The Ruger Amercian 30-06 as a hunting rifle?

I know you already ordered one, but people google and read these threads so I'll throw my 2 cents in.

My first budget rifle in this class. A ruger ranch .556, I have a redfield 2-7 on it

Pros:
-shoots very well
- accompanying good trigger, that was light enough from the factory that I never adjusted it.
- no issues with feeding (not sure if this is a pro but others mentioned it may have them)
- cool short barrel
- love the integral mounts, I wish some higher end rifles had this as a stock option (maybe they do and I'm not looking)
-I bet the recoil pad would be effective on a rifle that recoils.

Cons:
- low comb
-poor machining (zipper bolt), this is a meh for me as its basically a target rifle in this caliber for me. I was going to take it on a hunting trip elsewhere but it fell through. I don't hunt wolves or coyotes so it will not see much use here.
- stock seems very "flimsy" again this may not be an actual issue.
- balance is favoured towards the barrel end of the rifle (I don't know if it's really 'light")
- magazine is a bit difficult to load, it seems like a strange design but I haven't owned any other external magazine center fire rifles but the tikka.
- trigger blade thing ala the accutrigger, which I don't like at all.

Neither a pro nor a con in my books but opinions may differ:
I like the molded in trigger guard and sling swivels. I know this is a cost saving measure but I think it's kind of slick. I bet it genuinely outrages some people lol.

Probably wouldn't buy another one in a larger caliber. Thought the .450 bushmaster seems cool. I don't hate it, but I don't love it...
 
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Trimmer 905 said:
Spend a few more dollars and get an M77 MarkII Hawkeye. American is good for deadly accuracy,but,they look,feel and operate like any other "entry level" rifle. My motto has always been "buy the best,once,instead of several cheap ones two or three times."
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The OP has many fine guns of quality (I've seen them), so this is not about buying a rifle for keeps. Ted likes to try out new/different rifles for the sake of R&D and of late has had a run of the current flood of entry level rifles to keep him informed on current events. I'd say the American is next on his list to run through the ringer.
 
Why not? said:
Okay, I have one on the way. Will let you guys know when it gets here.

Merry Christmas everyone.

Ted
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Any of the RARs I've been around have exhibited excellent accuracy. The one I own, a Predator version, is one of the most accurate rifles I've owned. Hope yours shoots similarly!

Merry Christmas Ted!
 
SuperCub said:
The OP has many fine guns of quality (I've seen them), so this is not about buying a rifle for keeps. Ted likes to try out new/different rifles for the sake of R&D and of late has had a run of the current flood of entry level rifles to keep him informed on current events. I'd say the American is next on his list to run through the ringer.
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Thanks for this,good to know. I'll eagerly await his results. Merry Christmas.
 
I shot a Ruger American in .308 win. the short barrel Predator with green stock.

It is surprisingly a good little gun. The bolt is fast and smooth, it will have a swishing sound when worked but it feeds very well.

The stock is bedded and 100% free floating from the factory. Also the trigger is shooter adjustable, it will not need to be done by a gun smith to be safe.

The guy that owns it got it from a dealer for $300 out of the salesman demo lot and it had only been fired less then five times.

It is a fun gun to shoot and it will shoot well. The G friend even liked shooting it! Also the short barrel rifles have a nice size fire ball when shooting at night too!
 
I hate saying this but my .308 win 16 1/2” ranch with the ruger mussel brake, outshoots my 22” stainless M77 30-06. The M77 cost almost $1800 with the scope and the American all in less than $900. Ruger Americans are a nicely made, good shooting cheaply priced guns. Magazine on the American is kinda flimsy but very compact, trigger is excellent, stock could be a bit more reinforced but it probably would make the gun a lot heavier. Recoil pad easy on the shoulder. Overall it’s a decent rifle for the price...
 
Rhino rpr said:
I have an American in .308 and I love it. Never had an issue with the mag and I’ve shot 125 to 180 grain. Bolt sounds a bit like a zipper but I can cycle it as fast as I want for quick follow up shots. Very accurate and reliable.
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savagelh said:
I have one. It's been great. Mine is in 7-08 and it's a handy lightweight tack driver. I polished the bolt to get rid of the zipper noise. I've had no feeding issues other than it's hard to push the mag all the way in with 4 rounds in it and the bolt closed but other than that I like it a lot. Shot a 2.5" group at 500y with it last time out and that's with hunting ammo.
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RayHill said:
I shot a Ruger American in .308 win. the short barrel Predator with green stock.

It is surprisingly a good little gun. The bolt is fast and smooth, it will have a swishing sound when worked but it feeds very well.

The stock is bedded and 100% free floating from the factory. Also the trigger is shooter adjustable, it will not need to be done by a gun smith to be safe.

The guy that owns it got it from a dealer for $300 out of the salesman demo lot and it had only been fired less then five times.

It is a fun gun to shoot and it will shoot well. The G friend even liked shooting it! Also the short barrel rifles have a nice size fire ball when shooting at night too!
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Some guys seem to be pretty sensitive to the "zipper sound" of the Ruger American bolt. Hmmm.

I'm speculating they don't get much game because it is already running as soon as they start to work the action. The deer hear the zipper noise and run in terror, thinking the hunter is about to get "uncomfortably friendly" with them.

On a somewhat more serious note, there have been many threads here on the Ruger American. I am a fan. Mine in .308 shoots like a laser out to 500 metres. I use it on predators and paper out to that range. It has functioned flawlessly from Day One, and I have run thousands of mixed rounds through it. I have to constantly remind myself it is a budget rifle.
 
Well, Boys and Girls, it's here! All 6lb 8oz.... ;)

View attachment 236298

Trigger had a bit of creep, so removed the stock and gave everything a good cleaning. Very tiny smear of Lubriplate on the rear of each lug, and back together. Don't know what was in there, but the creep is gone.

-35 here today, so have a few days to mount a scope and get to the range.

Ted
 
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Couldn't wait. Supposed to warm up tomorrow.

Thu, 10 Jan Mainly sunny. Wind becoming south 30 km/h early in the afternoon. High minus 24. Wind chill minus 34 in the morning and minus 40 in the afternoon. Risk of frostbite.
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This old Leupold 6X38 fits just right, and will be plenty for anything one would hunt with an '06.

View attachment 236311

Now weighs in a pound heavier.

Ted
 
If you don't like the feel of the accutrigger style blade in the middle of the trigger you can remove it. I removed mine as soon as I got it and it still functions perfectly fine but the trigger doesn't feel as cheap.
 
savagelh said:
If you don't like the feel of the accutrigger style blade in the middle of the trigger you can remove it. I removed mine as soon as I got it and it still functions perfectly fine but the trigger doesn't feel as cheap.
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I could not get used to that safety blade on my Americans, so all 3 of them came out. I could here the spring making noise when it was squeezed so out they came. A little tune up and all triggers now work at 3 # and and made it through the bump test.

Hope you enjoy the 06 Ted.

David
 
I have one in .223. Outshot the .223 Tikka rifles I had. Barrel heats with handloads pretty quick, but OMG is it accurate. 1" groups at 220 yards. I like the buttpad, magazine feeds no problem, feels a bit cheap, bolt is VERY smooth.
 
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