Ruger American .308

[shootnlead]

My son brought in a new Ruger American Rifle carbine 18" in .308, yesterday afternoon. He had called me from the gunshop and asked some questions about them and I had answered as well as I could, having never owned one and only read about them. Anyway, he brings it in and gets the scope mounted and boresighted...but it was too late to shoot it. So, he comes in this afternoon and asks if I want to go out with him to see how it shoots. Naturally, I was as eager as he was to see how it would do.

We go out and get set up and pretty quickly, it was doing near one hole groups at 100yds. He shot a couple of dozen rounds at a hundred and was about to pickup his stuff when I suggested he go ahead and try it at 200yds. He was game, so he put 3 shots on the 200yd target...seemed to look good through the spotter. We go down and retrieve the target, bring it in and put the caliper on it...1.451" outside to outside at the widest point...deduct the .308 bore...yielded a 1.143" group. The orange dot is .75" diameter.This was using factory Hornady 165gr SST ammo. Not bad for a $450 out-the-door, box stock rifle.

To say that I was impressed with the accuracy of this rifle, is an understatement. Now, I don't really care for the recoil or the janky stock, but it will definitely put them where you point it.

 

[Ben]

There are rifles costing 3 X what he has in that one that will not shoot like that.

Ben

 

[9.3X62AL]

True that, Ben. Roughly 1/2 MOA using an affordable rack-grade hunting rifle with factory OEM loads. Off-the-chart GOOD FORTUNE.

Now, the 165-168 grain bullet weight-class usually shoots LIGHTS-OUT in most 308s......but HIJO LA. Ruger did more than a few things right here.

 

[shootnlead]

I have a Weatherby Vanguard in .308 that shoots very well with the 168gr Hornady...but it does not do this well...it does a tick under 1 MOA...IIRC, something like 1.93". I think that the short barrel might help this Ruger, a little. For my use, I prefer the Vanguard, less recoil, no detachable mag and the stock just fits me better.

 

[Ian]

My 20" heavy-varmint Savage shoots almost that well, but not quite. I agree the shorter, stiff .308 barrels are real shooters. The barrel nut system may have something to do with it, too.

 

[freebullet]

Real nice.

Now for cast!

308 is like air, I gotta have it.

 

[Will]

If you do much reading on ruger American rifles especially the predator with the short barrel you will find most are really pleased with the accuracy.

Out of all the new plastic stock budget rifles they definitely feel the best in my hands.

Dad had a stainless American rifle in 308 for a while. When he took it to the range to see what bullet weights it preferred and we were both shocked. 165 and 180gr bullets of different brands and various powder charges all grouped just barely over an inch at 100yds. It was hard to find something the rifle wouldn't shoot.

 

[oscarflytyer]

My Ruger Am w/ 22" bbl shoots way better than it should! Two diff factory loads will shoot within 1" of each other at 100 yds. Can't beat that

 

[9.3X62AL]

Perhaps these Ruger rifles are becoming the Rem 788 of the 21st Century......

 

[Intheshop]

Nice report,great shooting.

 

[shootnlead]

Perhaps these Ruger rifles are becoming the Rem 788 of the 21st Century......

I am having the same thought...as I have a 788 in .243...18" barrel, that is an absolute laser. Matter of fact, my son and I both killed bucks at about 200yds with that little .243, this season...but it is a chore to carry that heavy thing around.

 

[oscarflytyer]

one day I am going to wander by a Ruger Am in 6.5 Creedmor or 260 Remington and it is coming home with me...

 

[Brother_Love]

I love tis thread. I purchased one of these 2 months ago and have not shot it yet. THis makes me want to get it to the range. I hope I can later this week.
Yours it a good shooter and I hope mine will be too.

 

[Brother_Love]

Took my Ruger 308 out back and shot it yesterday. It will stack j-bullets on top of each other but it "patterned " cast. Back to drawing board. I will start with the standard, 10 gr of unique and go from there. Sometimes finding the best load is part of the fun.

 

[Pistolero]

Brother_Love - don't forget 16 gr 2400, either.

Ruger Precision Rifle is an American in a funky aluminum and plastic stock.
Nice gun, nice shooting, too.

Bill