Any arguments against the Ruger American?

F

ffolkes

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This week 4 shot bolt action rifles are still legal, and as I am lacking a bolt action of any kind, now seems a good time.

I was looking at the American, it seems to be $650-1000 depending on iron sights vs scope, which seems to be entry level pricing.

Any opinions on the hardware itself, thoughts on the included scope, or the American's use of polymer vs more traditional wood stock, or preference for one caliber over another are invited.

Anticipated use case scenario includes initially admiring it as it leans against the wall in a closet with thoughts of shorter range use in BC forests for deer or a moving to Alberta future with longer range uses starting to form in my head.
 
No problems yet having shot about 1000 rounds between 5-6 of them. They work and with some use slick up nice.

Dunno about included scopes as I ditch em and put on something better.
 
They shoot well but they are a bit of an unpolished turd. If your anywhere near the $1000 market to purchase one, look around on the used market as you’ll find a good used Ruger 77 or Winchester model 70 for similar money. Do yourself a favour! I tried an American, and initially it appealed to me as an accurate coyote rifle I wouldn’t worry about in the field. The more I shot the less the appeal even though it shot very well. It was rough and unpolished and while I shot many rounds through it I just couldn’t get it to grow on me. I’m betting if you are patient you’d find a used like new M77 or M70 in .308/7-08 or 30-06 for 1000-$1200 and be very pleased! I’ve bought some beautiful rifles that’ve barely been shot for that money in the past.
 
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meatsticks said:
They shoot well but they are a bit of an unpolished turd. If your anywhere near the $1000 market to purchase one, look around on the used market as you’ll find a good used Ruger 77 or Winchester model 70 for similar money. Do yourself a favour! I tried an American, and initially it appealed to me as an accurate coyote rifle I wouldn’t worry about in the field. The more I shot the less the appeal even though it shot very well. It was rough and unpolished and while I shot many rounds through it I just couldn’t get it to grow on me. I’m betting if you are patient you’d find a used like new M77 or M70 in .308/7-08 or 30-06 for 1000-$1200 and be very pleased! I’ve bought some beautiful rifles that’ve barely been shot for that money in the past.
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What he ^ said! I have a Ruger American, it is functional and handy (20" barrel) but the 1) bolt action is brutally rough and sticky 2) The stock is literally the worst piece of plastic I ever touched, and is remarkably unbalanced 3) the tigger is good 4) the rifle is accurate.

I've slicked up the bolt and put it in a B & C stock - makes it tolerable. The only reason I bought it was that it is a 358 Win which I am an affianado of.
 
I've felt worse 77 Hawkeyes than some of the Americans I've had when it comes to bolt roughness lol
 
They completely suck!

I watched a young guy shooting a .308 at our range, and standard equipment was a cleaning rod to extract the fired cases! On factory .308. The bolt extractor failed on I'd guess 8 out of 10 shots.

Absolutely brutal.
 
For $600-700 all in they are a decent value buy. For more than $700 I would be looking for used Tikka or a Howa/Vanguard.

I have a predator in 6mm CM. Its accurate, functions fine (little sloppy) and for what I paid I am satisfied; bought mostly to try the cartridge. The comb is too low for even lower rings mounted on the factory rail, but thats an easy fix. The trigger is OK. I replaced the return spring and it improved it some, but still has a bit of creep. If you find a bargain buy it, but for the prices I see them advertised for I am looking at the others metioned above. No way i would buy one and dump a ton of money into it with new triggers, stocks etc.
 
meatsticks said:
They shoot well but they are a bit of an unpolished turd. If your anywhere near the $1000 market to purchase one, look around on the used market as you’ll find a good used Ruger 77 or Winchester model 70 for similar money. Do yourself a favour! I tried an American, and initially it appealed to me as an accurate coyote rifle I wouldn’t worry about in the field. The more I shot the less the appeal even though it shot very well. It was rough and unpolished and while I shot many rounds through it I just couldn’t get it to grow on me. I’m betting if you are patient you’d find a used like new M77 or M70 in .308/7-08 or 30-06 for 1000-$1200 and be very pleased! I’ve bought some beautiful rifles that’ve barely been shot for that money in the past.
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I just picked up an American Ranch in 7.62x39 on sale from FOC. I wanted a bolt companion for the sks. I haven't fired it yet, but unpolished turd was my first impression. I've never seen a new rifle so rough out of the box and so filthy. I know they test fire them and everything but this seemed excessive. There aren't a lot of 7.62x39 bolt options out there otherwise I probably would've got something else. As long as this one shoots it'll be fine I guess. I wasn't expecting a Tikka or anything, but it's rough. For $1000 look elsewhere
 
