Ruger vs ruger…

[MissiontoMars]

What would you prefer?

Ruger gunsite scout in .308

Ruger American hunter magpul in .308

For punching paper, desert steel fun, possible 200yards or less private land hunting.

Price is fairly similar on these locally.

I’m a lefty, don’t prefer left or right - never really liked my Remington 700 build, thinking about trying a ruger this time.

[splithoof]

The GSR has worked very well for us. The shorter barrel, ability to mount optics in either conventional or forward position, excellent iron sights, and a robust action have all helped make it a good hunting rifle. All three of ours (two stainless, one blued) are easily 1MOA shooters with good bullets. They can all benefit from some careful polishing of the bolt assembly however, as the stout Mauser-like claw extractor does drag a tiny bit when new. Also we find that the blue carbon steel variations are generally smoother. I wish that Ruger had retained the tang-mounted safety, but with practice the current style works just fine. I also prefer the laminate stocks over the plastic variety.
My experience with the American hunter is limited, although we do keep a Ruger Precision Rifle, which has a similar action. That is a “push feed”, and as such is notably smoother, and while the GSR’s trigger is acceptable from the box, I suspect that the trigger on the American Hunter to be better.
As to muzzle brakes, I prefer to run only thread protectors, to keep weight down and a smoother profile near the muzzle.

[MissiontoMars]

Originally Posted by splithoof

The GSR has worked very well for us. The shorter barrel, ability to mount optics in either conventional or forward position, excellent iron sights, and a robust action have all helped make it a good hunting rifle. All three of ours (two stainless, one blued) are easily 1MOA shooters with good bullets. They can all benefit from some careful polishing of the bolt assembly however, as the stout Mauser-like claw extractor does drag a tiny bit when new. Also we find that the blue carbon steel variations are generally smoother. I wish that Ruger had retained the tang-mounted safety, but with practice the current style works just fine. I also prefer the laminate stocks over the plastic variety.
My experience with the American hunter is limited, although we do keep a Ruger Precision Rifle, which has a similar action. That is a “push feed”, and as such is notably smoother, and while the GSR’s trigger is acceptable from the box, I suspect that the trigger on the American Hunter to be better.
As to muzzle brakes, I prefer to run only thread protectors, to keep weight down and a smoother profile near the muzzle.

Thanks for your thoughts.

[200Apples]

+1 for the Gunsite Scout rifle.

Mine is an earlier, blued gun. With the muzzle device removed and with a thread protector in it's place, the barrel measures 17.25".

I bought my GSR with a grey laminate stock, and as soon as Ruger offered the composite stock for sale, I bought one and installed my gun's action in it. I did that to cut weight. And while the gun is lighter, it does not balance as well in the hand as it did with the additional mass of the factory origninal birch laminate buttstock. I did save that stock, however...





I do enjoy shooting my GSR, and with various bullet weights. I do not have enough time on it to have settled on one particular load, but it usually hits what I aim it at, so my affection for the gun is increased by how well it shoots. And I liked it before I even bought it.

I just have a hankerin' for short, light, handy and "friendly" rifles/carbines, hence my predilection for lever action long guns too.

[MissiontoMars]

Originally Posted by 200Apples

+1 for the Gunsite Scout rifle.

Mine is an earlier, blued gun. With the muzzle device removed and with a thread protector in it's place, the barrel measures 17.25".

I bought my GSR with a grey laminate stock, and as soon as Ruger offered the composite stock for sale, I bought one and installed my gun's action in it. I did that to cut weight. And while the gun is lighter, it does not balance as well in the hand as it did with the additional mass of the factory origninal birch laminate buttstock. I did save that stock, however...





I do enjoy shooting my GSR, and with various bullet weights. I do not have enough time on it to have settled on one particular load, but it usually hits what I aim it at, so my affection for the gun is increased by how well it shoots. And I liked it before I even bought it.

I just have a hankerin' for short, light, handy and "friendly" rifles/carbines, hence my predilection for lever action long guns too.

That's a beauty. I really like using iron sights (though they limit effective range eventually) and a quality scout-style scope and same here for light handy carbines. That's how my Remlin 336 is setup, and the same for my Ruger PC carbine.

I think the GSR is where it's at for me, even though admittedly I'm a big magpul fanboi.

[Garbcollector]

American hunter magpul edition hands-down.

[ar15barrels]

Originally Posted by MissiontoMars

What would you prefer?

Ruger gunsite scout in .308

Ruger American hunter magpul in .308

For punching paper, desert steel fun, possible 200yards or less private land hunting.

Price is fairly similar on these locally.

I’m a lefty, don’t prefer left or right - never really liked my Remington 700 build, thinking about trying a ruger this time.

If everything is 200yds or less, get the scout.
If you want to shoot steel and rocks out at 600yds, get the Hunter with a traditional rifle scope mounting location and a longer barrel.

