Ruger American?

[floridaboy]

I've recently been invited to hunt local piggies. My friend says that most shots will be at about 100 yds, so I may need to acquire a rifle to put a scope on. My 60 year old eyes need the help these days. So I'm wondering if anyone has experience with a Ruger American. Looking at a 7mm/08. I like the cartridge, but wonder about the rifle. Any opinions?

 

[chas08]

I really can’t offer any hands on experience with the Ruger American. I’ve heard it’s a great value for its price! I have owned a Remington LSS mountain rifle in 7mm/08 since ‘ 99. It is my favorite bolt gun. I don’t reload, but mine loves Hornady American Whitetail 139 gr. ammo right off the shelf. I think your choice in chambering is spot on, but thats just my opinion. It shoots flat and accurate, hits hard, and recoils lightly, what’s not to love?

 

[George Dickel]

I have two, one in 243 and one in 223. Decently accurate, no problem hitting a hog's vital areas at 100 yds. Good quality for the price, I like them better than most of the other budget rifle brands. I don't think you will be disappointed.

 

[FL-NC]

I have 2 I am satisfied with- a 308 predator and a 300 B-O ranch.

 

[floridaboy]

Appreciate the replies. Any thoughts on the stock? I've read that it's sort of slick, and is tough to use when scoped.

 

[LoonWulf]

Over all the Americans are my favorite budge/beater rifle (case i point i just ordered a 7Mag stainless for those days when i dont feel like taking apart my nicer guns after hunting).

Ive never had an issue with the American stocks, and I hunted with my ranch in the rain more than once.
I will say keep the scope as low on the rifle as possible, the low bolt throw and fairly large drop from the receiver to barrel allow for very low mounting, and it seems like they took that into consideration when setting up the stocks, as low rings put the scope at exactly the right height for me, and i usually use Meds.

The one knock id have to give the american stock is that they are flexy, and there is very little gap right at the front of the barrel channel. Its quick to open them up enough that theres little or no chance for a touch tho.

 

[CapnMac]

I have one, in .243, and have been considering a second in .25-06

For pigs, I might consider a .270; they make a .308, but, light as the American is, it would seem to me like that might kick a bit.

 

[Captcurt]

I have had some and sold some to friends. Nothing but praise from everyone. Yes, the stocks are not pretty and are a little slick, but the guns shoot very well. I used one a couple of years ago to take several deer from 250 to 275 yards. The owner of the only 7mm-08 that I have sold told me that he and his daughter love it. He is buying another one for her.

 

[Picher]

A friend has one in .308 Win. I mounted a scope on it, then sighted it in. Accuracy was very impressive, under 1 MOA at 100 yards. I also liked the bedding system and wouldn't hesitate to buy one, if I needed a decent hunting rifle at a reasonable price.

 

[Creed Bennett]

I have one in 308, 22-250, a 223 Ranch and a 300 BO Ranch. They all work well and I’ve been very pleased. I don’t think you can go wrong with a Ruger American.

 

[Armored farmer]

Thst would be my choice.
Hickok 45 has a 7.62x39 Ruger American currently on UTube. You can google it and watch his video.

 

[beeenbag]

I own the 30-06 version and the 7.62x39 ranch version. Very happy with both of mine. I haven't encountered any problems with the texture of the stock, and yes, they do allow for very low scope mounting. I really enjoy the ranch 7.62x39. I think your choice is an excellent one for your needs.

 

[js8588]

I'm considering one in 6.5 Grendel.

 

[jmr40]

Between myself, friends and my brother we have 7 of them in 223, 308, and 6.5 Creedmoor. They are the most accurate rifles in my safe. I REALLY like the Predator version a lot better than the standard rifle. They have a little heavier barrel without being excessively heavy and are proving to be even more accurate. The added weight helps get the weight back close to standard rifle weight and reduces recoil too.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with 7-08, but it isn't available in the Predator. There isn't enough difference between 7-08 and 308 to worry about so you could go 308. Ammo is a lot easier to find, cheaper, and recoil is the same. At 500 yards the 7-08 has about 2" less drop and about 30 ft lbs more energy so it is a little better. At least on paper, no animal will ever notice the difference.

The 6.5 Creedmoor is another good option. About 25% less recoil than 7-08 or 308 and it comes very close to 270 performance on game. Ammo is now readily available at good prices, even more so than 7-08.

 

[LoonWulf]

I sighted my buddies 30-06 and found it shook you up a bit, but wasnt unpleasant. the squishy pad helps quite a bit, i also think the soft flexy stock attenuates some of the recoil in a similar way that polyframe hand guns do.

I think @jmr40 suggestion of the 6.5 CM predator is a very good option. The slightly heavier weight would make it very pleasant to shoot. Unless your really want a 7-08 (i do lol) the 6.5 will do well in its place.

 

[MidRoad]

I like them alot. My dad has a .243 compact stainless and a .450 bushmaster. The bush master is awesome in the brush. Here's my build thread. Have yet to shoot it.

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/my-timber-rifle-build.831455/

 

[CapnMac]

7.62x39 Ruger American

7.62x39 is my favorite pig round--so, that sounds like a winner.

 

[CptnAwesome]

I have a standard Ruger American in 7mm-08. The gun is very accurate, way more accurate than you'd expect a budget gun to be. I was iffy about the purchase since I didn't know anybody that owned one to ask but am very pleased with the little rifle.

Even with my reduced recoil handloads loaded at about 70% it gets sub 1" groups at 100yds

 

[M1key]

The 7.62x39 version is accurate (MOA) with Tula and a 3x scope. Hits the plates hard at 200 with a 6-8 inch hold over.
Good luck.

M

P.S. a bit over $400 on Gunbroker

 

[floridaboy]

Thanks fellas. I can get one for $400.00 otd. I've always wanted a 7mm, so the 7mm08 it will be. I very much appreciate the replies.

 

[Newtosavage]

Like the choice of rifles and the choice of calibers. You will love the 7mm-08. I have two of them and can never wait to shoot them.

 

[Picher]

If I were to consider one, it might be either a .243 Win, or 7mm-08. A nice woods carry rifle, for sure.

 

[Nodakjohns]

I have one in .270. my cousin has one in 30-06. Idk about his but mine is sub moa with off the shelf ammo. It's my first .270 had plenty of other calibers but less than 40 rounds through it and two deer. So far I like it allot as far as accuracy goes. The minus is they seem to rust easily and the forend does flex a little but it shouldn't touch the barrel.

 

[Cowhide Cliff]

I've recently been invited to hunt local piggies. My friend says that most shots will be at about 100 yds, so I may need to acquire a rifle to put a scope on. My 60 year old eyes need the help these days. So I'm wondering if anyone has experience with a Ruger American. Looking at a 7mm/08. I like the cartridge, but wonder about the rifle. Any opinions?

I have a Ruger American chambered in 308 that is the most accurate out of the box rifle I've ever seen. Will outshoot most custom built rifles. Just bought it on sale for a cheap truck gun and was truly amazed with it. I actually wanted a 7-08 but they were out of them during the sale so settled for the 308.

 

[oldfortyfiveauto]

I have two, one in 243 and one in 223. Decently accurate, no problem hitting a hog's vital areas at 100 yds. Good quality for the price, I like them better than most of the other budget rifle brands. I don't think you will be disappointed.

300blk here. Very good shooter, good trigger...