Author Topic: Fronter or compact (Read 2123 times)

rex6666 · « **on:** December 05, 2008, 06:14:31 AM »

Does anyone have one of these and how do you like them?
i was thinking of a 280 but don't think 280 is av.

oldyardog · « **Reply #1 on:** December 05, 2008, 08:18:50 AM »

I have one ( Frontier)in .243 with a 2x Nikon on it. So far only one deer. Zeroed at 125 yards. Just over an inch 3 shot groups. So handy I wouldn't sell it for twice what I paid for it. I bought it for hunting in the heavy stuff. This is the first "scout" rifle I have had. I am going to make my handy .357 into a "scout" rifle also. The low power scope with both eyes open is superb sighting for me out to about 100 yards. The deer I got was @ 70yds. You do your part and the Ruger will do its.

Oldyardog

adirondacker · « **Reply #2 on:** December 05, 2008, 01:55:43 PM »

you won't find a 280 in either one.7-08 though,same bullet dia more efficient cartridge for that barrel length.the 280 really needs a longer barrel to acheive optimum performance.the biggest diference in the two is weight and l.o.p.the compact is shorter l.o.p. and has a lighter barrel contour,less steel less weight.the frontier has a l.o.p the same as a mII but has a heavy contour barrel,i think ruger did this so they could utilize the scope mounting rib off their #1 rifles,and had enough meat to mount it to.the frontier is a soggy little piece.i am considering one in .358 win,but i might just rebarrel a compact,good luck,adker

critter44 · « **Reply #3 on:** December 11, 2008, 05:27:27 AM »

I just bought a compact in .308 a couple of months ago. I really like the lightweight gun. It shoots really well (before it gets too hot which it does quickly with the slim barrel). It isn't an awful shooter when hot-just not as good.

I took a 6-point whitetail with it at 110 yds a couple of weeks ago and it did its job just as advertised.

I think it is a good gun and it suits the application for which I purchased it.

Ahab · « **Reply #4 on:** December 12, 2008, 08:58:41 AM »

I've got the ss compact in 7-08 and it is a sweety.

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #5 on:** December 12, 2008, 09:56:47 AM »

I was thinking about the something similar in 308. As far as I can tell the difference between the Frontier and the compact is that the Frontier has the ability to use a scout mounted scope as well as a traditional mounted scope. Other than that both ahve short stocks and barrels.
So one in 7-08 and two sets of scope rings will give you a 3-9X40 scope for open field use and a 2.5X scout scope will give you a brush short range rifle.

bigfishbilly · « **Reply #6 on:** December 25, 2008, 07:29:49 AM »

I have both. Compact in 260 Rem and Frontier in 7mm-08. Barrel is alot slimmer in the compact. Mounting scope over the action of Frontier may require higher rings to clear the scout scope rail on the barrel. You would have to use different rings as the rings that come with scout will not work over action. Bought the compact for my son and he loved shooting and hunting with it. This past year he used my Frontier with Leupold Scout scope and said he would like to trade me because he reaily liked the scout setup! Both rifles shoot very well.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #7 on:** January 30, 2009, 04:46:24 AM »

I have a Ruger Frontier in 338 Federal and love it. At 100 yards I get sub MOA groups with it.

Won't sell it for anything...

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #8 on:** January 30, 2009, 05:35:48 AM »

How do you like the 338 Fed round?
Been thinking of one for a while.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #9 on:** February 01, 2009, 03:07:41 AM »

Quote from: mcwoodduck on January 30, 2009, 05:35:48 AM

How do you like the 338 Fed round?
Been thinking of one for a while.

When I first got it I was not to sure of the round. Well now that I had a chance to shoot it and see how it performs, I love it.

I like it better than my 308 Win and my 300 Win Mag.

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #10 on:** February 01, 2009, 08:42:56 AM »

Any Game with it yet?
A friend of mine has a daughter and wants to take her elkhunting with us in a couple years. we were arguing about the 338, he thought it was a bad idea, I was thinking of one as a black bear or hog rifle, when I suggested using it as an elk rifle for her. Bigger bullet, lower recoil, than the 338WM we both shoot. I thought it would be a good idea.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #11 on:** February 02, 2009, 03:09:44 AM »

I have not used it yet on game, I have been doing to much handgun hunting.

But I would not be worried about, hog, black bear, Elk, or Moose with the 338 Federal. I have seen quit a few different game animals taken with the 338 Federal. Any thing the 30-06 or the likes can take, the 338 Federal can as well.

