Tikka T3x vs Ruger American: Long term, technical, gunsmith opinions?

[SHELL SHUCKER]

Ruger American receivers are definitely machined from bar stock. The ST article was a rushed hack job.
https://www.americanrifleman.org/content/looking-at-the-ruger-american-rifle/

 

[Sun_and_Steel_77]

You sure about that? You would think Ruger would say so on their web site when they talk about that model's features.

Also, and old article, but it says the receivers are investment cast: https://www.shootingtimes.com/editorial/the-ruger-american-rifle-reveiw-a-new-american-rifle/99719

This article, however says machined from bar stock: https://www.americanrifleman.org/content/looking-at-the-ruger-american-rifle/

I have both M77s and RARs in my safe, you can certainly see the difference when comparing side by side.

 

[Joel]

Yup

Not that I worry about the 77 being cast at all either. But the RAR is definitely not cast.

 

[Gatehouse]

Cast or machined doesn't make much difference to me when it comes from Ruger. Ruger knows what they are doing when it comes to casting.

 

[Joel]

Same here.

And interesting post, BTW....especially since some are asserting that you just can't compare them!

I like Tikkas, and like them even more if they're not a G note or over too.

And I still wonder how much of the "smooth bolt" is really attention to detail and surface finish, which may or may not tell you about whats happenening where it counts...and how much of it is an ID/OD combo that doesn't result in much bolt body touching the inside of the receiver, unlike the fat full body bolt in a RAR.

Have had some Weatherby Vanguards that make a pretty zippy sound too lol.

 

[Hitzy]

Same here.

And interesting post, BTW....especially since some are asserting that you just can't compare them!

I like Tikkas, and like them even more if they're not a G note or over too.

And I still wonder how much of the "smooth bolt" is really attention to detail and surface finish, which may or may not tell you about whats happenening where it counts...and how much of it is an ID/OD combo that doesn't result in much bolt body touching the inside of the receiver, unlike the fat full body bolt in a RAR.

Have had some Weatherby Vanguards that make a pretty zippy sound too lol.

Savage Axis is as smooth as any Tikka, not really a mind blowing task.
What I really appreciate is a smooth CRF rifle that feeds and feels as smooth as a pushfeed. That takes manufacturing skill.