The new American Ruger -any reports

[Harry Snippe]

The ruger American has been out in the states for some time. and just started to show here in Canada ,
For those who already have one , I would be intrested in how they handle and shoot, and maybe compare to the Hawkeye .

[skinman]

Try Gunblast.com. He has a review of the Ruger American in 30-06.
 

[Harry Snippe]

I was looking for some one who has bought a rifle this past year and has some experiance shooting it , not some review from a Mag .

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

I finally looked one over the other day---seems on par with the other budget offerings out there---maybe not as nice as the TC Venture but the Venture is also $100 more.
I'll still stick with my Hawkeye's as they can be passed on to my grand kids.

[rugerfan.64]

I put my hands on one the other day. Its got a few things going for it:
1. It aint as ugly as the picture would lead you to beleive.
2. Safety is where it should be.
3. Trigger is adjustable.
4. It aint as ugly as the picture would lead you to beleive.

[Harry Snippe]

If one could and would refer to the opening question "Asked "
The OP was intersted in how they shoot , rather than a review of the rifle as noted in some of the gun Magazines .
I already know what they look like by reading the reviews , Just like to know by some one who has actually "BOUGHT ONE " how they shoot , Maybe what is needed to get them to group .Do you need to file the barrel channel as with some other brands , or fire a 100 rounds to get the rifle to settle in - sort of stuff .
 
If some one could chime in to that question I thank you very much for your time .
Happy

[Huffmanite]

Harry, I've just handled an American a few times at local stores with them to sell.  Seem OK, for a fairly lowpriced rifle.  Would have bought one if it had a cartridge I needed/wanted.  I've monitored various internet gun related sites for comments of actual owners of an American.....can recall only one brief comment from an actual American owner.  He'd purchased a 30-06 American and was happy with it,  that it was accurate. 

[ardeekay]

This isn't a report, but on youtube.. search 'ruger american'.... and down a bit on the list is a report by 'tuscan 20' thats pretty good, he tests a bunch of factory ammo...and shows the results..  I am getting ichy for one also, can't decide on the caliber.. Bob

[Lloyd Smale]

gunblast is a review. They do shoot the guns. I know jeff and boge quinn personaly and know that if it was a pos they would say so.

[pastorp]

Harry, I'm interested in how you "file a barrel channel"? I've free floated several bolt action rifles, but never with a file. 

I half to agree with Lloyd about gunblast, Don't believe you'll find a better review.

But really it seems not to many have actual experience with this gun.

Regards,

[Harry Snippe]

Harry, I'm interested in how you "file a barrel channel"? I've free floated several bolt action rifles, but never with a file. 

I half to agree with Lloyd about gunblast, Don't believe you'll find a better review.

But really it seems not to many have actual experience with this gun.

Regards,

To file  a barrel channel is just a term as to open up a barrel channel , not using a file bud . Maybe you prefer using the term "sand "as some folks use a dowel and a peice of sand paper to open up the barrel channel for clearance . I am just a Canadain from Ontario and English as a second tonque.A brit might use a different term .
 
I was looking for some one with actual experiance using this rifle .If I was writing for a Gun Mag , they all would be as great as apple pie .I got some info from the Ruger Forum.Enough to go on at least to answer some of my questions

[gstewart44]

OK - I bought a RAR in 30-06.     Scoped it with a Weaver 3-9x40.    Took it to the range this past weekend.   Sight in @ 100yds....    results - best three shot group was 0.90".    Largest was 1.5".    Only using Federal Fusion 180gr. for sight in.   
Will work up some handloads this week an check them out over the next couple of weeks. 
 
Impression:   I love the handling of this rifle.   A narrow round belly carries easily in the hand,  weight with scope is barely over 7 lbs,  adjustable trigger is set at 4 lbs.    The new Ruger butt pad really soaks up the recoil.     
 
The only con I could find is the bolt is not as smooth as some of my older rifles,  but very easy to cycle.   I imagine it should smooth up with time.   

[Harry Snippe]

• I have  A ford truck and really like it . My wife drives a chev and we both are pleased with it .

The question that was asked ----- "IF" you have an Ruger ( American )
 
How do they shoot . By that what groups can one expect , and how smooth is it to operate , to load and to work the bolt after firing a round .
 
The savage rifles all are known to shoot tight groups , but no one will say anything about the effort required to lift the bolt to cock it . You had to lower it off the shoulder and at your waste, give the bolt a swift wack with the open hand to raise the bolt up then back to extract a spent shell . I will never buy another -quickly selling the one I bought .

Now you would never hear some thing like that out of the review of one of those %^&* gun rags .
 
Granted the Bar made by browning would probably never do that . But again Ruger never built one my friend .

[gstewart44]

Harry,   in the above post I did not have a typo.......RAR stands for Ruger American Rifle,   and I DO have one, purchased two weeks ago.   My experience with it this past weekend is my initial summary.    And I did forget one thing,  as another poster has said,   it ain't as ugly as the picture would lead you to believe. 
 
As far as comparison to the Hawkeye, I can't personally say, as my other Ruger bolt rifle is an early make M77 tang safety version in 30-06.    The RAR is lighter and balances better than the M77.   The trigger is better on the RAR as is the recoil pad.  I commented on the bolt not being as smooth but I do expect that to smooth up with time. 

[Harry Snippe]

Gstewwart 44
Thank you very much for your report . This was what I was looking for . I do not think the rifle was ugly looking at all , but each their own . I would want to put a nice hole on a bull moose -something he does not have a cork for .
The rifle must balance well and be smooth to load a second round quickly as these animals do not always know they have a fatal hit until they have found a nice spot where your going to work a few hours to get him back out .
 
My wife has the older Ruger Mark 2 in odd six and we have never lost an animal she has taken aim @ .
Our local dealer has the RAR selling for 499. but Have found a place for them on sale for 399 Canadain . So I guess I will need to make the trip to check one out .

[gstewart44]

$399 Canadian is probably a good deal.    I got mine for $370 US.   Hoping to get back to the range this weekend and possibly have time to take some wild hog as well.   

[poncaguy]

I have a Ruger American 270, get 1/2" groups wit Remington 130  Core-Lokts.


  Had a problem  with mine that my gun smith fixed, if you cycled the bolt briskly, it would come out in ur hand! He did some filing and installed a stronger spring and it works great now.
   Very impressed  with the rifle, cycles great (now).




Has anyone else reported this problem?

[Sandback]

Hey,
 
I just posted a write-up of my range session with the new Ruger American on this forum.
 
Scott.
 
 

[omegahunter]

Stock looks just like the Savage Edge/Axis!