Mystic Precision
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Summerland, BC
Did a quick search and didn't see any reviews so thought I would throw in my initial impressions.
Disclaimer: Although a dealer, I do not sell any firearms. I bought this rifle at retail from Calgary WSS.
Following the many reviews on US sites and mags, I decided to get one for S&G's. The price was right and they had the 30-06 which I was looking for. Apparently, 1 of 2 that was allocated by Ruger for WSS this year so far (salesman tale or truth????).
Anyways, when I picked it up, the first impression was very positive. There are certainly traits from a few rifles that jumped out at me and they all merge very well.
the action, bolt, shroud, cocking tab, etc all sing TIKKA to me. I really like this rifle but wasn't too keen given the pricing. The RA takes many cues from the Tikka and carries it off very nicely. Of all the plastic fantastics out today (Rem, Sav, Marlin, Mossberg), this RA lookes the nicest to me. Yes, there is a barrel nut but very unobtrusive - you will need a round wrench to swap pipes (hint, hint)
So let's review the highlights and niggles: positives
- The bolt lift is very nice and that 70deg flip is surprisingly handy. I had no issue cycling this action from the shoulder even after pulling the trigger. Pretty light lift and certainly better then many of its peer group and other more expensive rifles. Lubing with grease really helped ease lift
- The bolt is a great big round unit which allows it to slide effortless in the receiver. I just didn't get any sense of it jamming if cycling was aggressive. The handle was both a nice length and shape. The action had very nice shape and finish (very nice matte) from bolt release to action openings. More in this later.
- The rotary mags are both a nod to the Ruger past and plastic present - holds 4rds and easy to load. I really like the hinged and sprung release tab. The Savage Axis uses a molded piece that just reeks of failure from prolonged use. the RA mag tab works smoothly and the mag comes out without fuss. Inserting is also without drama and doesn't require you to catch a tab front or rear before locking into place. Just slam and go. 1 pc molded with some pieces inside (Savage mags have a robust steel body). Sure doesn't look like much but it seems to work. Durable? - I wouldn't jump on it but for what it was intended, I think it should be fine. I would certainly look at getting a spare just in case. The length is SAAMI length so no overly long set ups here. nice and light
- Cycling ammo out of the mag was a joy. Fast and smooth. You still know you are cycling an action so not buttery smooth like some customs but as fast as I could go, the cases fed and ejected. Ejection was robust so you are unlikely to have anything 'drop' into the receiver. Not an action if you want to just plop the case beside you on the bench. It flings quite like a semi auto even though it is a bolt. Very nice for field work me thinks. There were no scratches on the cases so the feed angles are proper and you are unlikely to damage fancy tipped bullets.
- The trigger as it came out of the box was as light as it could get. Very crisp and I mean that compared to quality aftermarket triggers. Things have sure improved in factory triggers and this is one of the best. Safety lever ala Savage accutrigger but not obtrusive AND the trigger cannot click if touched on the side with the lever not pulled back - great improvement. SWAG around 2.5/3lbs. for a hunting trigger, I really can't see anything else to improve. The trigger itself is nice and wide with nice radius and rounded edges.
- Stock has strong references to the Savage Axis in the forend. Very svelt through the grip with a decent recoil pad. The molding is very nice and not as flexy as some other plastic stocks. The barrel channel is 'custom' rifle tight with small even clearance (more on this later). LOP was very nice for me (6ft) and should feel comfy for anyone that fits the "average" factory stock. Very nice feel.
- Balance was right on the front action bolt without a scope - perfect.
Negative/NIGGLES:
- The nice round bolt has a mortise cut to clear the bolt release and the edges are SHARP. I mean razor sharp. This has to be knocked down or you will eventually cut yourself while handling the bolt.
- The bolt release looks great but not easy to fully depress to release the bolt. maybe it will ease with use or just an overly tight fit. There is a pin that holds the lever in place and it is loose. It fell out when I took the action out of the stock - BE VERY CAREFUL NOT TO LOOSE THIS PIN.
- Ruger has attempted a very interesting style of bedding - again a nod to the Tikka. BUT unlike the Tikka, there is still quite a bit of play between the stock lugs and the receiver. You can see wear in the blueing already and this rifle has not been fired. Unfortunately, this is all too typical in the days of get them out the door quickly. For the hunter using whatever ammo he finds in his locker, the bedding will work well enough but I will touch up with some bedding to ensure things dont move.
- That nice flowing fitting in the barrel is a great big NEGATIVE. There is simply not enough clearance given the slght flex in the stock. This will need to be hogged out. I would rather see a gap at least 1.5 to 2mm along the sides of the barrel and approach 1/4" under the barrel at the forend tip. All very typical.
- The stock has a very rounded shape and the mag opening is actually a sharp edge. flows nicely when the mag is in place but bump this stock without the mag and chipping the mag opening wouldn't surprise me in the least. Looks great and fits in the hands well (average sized hands anyway) BUT this is a weak spot on the mag.
So how well does this rifle shoot? No clue. Just got it degreased and waiting for a muzzle brake to be installed - yep me a whimp and a hotrodded 30-06 is more fun then my shoulder wants to play with. once that is done and the action bedded, I will work up some heavier match bullets that should let me see the potential of this rather thin barrel. 0.580" at the muzzle so very close to a #2 contour.
Hopefully, Ruger has done a good job in the manf so that this barrel doesn't walk badly when it heats up. Given the hunting application, I will give it 3 rds test groups and base the accuracy on this level of shooting. Of course, will shoot it hot to see what happens but not call it a fault if groups wander after shot 3.
For a retail of $430, this is a game changer in hunting rifles in general. The fit, feel, appearance challenges rifles costing double. I have not been overly impressed with Ruger bolt rifles of the past but this one will be a keeper if it shoots as well as it looks/feel.
