My 5.56 RAR was at best a 1.5 MOA gun. Sold it.
Ruger American Gen II
- Thread starter nakneker
- Start date
This is so true... It's exactly why I went Tikka... My Ruger American rimfire is outstanding but I have been told others not so great and even mine has its flaws , weak stock , not so great trigger and it sounds like a zipper running the bolt but it's incredibly accurate so it's a keeper... I was actually scared to buy one for a new hunting rifle because they can be so hit and miss.... If they could guarantee a center-fire would shoot as good I would buy one tomorrow but they can't and for roughly $150 more you can get a Tikka.... I sure hope the gen 2 has a few improvements because I would be willing to try one and save a hundred fifty bucks for a daily shooter in .223 to play around with....
I experimented and bought a $350 16" heavy threaded barrel Remington 783. It averaged an easy ¾" with 4 factory brands. Factory stock setup was terrible. I put it in a $50 ebay Boyd's stock now its as heavy as lead. Black Friday sale I bought a MTD chassis for under $350. Waiting on it now. I wish I had just bought Tikka.
Remember this about Ruger. In their beginning they built durable quality using new manufacturing techniques. Today they mostly use new manufacturing techniques to build a lot of cheap stuff (maybe not everything) to serve the whims of an uninformed public.
I have a Ruger American rimfire that does not resemble accurate. I don't look at Ruger's offerings any more.
Remember this about Ruger. In their beginning they built durable quality using new manufacturing techniques. Today they mostly use new manufacturing techniques to build a lot of cheap stuff (maybe not everything) to serve the whims of an uninformed public.
I have a Ruger American rimfire that does not resemble accurate. I don't look at Ruger's offerings any more.
CaptainMal
Silver $$ Contributor
Recommended a Gen 1 to a friend. He has used it now for lots of hunting and success EXCEPT for the bolt. With a two-stage safety and nothing to hold the bolt down he has "clicked" on multiple deer. Seems that in a stand he bumps the bolt handle, it slightly lifts and then uses much of the firing pin spring energy to close the bolt before firing. Light pin strikes are a "fail to fire".
He literally cried when it did not go off on a large buck. Frustrated me as I disassembled, looked and looked. Factory ammo and headspace was not the issue. Then I found it and duplicated the problem with primed cases to show him.
The solution I offered was a rubber band from bolt to around the trigger guard to hold it down. A better solution I am now suggesting to him is a Gen II.
He literally cried when it did not go off on a large buck. Frustrated me as I disassembled, looked and looked. Factory ammo and headspace was not the issue. Then I found it and duplicated the problem with primed cases to show him.
The solution I offered was a rubber band from bolt to around the trigger guard to hold it down. A better solution I am now suggesting to him is a Gen II.
I have a gen2 in 6.5 creed. The action/bolt is much improved, not a Tikka but dam close. They are all AICS mag compatible unless it's the odd cartridges that take PMAGS. Feeding is great. I couldn't grow to like the stock so I bedded it into a Pro Varmint with metal AICS parts. Probably going to rebarrel to a dasher but might sell the whole thing.
I have a Gen 1 RAR that my wife won. It’s a .270 Win and it does shoot great. The stock leaves a lot to be desired though. Trigger is ok, but you can fix that with a replacement spring or new trigger now. I’ve handled some Gen 2’s, the stock feels sturdier, and no zipper sound in the bolt, still not as smooth as my Tikka’s, nor do I expect them to be. I don’t plan on buying a new Gen 2, but wouldn’t stop anyone that wants one. My LGS has sold all but one they got it so far.
And this is exactly why I don't mind my Tikka locking the bolt when the safety is on.... I wish you could unload it with the safety on but I have unloaded tons of guns without the safety on so no big deal... Simply keep your booger flicker off the boom switch and you will have no problems as my buddy says... I want a gen two in .223 myself but they aren't on or aren't staying on shelves here...
nakneker
Gold $$ Contributor
I’m pretty sure I’m going to try one, probably just pull one off gunbroker, our local store doesn’t carry much along those lines. I may try a 204. I’m too curious about them…….
