Ruger American 308

A

Absit

Online Training Member
Full Member
Minuteman
Jun 16, 2012
69
0
40
DFW, TX
#1
Well I posted a little info my intro thread but here are the details
Ruger American .308
Nikon Buckmasters 4.5-14x40 MilDot
Burris Zee Low Rings
EGW 20 MOA Base
Harris 9-13 Notch-Leg Swivel Bipod
Ruger's free cheek pad
Nothing to write home about, the whole rig ran about $700. It doesn't even really merit a picture, so I'll post a bad picture.

These are shots 50-100 through the rifle, all Georgia Arms 168gr "MATCH". I'm still focusing on trying to tame recoil more than dead nuts precision. I've never been a patient guy, or a take your time and get precise shooter. This is my first bolt gun, my first 100 rounds through a bolt gun, and it really light. I sighted in with Georgia Arms 150gr bulk and their 168 "MATCH" same POI so that was nice. It was around 50*F and I'm at 100 yards on a public range. I shot the 3 zero style targets first (third one is the best group of the day at .475"). The two shots with an X through them were fired by people I invited to shoot my gun. A few of the targets I tried my hand at firing as fast as I could work the bolt and take a breath (I don't know why), you'll probably be able to pick those out. Zero targets are a 2"x2" square with 1" grids and the circles are a 1" circle with .5" rings

Next up I'll be trying some of the Federal 168gr OTM M1A, Ultramax 168gr BTHP, and I found some HPR 168 BTHP local that I'll try. When I feel like I'm putting out consistent groups I'll put some FGMM 168gr through it.

Also, I don't know what that is under the couch, it's the cleanest spot in the house right now..
 

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#5
seg_steve said:
How's the recoil?
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I'm getting some nasty bipod hop but I'm brand new to this kind of shooting. As far as actual discomfort, not bad. There's a lot if recoil pad there. I certainly wouldn't mind the rifle being heavier but that's not what it was designed for.

I'm hoping eventually someone offer some stock options. People seem to like the action.
 
#6
I have been shooting off hand, kneeling with a sling. Recoil rocks me straight back and I make sure I am naturally back on target after recoil. The most rounds I have shot in one setting has been 60 rounds. I did use a backpack on a bench at a local range to sight in but since have been hunting. My 15 yr.old daughter loves to shoot it as well. I might have to pick up a Ruger American in 270 for her soon.
 
#8
lash said:
LOL! Good one Graham!

That seems like a fine rifle to me. Better groups than many off-the-shelf rifles.
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I'd hold off judgment until I can do the rifle justice and run good ammo through it. Once I'm confident I'm doing my part I've got 40rnds FGMM 168 here and 200 FGMM 175s en route. I know the rifle shoots better than I'm driving it right now.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk
 
#9
This is the first true test of accuracy I've physically seen targets of from these rifles so thanks for sharing. There is some good accuracy and potential there. I'd say you did well especially for the first time shooting a bolt gun. I do see some inconsistencies in some of the groupings which could indicate bedding or could be ammo or a little bit of shooter error. I'd be curious to see what it does with FGMM. Regardless I wouldn't ever sell it if you have a $300 rifle that shoots like that, that's a fine Bambi slayer.

Save your money and pass on the ultra max, that shit sucks. Generally the cheapest nastiest FMJ is more accurate and wolf steel case is no worse. Typically all of the standard hunting loads for under $20 a box shoot well and will do fine to 400-500 yards. Find something it likes and get a good batch of the same brand brass going and get started loading your own.
 
#10
Looks like you have a nice setup for the money. Should you keep the rifle you may want to bed the action and do a trigger job. You may be surprised by doing some tweaking to it like that it may tighten the groups up. As said above, being able to roll your own reloads is always a plus.
 
#11
redneckbmxer24 said:
This is the first true test of accuracy I've physically seen targets of from these rifles so thanks for sharing. There is some good accuracy and potential there. I'd say you did well especially for the first time shooting a bolt gun. I do see some inconsistencies in some of the groupings which could indicate bedding or could be ammo or a little bit of shooter error. I'd be curious to see what it does with FGMM. Regardless I wouldn't ever sell it if you have a $300 rifle that shoots like that, that's a fine Bambi slayer.

Save your money and pass on the ultra max, that shit sucks. Generally the cheapest nastiest FMJ is more accurate and wolf steel case is no worse. Typically all of the standard hunting loads for under $20 a box shoot well and will do fine to 400-500 yards. Find something it likes and get a good batch of the same brand brass going and get started loading your own.
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I'd read some good reviews (and some bad) on the Ultramax so at $1/rnd I bought 80 rounds of it. We'll see how it goes. As far as reloading goes, a group of us are going to be reloading exact FGMM 168 clones for reasons here soon. There are no hunting loads under $20/box here, probably largely because it's illegal in all but the southern-most counties to hunt deer with a rifle. I'm pretty happy with the rifle though, and I'm inspired by the 6.5 build a guy did here on the Hide and the praise the action got. Finding a bore guide was kinda a pain. Still wish I could find a better stock. I sanded along the barrel channel because I did have contact when the rifle was new, it probably needs a little more taken out when I can manage to load the bipod.

