Ruger Compacts...got one??

brenden270

brenden270

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Just wondering if anyone has any experience with the ruger compacts?? These are the 16.5 inch barrel models. If so... how does it shoot, how do you like it overall?? I'm looking to get my wife a rifle and since she is compact the gun has to be as well. Post a pic if you can.


Brenden
 
I was looking for the compact all weather to throw on the quad , but cant find any. I imagine with the lighter short barrell its alot noisier and kicks more .
 
They are absolutely fantastic!!!!!!!!

Forget all the BS about increased recoil and muzzle jump, loss of velocity and accuracy.

I have 2 compact's and 2 frontier's in 7.08, .308, and .300 WSM. All needed a trigger job, but they are all now terrific shooters. Good on the range, and just what a good hunting rifle should be - light, fast to the shoulder, and accurate.

Prior to my "discovering" these Ruger's, I made my own compacts for my daughter - a Stevens 200 in .308 and a Savage in .300 wsm. Shortened the barrels down to 18" and the stocks to 12.5" lop. They are great shooters, and she has taken a few deer with the .308, but I have more money invested in them, and they are still heavier than the compacts.

If you can find a compact, or a frontier, you won't be disappointed.

BTW, one of my frontier's in .300 wsm is for sale.

JB
 
A friend of mine bought one for his wife.
She loves it. As far as recoil goes, proper fit is is often over looked in recoil perception. I haven't tried it for accuracy, I'm sure it's of hunting standards, but I wonder what it would be possible with good hand loads? A M77 I had wasn't great.
 
i love my frontier- which is scoped as a compact - in .300WSM. you only lose 25 fps per inch of barrel so i get 30:06 normal barrel velocities -it gives me bench 1/2 inch 3 shot 100yard groups all day long. The stock is chunky so recoil is not an issue. and it's a joy to carry in the woods. I put a Timney trigger in it but from what I read withte new Ruger trigger this may not even be necessary. I''m planning on getting another in .308 or 7mm-08 this summer...
 
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My Frontier 358 took a nice mulie first time out with the first handload I tried.
A 215 Sierra over 4320 powder grouped 0.90" which I thought was not bad for a 16 1/2" barrel.
I will say it isn't the best balancing / pointing rifle I've ever held, but for a truck or quad rifle it fits the bill. :)
 
My handy Frontier/358Win. I like it but ear plugs are advised.

358frontier.jpg


Same gun wearing its working clothes.
my358Frontier.jpg


More here - http://www.35cal.com/ruger77_358frontier.html
 
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wezdeer.jpg


Here's my Ruger Compact in 7mm-08.
1.25" with factory ammo
A hair under 1" with handloads. These are three shot groups because after three the barrel gets hot and consecutive shots show vertical stringing...compact barrels are about the thinnest sporter barrels out there!.
The trigger breaks cleanly at about 4-4.5 pounds and recoil is comparable to any other lightweight bolt-action in the same caliber regardless of barrel length.

The only drawback to my little Ruger is that it is tricky to shoot long distances off-hand as it is hard to keep steady. A 120 yard shot offhand at a deer is as far as I would be comfortable shooting before I looked for a rest or went prone. A sling would greatly improve offhand shooting, but I carry this one under the receiver one-handed all day long and that's how I like it.
I am about to chronograph some loads with this rifle very soon, and if anyone is interested I can post velocity results when I'm done.
Keep in mind the frontier is a different animal than the compact it has a heavier contour barrel and a matte gray finish.

P.S. My bone-stock Ruger grouped tighter than my Remington Model 7 by about a quarter inch, and the Remmy is bedded with a trigger job :p

Any other questions just ask!
Mad Mikey :)
 
I just ordered the last Frontier in stock at Wholsale Sports 7-08 stainless, . I have had two Remington model 7's in 7-08 but neither would shoot under 2". Rugers are my favorite rifles, I can't wait to shoot it. Hopefully it will group with the 175 RN Hornady.
 
Well I phoned Wholesale today just before closing looking for a frontier in .358, they told me they were back ordered but they are not being made anymore so I grabbed the last one in stock a 7-08. Ruger still makes the compact model in 243 that is a little lighter with a thiner barrel.
 
Bunny...

175 gr. might be a little heavy and long to perform well. My rifle does not like Hornady boat-tails in any grain, flat-based 140 grs of any make are preferred.
Let me know your results.

P.S.---nice rifle surfer!

Mad Mikey :)
 
I never shoot boat tails, just don't have any luck getting them to shoot well the 175 RN is flat base used to shoot well in my old 7x57. I would be very happy if the 154 interlock flat base grouped well, can't wait!!!
 
Friend of mine has a Frontier in .308. I sighted it in to get ready for hunting with a Bausch and Lombe 2-7 I had around, and I had it shooting under 1 inch with Hornady 150 GR Light Mag SSTs. With the shortened barrel, I figured any velocity loss by barrel length would be made up with the Light Mags. Turned out it that after I had it print ~.75 inch groups, I was no longer concerned about loss of velocity, as it shot like a dream. I am now on the hunt for a new Compact Hawkeye in probably .260. :D

Turned out I must have sighted in his gun well, he got a nice 5x5 Bull Elk with it first day!
 
I'm a rabid fan of the Frontier. I have a .358 and bought a .308 for my son as a youth rifle. They are terrific hunters, accurate and ultrafast handling. The reaction from anyone who picks them up and swings them is always the same: their eyes light up and they go WOW!
..I doubt I'll ever go back to a long gun.
 
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