Ruger has got a great rifle for the price point if they would just get their act together on the stocks provided. The regular gen 1 Americans are awesome rifles except for the flimbsy stock that comes with them. Looks like they've done the same thing again with this funky looking stock but I haven't handled one so maybe the function is better than the looks.
The best thing I did to one of my original American is put it in a Magpul Hunter stock. All the difference in the world.
The best thing I did to one of my original American is put it in a Magpul Hunter stock. All the difference in the world.
I had wanted a Gen I in 6.5 Creedmor but covid hit and they were unavailable. Bought a Ruger precision.I admit to having little fondness for the Ruger American Gen I, the only one I had - had problems with feeding, accuracy was ok, not meant to be offensive, it’s just my experience with one rifle. However these Gen 2s might be a lot of rifle for a street price of 600.00 as seen on gunbroker currently. The other thing that they have going for them is the variety of cartridges they are planning to offer, 6.5 Grendel, 6arc, 22 arc, 204, 300 blk, 350 legend, 400 legend, 450 bushmaster and many of the standard cartridges including the ranch version. I’m pretty sure the 223 is using a PMag or can use a PMag. I don’t know if they are using a threaded barrel, don’t know much about them at all but I’m curious if they shoot. Anyone using one? Interested in feedback on the Gen II, accuracy and feeding from the mag?
Ruger®
ruger.com
Got a bonus at Christmas 2023 and had found a Gen I and ordered it. 13 days later read about the Gen II, cancelled order and had my name on wait list at four places. My local shop got one first. Picked it up two weeks ago. It's been bitter cold here and windy so I haven't thoroughly vetted it yet but at a mere 50 yds it shoots very well
I'm also happy with first results at 100. Like I said, it's been windy, and while I get two of three rounds touching, one of three has been a bit of an outlier.
I'm more of a plinker at this point, but if I was hunting I would be eating well.
I put a Caldwell picatinny rail on the front stud Saturday and use and Atlas bipod for most of my shooting (I sight in the scope off of a lead sled). I'm using 120g whitetail right now.
Attachments
Follow up to previous post. I find the mag feed works well, but the bolt seems to run, how to describe, less than smooth, unlike my precision which is silky.
Here's the accuracy attached. Red squares are initial sight in at 50 yds. Diamond is best group of four 3 round shots at 100 yds. 1" squares.
Here's the accuracy attached. Red squares are initial sight in at 50 yds. Diamond is best group of four 3 round shots at 100 yds. 1" squares.
Attachments
Another follow up...in my original post I said it was bitter cold and I was wearing thin shooters gloves..with that said, I mentioned the bolt wasn't as smooth as my Ruger precision, which should be expected for the price difference.
But, I think the rifle being new, wearing gloves, and it being so cold, the clunky action was probably more me than anything else. I've run it several times since then at home and find it quite smooth.I suspect I wasn't lifting the bolt handle up fully, cleanly.
Supposed to be in the fifties this Sunday. Will know more then.
But, I think the rifle being new, wearing gloves, and it being so cold, the clunky action was probably more me than anything else. I've run it several times since then at home and find it quite smooth.I suspect I wasn't lifting the bolt handle up fully, cleanly.
Supposed to be in the fifties this Sunday. Will know more then.
Good luck finding oneI admit to having little fondness for the Ruger American Gen I, the only one I had - had problems with feeding, accuracy was ok, not meant to be offensive, it’s just my experience with one rifle. However these Gen 2s might be a lot of rifle for a street price of 600.00 as seen on gunbroker currently. The other thing that they have going for them is the variety of cartridges they are planning to offer, 6.5 Grendel, 6arc, 22 arc, 204, 300 blk, 350 legend, 400 legend, 450 bushmaster and many of the standard cartridges including the ranch version. I’m pretty sure the 223 is using a PMag or can use a PMag. I don’t know if they are using a threaded barrel, don’t know much about them at all but I’m curious if they shoot. Anyone using one? Interested in feedback on the Gen II, accuracy and feeding from the mag?
