Posted on 02/22/2012 6:49:19 PM PST by DTogo
In the market for a quality yet reasonably priced rifle to scope and use for target and hunting (mostly white tail) beyond 100m: considering the new Ruger American Rifle in .308. Yes, the ballistic performance is less than a .30-06, it's not a Springfield M1A or a Gunsite Scout, but .308 ammo is cheaper and compatible with other hardware in the event of an "in-the-field" switch.
FReeper input welcome!
Thoughts?
GunBlast did a review of said rifle, but chambered in ‘06. It will still have a lot of info.
http://www.gunblast.com/Ruger-American.htm
It is not as ugly as I thought it would be. Good price too.
Still, my Yugo M48 in 8mm that I got for $200 shoots just as good as my Mossburg in 30-06.
Here’s my advice and remember its worth exactly what you paid for it.
Check out the Ruger, the Remington 700, and the Winchester Model 70. Pick the one that “feels” best to you. You can’t go wrong with any of them, really.
8mm ammo is a lot cheaper than 30-06. I have a Portuguese Mauser Verguiero and like it a lot. Nasty kick, though
Here’s my fav.
Watch the videos and absorb how every American gun should be made!
http://www.tcarms.com/firearms/icon.php
I’m sure any Ruger bolt action is going to be an excellent gun. Ditto for any Remington, Winchester or Savage. All make fine bolt action gunes. It really comes down to what feels comfortable for you. If you can’t shoot them one thing to do is test how redily it comes into postition. Look at a “target” and fix the location in your mind. Close your eyes, and pull the rifle (or pistol) to where you think you are aiming at it, they open your eyes. The closer you are, more natural it will be to shoulder and fire.
With a bolt action I alos think it’s important to work the bolt while the rifle is sholdered. Try it with you eyes open, then try it with them closed to see how much our point of aim changes.
AFAIK .308 (7.62mm NATO) is every bit as effective as .30-06.
I went with the Remington 700 .308.
I had a chance to use my FIL’s Kimber Montana this past season and it is an absolutely beautiful gun. Very, very, very light but it doesn’t feel in the least bit fragile. It was also dead on accurate and the recoil was so clean, you could get back on the target quickly.
Remington 770 in .308.
I tossed the stock scope, which is probably a fine scope, for Leupold MK IV.
My friends laugh when they see my setup. “You have more scope than you have gun”.
To which I reply “When I reach out and touch someone, I’d like it to be from as far away as possible”.
I need some of their rifles.
Funny you mention that...I’ve also noticed that 8mm (out of my 1941 K98k) has a more distinct kick than does .30-06. A lot of 8mm surplus has heavier bullets than comparable ‘06 (about 192 grains versus 150 grains) so I wonder if that’s the difference.
I had a browning bar 30-06 (hunting version) before the fishing accident. It has iron sights but I had to remove the rear one for the Leupold scope. I’m in the market for a bolt action and am trying to decide between 30-06 and .308.
hmmmmmm
I’m not familiar with the Ruger American Rifle. The last Ruger I bought was an M77 Hawkeye stainless in 300 WM, and it is an excellent rifle. The 308 doesn’t give up much to the .06, if anything, and I like the short actions.
Yup, out to about 400 yards. The 30-06 caries a bit further past that. Either will take down any N. American big game easily with good shot placement.
I have never shot the Tikka, but reviews are outstanding and I have heard great things by word of mouth. I am considering one for a bolt action in .308.
I am partial to my M1a Scout Squad, but that was a good bit more than $560. AR platforms in .308 have come down quite a bit also, for what it's worth (I am not a huge fan of ARs).
The AR-10 is a whole lot more fun :)
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