[Munny$hot]

Definitely the American, but for me I go with the ranch or predator stock with their V block is verry solid from the factory.

[FishnHunt]

Neither?
Tikka T3x
https://choose.tikka.fi/usa/tikka/t3x-lite-roughtech

[MissiontoMars]

Originally Posted by FishnHunt

Neither?
Tikka T3x
https://choose.tikka.fi/usa/tikka/t3x-lite-roughtech

yeah, ok, Tikka's are nice. love their trigger, but realized that I'm looking for a 16-20" barrel. Basically, on the shorter, handier side. Those Tikka's don't go smaller than 22-24" inches.



Just easier all around for carrying, storage, etc. My house and vehicles are on the smaller side, usually packed to the gills with 3 kids, and also my two safes are not "full size" - they're compact and anything past 20" is a really pain to store.

Plus I just like shorter rifles.

[splithoof]

Originally Posted by MissiontoMars

That's a beauty. I really like using iron sights (though they limit effective range eventually) and a quality scout-style scope and same here for light handy carbines. That's how my Remlin 336 is setup, and the same for my Ruger PC carbine.

I think the GSR is where it's at for me, even though admittedly I'm a big magpul fanboi.

The GSR iron sights are very well thought out and made. Yes, they will at some point limit effective range; for me, that used to be 100 yards, but when I turned 50, that started to change. Now I have the irons zeroed at 100, but 50 is where I like to use them for an 8” round target. Between the two ranges there isn’t much practical difference. I used to use the Leupold 2.5X fixed, but when I moved to their 1.5-5X, with Firedot reticle, making hits on the 300 yard “10-8” got a lot easier and faster. Old age is inescapable; at least know I’m back to shooting from field positions after getting some new body parts.
If you get a GSR, try using 168 grain match bullets; my three all really shoot the SMK’s better than anything else. If you reload, you can find factory seconds occasionally that make them affordable in bulk.
Quick-release rings, some factory five-round magazines, and a Rhodesian sling from Andy’s leather will give you a very robust setup that will last.
Lastly, take it to school and learn how to really run it. That’s where it really gets fun!

[ar15barrels]

Originally Posted by MissiontoMars

yeah, ok, Tikka's are nice. love their trigger, but realized that I'm looking for a 16-20" barrel. Basically, on the shorter, handier side. Those Tikka's don't go smaller than 22-24" inches.

A $100 will fix that problem.
Almost any bolt action rifle can have the barrel shortened and recrowned.

[FishnHunt]

That tikka I posted was suppose to be link to ia 20”.
I just can’t stand how ruger American action feels.
I also have a Sauer 100 . They used to be on sale At sportsman’s for cheap. For $100 to get it cut and threaded would be the ticket… for me.
Guess I just like silky smooth actions vs grit.


https://imgur.com/a/kiZQxt5

[k1dude]

Originally Posted by MissiontoMars

yeah, ok, Tikka's are nice. love their trigger, but realized that I'm looking for a 16-20" barrel. Basically, on the shorter, handier side. Those Tikka's don't go smaller than 22-24" inches.

There's a whole bunch of 20" barrels in the link he provided.

[Luciansulla]

Ruger American Predator. 18 inch barrel in .308, and the stock is much lighter than the Hunter.

[sigstroker]

Originally Posted by FishnHunt

Neither?
Tikka T3x
https://choose.tikka.fi/usa/tikka/t3x-lite-roughtech

You stole my answer.

[MissiontoMars]

Originally Posted by k1dude

There's a whole bunch of 20" barrels in the link he provided.

No, you’re totally right. Looked again and sure enough: .308, lefty, 20in.

Thx for the option.

[Ahansom]

The RSI International's in .308 and .243 where my choice for a short barrel Ruger. IMG_4794.jpg

[smittty]

BERGARA Hunter or Timber,

https://www.kygunco.com/product/berg...n-22-synthetic

https://www.kygunco.com/product/berg...8-walnut-stock

[W.R.Buchanan]

You don't have to mount the scope in the "Scout Position".

I have #159 of the first run of these guns and never even considered doing a Scout Scope. Mine started out with a 1-5 Leupold, and now has a 3x9 Leupold.

The 1-5x was mounted using Ruger Rings that came with the gun. That gave way to a longer XS Rail that has a Peep Sight integral, which gave way to the 3-9X with a GG&G QD mount on the XS Rail which is where it's at right now.

The gun has been Sub MOA from the get go, with 7/8" 5 shot groups being the norm. The gun is a joy to shoot.



The Gun handles and shoots best with the little Bushnell TRS 25 mounted.

Very fast on target and with a .308 if you hit them they know it!



Randy

[pennstater]

Originally Posted by Ahansom

The RSI International's in .308 and .243 where my choice for a short barrel Ruger. Attachment 1135835

Have one of those RSI's in .308 Win. Handy rifle. Damn hard to find nowadays.

MLC