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Gun Vanity: In the market for a .308 (Ruger American Rifle?)
Ruger ^ | Feb 22, 2012 | DTogo

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!


TOPICS: Hobbies; Military/Veterans; Outdoors
KEYWORDS: 308; banglist; ruger
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To: Vendome

I have the Icon in .308...

Smooth as butter, accurate and just the sweetest gun I’ve ever shot. It cost me almost $900 before the scope but I bought it when everyone was buying because of Obama.

I topped it with a Nikon 4x16 Buckmaster scope and I truly believe that when I start reloading my own shells, I will be able to hit what I want out to 500 yrds.


61 posted on 02/22/2012 9:24:15 PM PST by Randy Larsen (No Romney vote from my family!)
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To: Randy Larsen

Nice


62 posted on 02/22/2012 9:33:38 PM PST by Vendome (Don't take life so seriously, you won't live through it anyway)
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To: DTogo
In the market for a quality yet reasonably priced rifle to scope and use for target and hunting (mostly white tail) beyond 100m:

In Connecticut and any other Eastern State, rarely are whitetail taken at ranges over 100 meters.

Unless you are hunting on a stand overlooking a large farmers field, an SKS is adequate for whitetail in most Eastern scenarios.

63 posted on 02/22/2012 9:53:38 PM PST by fso301
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To: fso301

Points taken, and already accounted for. This would be for >1” grouping practice at the 100m range in CT, and then out for Midwest white tail hunting at 200m++.


64 posted on 02/22/2012 10:17:45 PM PST by DTogo (High time to bring back the Sons of Liberty !!)
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To: MileHi

Thanks.


65 posted on 02/22/2012 10:20:20 PM PST by DTogo (High time to bring back the Sons of Liberty !!)
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To: DTogo

You used the phrase “reasonably priced”, so - have you considered the Savage .308 bolt offerings? With the accutrigger / accustock equipped models, you’ll have more bang for the buck and less customer service calls to the manufacturer. The Savage Scout might fit the “general purpose” catagory for you. “Stock snobs” generally quack that thier hand-laid fiberglass stocks are FAR, FAR superior to Savage’s synthetics, but to Joe Everyman, there just ain’t much - or any - difference. The Remington 700? Fine piece - personally, paying that much for a rifle in which the safety does not lock the bolt shut when on the “safe” position isn’t my thing. Some of the Savage varients do. Since you mentioned economy, that kinda rules out high-dollar stuff - nothing wrong at all with that. I really like the SMLEs, but you cannot be sure of bore condition until you SHOOT the thing, and most used gun shops don’t allow test shooting before purchase. Ammunition availablity is also key - and remember - 7.62 NATO mil-spec and .308 Winchester are NOT always interchangeable. The case dimentions are slightly different and many rifles won’t extract either/or reliably. Please research this. I learned that the hard way with an elegant Savage 99 - extracts 100% reliably with civilian commercial cases - not so with mil-spec. (I now use small base resizing dies when I reload for it, which still doesn’t make it function with mil-spec brass, but does enhance functioning with commercial stuff in it’s tight chamber). If you’re thinking of SHTF use, beigng able to scrounge ammo is a big consideration. I’vce resigned myself to trying to stockpile 308 Winchester and 30-06 loaded in commercial cases - if I have to scrounge mil-spec and put up with using a cleaning rod to knoch the expended cases out of the chamber, that’s what I’ll have to do. In the mean time, my go-to SHTF rifles are a semi Chinese SKS (Type 56) and a WASR. I cannot reach out like I could with a 308 or an -06, but how often will I HAVE/NEED to? And they are the polar opposite of ammo sensitive. No, they’re not AS accurate as a sporting rifle (minute of coffee can lid at 100 - 150 yards), but they’ll do, I guess. Anyway, good luck - I really respect the more for the money approach you have.


66 posted on 02/23/2012 2:29:28 AM PST by Nathaniel (- A Man Without A Cross -)
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To: MileHi

So the main argument for the .308 is ammo price and that its almost as good as the 30-06.

I can see buying an M1A because you want one. I don’t think I’ll buy something because its almost as good as something else.


67 posted on 02/23/2012 3:33:57 AM PST by driftdiver (I could eat it raw, but why do that when I have a fire.)
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To: Mariner

Browning rifles are made in Japan.


68 posted on 02/23/2012 3:54:28 AM PST by NVDave
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To: DTogo

Consider a pre-’64 Model 70 Winchester. You’ll be glad you did.


