Browning AB-3 vs Ruger American

Heyzus

Heyzus

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Hey guys, I searched the forums for this comparison and couldn't find it. After a whole month (waiting for license) of thinking that I want an american, I went to cantir on Saturday for some car maintenance stuff and mysteriously found myself in the gun section checking out the american.

The guy behind the counter was really nice and seemed really knowledgeable. He pulled out the browning ab-3 that they have for like $160 more than the ruger and claimed it to be a better purchase. The question is, is it? One review I read claimed the ab3 was actually a good economy rifle while the american is a throwaway, quickly replaceable. Now, keeping in mind that I'll be ditching either synthetic stock for a pepper Boyds, is there a real comparison to be had here? Is the browning really a better investment of 160 dollars? My license should be in here either today or tomorrow and I will handle them personally to figure out which feels better but there must be a tangible reward to the slightly larger investment.

A Nikon prostaff 3-9x40 is going on and I dig the idea of a good quality used rifle for roughly the same but I think I'd want to play in the woods with a new rifle first for a bit. Unless something crazy lucky popped into my lap.

Tldr; is the extra 160 for the ab3 really worth it over the american?

Edit: 30-06 and the stock will be purchased separately and closer to the fall.

Thanks a bunch to anyone willing to help out. I'm first of family or anyone I know to take up hunting and am really trying to understand my options.
 
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I have an American in .243 and it is a really "light" rifle. Mine is super accurate and a joy to carry. I would imagine that one of these in .30/06 would kick like a mule.....a really angry one lol. Never owned an a bolt but I do own a howa 1500 i which is around the same price point as the ab3. It is a great shooter and easy on the shoulder. It is a .30/06 btw with no recoil pad. These rifles are the same as weatherbys vanguard and best value on the market imo.
 
The AB3, even though it's Browning's "budget" rifle is of better fit/finish then most of the "next step up" rifles from most of the other mfg's.

We sell the American Redfield packages somewhere in the $700 buck range. Since they have about 300 bucks worth of glass, rings and mounts installed I figure that makes the rifle itself a $400'ish rifle. So meant to compete with the Savage Axis, Mossberg Patriot (or older 4X4) and Remington 783's.

All of them shoot "minute of bambi" off the shelf although most of the triggers leave quite a bit to be desired. But if the rifle is only used one week of the year for "hunting with the boys", they are "enough".

If you are considering the cost of the AB3 seriously I would also look at a model 11/111 Savage. Decent guns with half decent triggers, scope mounted in most cases (not great glass, but functional to get you going), for about the same money as the AB3 (and personally consider them quite a bit more rifle for the money compared to the entry level stuff from Savage/Mossberg/Rem or Ruger).

Since this is your first rifle by the sound of it, DO take your time and get something you actually like AND will be happy with a few months from now. If you wish you had of got something a little bit better the whole time you own it, you would be better off scratching together a couple more hundred bucks and getting something a little further up the ladder.

But do concur with the Howa/Weatherby Vanguard II suggestion. When you buy either you don't have to spend any more money on "aftermarket parts" to make them functional or shooters. Weatherby guarantees sub-moa "out of the box" - but they are heavier rifles. My synthetic VGII (243 win) goes 9 lbs "as carried" and my VGII Walnut stocked 7.08 tips the scales at 8lbs 7oz.

(sorry) to directly answer your question, given the choice between the Browning and the Ruger, the Browning would be my choice without a second thought if that was my only two choices.
 
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Thanks for the info guys. I'm looking into who around here sells howa 1500's to get my hands on them and see if its a good fit. One of my girlfriend's friends has a savage 11/111 with a combined scope and I didn't like the feel of it, and the scope was awful compared to the Nikon. So, im pretty set on decent rifle and decent scope.

The direct answer was really helpful and hadnt thought about it before but I feel that if I bought the ruger I would be stuck with the "what if" question. I want to get into hunting properly and I think I'd be cheating myself of the experience if my first rifle was... too budget or too good. Thanks a bunch for the answers guys, i sure hope I don't immediately fall in love with the howa/weatherby or my wallet will be hurting pretty fast.
 
No experience with the AB3 but I don't think it would be a rifle you'd want to keep for years or the American either for that matter.

I do own a Ruger American compact in 308 I was at the range yesterday testing a new load with 150 Amax bullets and confirming a previous load I worked up for 150 ttsx bullets. I just shot two of the ttsx and they were about 1/2 inch apart. I shot 12 loads of varying charges of the Amax and all 12 were within 2 inches nicely on top of each other as the charge increases This was all done at 185 yards. So the notion they won't shoot is nonsense mind you I did open up the inside of the stock with sandpaper to ensure it well and goodly free floated. I think these things are a gimme for a cheap rifle that will shoot.

