Ruger American Rifles: Tell me...

[WrongHanded]

I've been considering one of these recently, in .308Win. I'm left handed so it needs to be too. I have an old scope, rings and a sling hanging around, so I thought I might get a lower end rifle to make use of them.

My big question is, are the rotary magazines junk, or do they work okay? Bad mags would be a deal breaker.

And otherwise, how's the rifle in general? Any experience appreciated.

 

[CraigC]

The rotary mags work okay but the rifles tend to shoot way out of proportion to their price tag. I've got four centerfires and three rimfires, they're good guns. One suggestion, the factory picatinny rail is quite tall and I'd recommend rings one step lower than you'd normally use for a given objective diameter.

 

[WrongHanded]

The rotary mags work okay but the rifles tend to shoot way out of proportion to their price tag. I've got four centerfires and three rimfires, they're good guns. One suggestion, the factory picatinny rail is quite tall and I'd recommend rings one step lower than you'd normally use for a given objective diameter.

Thanks for the input Craig. So they're more accurate than the price tag suggests?

Have you left any of the mags loaded by chance? I've had a bad experience with Ruger rotary mags in the past.

 

[CraigC]

Most definitely. In fact, on average I'd say they're more accurate than their M77 brethren. I leave my .450 and .300Blk loaded all the time. The Grendel is an AR mag version and the Creedmoor uses AICS mags.

 

[jmr40]

Ruger is now shipping with 4 round stagger feed magazines instead of the rotary magazines. They are an improvement, but IME malfunctions still happen. The issue seems more common with longer high BC bullets than with common hunting bullets.

I've never seen one of the Americans that didn't shoot great. I wouldn't trust one to hunt dangerous game, but for a typical deer hunter they are reliable enough.

That said I've sold all of mine except one. They make a 223 version that uses AR magazines. With 10 round AR mags mine does what I want and with perfect reliability too. They also offer some of the Predators that take Accuracy International style magazines. Those worked perfectly for me too.

I've moved to Tikka for my 308 and 6.5CM needs. When I bought my Rugers the Predator was $350, the standard rifle was typically $300, but occasionally for as little as $250. At those prices I could live with minor imperfections as long as I was getting that kind of accuracy.

There just isn't that much difference in the cost of a Tikka compared to the Ruger at this time. Tikka offers 3 and 5 round mags that work perfectly.

T3x LITE STAINLESS | Tikka

 

[lobo9er]

I have a Ruger American in .308. The standard version. No frills, 24 inch barrel? I think. Plastic stock. It has been a great gun. I would like the 5.56/.223 AR mag Ruger American at some point.

 

[WestKentucky]

I know of a few that shoot well. They are a bit ugly is the only complaint I have heard. I gave a bucket of broken belts of 7.62 ammo to a buddy for his 308. Even junk belted mg ammo that got tossed out the side door of a helicopter after stoppages shoot well. That’s saying something if absolute trash still hits target reliably.​

 

[FL-NC]

I have a ranch model in 300 BLK and a predator model in 6.5 CM. They both shoot better than the price tag suggests they should- in fact, they shoot amazingly well. Both of mine use the old rotary mags- never had issues with them, but I unload when I am finished hunting. I also shot a friend's RAR in 308- it shot good but not as good as mine.

 

[wesmonster]

I have a .300bo Ranch and a 6.5Grendel Predator, both are great shooters. Both are AR mag versions and have never had misfeeds. Good triggers right out of the box and there's enough adjustment to get the pull pretty light. I only lightened mine up by a pound or so, but I don't like to go below a 3 lb pull on anything other than a dedicated tabletop shooter. Even scoped these are light setups and easy to carry.

Now I will say that while the Ruger 3 lug bolt is tough it's not the smoothest action. It gets better with use but won't be as smooth as other bolt actions.

The 16" .300bo doesn't feel much heavier than my American compact Rimfire bolt.

 

[WrongHanded]

Thanks for the replies, everyone. Sounds like this rifle is perfect for my purposes. Those purposes being "set it and forget it", stored locked for emergency use. An extra magazine just to safeguard against failures. I have everything else I need.

Much appreciated!

 

[ECVMatt]

I will jump in, but it seems like you might have already made up your mind.

I have two Ranch models in 7.62x39 and they are great rifles. They use the Ruger Mini-30 mag, so I can't comment on the rotary mags. Accuracy is great and they have been 100% reliable.

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

I have the 7.62x39. And a 17HMR. They both perform well. The 17 has a rotatory mag. No issues with it feeding ammo.I hate loading rotatory mags.I have a loader for my 10/22. That helps a lot. Maybe one day they will make them for the 17. My Savage A22 mag is the worst to load for me.

 

[.308 Norma]

My big question is, are the rotary magazines junk, or do they work okay? Bad mags would be a deal breaker.

And otherwise, how's the rifle in general? Any experience appreciated.

I wouldn't know anything about Ruger American rifles chambered for centerfire cartridges, but my wife likes her Ruger American Rimfire (.22 LR) a lot. She killed right around 200 ground squirrels over on our friend's ranch with it last spring, and the rotary mags never gave her a second's worth of trouble. She also likes the fact they're the same mags I have for my 10-22.

This one's my wife's.

That's her shooting ground squirrels with it and using one of MY extended 10-22 magazines.

