Author Topic: Ruger Compact (Read 2068 times)

redfox33 · « **on:** January 11, 2007, 04:55:10 AM »

I think I have decided to get my daughter a Compact in .243 as her first deer rifle. My question is with the 16.5" barrel what would be the max effective range of the gun if firing factory 95-100gr ammo? Also, would this be a decent coyote rifle if firing 55-75gr factory ammo and what would be considered a long shot for this gun? Not the shooter but the gun. Thanks.

ScoutMan · « **Reply #1 on:** January 11, 2007, 10:40:51 AM »

Red Fox,

I have the Compact in 308. I love its handling qualities. It carries a Leupold M8 Compact scope 2.5X. Don't overscope this gun. The compact scopes are the way to go.

If you used managed loads or if you are a reloader, bottom loads in the table, I believe your daughter can handle the 308 wihich is a more versital caliber. The trick i(in the beginning) is to pad her well, give her good eye protection and only let her shoot short strings from the bench (no more than 3 shots at one time). If this is not a viable option then look at the 7/08.

You can download a program called "Point Blalnk" (its free). Plug in your data and you will get answers to all your velocity and trajectory questions.

K.K · « **Reply #2 on:** January 11, 2007, 03:00:30 PM »

I also boughta Compact for my wife in .243 If I had it to do over again I would have gone with the 7-08.(but that is my view) The accuracy is very good, although, I always do a trigger job on my Rugers, but I am am a bit on the "restentive side". I think that he .243 is on the light side, but has killed piles of deer at all responsible ranges with the right shot placement. Maybe that would be the best lesson. Wait for the right angle, and the recoil won't scare her. Your doughter will most likely make a great kill shot. My two year old son will learn centerfire with that rifle, and if he waits for the right shot, it will bring home venison. I think that you made a great choice.

I have a lot of guns, though, If I weer looking for a one-gun battery, I'd go with the 7-08 or .308

just my 2c

flathead · « **Reply #3 on:** January 12, 2007, 03:16:44 AM »

Hello,

Something else to consider with that combination. A .243 is realistically at the marginal "hairy edge" for deer. With a 16.5 barrel you will lose at least a couple hundred feet per second. Not a big deal with other rounds, but you will actually have a .243 (minus) cartridge. Plug the numbers in the above ballistics calculator and see how many footpounds you will lose.

I own both a 243 and 708. The 708 is mild. A 708 with a nice after market recoil reducing pad (Sims makes a good one) will bring that 708 down a lot. With exact shot placement both rifles are fine. Throw in a little buck fever and I'll give the edge to the 708.

Oh...and your specific questions...It would be an awesome coyote rifle. These little guns lose nothing in accuracy. The barrel is short and light but this seems to add to the stiffness (being short that is). You shouldn't have any problem getting 1 or 1.5 MOA out of it (as long as you fix the garbage trigger). As far as distance goes for deer. With the lower energy I wouldn't be afraid to go out to 200 or maybe 250 yards. With a new hunter I think 100 or so would be a good rule of thumb. Remember...this gun is definitely designed as a woods rifle. A long range sniping rifle it is NOT.

Just one more idea. If you handload you may want to try the Barnes X-bullet in 90 gr. These are awesome bullets and will most likely make up for the lesser velocity in the short barrel. A small caliber with a premium bullet ups your odds. I think Federal loads Barnes in their premium line also. Just a thought.

redfox33 · « **Reply #4 on:** January 12, 2007, 04:58:46 AM »

Thanks for all the input so far anymore will be appreciated as well. Here are some things I forgot to mention. I will put a sims slip on pad on it. She is 7 years old and taller than average, I'm 6'8" so she isn't going to be small, she has been shooting an old 30 carbine with open sights for a year. On the recoil side, I don't want her on anything to harsh to where she might pick up bad habits. The .308 would be to much and I'm thinking the 7/08 would be borderline but not sure because I've never fired one. She shot her first deer this past season, a nice doe, and now she's hooked and wants to go whatever chance she gets.

I've handled these rifles before and love them. So much that when she doesn't go I may leave the .280 at home and tote this in the hills. I asked about range because some areas I hunt the woods will open into old clearcuts and you can see for about 200-300 yards.

Will_C · « **Reply #5 on:** January 12, 2007, 05:31:06 AM »

What about a .260? I think it is available in the Ruger. I'm considering one for my fiance.
Will

redfox33 · « **Reply #6 on:** January 12, 2007, 06:07:57 AM »

How comparable is the .260 to the .243? I think the biggest problem would be ammo availability. I don't handload, although I'm interested in it, between my profession and existing hobbies one more might push the wife over the edge. I know you can find websites that load their own but the cost can get pretty steep. I would like to use the gun for my daughters deer rifle and a extra coyote rifle. So something that can put a deer down and can handle lighter bullets for varmints is what I'm really looking for.

I would love to get one in a .308 but I'm not who it's meant for. I got it!!!!!!!! Buy a .243 AND a .308!! Anybody know a good divorce lawyer?? Really, the .308 would be perfect if it was just for me but it isn't and I already have what I need.

flathead · « **Reply #7 on:** January 12, 2007, 06:51:35 AM »

Sounds like the 243 will be good for her. To answer your ? about the 260. A great round also but there is little practical diff between it and the 708 (just considering ballistics). 26 cal vs 28 cal. From Remington's chart @ 100 yds the same 140 gr. bullet hits w/ 2011 ft/lbs (260), vs 2142 (708). The 243 comes in @ 1615 ft/lbs with the 100 gr core/lokt. Of course the 28 cal will make a slightly bigger hole (vs the 260) and its tough to beat a 28cal/7mm bullet for efficiency. Hit in the right place the deer certainly won't notice the difference. Also...260 factory ammo selection is VERY poor. IMO between the two, the 708 wins. You are, of course, correct in your solution. Buy two guns! Guard that marriage though. Good Luck and God Bless!

redfox33 · « **Reply #8 on:** January 12, 2007, 08:08:44 AM »

Sine talking about the 7/08, I've got a question about it. What is the difference in recoil between it and the .243??? Both will have a Sims slip on to reduce recoil so add that factor in. The main issue is her hunting with a rifle that she can make well placed shots with and not something she's afraid of.

