The Ruger American .308, a good first hunting rifle?

I really hadn't considered the european rifles. Are those all based on the mauser 98 action? The prices are certainly attractive, especially if they are as high quality as you fellas claim. I currently own a 303 british, which I intended to use as a deer rifle. It's been a real pain to mount optics on and parts/ammunition are harder to come by. I've now decided to keep it as my iron sight plinker and search for something more conventional. Will these tradex rifles present the same sort of challenges?
 
BearChillz said:
I really hadn't considered the european rifles. Are those all based on the mauser 98 action? The prices are certainly attractive, especially if they are as high quality as you fellas claim. I currently own a 303 british, which I intended to use as a deer rifle. It's been a real pain to mount optics on and parts/ammunition are harder to come by. I've now decided to keep it as my iron sight plinker and search for something more conventional. Will these tradex rifles present the same sort of challenges?
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The HVA 1600's are a Swede designed commercial rifle closely related to a small ring '98, no issues with bases/rings/mounts for these, lots of options.
 
I really like my American in 7mm08. Functions just fine and shoots well too. I actually shoot it a lot more than any of my other more expensive rifles. Not too sure why mayne nust really like the caliber its in. To me the american is a cheaper version of the t3. There are a lot of similarities.
 
It's quite the predicament I'm in now. It sounds like plenty of people are very satisfied with their Americans, they come with a warranty, and parts and accesories are certainly available. On the other hand, those 30-06 Husqvarna 1600 are very reasonably priced and from what I've read have great workmanship.

Hitzy, do you know if the 1600 will accept timney triggers and boyd stocks? It seems on either website the only models listed under husqvarna are "mauser". Does this mean that all of the husky models are compatable or only the pre 1600?
 
They work, there are better quality options though, at the price they were introduced for they were decent buys. Now, no way. I had Ruger Americans in 270 and 243, mine weren't as bad as Hitzy's but had similar issues.
 
A 50 year old rifle can still have flaws , adding a trigger and stock will put you in a whole different price bracket. At the end of the day if that's what you want and really plan to keep it go that route. Keep in mind it's value will still be as a 50 year old rifle.

Pretty much like our Prime Minister no added value when he plays Mr Dress up.

357
 
It's not so much that I'd be looking to up the value any, I'm just the sort that likes to tinker. Having the option to upgrade parts as required is attractive to me.

As for the Prime Minister, if only there was a way to give him upgrades lol.
 
BearChillz said:
It's not so much that I'd be looking to up the value any, I'm just the sort that likes to tinker. Having the option to upgrade parts as required is attractive to me.

As for the Prime Minister, if only there was a way to give him upgrades lol.
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Have you looked at the EE on this forum? If you are into upgrading then look at a used Remington 700. There's lots of upgrades for these rifles. The 700 is a good quality rifle.
As for Mr Dress-up, he's a lost cause.
 
Buy a used Xbolt. The tend to go for 600-900 used and are fantastic. It seems like they dont have as much following so resale is lower. I just picked one up in 308 for 650 shipped. 10x the gun IMO. Shoots 1MOA with good ammo all day long.
 
I got a very good deal on one from Prophet River two years ago in 308. Mine seemed to be somewhat better machined that some samples I've seen. They definitely skimp on final machining and yes running the bolt sounds like a zipper. However not as bad as my Ruger rimfire model. I like the flush rotary mag and the trigger is quite nice. I mounted a Leupold VX1 3-9 and the whole package is light weight and the recoil pad is effective. It shoots accurately and I decided to make it my foul weather rifle. Last deer season seemed to always foul, so this was taken afield every day. I took two shots and got two deer, both around 100 yards. From what I've seen lately they seemed to be over priced, given the lack of finishing. Perhaps you can find one on sale and give it a good look over.
 
pete dobinson said:
Have you looked at the EE on this forum? If you are into upgrading then look at a used Remington 700. There's lots of upgrades for these rifles. The 700 is a good quality rifle.
As for Mr Dress-up, he's a lost cause.
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I'm currently waiting for my application for EE to be processed but I am eager to check out the deals. I reckon that buying used will bring a lot more guns in to my price range. I've heard from some guys around my work that the Remington 700's aren't the greatest though.

YoungestPiperCub said:
Buy a used Xbolt. The tend to go for 600-900 used and are fantastic. It seems like they dont have as much following so resale is lower. I just picked one up in 308 for 650 shipped. 10x the gun IMO. Shoots 1MOA with good ammo all day long.
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I had discounted the xbolt originally because it was out of my price range but if I can find a deal like that I'd be stoked!
 
gunaddict99 said:
I got a very good deal on one from Prophet River two years ago in 308. Mine seemed to be somewhat better machined that some samples I've seen. They definitely skimp on final machining and yes running the bolt sounds like a zipper. However not as bad as my Ruger rimfire model. I like the flush rotary mag and the trigger is quite nice. I mounted a Leupold VX1 3-9 and the whole package is light weight and the recoil pad is effective. It shoots accurately and I decided to make it my foul weather rifle. Last deer season seemed to always foul, so this was taken afield every day. I took two shots and got two deer, both around 100 yards. From what I've seen lately they seemed to be over priced, given the lack of finishing. Perhaps you can find one on sale and give it a good look over.
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You're not the first person to mention the price being too high on the American these days. The person who originally reccomended it to me said he picked his up for $450. Today they're around $600. With the issues that have been brought up in this thread I'd have to agree with you. It looks like I may have to keep my eyes open for a good deal if I was to go for one.
 
BearChillz said:
I'm currently waiting for my application for EE to be processed but I am eager to check out the deals. I reckon that buying used will bring a lot more guns in to my price range. I've heard from some guys around my work that the Remington 700's aren't the greatest though.
More sniper rifles and target rifles built on the Rem 700 action than anything else. There's nothing wrong with a 700.
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Ridersfan said:
A ruger 10-22 is far from the gold standard of 22's. They might be ok once you're spent about the same as the rifle cost on upfits... but straight out of the box a 10-22 is very underwhelming.
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As if! ..... The 10-22 out of the box is pretty much perfect for a general plinking/hunting/range blasting. Millions of buyers have not been underwhelmed.
 
SuperCub said:
As if! ..... The 10-22 out of the box is pretty much perfect for a general plinking/hunting/range blasting. Millions of buyers have not been underwhelmed.
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I don't know, at one time that might have been true, but the 10/22 of today pales compared to the products of the late '60s and early '70s. I'd be far more likely to plunk my dollars down on a CZ today.
 
Parker Hale commercial '98 then if you want to play aftermarket at some point...they do come with nice SILE stocks and fully adjustable trigger as is though.
 
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Okay I see this is still going on:

I would purchase a HOWA barrelled action and then mate it up with a Bel and Carlson stock - you have a darn good combination there - the triggers on HOWA's are good right out of the box - the quality is outstanding - accuracy is spot on. Follow the recommended break in procedure and you have an awesome rifle. No need to upgrade this to that - and - once you have your short action bel and carlson stock and want to shoot another caliber - simply purchase another barreled action (plug and play)

Just my two cents

ivob
 
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