 

[Caplock]

I have a compact or kids size 308 Ruger American. I bought it for my son to hunt with. It works great, light, and handy. I even like the compact size and 18 inch barrel for myself. For the 300 dollars I paid new it's fantastic.
Guy at the range asked my son, " hey kid whatcha shootin a 22"? The look on my kids face when he proudly says he's shooting 308...priceless.

 

[Scout21]

I have one of the more recent .308 American Predators that come with the four round, flush fit, more conventional staggered magazine.

My magazine has issues with not pushing the second and third round to the feed lips, requiring me to smack the side of the rifle, or take the magazine out and squeeze it. The first and last round feed fine. I finally got annoyed enough recently to email Ruger about it and they are sending me a replacement magazine, hassle-free, with instructions to send the rifle in if the new magazine doesn't fix the issue. It's certainly the magazine, though, as I can replicate the issue with the magazine detached from the rifle.

While the comb could be a bit higher, I otherwise have no complaints about the rifle.

Forgot to mention, accuracy is phenomenal. I anticipated purchasing a box of several different factory loads when I first got the rifle. The first time taking the rifle to the range I grouped some 150 grain Winchester Power-Points that I'd already had on hand at about a half inch. I simply went out and bought a couple more boxes of Power-Points. I saw no reason to try anything else. How was I going to be able to beat a half inch with factory ammo?

I'm now nearly set up to hand load, so I'm excited to see how well I can get some Barnes TTSX bullets to group.

 

[beagler]

My 350 Legend is extremely accurate. My only complaint is the darn AR mag it uses. It makes feeding rough at times. Besides that, it’s a sub moa rifle.

 

[red rick]

I have a .243 with the staggered mag . I haven’t had a problem with it feeding . I only load 3 rounds . The only problem I had was , I bought the model with the scope . I didn’t think the rifle was very accurate during sight in . When I was cleaning it , I found the scope rings lose and the scope moving . It shot much better the 2nd sight in . I bought it to take care of some bobcats on my property . My first time out at night , I put one right between the eyes of a bobcat at a little over 80 yards using a tripod and red light . It worked . I did call Ruger and beached at them over their workmanship and wasting all that rare and expensive ammo .

 

[Glockpride]

I have one in Grendel that has been phenomenal. Uses AR mags. Would definitely buy again. For the price, they may be the best bolt action going right now in the market.

I did polish the bolt up some to smooth it out. It ain’t great or the smoothest, but dollar for dollar, it has been great.

 

[Spats McGee]

The only ones I have are rimfires, and I know that's not what you're asking about, @WrongHanded. That said, if I were looking for a knock-around .308, I'd sure have the Ruger American on my Long List. Take it for being worth exactly what you paid for it.

 

[Rubone]

Another fan of the 7.62x39. Right out of the box it was very accurate with a cheap Bushnell Banner on it. And since I already had a Mini-30 the mags commonality made it even easier.

 

[WisBorn]

@WrongHanded a Ruger American lefthanded 308 or the other cartridges available in the LH models has been on my short list to add for a couple of years. The 308 has been the top choice because of its versatility. Not that the 7mm-08 won't do what the 308 will. Different loads and available ammo gives the 308 an advantage. Not to mention my personal experience with the 308 win.

Can't wait to read your range report on your new American

 

[wesmonster]

I will jump in, but it seems like you might have already made up your mind.

I have two Ranch models in 7.62x39 and they are great rifles. They use the Ruger Mini-30 mag, so I can't comment on the rotary mags. Accuracy is great and they have been 100% reliable.

You can also convert the gen 2 Ranch 7.62x39 to take 7.62x39 AR mags just by swapping in the AR mag adaptor. Several have done this swap and reported it runs fine. Ruger will sell you the AR magwell if you provide your serial number.

 

[WrongHanded]

@WrongHanded a Ruger American lefthanded 308 or the other cartridges available in the LH models has been on my short list to add for a couple of years. The 308 has been the top choice because of its versatility. Not that the 7mm-08 won't do what the 308 will. Different loads and available ammo gives the 308 an advantage. Not to mention my personal experience with the 308 win.

Can't wait to read your range report on your new American

You'll have to wait at least a few months. But when I get around to buying one and get it set up, I'll write a review of some description.

 

[Cowhide Cliff]

Extremely accurate rifles for their price tag. I've got one in 308 I bought years ago on sale at RK and adding a Redfield display scope from Cabelas and some rings I already had I have less than 500 in the whole rig. It's killed several deer and many varmints over the years, Great truck gun and will outshoot some pretty expensive guns I've had.

 

[DustyGmt]

If you're looking for one in .308 and want a dead nuts reliable magazine, people use the .450BM mags in their .308/7-08's and have 100% reliability but give up one round and the mag doesn't sit flush. As far as the factory 4rd rotary mags, I've heard of people having problems with them but I haven't personally experienced it. My rotary mags work fine but I still like the idea of the 3rd .450BM mag solution.

I like my American, it's a compact and I think it's an impressive rifle for what it is and what it costs but I can't report the same accuracy as some get with theirs except for with one factory load in 7-08 where I get 1MOA. But that is not the norm and people seem to constantly get Sub Moa rifles in their RAR's. I would buy with confidence. Something tells me these won't be sub $500 rifles forever....