69 posted on 02/23/2012 4:35:33 AM PST by donozark (It's hard to afford a psychiatrist when you work at a gas station.)
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To: donozark
If you're looking at a good, solid, and simple bolt action, then the Savage Model 110 (.30-06 Springfield) or Model 10 (.308 Winchester) is perfect for you. I had a Model 10 FP Tactical that was devastatingly accurate. Sharpshooter's Supply in Indiana makes a drop-in adjustable trigger pack that adjusts from 3.5 to 0.5 pounds’ pull without slop or creep or grittiness. I married my rifle to a set of A.R.M.S. No. 22M 30mm throw-lever rings and a Tasco 10X42M “Super Sniper” from S.W.F.A. S.W.F.A. is the sole U.S. supplier for this Hakko-built scope. The 10X42M is built to the same Mil-Spec as the Leopold Mk 4 -- for 1/3 the cost [$399].

Here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Savage_Model_110

70 posted on 02/23/2012 6:10:30 AM PST by MasterGunner01 (11)
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To: DTogo

71 posted on 02/23/2012 6:26:14 AM PST by JoeProBono (A closed mouth gathers no feet - Mater tua caligas gerit ;-{)
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To: DTogo

This was just posted by an old BUD/S classmate on a “secret” SEAL Team group on Facebook.

“Ruger came out to the FTW Ranch to introduce their new “American” rifle. We had approximately 10 of the top writers on hand. We had a lot of fun but best of all the rifle shot great. Sub-MOA. For the price $400 or less, it is well worth the price in my opinion. It will be chambered in .243, .270, .308 and 30-06. You will be able to get yourself or the kids a good hunting rifle. The recoil pad on the 30-06 worked well enough to shoot 200 + rounds in 2.5 days without a problem. Shop and you might find one in the low $300 range.”


72 posted on 02/23/2012 6:28:38 AM PST by Travis McGee (www.EnemiesForeignAndDomestic.com)
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To: DTogo

I have a question. In the last few years, I have purchased three Ruger firearms. A Vaquero, a Mark III, and a Model 77. I was told that Ruger fires a couple of rounds through their guns after they a built and keeps the expended bullets on hand for some sort of identification if the gun is used in a crime. Does any other manufacturer do this? What do you all think of this?


73 posted on 02/23/2012 6:46:43 AM PST by saminfl
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To: driftdiver
My point was that the .308 is the ballistic equal of the .06 with mid weight bullets. For short action bolt guns and autoloaders it is just the ticket. For long action bolt guns (most the inexpensive rifles are long action regardless of chambering)the .06 has an edge with the heavy slugs. For heavy game this is worth considering.

If you want a battle/tactical/target rifle, hard to beat the .308. If you are looking for a big game rifle or a little more versatile rifle, no round is offered in more factory loads of different weights and projectiles than the old .06.

74 posted on 02/23/2012 9:13:27 AM PST by MileHi ( "It's coming down to patriots vs the politicians." - ovrtaxt)
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To: MileHi

For .308, consider either an M1A (”M14”) or a FAL/L1A1. Hard to beat either one.

To the guy who mentioned .303 a while back...for old SMLE’s, try running decoppering solution through the bore multiple times and see if that improves the accuracy. Otherwise, scrounge around on Gunbroker for a No. 4 Mk. II. They were made well into the 1950s (later than they should have been, but that’s a whole ‘nother story) and the British war reserve of them came to the US in the 1990s. Many were literally new in the original wrapper from ROF Fazakerley.


75 posted on 02/23/2012 6:58:01 PM PST by M1903A1 ("We shed all that is good and virtuous for that which is shoddy and sleazy... and call it progress")
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To: Nathaniel

Thanks for the tip on civilian .308 vs milspec 7.62x51, as suspected. Yes, SHTF use is always a consideration. Regarding “more for the money,” effective rounds well-placed are rounds well-placed, and placing them well for less $$ is even better! IMHO


76 posted on 02/23/2012 9:27:58 PM PST by DTogo (High time to bring back the Sons of Liberty !!)
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To: Travis McGee
Shop and you might find one in the low $300 range.

That's the goal, thanks for the feedback - best recommendation yet!

77 posted on 02/23/2012 9:31:13 PM PST by DTogo (High time to bring back the Sons of Liberty !!)
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To: MileHi
If you want a battle/tactical/target rifle...

Yes.

... hard to beat the .308.

That was my conclusion as well.

78 posted on 02/23/2012 9:33:52 PM PST by DTogo (High time to bring back the Sons of Liberty !!)
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