Honestly, I've got a great wife (a cajun who happens to be a city woman, imagine that) who somewhat understands. I almost had her in the woods last year when a giant buck crossed the road in front of her on her way to work. She called me instantly and said she just had to tell somebody. She was breathing hard and she said her hands were shaking. I told her that was her first taste of "buck fever". The season was already over so she had a year to recover and was back to normal in about a month. Timing is everything.

arkhillbilly · « **Reply #9 on:** January 12, 2007, 10:17:00 AM »

I got the stainless laminate in 223 great truck gun and remarkably accurate. I haven't chrono'd mine but that short stiff barrel shoots straight. Great platform for a truck gun.

flathead · « **Reply #10 on:** January 12, 2007, 05:48:10 PM »

Some help with recoil ? maybe. This comes from a recoil chart. These numbers are approximations, of course, because the felt recoil is different from rifle to rifle. These are mostly in 8 pound rifles. The compact will kick harder because it is lighter. The Sims could negate that I would guess so these figures may be close with the Compact with the pad.
243 (100gr) - 9 ft/lbs recoil energy
22-250 (55gr) - 5
25-06 (120gr) - 13
270 (130gr) - 16
7-08 (140gr) - 13
308 (150gr) - 16
30-06 (150gr) - 18
30-30 (150gr) - 11

In general most shooters I've seen start "not having fun" at around 20 lbs and up, like 7 mags. Drop that to around 15 pounds for "recoil sensitive" folks. I know many smaller people who find the 25-06, 260, 7-08 class to be comfortable. Hope that helps some.

Ahab · « **Reply #11 on:** January 13, 2007, 05:34:40 AM »

Got the Compact .243 for 'yotes and the 7mm-08 for deer. Much more fun than the .308 which is more hard on my ears.

Slamfire · « **Reply #12 on:** January 18, 2007, 07:13:45 PM »

A .260 will have the same ballistics as a 7mm-08 with bullets that are 20 grains lighter, so the recoil will be perceivably less. You just can't get around physics.

Will_C · « **Reply #13 on:** January 19, 2007, 01:43:06 AM »

Slamfire,
My thoughts exactly. In addition, there are several good 100 grain bullets available for the .260, which will take the recoil down even further.
Will

ScoutMan · « **Reply #14 on:** January 19, 2007, 02:07:52 AM »

If we can put recoil in perspective. Generally, recoil only becomes an issue when firing long strings such as when we are at the bench. Remember, in the field, a rifle is "carried much but shot little".

My son, for example, when he shot his last deer, does not remember firing his 308, so intense was his consentration on making the shot.

coop2564 · « **Reply #15 on:** January 19, 2007, 09:16:16 AM »

I'm looking at a 260 now its had less than a box of shells through it and has a 2x7 32 nikon prostaff for 475.00 looks like it just came out of the box. I've been relucate to get it due to lack of shells and popularity. But at that price I may have too. It to will be for my wife and daughter.

3DTESTIFY · « **Reply #16 on:** January 19, 2007, 05:49:03 PM »

Get it now! That's a great price & it'll be perfect for your wife and daughter.

redfox33 · « **Reply #17 on:** January 20, 2007, 07:39:46 AM »

coop2564 where are you located and who has the .260??? It won't last long at that price. Like 3DTESTIFY said, that is a great price!!!! You can't beat it with a scope included. I have pretty much decided and set on getting her (&me)

the .243 but if a deal like that came along while looking I don't know if it could be passed up. Now the only thing left is Walnut/Blue or Synthetic/Stainless??

coop2564 · « **Reply #18 on:** January 20, 2007, 11:39:29 AM »

Its a friend at work. He's at his inlaws this weekend. Monday I'm going to his house to shoot it. He didnt have it for sell he heard I was looking for a gun for my daughter and offered it. He bought it for his son he shot one deer and only hunted a couple of times with it and he's in college now. Unless it wont group I think I've talked myself into it. It also has a browning sling.

Slamfire · « **Reply #19 on:** January 20, 2007, 09:13:12 PM »

Finsest kind of selection, I just hope your wife and daughter can pry ito out of your hands without rendering them cold and dead.

TOGO · « **Reply #20 on:** January 24, 2007, 03:31:33 AM »

I have the compact in .234, took a lot of work but it has turned into a fine shooter. I had an adjustable trigger installed, I had trouble getting any factory and hand loads to group, did some work to the stock which solved that, still to this day I cannot tame 95 gr bullets, I hand load with either Sierra or Hornady 100gr btsp and get nice 1 oval shaped hole at 110 yards after 4 rounds. I have shot 3 deer so far with it, 2 does at 160 yards, 1 dropped on the spot, the other ran about 50 yards. The buck ended up being a neck shot because he was in some tall grass but he bled out within 30yds of the shot. If your daughter keeps her kills within 250 yards she will do great. I have since retired the rifle back to the safe waiting for my 3 year old boy to reach hunting age if he will be interested.