This Ruger American Compact .223 appeals to the cheapo in me (Updated)

[sigp220.45]

I've been looking for a low priced .223 bolt action. This one was red-tagged at the local Sportsman's Warehouse, and with a 5% "custom appreciation" promotion going on it was about $340 brand spanking new.



Next stop Wally World - this little 2-7 Nikon was marked down for not having a box. The gun comes with Weaver bases installed, so all I needed were some rings, and I was in business:



The rifle is very light and well balanced. The trigger is fully adjustable, but I probably won't mess with it as it is fine like it is. The magazine is a mostly plastic rotary-job that holds 5 in .223 caliber.

Its not a walnut and deep-blue beauty but I suspect it will lay some coyotes low. Sight-in tomorrow I hope.

 

[S. Hammer]

Nice. I'm seriously considering one of their .22 Magnum compacts.

 

[RonJ]

Has Ruger abandoned their own base/ring combo?

Rifle looks good! Anxious to hear how she shoots.

 

[Erich]

You and I have similar tastes, vecino. Hope she shoots for you.

 

[Old Corp]

Nice..
My bargain-basement .223 bolt gun is a 1969 Remington M788 with a Leupold 3-9x on it.
GREAT shooting, accurate rifle for something built to sell at Kmart in the 60's!

 

[CatSnipah]

It has a lug for a bipod, yes?

 

[sigp220.45]

It has a lug for a bipod, yes?

Yep, it has a regular sling swivel stud.

 

[don5]

You should like how it shoots. I own three of them including a 308 compact. They are very accurate. I also have a Nikon scope on two of them. I like the Nikon scopes. The Ruger compact has a Redfield revenge scope with the Accu-hunter reticle.

 

[NeoBuckeye]

I was looked at the Ruger American ( in 308 ) for an affordable, entry level rifle. A local place has them for around $325 very regularly at a sale price.
Keep us posted on your impressions of the Ruger.

 

[canoeguy]

I've had a Ruger American in 30/06 caliber for about a year now, shoots and handles great. With a Redfield Revolution 2 X 7 scope installed, the rifle and scope combo weighs less than seven pounds. Even though it's light weight, the stock is designed well and recoil is not bad, especially with 150 grain loads.

My best efforts at reloading for this rifle has resulted in a five shot, .75 inch group at 100 yards with a Sierra 150 grain HPBT bullet (match bullet). Factory 150 grain soft points shoot 1.0 inch groups. Great rifle, you'll love yours....

 

[cowart]

I've been looking for a low priced .223 bolt action. This one was red-tagged at the local Sportsman's Warehouse, and with a 5% "custom appreciation" promotion going on it was about $340 brand spanking new.

FWIW, BudsGunShop regularly sells Ruger "American" centerfire rifles for prices ranging from $289 to $342 including free shipping

They appear to have most of the popular calibers in stock.

 

[L Pete]

My LGS has one of those in .243, and I fondle her every time I go in there. If it was a .223, I'd bring her home with me.....

 

[sigp220.45]

I put about 60 rounds through it today. It functioned perfectly, though loading that odd magazine took some getting used to.

Shoots great - this is at 100 yards from the Chevy benchrest:



I've read elsewhere grousing that it is a .223 and not a 5.56mm. Personally, I think the concern about one not working in the other is overblown. I put 20 rounds of 5.56 marked ammo through it without a problem.

My overall impression is very favorable. The trigger is great. The recoil pad, while not needed on a .223, is very nice and I'm sure is much appreciated on the larger calibers.

I think Ruger hit a home run with this one.

 

[Pete99004]

I'll bet Ol Willie Cayotiee will keep his head low when your out and about with that one.

Happy new Ruger to you!
Pete

 

[don5]

That group looks pretty good. Actually it resembles some groups from the ones I own. I shoot reloads through mine. My 14 year old son shoots a full size 308 loaded with Nosler 165 gr bullet loaded with Varget powder. I shoot the 165 gr Nosler in my 30-06 as well. You should try shooting some 55 grain Hornady Vmax through that rifle. I bet those groups would tighten up. BTW - In the last two deer seasons, I have fired two shots and bagged two deer. My son however cannot say that! Yep-old dad still has it!

 

[LVSteve]

I suppose if anybody was really worried about shooting 5.56 NATO they could get their local gunsmith to run a Wylde chamber reamer in there.

 

[don5]

Hey sig, when I bought mine there was special deal going on. When you went to Ruger's homepage and registered the rifle, they would send you a free cheekpiece for the stock. It is a nice cheekpiece, it has the Ruger logo and holds 5 shells. I think they sell them for $20. You might want to check it out. I just bought the last one in Dec right before Christmas and it was on then.

 

[sigp220.45]

Hey sig, when I bought mine there was special deal going on. When you went to Ruger's homepage and registered the rifle, they would send you a free cheekpiece for the stock. It is a nice cheekpiece, it has the Ruger logo and holds 5 shells. I think they sell them for $20. You might want to check it out. I just bought the last one in Dec right before Christmas and it was on then.

Thanks, Don - the promotion is still on. I filled out the online form and am awaiting its arrival!

 

[Dirtman]

You should like how it shoots. I own three of them including a 308 compact. They are very accurate. I also have a Nikon scope on two of them. I like the Nikon scopes. The Ruger compact has a Redfield revenge scope with the Accu-hunter reticle.

I am considering buying a Ruger American Compact in 308. How does it shoot at about 100 yards? I will be putting a Leupold VX-R lighted reticle (Firedot) scope on it for very low light night hog hunting.

 

[JJEH]

Very nice.