Which Ruger American?

[CapnMac]

I love my RAR .243, it does it's thing very nicely.

The Ranch Rifle has some things going for it, though.

I'm not a huge 6.5gren fan; neither am I an opponent. Probably gets a nod for being, slightly, easier to get a box at a random Academy in Podunk. Maybe. Perhaps. YMMV

 

[Olympus]

I’m not worried about factory ammo availability. I reload my own and what I don’t, I buy cheap and stack deep!

 

[Newtosavage]

Oh never, ever shoot through the cab without the barrel out the other window and whatever you do, NEVER shoot across the bed of a pickup. My ears still ring from the time I did that. I think they have been ringing from that shot for 27 years now.

 

[Buckeye63]

I had the same dilemma bout a year ago
I picked the RAR in 7.62x39...

The 6.5 Grendel with a 120gr bullet would be good for Whitetails
The 243 is a proven round...

Its a tough decision

 

[army_eod]

243. Tons of factory options. Sell it everywhere.

 

[Buckeye63]

This is the ammo that shows how the .264 bullet shines ... 123gr bullet with the SD of .252

Years ago .. I had a couple of sporterized Swedes in 6.5x55 .... with 140gr and 160gr bullets they performed perfectly....
Thats one reason my new Deer rifle is chambered in 6.5 CM .... The .264 bullet isn’t magic ... but its just about right .. diameter vs length

example .277 dia bullet @ 130gr has a SD .242

 

[army_eod]

Funny. Game up to 300 lbs. And 6.5x55 supposedly taking moose.

 

[Olympus]

Funny. Game up to 300 lbs. And 6.5x55 supposedly taking moose.

Luckily I live in the Midwest so I'm not concerned about taking moose. Nor am I considering the 6.5 Swede.

 

[LoonWulf]

Funny. Game up to 300 lbs. And 6.5x55 supposedly taking moose.

Id Id be comfortable with that, given the correct bullet. The 123 ssts probably the right bullet for the Grendel on larger game (larger within reason), and the swede loaded to its potential isnt far behind the 6.5-284 I shot a feral bull with, and had no issues....using the wrong bullet at that.

 

[CraigC]

Just because the 6.5x55 has been used successfully on larger critters does not mean Hornady has to endorse the practice. They're going to err on the side of caution for the sake of liability. Plus their bullets suck for larger game.

 

[Olympus]

I'm reviving my old thread. Now with the introduction of the Hornady 6mm ARC, I think I'm going to hold off on the Grendel for a while and just see how things play out. Which means I'm going to go with a standard Ruger American. I was going to go with the 243 since I already have reloading dies and rounds loaded up and ready to go. But some other threads have got me interested in a 7mm08. I already own a gorgeous Kimber Classic Select in 7mm08 that I've never even shot. So should I go with the 243 that I already have reloads ready to shoot or should I go with the 7mm08?

 

[WisBorn]

I'm reviving my old thread. Now with the introduction of the Hornady 6mm ARC, I think I'm going to hold off on the Grendel for a while and just see how things play out. Which means I'm going to go with a standard Ruger American. I was going to go with the 243 since I already have reloading dies and rounds loaded up and ready to go. But some other threads have got me interested in a 7mm08. I already own a gorgeous Kimber Classic Select in 7mm08 that I've never even shot. So should I go with the 243 that I already have reloads ready to shoot or should I go with the 7mm08?

If you don't have a 243 but have everything to shoot it, I would go with the 243.

 

[Olympus]

If you don't have a 243 but have everything to shoot it, I would go with the 243.

That was my thought that too. I've always had 243 rifles and loved the caliber, I just find myself in a position where I have sold all of my 243s. And I'm somewhat recoil sensitive, so the idea of a 7mm08 in a light, synthetic stock rifle doesn't sound all that appealing. I know I can shoot reduced recoil ammo or handloads with 120gr bullets in the 7mm08, but if I'm going to do that, does that really offer me much improvement over a standard 243 load that I know I enjoy shooting? I'm strictly hunting whitetails at distances under 200 yards.

 

[Sneakshot92]

I've been on the hunt for a decent synthetic stock rifle to use as a knock-around gun, truck gun, bad weather deer rifle, etc. I'm leaning more toward the Ruger American right now. It's not perfect, but I do have two of the American Rimfire Predator rifles and they have both been excellent, so I'm thinking the centerfire version should be decent. I think I've narrowed my choices down to the American Ranch in 6.5 Grendel and the regular American in 243, but I'm having trouble deciding between the two.

I'm leaning toward the 6.5 Grendel Ranch currently. I like the shorter 16" barrel size and think it would make a good truck gun and not be too big to get in and out of a vehicle. I also like the option of having the cheap Wolf ammo that I could use for plinking or range fun. I like that it also uses AR mags.

But the regular American in 243 would have better ballistics. It's a more traditional hunting rifle with the 22" barrel. But even when I'm hunting, my longest shot would be maybe 250 yards. And I hunt my own property so it would have to be an absolute monster that just wouldn't come any closer for me to take a shot that long. Otherwise, I get countless opportunities at deer under 100 yards season.

I'm interested to hear everyone's thoughts on these two options. Thanks!

I have a wild card that may or may not tickle your fancy. T/C Compass II Compact in 6.5 Creedmoor. I got mine new otd for $320

 

[792mauser]

I'm in the 243 camp.
Especially if you have everything you need to already reload for it.
And you already have a good history and data with the caliber.

My Ruger American went from a meh rifle to useful with a magpul stock.

 

[LoonWulf]

given those options id go .243, just because you HAVE nice 7-08, and it dosent sound like you need the extra bullet weight.

Recoil wise, id be inclined to say that the ruger may shoot softer than expected. As ugly as i find the stock it (and the squishy pad) seem to deal with recoil very well
Ive got that RAM in .300s, and while it IS a 9.5lb gun, thats about my TOLERABLE weight in a .300, 11-12lbs is into comfortable range, and i simply dislike anything under about 8.5-9lbs.
That RAM is comfortable at 9.5lbs, without the brake.
The standard .30-06 i worked iver for a friend was likewise pleasant, even running the hot 178 eldx loads i used in my bergara.

My 7mm and 6.5s were pussy cats brake or not.

 

[CraigC]

I would still go with a 6.5 over anything smaller. Bad taste in my mouth from the .243.

 

[Buck Smith]

I've looked at the 762x39, but having to use the Mini 30 mags was a downside to me. Those things are a lot more expensive compared to AR mags.

ProMags work well and are considerably cheaper.

 

[gotboostvr]

I've been wanting to try out some of the more affordable Primary Arms FFP scopes, just because.

I have a older MIL/MIL FFP 4.5-14X of theirs on a nice tuned up R700 308win that was supposed to be a place holder until I could afford nicer glass that's done well enough I haven't bothered to upgrade it.

 

[CraigC]

I have a older MIL/MIL FFP 4.5-14X of theirs on a nice tuned up R700 308win that was supposed to be a place holder until I could afford nicer glass that's done well enough I haven't bothered to upgrade it.

I'm eyeballing them pretty hard. Might wait for the new stuff to come in. I got a good deal on a used Vortex Viper 4-16x that kinda scratched the itch for the moment.