Rumor has it they often have feeding problems. However, I have never owned one. Check out all the used Swedish Husqvarna 1600/1640/1900 rifles available from vendors like intersurplus etc. Same or lower price point and solid guns that are 2x the value you will get from a 750$ ruger american. Most are in 30-06, 6.5x55, 8x57. Hinged Floorplate guns.
 
Demonical said:
They completely suck!

I watched a young guy shooting a .308 at our range, and standard equipment was a cleaning rod to extract the fired cases! On factory .308. The bolt extractor failed on I'd guess 8 out of 10 shots.

Absolutely brutal.
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Because of that one, they suck?

I had a BACO Winchester Featherweight that ejected and fed like crap. THEY SUCK! ;)

I'm 6 for 6 on Ruger Americans working juuuust fine lol. Still have 3 in the rotation. People complain about a zipper sound? Honestly sounds like a Weatherby Vanguard lol.

Although the earlier Americans did have a suspect extractor. The black one they come with now seems good to go.


As for price I'm with Kayaker1. Much over $700 and its "save a bit more and buy a used Tikka" time. But lets say you're buying new, if someone asked if they'd be okay with say a Ruger American Predator for under $700 vs a new Tikka for $1100? Heck yeah. Unless you're unduly concerned with bolt smoothness and not results.
 
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Jon87 said:
I just picked up an American Ranch in 7.62x39 on sale from FOC. I wanted a bolt companion for the sks. I haven't fired it yet, but unpolished turd was my first impression. I've never seen a new rifle so rough out of the box and so filthy. I know they test fire them and everything but this seemed excessive. There aren't a lot of 7.62x39 bolt options out there otherwise I probably would've got something else. As long as this one shoots it'll be fine I guess. I wasn't expecting a Tikka or anything, but it's rough. For $1000 look elsewhere
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try your gun with hornady black your opinion wil likely change
 
JBD said:
try your gun with hornady black your opinion wil likely change
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Noted. I'll keep an eye out for some. For what I wanted this rifle for it'll be fine I'm sure (as long as it shoots). Just first impressions were very poor. For $680 I can look past most of it. Not for $1k though
 
I personally wouldn't buy one. I view it as a $500 dollar gun that's now being sold for far too much money. It will do the job, and many of them are as accurate as any other brands rifles. But I don't view quality through the lens of accuracy. I take into consideration the quality of the finish, the quality of the stock, how smooth the action works etc.. And for the most part I find the Ruger American's to be bottom of the barrel on most of the things I care about, besides accuracy. It's a budget gun meant to be beat up, and forgotten about, while providing decent accuracy. Nothing wrong with them, but not really that great either. Though the distinctive Zipper like noise when using the bolt is rather unique lol.

If your sold on one, then I would suggest avoiding any model that comes with a scope. I've seen to many in box from the factory scopes just turn out to be 100% junk. Fogging in even a little humidity or filling with water in the rain. Instead spend that money on a scope from either Leupold if you want American, or Vortex if you don't mind Chinese products. Both have fantastic life time warranties and good Canadian support. This way you can also mount it correctly to start, as a lot of times they are not mounted properly from the factory.

I have some questions that may let us point out some alternatives or better options.

What are you planning on using the rifle for?

What is your budget?
 
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I bought one 2 years ago. A predator model in .243. I have been quite happy with it accuracy wise. It shoots well with factory hornady rounds and and prints cloverleafs with handloads. I paid around a grand with 2 boxes of ammunition, a vortex scope, rings and couple targets, etc. I bought it as a coyote round and something to work the kids toward shooting. I think its a good value, but I do much prefer the feel and smooth bolt running of my Husquvarna from Intersurplus.
 
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