Ruger compact in 7-08
- Thread starter stang
- Start date
I bought my stainless laminate last april from WSS Kamloops. About 820-840$ ish I believe taxes in. As far as I know they are still in production with a subtle difference in the fore-end styling then previous models. After alot of load development and shooting I finally got around to Chronographing. WOW!!!...let me tell just tell you that folks who say you lose a pile of velocity with a short barrel are high on drugs. With most of my loads I was losing only an average of 200 FPS over the published data usually from 24" test barrels! 
My love for that little rifle grew immensely from that chronograph session.
Good Luck finding one,
Mad Mikey
My love for that little rifle grew immensely from that chronograph session.Good Luck finding one,
Mad Mikey
No different from a Mark II except cosmetically. I think the polished stainless finish changed to matte and the furniture is slightly different. I have heard some complaints about the blueing on the Hawkeyes, that it is not as rich as the Mark II's .They push the LC6 trigger with the Hawkeye but it has been in production for a few years now and most late model Mark II's have it. The LC6 trigger is still a bit heavy 4-6 pounds average but is actually quite crisp and is a serious improvement over early Mark II's. As for price you usually can't beat Wholesale Sports...that is if they have any stock. Unfortunately I think you may have to settle on buying the rifle where you find it...you're not exactly looking for a T-3 in .300WSM
Mikey
JohnC
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Got a stainless laminate Compact in 7mm-08 for around $800 pretax from P&D. They usually have quite good prices. I'll be putting a Timney trigger on it since it has the older Ruger trigger but the Hawkeyes have their LC-6 trigger which are supposed to be improved so a Timney or trigger job may not be needed.
And Sun and Steel is right you only lose about 25 FPS per inch of barrel. I have a Frontier in .300WSM which only loses 200FPS realtive to my 24 inch .300 Winmag for the same bullet weight ( 180 grain) So I get same velocity as a full-length 30-06 with 8 inches less barrel to catch in the bush. And 3 shot 100 yard groups are consistently at 1/2 inch if I do my part
And Sun and Steel is right you only lose about 25 FPS per inch of barrel. I have a Frontier in .300WSM which only loses 200FPS realtive to my 24 inch .300 Winmag for the same bullet weight ( 180 grain) So I get same velocity as a full-length 30-06 with 8 inches less barrel to catch in the bush. And 3 shot 100 yard groups are consistently at 1/2 inch if I do my part
xring_assassin
Regular
- Location
- Rocky Mountain House, Alberta
I was handling (borderline fondling) one in Caroline Supplies the other day. I think he had $760 on it, although I did look at ALOT of guns there - might have my price tag wires crossed. It was a 7mm-08 though - I want one for my kids - but I'm off work coping with an MS flare up - not allowed to spend much at the moment or it'd be here instead of still in the store. Give ol buddy Reg a call (403)722-3922...great prices on guns/powder/bullets - primers though - ouchie gouge... over $60/1000 craziness.
I'll be putting a Timney trigger on it since it has the older Ruger trigger.And 3 shot 100 yard groups are consistently at 1/2 inch if I do my part
JohnC I just installed a Timney on my aforementioned rifle about two weeks ago...What an improvement
. I was lucky to get one from Russels, but if you can source one make sure you snap it up...you will love it.You're groups are impressive. All I can ring out of mine so far is 3-shots a hair over an inch. Anything after three and she'll start stringing...that's an awful thin barrel. I free-floated the barrel a couple evenings ago and I am going to bed the rifle soon, I am confident she will come around to MOA.
On a positive note the rifle will put many different styles and weights of bullets within an inch and a half...not picky at all.
I think it's a shame Ruger dropped the polished stainless. I had that finish on a couple of my Rugers and I think it looks great. Deer didn't get spooked by it either...just killed by it !!!
Mikey
How differently we think. I had the shine mostly buffed off my "all weather". I like the matte finishes precisely because there is less likelihood of attention getting reflections. Sure I killed a few deer with all the shine intact too - but still my logic says that's not preferred for hunting.
The newest compacts have a slimmer fore end that looks less like a baseball bat than the ones made last year and before. I like them.
JohnC
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
JohnC I just installed a Timney on my aforementioned rifle about two weeks ago...What an improvement
You're groups are impressive. All I can ring out of mine so far is 3-shots a hair over an inch. Anything after three and she'll start stringing...that's an awful thin barrel. I free-floated the barrel a couple evenings ago and I am going to bed the rifle soon, I am confident she will come around to MOA.
On a positive note the rifle will put many different styles and weights of bullets within an inch and a half...not picky at all.
I think it's a shame Ruger dropped the polished stainless. I had that finish on a couple of my Rugers and I think it looks great. Deer didn't get spooked by it either...just killed by it !!!
Mikey
my groups were with the Frontier which has a much thicker barrrel - so stiffer and stays cool longer. If I can get an inch with the compact ( haven't load tested yet) which has a much slimmer barrel i'll count myself lucky. but for hunting, 3 good shots is the most i'll ever be likely to get-have to work just to get one