More to come in the next bit...
Jerry
Disclaimer: Although a dealer, I do not sell any firearms. I bought this rifle at retail from Calgary WSS.
Following the many reviews on US sites and mags, I decided to get one for S&G's. The price was right and they had the 30-06 which I was looking for. Apparently, 1 of 2 that was allocated by Ruger for WSS this year so far (salesman tale or truth????).
Anyways, when I picked it up, the first impression was very positive. There are certainly traits from a few rifles that jumped out at me and they all merge very well.
the action, bolt, shroud, cocking tab, etc all sing TIKKA to me. I really like this rifle but wasn't too keen given the pricing. The RA takes many cues from the Tikka and carries it off very nicely. Of all the plastic fantastics out today (Rem, Sav, Marlin, Mossberg), this RA lookes the nicest to me. Yes, there is a barrel nut but very unobtrusive - you will need a round wrench to swap pipes (hint, hint)
So let's review the highlights and niggles: positives
- The bolt lift is very nice and that 70deg flip is surprisingly handy. I had no issue cycling this action from the shoulder even after pulling the trigger. Pretty light lift and certainly better then many of its peer group and other more expensive rifles. Lubing with grease really helped ease lift
- The bolt is a great big round unit which allows it to slide effortless in the receiver. I just didn't get any sense of it jamming if cycling was aggressive. The handle was both a nice length and shape. The action had very nice shape and finish (very nice matte) from bolt release to action openings. More in this later.
- The rotary mags are both a nod to the Ruger past and plastic present - holds 4rds and easy to load. I really like the hinged and sprung release tab. The Savage Axis uses a molded piece that just reeks of failure from prolonged use. the RA mag tab works smoothly and the mag comes out without fuss. Inserting is also without drama and doesn't require you to catch a tab front or rear before locking into place. Just slam and go. 1 pc molded with some pieces inside (Savage mags have a robust steel body). Sure doesn't look like much but it seems to work. Durable? - I wouldn't jump on it but for what it was intended, I think it should be fine. I would certainly look at getting a spare just in case. The length is SAAMI length so no overly long set ups here. nice and light
- Cycling ammo out of the mag was a joy. Fast and smooth. You still know you are cycling an action so not buttery smooth like some customs but as fast as I could go, the cases fed and ejected. Ejection was robust so you are unlikely to have anything 'drop' into the receiver. Not an action if you want to just plop the case beside you on the bench. It flings quite like a semi auto even though it is a bolt. Very nice for field work me thinks. There were no scratches on the cases so the feed angles are proper and you are unlikely to damage fancy tipped bullets.
- The trigger as it came out of the box was as light as it could get. Very crisp and I mean that compared to quality aftermarket triggers. Things have sure improved in factory triggers and this is one of the best. Safety lever ala Savage accutrigger but not obtrusive AND the trigger cannot click if touched on the side with the lever not pulled back - great improvement. SWAG around 2.5/3lbs. for a hunting trigger, I really can't see anything else to improve. The trigger itself is nice and wide with nice radius and rounded edges.
- Stock has strong references to the Savage Axis in the forend. Very svelt through the grip with a decent recoil pad. The molding is very nice and not as flexy as some other plastic stocks. The barrel channel is 'custom' rifle tight with small even clearance (more on this later). LOP was very nice for me (6ft) and should feel comfy for anyone that fits the "average" factory stock. Very nice feel.
- Balance was right on the front action bolt without a scope - perfect.
Negative/NIGGLES:
- The nice round bolt has a mortise cut to clear the bolt release and the edges are SHARP. I mean razor sharp. This has to be knocked down or you will eventually cut yourself while handling the bolt.
- The bolt release looks great but not easy to fully depress to release the bolt. maybe it will ease with use or just an overly tight fit. There is a pin that holds the lever in place and it is loose. It fell out when I took the action out of the stock - BE VERY CAREFUL NOT TO LOOSE THIS PIN.
- Ruger has attempted a very interesting style of bedding - again a nod to the Tikka. BUT unlike the Tikka, there is still quite a bit of play between the stock lugs and the receiver. You can see wear in the blueing already and this rifle has not been fired. Unfortunately, this is all too typical in the days of get them out the door quickly. For the hunter using whatever ammo he finds in his locker, the bedding will work well enough but I will touch up with some bedding to ensure things dont move.
- That nice flowing fitting in the barrel is a great big NEGATIVE. There is simply not enough clearance given the slght flex in the stock. This will need to be hogged out. I would rather see a gap at least 1.5 to 2mm along the sides of the barrel and approach 1/4" under the barrel at the forend tip. All very typical.
- The stock has a very rounded shape and the mag opening is actually a sharp edge. flows nicely when the mag is in place but bump this stock without the mag and chipping the mag opening wouldn't surprise me in the least. Looks great and fits in the hands well (average sized hands anyway) BUT this is a weak spot on the mag.
So how well does this rifle shoot? No clue. Just got it degreased and waiting for a muzzle brake to be installed - yep me a whimp and a hotrodded 30-06 is more fun then my shoulder wants to play with. once that is done and the action bedded, I will work up some heavier match bullets that should let me see the potential of this rather thin barrel. 0.580" at the muzzle so very close to a #2 contour.
Hopefully, Ruger has done a good job in the manf so that this barrel doesn't walk badly when it heats up. Given the hunting application, I will give it 3 rds test groups and base the accuracy on this level of shooting. Of course, will shoot it hot to see what happens but not call it a fault if groups wander after shot 3.
For a retail of $430, this is a game changer in hunting rifles in general. The fit, feel, appearance challenges rifles costing double. I have not been overly impressed with Ruger bolt rifles of the past but this one will be a keeper if it shoots as well as it looks/feel.
More to come in the next bit...
Jerry