I am booked on a black bear hunt this year and still have not decided on the gun or if I am going to use my bow. I have already taken 3 black bear with my handgun's a few hogs and a bunch of deer.

I may just try the 338 Federal out on my black bear hunt. To much time to decide, and to many choices.

But I guess I should take it out hunting.

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #12 on:** February 03, 2009, 05:15:49 AM »

Do the three coin trick to deside.
Get three different coins put them in a cup and shake them. Asign a coin to the bow, one to the handgun and one to the 338 and what ever coin comes up odd that's the one.

Good luck on the hunt.

KAYR1 · « **Reply #13 on:** February 03, 2009, 02:09:56 PM »

I bought the compact in .243 a few years ago. Have not taken a deer with it yet, but it sure is handy. If I had it to do over again, I would opt for the Frontier in .308. I like the scout concept and the larger caliber. I have not shot stellar groups with mine, mostly due to the heavy trigger, which I have not gotten around to messing with. They are a delight to carry,and maneuver in a tree stand. Guess the choice is whether you like the scout set up or not.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #14 on:** February 03, 2009, 04:38:10 PM »

I don't like the scout set up for the Frontier, I am using the the standard rifle set up.

KAYR1 · « **Reply #15 on:** March 10, 2009, 02:59:46 PM »

Well, I had the Compact in .243 out to the range last weekend. I was shooting light 85 gr Sierra Varminters over a near max charge of Varget. Grouped right under an inch for three shots, over 8 groups.If I dont heat the barrel too much, Im sure that I could do better. A trigger job would do wonders also. The thing that I cant get over is how well it carries and balances. Although the .243 is a little light for my tastes, I may just have to take out in the deer woods this year. Whether Compact or Frontier, I dont think that youd be disappointed

rex6666 · « **Reply #16 on:** March 12, 2009, 09:30:25 AM »

What are the advantage of the 338 over the 30-06 or vice-versa
i have a red pad Ruger in 30-06 and on the bench it has terrible recoil
don't notice the recoil hunting. I really like the idea of the compact and frontier
but think ether one might be a little lite in 06.

KAYR1 · « **Reply #17 on:** March 12, 2009, 03:02:38 PM »

I believe that the compact and frontier only come in short actions. (.308 length). I have never seen one in 30-06.(a long-action). The short length of the cartridge and action allows Ruger to build these compact rifles. They have a couple new compact magnums loaded by Hornady that are supposed to have magnum ballsitics in a short barrel. I have not shot them, but I imagine that they are a handful in the Compact and Frontier.

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #18 on:** March 13, 2009, 09:00:15 AM »

Rex,
When You say 338. That is the caliber of the bullet. You need to pick a ctg.
for example
338 Federal 308 win necked up to 338.
338-06 30-06 necked up to 338
338 Win Mag well as Winchester chopped a 375 H&H to 06 length and necked to 338.
The advantage of necking up is that you can launch heavier bullets with out taking up case capacity and there for getting the same speed with heavier bullets.
If 30-06 is kicking the snot out of you. I would look to try the reduced recoil rounds by Remington.
But if you were so Inclined you could have a barrel change to make your rifle a 338-06.
To make ut a 338 Fed. You may have to block the magizine. 308 is 51mm case and 30-06 is a 64mm case.
To go with 338 Win Mag you will need to change the bolt face from .473 to .530 and change the barrel. You may have to change the mag follower as the 338 case is wider than the 30-06 case.

rex6666 · « **Reply #19 on:** March 16, 2009, 05:47:27 AM »

Excuse me i just ask what time it was, didn't need to know how to build a clock.
just what if any thing will any of these do that 30-06, w/165gr bullet will not out to say 400yds

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #20 on:** March 16, 2009, 05:55:09 AM »

Throw a bigger heavier bullet the same speed.
That's it.

Sorry went to military school where we were taught to give full and complete answers.

rex6666 · « **Reply #21 on:** March 18, 2009, 08:38:29 AM »

i don't guess i will every really have a need for bigger than 165 out of a 06
if i do i expect a 180 will do. they are both way faster than MOST animals i have
seen and were killing most game before most of the late comers showed up.

Tallwalker · « **Reply #22 on:** March 19, 2009, 03:18:45 PM »

I don't see the Frontier in the new catalog so if you want one, you might want to look around fairly soon.