Ruger American compact rifle?

[jeff43]

Anybody have one of these in .243 or .308?id like to know how accurate the are.

[Luke E.]

 I have heard nothing but good things as long as long as you're not expecting an F class rifle out of it. I've don't own one but have talked to multiple folks who do and all have felt they got far more than they payed for. You planning to use it for a hunting rifle?

[jeff43]

Yeah, mostly hunting. I saw one at the Outpost today and really liked how compact and light it was.just didn't know about the accuracy, Savages have got me spoiled.The Rugers aren't real expensive either.

[Luke E.]

Yeah, mostly hunting. I saw one at the Outpost today and really liked how compact and light it was.just didn't know about the accuracy, Savages have got me spoiled.The Rugers aren't real expensive either.

 

 Well if I were buying a rifle for hunting, especially around here, I definitely wouldn't be scared of the American. Another member and I have actually talked about picking a couple up to tinker with and see who can squeeze the most out of them just for fun. You don't need a rifle that shoots 1/2 moa to hunt with at ranges common around here but I had a magazine article that tested one out and I remember it being somewhere right around moa with whatever factory ammo they had on hand and that's more than enough to take a deer IMO. For a hunting rifle I don't think you can beat them for the money.

[jeff43]

Yeah they're good looking rifles, it would be more of a coyote and crow gun than deer. We don't have many deer anymore.

[Luke E.]

Well i've never gone out purposely hunting crow but i'd say it would be just fine for coyotes.

[jeff43]

Lol. They are fun to shoot at.I shoot them from my back porch when they are sitting in the pasture.Got one at 180 yards with a .223 Savage.

[Luke E.]

I've still not had the opportunity to take one but another member here has taken me a few times but things got busy leading up to Christmas so i'm hoping to get back at it after deer season.

[onemancoyote]

I've got the regular one in 243 and it is a fine rifle at the price point. Shoots into or under MOA at 100yds depending on how much coffee I've had.

Cheap parts:
trigger/safety housing. Pot metal, painted black. Mine was chipping the first day.
Bolt shroud is thin plastic.

Cool points:
Decent trigger. I dig the stock ergonomics. Pleasant looking if you like black. Big beefy bolt that travels smooth. magazine goes in easy. Safety is easy to deal with.

Minor irritations:
The way you load the magazine is bothersome to me. I don't like pushing the shells down into it. Feels like I'm wearing out the 'lips'.
Short bolt throw is nice, but the drawback is leverage. It can be hard to open after firing because you are recocking the striker on two short, steep ramps.

I like it overall. I feel I got more gun than I paid for.

[jeff43]

Sounds like a good little rifle.
Thanks