Ruger American Rifle

[802-603hunter]

I don’t have much first hand experience with the Ruger compact yet but I picked one up this spring in .22 for the kids. My nephew has one in 7mm-08 and it seems like a great gun for the money. While I was there at Cote’s I ran into a used Browning X-bolt Micro Hunter in 7mm-08 with a nice wood stock. With the spring sale going on the price was right so I grabbed it. Figured it would make a nice bare ground/scouting gun until one of the kids needs it. Still need to top it with glass, but thats a topic for another thread.

 

[Kingman Cruncher]

I don’t have much first hand experience with the Ruger compact yet but I picked one up this spring in .22 for the kids. My nephew has one in 7mm-08 and it seems like a great gun for the money. While I was there at Cote’s I ran into a used Browning X-bolt Micro Hunter in 7mm-08 with a nice wood stock. With the spring sale going on the price was right so I grabbed it. Figured it would make a nice bare ground/scouting gun until one of the kids needs it. Still need to top it with glass, but thats a topic for another thread.

Nice, that is what I currently have, the micro hunter x bolt in 7mm08. Love the trigger pull on it compared to my 7600 which feel like I’m dragging an anchor through the sand when I squeeze the triggers.

 

[802-603hunter]

Nice, that is what I currently have, the micro hunter x bolt in 7mm08. Love the trigger pull on it compared to my 7600 which feel like I’m dragging an anchor through the sand when I squeeze the triggers.

Sounds like we operate a similar fleet of guns. The trigger on the X-bolt is alot lighter than my 7600 and 760 for sure. I’m usually snapping off shots at short distances in quick time with those guns so I don’t notice it in hunting applications.

 

[VtPalmaShooter]

Thanks for the report. Can explain the part of single shooting and dropping the bullet into the action issue?

Are you saying it is diffetent than other bolt actions?

With a detachable magazine I typically load the first one off the magazine, pop it out top off the mag and reinsert before stepping in the woods.

Were you implying that from the bench you had difficulties dropping a shell into the barrel and it needed guidance?

Yes, I'm saying I had difficulties dropping a shell into the chamber while shooting single shot from the bench. I'm probably spoiled from years of shooting Win. #70's where I could just drop a cartridge down into the action, close the bolt and shoot. Or, in the #70 you could lay the cartridge on the magazine follower, push it down which would effectively put it in the magazine and then close the bolt. Because of the Ruger design I couldn't do this and had to be careful to be sure the bullet was lined up with the chamber before closing the bolt. I don't consider this any sort of game changer against the Ruger and as mentioned would recommend it. If you get a chance to look at one before buying see what you think. Also, you might have fewer problems unless you're operating with 76 year old fingers like I am.:smile:

 

[Kingman Cruncher]

Yes, I'm saying I had difficulties dropping a shell into the chamber while shooting single shot from the bench. I'm probably spoiled from years of shooting Win. #70's where I could just drop a cartridge down into the action, close the bolt and shoot. Or, in the #70 you could lay the cartridge on the magazine follower, push it down which would effectively put it in the magazine and then close the bolt. Because of the Ruger design I couldn't do this and had to be careful to be sure the bullet was lined up with the chamber before closing the bolt. I don't consider this any sort of game changer against the Ruger and as mentioned would recommend it. If you get a chance to look at one before buying see what you think. Also, you might have fewer problems unless you're operating with 76 year old fingers like I am.:smile:

I see. I might be wrong but my magazine fed rem 700 mountain rifle and browning x bolt both required dropping a round perfectly down the bore while pointing the rifle at the ground to get one in if you were not drawing off the magazine. It was almost impossible.

 

[hammertime]

I just picked up a .308 RAR for my nephew. I put a nice scope on it (VX3 2.5-8x36). Just ordered a Boyd's for it today. Haven't had a chance to shoot it yet, but I'm sure it will make him a good first adult rifle. Plus, I'll get my Xbolt 6.5 creedmoor back!

 

[Kingman Cruncher]

FYI- Cabela’s is offering 15% off on select model and calibers of firearms. Looks like the compact RAR in 7mm08 is $365 in the sale. Hard not to get one.

 

[NorthMaine]

Ironically enough, the guy who I bought the 7600 from bought a Ruger American that same day. It was Black Friday, I think he said he got it for around $340.

