ruger american or "other"

[someguy2800]

Handling one doesn't really give a guy warm and fuzzies, but they are a nice handling and accurate gun for the money. In fact the accuracy is nice for pretty much any money. Same goes for the Axis. Its pretty much the cheapest gun in the world with the nicest barrel on the front. They had Axis's with a scope on sale for $250 after rebate locally today which really just can't be beat.

 

[dranrab]

I wouldn't worry about the stock on Americans. Sure, they are cheap and flimsy, but it does not affect accuracy. The dimensions and lines of the stock are great.

 

[jmr40]

Buy the Predator in 6.5 and leave the stock on it. They don't do anything aesthetically, but changing the stock on one can only make it shoot worse. There is zero probability it will shoot better with another stock. Most any other rifles use a recoil lug that fits into a mortise in the stock. You need a tight fit and a stiff stock for accuracy. The Americans don't even have a recoil lug. Instead the action sits inside metal "V" blocks which the action screws go through. No part of the rifle or barrel even touches the stock. It's only purpose is for you to have something to hold onto. It can be as flexible as a wet noodle and accuracy isn't affected.

I now have 3 of them. A 223 Compact, and Predators in 6.5 Creed and 308. I have more money invested in a couple of individual rifles than all 3 combined. But they are the most accurate rifles in my safes.

 

[greyling22]

Yeah, I'm thinking the 6.5 predator is probably the way to go. Yet another caliber to load for

There is a Ruger Hawkeye in 243 on gunbroker for a penny with 12 days on it. Sure is a prettier gun. I'll keep my eye on it, but I bet it goes north of 500 and I wind up with an American.
Already got a scope. Cabela's had a deal where you could get a vortex diamondback 4-12x40 ao for $50. Too good a deal to pass up.

 

[lobo9er]

Just wanted to add you don't "need" to do anything to the Ruger American stock. Mine shoots fine as is with a stock I don't mind dinging and dragging threw the woods. I will admit the stock isn't it's strong selling point.

 

[DannyLandrum]

The answer is always "other" to the rifle which has a mag release that a stiff breeze will drop your mag (the American). The *rimfire* American is another story. The best value under $450ish is the T/C Venture. If you can go another $100, the Tikka.

 

[greyling22]

Danny, the problem is that whole left handed thing. The venture doesn't come in lh, and the cheapest tikkas I can find are $750+

 

[Bfh_auto]

A flimsy stock is easily fixed by drilling holes in the webbing of the forearm, scuffing it with a Dremel and filling it to the top of the webbing with JB weld. It is much cheaper than buying a new stock and allows you to use a bipod. I have done this to 4 Axis and one VTR. I also put filler in the stock to rebalance it when I was done. I have only heard good things about the American and doubt it needs this.

 

[greyling22]

enh, it's more than flimsy. it's just didn't me fit well. comb wasn't high enough, wrist very thin, foend felt short, I dunno, it was like trying on a pair of jeans that isn't quite right. ymmv.

 

[JeffG]

Buy the Predator in 6.5 and leave the stock on it

Some Savage owners will advise against the Axis on a couple of different levels, The models with numbers 10, 11,12, 16, etc. are the more quality rifles. IMHO.

 

[MidRoad]

Shot my father's American compact in .450 bushmaster this morning. Impressed . Accurate little rifle,going to make a great brush thumper for our thick woods. Great rifle for the money!

Edit: it's a Ruger American ranch in 450,not a compact

 

[If1HitU]

Check Savage’s M11/111 line. They do offer left handed models. I just purchased one last week in 30-06, with a Nikon 3-9 with BDC reticle, bases and rings for $449 at Dick’s. It is an awesome shooter, even with factory ammo. It consistently groups at/under 1” at 100 yards.

Link: http://savagearms.com/firearms/model/11TROPHYHUNTERXP

Geno

Nice pictures Geno,thanks for sharing them.