Ruger®
Midway USA has three calibers in the Ranch version, 5.56, 7.62 and 450
Midway USA has the Gen II in 5.56, 7.62, and 450 bushmaster.
When I ordered my 6.5 Creedmor, Stephanie at Bullseye Firearms in Grafton Ohio ordered a .308.that was also available from her distributor for inventory. Looks exactly like mine. $589?
Been looking for the Grendel for months. Opted for the Howa
nakneker
Gold $$ Contributor
The two chamberings I'm interested are availed, that being 204 and 300BO. Hopefully they off the others they list at some point too.
Glad to see this thread still going I think the gen 2 with their improvements will be a great rifle at the $600 price point.... I don't think Ruger will ever make a silky smooth bolt I got to work an awesome 300prc in the Ruger precision line and the bolt was exactly as described above but the rifle was a hammer.... My Ruger rimfire shoots great but has the exact problems of flimsy stock and the bolt sounds like a zipper when running the trigger isnt exactly great but works , hey it's a $300 gun that's shot many many quarter to half inch groups at fifty... I think with a few mods the gen two will be a great one also.... The only problem Ruger has is at a certain point Tikka comes into play...
I get they are trying to compete in a cheap rifle market but people will pay for quality and precision when it comes to a rifle I understand most people don't know any differences between a $300 rifle and a $1300 rifle but this cheaper quality and lack of QC by as ruined many a company.... This applies to anything , I remember when Chevy started trying to hang with the cheap truck market and turned out some real crap.... At that point I went to Toyota and after 7 of them I finally had to put one in the shop a 2024 with a leak in the oil pan gasket.... It took them a day to find the tiny leak and a day to repair it.... I have a 2023 f150 , my first ford truck , I needed a V8 to pull a travel trailer... The only problem I have had us the trailer lights got wet in a DOWNPOUR and it kicked a trailer brake module light on... It took the four days to fix it and they would never return a call I finally had to go down there and get nasty.... I love the truck , hate the customer service and if Toyota didn't put a twin turbo six banger in the truck last year and would have kept the 5.7 hemi I would own that instead... If companies would learn to stop fixing things that aren't broke and stop trying to reinvent the mouse trap they would be in better shape and so would we....
I get they are trying to compete in a cheap rifle market but people will pay for quality and precision when it comes to a rifle I understand most people don't know any differences between a $300 rifle and a $1300 rifle but this cheaper quality and lack of QC by as ruined many a company.... This applies to anything , I remember when Chevy started trying to hang with the cheap truck market and turned out some real crap.... At that point I went to Toyota and after 7 of them I finally had to put one in the shop a 2024 with a leak in the oil pan gasket.... It took them a day to find the tiny leak and a day to repair it.... I have a 2023 f150 , my first ford truck , I needed a V8 to pull a travel trailer... The only problem I have had us the trailer lights got wet in a DOWNPOUR and it kicked a trailer brake module light on... It took the four days to fix it and they would never return a call I finally had to go down there and get nasty.... I love the truck , hate the customer service and if Toyota didn't put a twin turbo six banger in the truck last year and would have kept the 5.7 hemi I would own that instead... If companies would learn to stop fixing things that aren't broke and stop trying to reinvent the mouse trap they would be in better shape and so would we....
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hoz53
Gold $$ Contributor
Personally I dont want any more factory bolt action rifles but I wish Ruger would expand the Marlin line so I could get a new 336 in 35 rem among a few others. Sorry 4 the hijack nakneker
nakneker
Gold $$ Contributor
Don’t apologize, I wish they would too. I have two of their 45-70s, an 1895 stainless and the new Dark, definitely improved over REM/Marlins. They finally got the 30-30 out and the 44 mag so they are making progress. A new 35 rem 336 would be one I’d buy too! I have an old waffle top with a peep, it’s been a great rifle but my eyes are as crisp as they use to be and I’ll never drill and tap that rifle.
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