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
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’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.
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 :)
The .30-06 was developed at a time when a requirement for the standard infantry rifle was the ability to drop a cavalry mount. This was essentially the round used from WWI up to, and through Korea. By the mid-50's when the Army was looking to replace the Garand, advances in powder technology allowed for similar performance in a smaller case, with horse-killing ability no longer so much of a consideration. The 7.62 / .308 was designed to replicate the performance of the .30-06 with older powders. Certainly, with more modern powders, the .30-06 has a performance edge based solely on its larger case volume, but in actuality, the .308 gives up very little. What you gain with the .308, especially in a bolt action rifle, is a shorter bolt throw and a shorter overall action, which reduces the weight you'll be lugging around on those hunting trips.
Unless you're completely sold on a bolt, I'd recommend you at least take a look at the Browning BLR (lever gun). Of the others mentioned, the Marlin rifles will probably give you the best value for the money. As others have said here, try a few of them on for size and see what "feels" best.
Also, keep in mind that with a .308, you'll want to hang some decent optics on the rifle to fully take advantage of the cartridge, so take that into consideration when you're evaluating the balance, eye relief, stock comb etc.
Good luck and let us all know what you pick!
CDNN seems to have Ruger and FN bolt action rifles in 308.
Go for it.
Yes the foreigners make great rifles too, but unlike handguns they are not DOMINANT.
When I buy a rifle now days I buy Winchester, Browning, Marlin and Remington.
For assault weapons, Ruger, Colt and Bushmaster.
For pistols Sig, Beretta and HK.
Everyone makes a good shotgun:)
I like my weatherby vanguard in 300 wby mag.
Bought it new for $325 a few years ago just in case I got drawn for buffalo but never got lucky.
I reload so ammo is not unreasonable and I get good accuracy(1/2 moa). So far have taken an elk and a couple deer with it, all one shot kills. For hunting I use a leaupold 2-7x scope. fot target a 6-18x bushnell.
Next is to find a good 1000 yd range that is not too far away and see how it does.....and how I do.