 

[Picher]

I've worked on a few Savages lately and am not recommending the cheaper ones, due to recent experience with friends rifles. The Ruger Americans I've worked on and shot are really great for the money.

Most of my centerfire rifles are Rem 700s, but they're not without a few problems. I like the way they feel and put up with a few quirks, but they shoot great and the stock design minimizes felt recoil better than most.

My Tikka T3 Lite and my 595 are really great, light rifles. The T3 Lite is nice to carry and a great deer rifle in .243 Win. It has taken 4 deer and I can't say enough about the rifle. It, like all my hunting rifles, has a 3-9x Leupold VX2, 3-9X, which is about the best hunting scope I've used. They're on sale at Cabelas now for about $250.

Whatever you get for caliber, get something that you can feed from Walmart or other local stores. These new cartridges are nice, but ammo is expensive and may not be available in your area in bullet weights/types that are good for deer. I've looked for and had a hard time finding 7mm-08 and even .308 Win in the past year or two, so your chances of finding 6.5mm ammo in the local store is practically nil.

JP

 

[greyling22]

I roll my own and pack plenty on a trip. ammo availability is a good point, but not directly applicable in this situation. now finding powder has been a problem for a while, but that's getting better.

 

[Captcurt]

The answer is always "other" to the rifle which has a mag release that a stiff breeze will drop your mag (the American). The *rimfire* American is another story. The best value under $450ish is the T/C Venture. If you can go another $100, the Tikka.

I have shot several of the Americans and my 6.5 was one of the most accurate that I have owned. Also shot a 223 last week that shot cloverleafs.

Thompson Center has a $75 rebate on the Compass and the Venture until 12/31. You can get into one for under $400.

 

[Newtosavage]

Danny, the problem is that whole left handed thing. The venture doesn't come in lh, and the cheapest tikkas I can find are $750+

I just picked up a T3 in .243 for $450 out the door at a LGS. You just have to keep an eye out. Not that many people realize how good Tikkas are still, and they often go unsold on the used racks because people are still obsessed with Win 70's and Rem 700's.

 

[greyling22]

Well I would have snapped that up in a heartbeat. There is a stainless Browning abolt stalker for 425 almost locally, but it is too far away to drive and neither party wants to ship. You are right, there are deals out there, just never where I am

 

[d2wing]

If you can't afford a Tikka, I would go Ruger American. Both are very good out of the box, unlike some others.

 

[bme27]

I would wait for Black Friday sales to hit and see how much Tikkas go on sale for. Every gun shop has sales anymore. But if you can’t wait or don’t find a Tikka in your price range I think you will be happy with both. I have an acid in 243 I thought I would have to put a stock on and do a few different things, but after a new trigger spring it consistently shoots 1/2” at 100 yards. My boss just bought one in .308 and he had me sight the scope in and it is doing the same thing. That said, I would do the axis ll over the original for the accu trigger. I have a buddy with the regular ruger American in .308 who loves it, says it’s the most accurate rifle he has ever shot, but has had some issues with the barrel rusting. I would just pick the one that you feel most comfortable with by your budget and how it feels and be happy. If it’s not doing what you want there are several ways to fix the issue as many have already been discussed here.

 

[Marty B]

This would be MY choice. I really like the Brownings. To me it would worth some extra driving. (maybe meet partway?)

Well I would have snapped that up in a heartbeat. There is a stainless Browning abolt stalker for 425 almost locally, but it is too far away to drive and neither party wants to ship. You are right, there are deals out there, just never where I am

 

[Bottom Gun]

I handled a Ruger American at a gun show a couple of months ago simply because I was curious. I wasn’t very impressed by it. It looked and felt cheap like a Walmart grade rifle. If that’s what you want, by all means, go for it.

On the other hand, if you would rather have a precision rifle that you won’t become dissatisfied with later, I would opt for a Tikka or, better yet, a Sako. If the price is beyond your budget, then save your pennies and wait until you have enough saved to buy something nice. You won’t regret doing that.

My two cents.