Ruger American .243 at 650 yards... - The Firing Line Forums
Here's a review of the American in 243 showing a decent group at 650, it was one of the threads that convinced me to buy one.

holy cow said:
Looks like you have a nice setup for the money. Should you keep the rifle you may want to bed the action and do a trigger job. You may be surprised by doing some tweaking to it like that it may tighten the groups up. As said above, being able to roll your own reloads is always a plus.
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The action is bedded via aluminum V blocks and the trigger is adjustable and pretty nice actually. The factory claims 3lbs min and with a spring clip people have got it to 2.5lbs. Mine's all the way backed out now, don't have a gauge for it but should be 3lbs. I should get that measured for posterity. There is a hair of creep in it.
 
#13
kcrippen said:
Ok I have been lurking and learning as much I can on this forum. I have a Ruger American in 308, but but I can't use it until after Christmas, the head Elf hid the bolt. I found this on a You Tube for adding weight to help manage recoil, has anyone heard of this.>Ruger American Rifle Custom Stock Modifications Part 1 - YouTube Every ones 2 cents is welcome.
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I saw that video too, I'm not sure I like the concrete idea. I wouldn't mind someone chiming in with some way to improve the rigidity of the stock. I've read a lot on it and there are a lot of different ways but in the end usually people just say it's not worth it, buy a better stock. In this case that's not an option, so what's the best way (ideally removable but not necessary) to improve the rigidity of the stock, and to be able to add another sling stud for an actual sling?
 
#14
I've used lead shot mixed into JB Weld on an el-cheapo stock, firmed it up and added weight. You might try straight Bondo or something if you don't want so much weight, though this may have the same disadvantages as the concrete as I'm not sure what the objection is there. Just some thoughts, good luck with your rifle.
 
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#16
mallrat said:
I've used lead shot mixed into JB Weld on an el-cheapo stock, firmed it up and added weight. You might try straight Bondo or something if you don't want so much weight, though this may have the same disadvantages as the concrete as I'm not sure what the objection is there. Just some thoughts, good luck with your rifle.
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My concern with concrete is mostly weather-based. I worry about it cracking when exposed to yearly hot/cold cycles (like a sidewalk). I could be way off base on that, just something that crossed my mind. Plus if I wanted to drill into it for any more doodads bondo would probably be better.

djdilliodon said:
That's a nice ruger. If the recoil is a problem a muzzle brake can take care of that for you.
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I can't speak for kcrippen but my concern isn't so much with recoil, but rigidity. If I could hold the damn gun right recoil shouldn't be an issue.
 
#17
Until I can actually get it to the range I have no idea on the recoil, my only comparison is an AR-15 with a flash suppressor/ muzzle brake and carbine in 40 S&W. As far as replacing the stock, I got it because of the stock, Navy digital camo. I had been looking at getting a RAR at some point but the stock made me get it sooner. But if recoil is an issue, I'm just looking ahead at options, and opinions.
 
#18
kcrippen said:
Until I can actually get it to the range I have no idea on the recoil, my only comparison is an AR-15 with a flash suppressor/ muzzle brake and carbine in 40 S&W. As far as replacing the stock, I got it because of the stock, Navy digital camo. I had been looking at getting a RAR at some point but the stock made me get it sooner. But if recoil is an issue, I'm just looking ahead at options, and opinions.
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From a comfort perspective recoil isn't an issue. From a muzzle movement perspective, well, I don't have good enough technique to judge it yet. You'll want to check out your barrel/stock fit, a lot of people got stocks that weren't a perfect (or even very good, or at all) free float. I had to take material off one side. I'll be taking more out to make sure I'm not making contact when I load the bipod. This is where I want more rigidity.
 
#20
Update from today's range trip. Image with 1 group is 3 shots FGMM 175gr with 7 clicks (1-3/4 SMOA) dialed - group was a hair under 1 MOA. Image with 2 groups, well that's a weird one. That's Ultramax 168gr, top group is the first one with the same 7 click dial. Somehow the Ultramax 168 shoots a good 2" higher than the FGMM at 200 - group 1 was .77 MOA and group 2 was 1.24 MOA (my flier). Strelok's truing function put the MV at something like 3300 so I don't know what do with that, need to get to a longer range to really true it. I used the math from Strelok instead of JBM, JBM would have been 1 click off with the FGMM and 5 with the Ultramax, same variables enter in to both.

About mid-way through the trip we shot the FBI Sniper Qual Course, we both passed with 100% (myself barely) and managed not to bust our asses on the ice during the 4 minute run.

Finished with some tandem shooting, we were both getting tired and it went pretty bad, need to work on more in-demand trigger presses.
 

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#21
Has anyone made up a bull barrel for these yet? Three lug bolt looks very nice, and I like Ruger in general plus the barel nut would make swaps easy. Would be cool to have another choice in affordable actions for a long distance build.
 
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