent considerably more on 10/22cost reduction matters -- no more bluing, more plastic parts, etc. and "options" -- stainless, different stocks, etc. The American's "legs" have already proven to be strong -- at least in a strong market.

It's going to be amusing watching Ruger's pricing on the 10/22 now that Remington is selling their 597 at a considerably lower price.

 

[Clint M]

Hogwash. It depends on the plastic stock -- just as it does in the case of a wooden stock. Some are good, some are not.

It's amusing to watch individuals attack that which they do not understand.

We agree on your last statement, could you site a injection molded stock that is one of the "good ones" ?

 

[Aragon]

We agree on your last statement, could you site a injection molded stock that is one of the "good ones" ?

Changing your story? You originally said "Polymer stocks are really crap..." You didn't limit them to one manufacturing process (of which there are many.)

I'll play along though. Since we're talking about the Ruger 10/22, I would take a Hogue Overmolded stock over a wooden Ruger stock anytime.

My favorite polymer stocks are the hibrids -- those that include other (non-wood) materials like the Savage AccuStocks do.