Reflections on the Deerfield - Likes and Dislikes

[targshooter]

:-)
Well, I noticed that in the four years I've owned it, I have put just under 250 rounds through my Deerfield. I have shot 2 deer with it and carried the rifle for about a total of 6 weeks in the hunting woods. The rifle has been exposed to snow, cold and some hard driven rain. I will list my dislikes first, as they are few.
1] On occasion the ejected brass will hit the scope adjustment caps. There is no real damage, just a marring of the finish on the cap, almost as if they had been scratched by grains of sand. No dents, just paint removal. The turret cover prevents this. Why Ruger could not design this out I do not know.
2] The barrel band loosens unless really torqued tightly. I put an additional sling swivel stud in front of the band and it now cannot slide off. Works well, looks a little clunky. Why Ruger did not employ a retaining clip as on the M-1 Carbine, I do not know.
3] Stock finish is not the greatest.
The Deerfield qualities which have impressed me.
1] The take down is fairly simple. It field strips as easily as the M-1 Carbine.
2] The action is secured in the stock well, so that as long as the action screws are tight, there is no shifting of impact and there is no looseness of the action in the stock as with the M-1 Carbine.
3] The ugly handguard works well at keeping the elements out of the stock belly and thus away from the rifle internal operating system.
4] All the parts are steel. The subassemblies fit is tight, there is no movement of the trigger assembly in the firearm.
5] The clip does not rattle.
6] The firearm fits in the hand as well as the M-1 Carbine, and it is almost as light.
7] Scope attachment and detachment with aiming zero retention as offered by Ruger scope mounting system.
8] The factory peep and front bead combination.
9] A fairly decent trigger, not great, but usable, beating most lever rifles I own.
My summary on the Deerfield.
To someone wanting a pistol cartridge rifle, I recommend the Deerfield, provided that the owner is willing to:
a] keep the rifle tuned so it will perform
b] use the scope turret protector if the scope adjustment cap scratches are personally bothersome.
c] insure that the stock is sealed , especially under the buttplate.

[Ranger J]

I am personally very fond of this little rifle and others of this caliber.  I have had one for several years and have taken two deer with it.  I have noticed the problem with casings hitting the adjustment cover, unfortunately the one on my first scope was plastic.  I get to hunt with it about 10 days a year and most of the other times it just punches paper.  It punches paper surprisingly well but as it takes heavy loads to cycle after a while it begins to wear on my shoulder.  As there seems to be no replacement pad that actually works I have solved this problem with a shoulder pad.  All in all I don’t feel handicapped shooting at deer in the 100-yard range at all.  Here in the Ozarks that is usually more than enough range.  I did not use it this year as I had a new Savage in 30.06 and a Handi in 308 that I wanted to try.  Too many guns or too little time.  I vote for the latter.
RJ