I do like the idea of looking in to a Howa or Vanguard as others here that would be a rifle you'd probably be satisfied with for the long haul and they will shoot really well as the norm. Best advice as a newer shooter is keep up your quest as you plan to and handle as many different types as you can. Good luck and have fun. :)
 
Yeah, I don't plan on passing whatever I buy to my grandkids. I just want my first rifle to be a goodun but not too goodun. Be able to last two seasons before I make the decision as to whether or not this should be a permanent hobby.
 
Well, I just received an LH American in .308 from a sponsor. I think it's a good rifle, and I did get a good deal price wise. With luck, I'll be able to put a few rounds through it tomorrow. I mounted an old popcan Simmons .44Mag 4-12X variable because that's what I had lying around. We'll see how she shoots and I'll get back to you.
 
Heyzus said:
Yeah, I don't plan on passing whatever I buy to my grandkids. I just want my first rifle to be a goodun but not too goodun. Be able to last two seasons before I make the decision as to whether or not this should be a permanent hobby.
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In that case the Ruger American would be a good way to go IMO :)
 
Heyzus said:
Yeah, I don't plan on passing whatever I buy to my grandkids. I just want my first rifle to be a goodun but not too goodun. Be able to last two seasons before I make the decision as to whether or not this should be a permanent hobby.
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Speaking on behalf of everyone else here ... yes ... yes it should be a permanent hobby. Make your decision accordingly. ;)
 
Alright, I did some fumbling with the ab3 and a howa 1500. My god the howa is smooth as silk on the bolt but the drop out mag isn't for me and there's a couple of other things on it that don't jive with me. Mainly the price, its over budget and I just can't do it. I really liked the ab3 and the difference in build quality between the ruger and it are pretty easy to see and feel. I'll be buying the ab3 tomorrow as it wasn't in stock where I went.
 
I own rifles of varying degrees of value and the idea that an American, or an Axis (just two examples) are considered throw-away rifles is just hilarious. I guess if you run your rifles hard and put them away wet, then yes, they will be throw-aways. I picked up an American in .270 recently and I love it for what I bought it for, trudging through the bush hunting for deer and moose. I am not concerned with stock dings and scatches with the American, and it WILL live longer than me. The $300 I saved by going to the American over a Vanguard etc will cover my share of the Moose hunt next year.
 
berger said:
I own rifles of varying degrees of value and the idea that an American, or an Axis (just two examples) are considered throw-away rifles is just hilarious. I guess if you run your rifles hard and put them away wet, then yes, they will be throw-aways. I picked up an American in .270 recently and I love it for what I bought it for, trudging through the bush hunting for deer and moose. I am not concerned with stock dings and scatches with the American, and it WILL live longer than me. The $300 I saved by going to the American over a Vanguard etc will cover my share of the Moose hunt next year.
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No, they are not throw-aways... but they also don't inspire much fondness or attachment... I like to like my rifles... as the man said; "life is too short to hunt with an ugly rifle..." But that is acknowledging that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and some are more utilitarian in their view of their rifle.
 
True enough, but "beauty" is not what makes me fond of a particular rifle, especially a hunting rifle. If this rifle gets me my first Moose this coming season, I can tell you that I will be pretty attached and fond of it.
 
Funny thing about the shooters you like to shoot............they make tighter groups for some reason...........:wave:
Just my s'perience izz awll.

I'd prefer an old world beat up rifle for a wee bit more $$ than an econo Axle, but that's just me taste buds.
 
Ruger American gets my vote

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DILLIGAF said:
Ruger American gets my vote

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Ooh that does look very nice, is that a Boyd stock? I'm looking forward to replacing the plastic with wood. But after feeling the difference and having the extra cash I think I'll be slapping walnut onto an ab3. That does look great though.
 
Yup Boyds,

The only thing with the ruger is groups open up quite quickly when the barrel get hot.

But this is my hunting rifle not a paper puncher. Ive been hunting with it for the past 3 years and never had a single issue.
 
picked up my ab3 today. it feels really good, super solid. If anyone looks back on this thread to figure out which one they may want to get. Don't do it blindly, seriously go into a store that has both guns and feel them.
for me, the big differences that i felt had a big influence on my purchase:

the browning stock just feels more solid, less hollow, doesn't feel like a cheap stock. The ruger kind of felt like a toy compared to the browning.
the chamber on the browning is considerably bigger and easier/faster to hand load.
the magazine on the browning is made of much sturdier feeling plastics and metal.
bolt release button with the safety was really sweet, i'm quite paranoid so this was a nice feature that i didn't even know existed
recessed barrel, happy to know that if i drop the gun I'm happy knowing that the barrel isn't in crazy danger

note: i picked it up at a 569CAD price point and felt that these features were entirely worth the extra 140 from the Ruger.

Thanks for the help anyone that responded, this forum is awesome. now its time to save up for my shotgun. i'm thinking tactical... for duck hunting.
 
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