 

[Kingman Cruncher]

I can’t quite determine my obsession with getting one of these, but after holding a couple I think it’s the size. It’s 2.5 inches shorter than a 7600 carbine and more than a pound lighter. Length of pull is perfect and for a gun I don’t really need, the price was right. I wanted the 308 but the 7mm08 was considerably cheaper on sale, so I pulled the trigger no pun intended. I haven’t bought a gun in 10 years, so I’m pretty excited about the whole thing. Likely use it around home, or evenings when if sit the last couple hours of the day.

 

[NorthMaine]

I can’t quite determine my obsession with getting one of these, but after holding a couple I think it’s the size. It’s 2.5 inches shorter than a 7600 carbine and more than a pound lighter. Length of pull is perfect and for a gun I don’t really need, the price was right. I wanted the 308 but the 7mm08 was considerably cheaper on sale, so I pulled the trigger no pun intended. I haven’t bought a gun in 10 years, so I’m pretty excited about the whole thing. Likely use it around home, or evenings when if sit the last couple hours of the day.

Do you mean 2.5 inches longer? Length on the 7600 is listed as 39 1/8", the Ruger is 42". The pound lighter is nice for sure and pretty impressive considering it's a full 22" barrel.

Call me a snob, I can't get myself to buy or own a synthetic stock rifle.

Edit, just realized you were looking at the "compact" version. I think I'm with you. I can see that as being appealing. Buddy at work bought a Remington Model 7 last summer for the size. KTP sent the first one back because it wouldn't cycle great, the cartridge wouldn't slide into the barrel straight and would like bind going in because of it. Got it back and it still sucked, so KTP took it back and he bought another one which seems better. For the price he paid, I'm not sure I would have opted for the same thing a second time.

 

[JDK]

Kingman

Do you know if Cabelas had the Predator on sale?

 

[Mountain Hunter]

Kingman

Do you know if Cabelas had the Predator on sale?

The predator is on sale, but only in 6mm Creedmoor and .223.

I'd like a predator in .308 with the 18" barrel.

 

[JDK]

The predator is on sale, but only in 6mm Creedmoor and .223.

I'd like a predator in .308 with the 18" barrel.

Thank you.

I was thinking it was the Maine store. I should have looked on-line.

Just as an FYI, our local Walmart had the Predator in both 308 and 6.5 for $400. Not sure if they sell those in your area.

 

[Kingman Cruncher]

Should have specified, it’s an online sale and they have limited stock in stores so you basically order online and pay, gets shipped to the store in 5-7 days.

When you look for the sale online, don’t go through the sale banner on the home page as for some reason it screens some of the sale. Just go right through shooting and firearms menu to see what you are interested in and if it’s on sale.

At 365 I may have done better elsewhere, though I didn’t even look because I have been accumulating my Cabela’s points waiting for this sale.

 

[NorthMaine]

Thank you.

I was thinking it was the Maine store. I should have looked on-line.

Just as an FYI, our local Walmart had the Predator in both 308 and 6.5 for $400. Not sure if they sell those in your area.

Walmart is very competitive on prices. They sell most 870 shotguns for $100 less than Cabelas.

 

[Kingman Cruncher]

Back about 8-10 years ago a whole group of guys I know and some I hunted with ordered 7600 carbines right to the local Bangor store for what I believe was $425! To be honest those guns today must have been in just a random batch because most had the nicest wood stocks I’ve seen today with amazing character.

 

[Kingman Cruncher]

For the guys in this thread that have bought these, any advice on ring height? Of course there is lots conflicting info on the www, but I would like to go with low rings for a 3-9 x 40 if possible. Experience?

 

[NorthMaine]

Back about 8-10 years ago a whole group of guys I know and some I hunted with ordered 7600 carbines right to the local Bangor store for what I believe was $425! To be honest those guns today must have been in just a random batch because most had the nicest wood stocks I’ve seen today with amazing character.

The 7600s you see today really do lack that "wow" factor that the older ones had. Same goes with most rifles.

That's why I'm hoping to dress mine up a bit with the stock my Dad will make. I'm thinking some engraved buck tracks for the handgrip of the buttstock. I'm not sure what to do on the foreend yet.

The first one he had done for my bolt rifle had the Browning logo for the hand grips, and a leaf pattern for the forward grip.

 

[Mountain Hunter]

Thank you.

I was thinking it was the Maine store. I should have looked on-line.

Just as an FYI, our local Walmart had the Predator in both 308 and 6.5 for $400. Not sure if they sell those in your area.

The Walmart's in Vermont don't sell guns anymore. Our state sucks.

 

[NorthMaine]

The Walmart's in Vermont don't sell guns anymore. Our state sucks.

I don't every one in Maine does, but most do.