Did Ruger just invent the perfect bolt action LTR?

[Ringer68]

Nice... wish they'd had this when I bought my last Ruger rifle. They have added what I had to rig myself. Very cool. I have the American Rifle in .308 and it was perfect right out of the box. Have a bunch of others but Ruger is one of my favs, especially for Appleseed.

[stoneknives]

Tech Sights for Ruger 10/22 AMERICAN

The great folk's at TechSights sent me a Answer to the 10/22 American sight question.


"We have tested our sights on the new Ruger American Rimfire rifle.  We found that the sight components we use in the MXT200 (Marlin bolt action sights) sight package will fit the Ruger with one exception.  The factory front sight is held on with one screw which uses a different thread pitch than our sight package.  The easiest solution is to use the original Ruger front sight screw to attach our front sight to the barrel instead of the screw that comes with our MXT200 sight. 



Until we get specific instructions and packaging made for the Ruger sight package, and until we get the new sight package listed on our web page, the MXT200 sight package is the correct sight for use with the Ruger American Rimfire rifle. 



Attached is a quick image showing our sights on the rifle.



Thank you for your interest in our products.

Sincerely,

Erik Nesseth"

[flynbuff]

A thing of beauty. Sold!

[mac66]

Thanks for the review. 

[Fixxer]

Hi guys, I can't wait to buy a bolt-action Ruger American .22! But, I will probably attend my first Appleseed shoot before that. This November in New Philadelphia, OH.

My .22 of choice is a well loved '68 Savage Springfield 120A.

I don't know if there is an emphasis on speed at Appleseed. I suppose there is a rapid-fire string to shoot. Will my vintage hand-loader be a pain?

My teenager will shoot his 10/22

Best wishes,

Steve

[Unbridled Liberty]

Steve,

Rifleman scores have been shot on the AQT with single shot bolt rifles...by extremely experienced Appleseed instructors.  So, it can be done.  If you simply want to learn the fundamentals of rifle marksmanship and want to learn about your heritage and history, come with your Savage.  Most every Shoot Boss and most instructors bring loaner rifles as well.

UL

[RimfireJim]

I don't know if there is an emphasis on speed at Appleseed. I suppose there is a rapid-fire string to shoot. Will my vintage hand-loader be a pain?

The emphasis is on proper technique, not speed, but there are two stages of the Army Qualification Target course of fire that are rapid fire: sitting or kneeling rapid, and prone rapid. 10 shot in 50 seconds and 60 seconds, respectively, transitioning from the unloaded standing condition, meaning the clock is running while you are getting into position and loading. A single-shot rifle will definitely be a handicap during those stages, as it is a push even with a bolt-action repeater or other non-self-loaders. But don't let that keep you from going, learning all you can, shooting your best, and having fun. Figure out some techniques ahead of time to minimize the single shot penalty, like having a way to have your ammo super easy to access, such as a block with generous spacing around each round.

[Fixxer]

Thanks Guys, I guess I've never been in much of a hurry when shooting the .22

My son on the other hand wishes his .22 was a Tommy Gun 

I'm certain to enjoy myself at Appleseed no matter what, but I'm still surfing the gun shops for a .22 American 

Steve

PS BTW: Vote Gary

[Fixxer]

Bought a standard (long) barrel Ruger American Rimfire yesterday, and ordered TechSights for it last night. I like that it shoots quiets and subsonic ammo without complaining I shot about 50 rounds during our winter rain yesterday, but with fresh snow on the ground this morning I may not get out...besides I hate the stock sights. It just makes it hard to enjoy precision shooting trying to balance a glowing green dot on a white diamond 

I'll report again after more shooting,

Fixxer

[Bluesteel]

Realguns.com did a very nice (and very favorable) review of the American rimfire.  They replied to me via FB, that they found it more accurate than the CZ 455 in their testing.  Given the lighter weight (which would allow a scoped version to make the 7.5lb. CMP rimfire sporter limit), I think we'll be seeing a lot of them at Camp Perry this summer:

http://www.realguns.com/articles/535.htm

[BeSwift]

Picked up the rifle version yesterday. The trigger sold me on it..VERY nice... Very excited to try it out this weekend. Ordered all items needed to mount a scope to it. Going to try it out at Camp Butner CMP Rimfire Sporter, so we'll see how it goes...  BeSwift

UPDATE: Tried it out with 3 different kinds of ammo on the "squares" target at 25 yrds off the bench.. Using stock Ruger iron sights, was UGLY.. Definitely Minute Of Beercan...   If you get one of these you're going to HAVE TO do Tech Sites or glass for any kind of precision shooting. Best group was about 1", with most averaging closer to 2"...  I'll update again once I have glass on the rifle.. 

[Ninja Piper]

I have sold several of these rifles and have yet to hear a complaint about it. Granted, the majority of the customers I sold them have not been the competition type or have gone to an Appleseed (yet... it's still to damn cold here in WI!).

[henschman]

The CZ-452 was already the perfect bolt action LTR... I have to try hard NOT to shoot Expert with mine, lol... but the Ruger is certainly a more affordable option.  It has big shoes to fill if it hopes to compete with the Savage bolt guns, which are both extremely accurate and extremely cheap... but the fact that it takes 10/22 mags is a huge selling point.  I have only seen one on the firing line so far... a kid was trying to make do with the factory irons and was not doing well.  He ended up switching out for a Tech Sighted loaner to finish the course.  I did get to handle the rifle, and it seemed to be of high quality.  I have no doubt it will be a great Rifleman making machine with the addition of Tech Sights or a scope. 

[Fixxer]

Almost above freezing on this Presidents Day...time to go celebrate Liberty 


RAR3 by FX'r, on Flickr

[BeSwift]

Picked up the rifle version yesterday. The trigger sold me on it..VERY nice... Very excited to try it out this weekend. Ordered all items needed to mount a scope to it. Going to try it out at Camp Butner CMP Rimfire Sporter, so we'll see how it goes...  BeSwift

UPDATE: Tried it out with 3 different kinds of ammo on the "squares" target at 25 yrds off the bench.. Using stock Ruger iron sights, was UGLY.. Definitely Minute Of Beercan...   If you get one of these you're going to HAVE TO do Tech Sites or glass for any kind of precision shooting. Best group was about 1", with most averaging closer to 2"...  I'll update again once I have glass on the rifle..

Update II:   Got glass on the rifle. (Nikon 3x AR scope).. Now putting 10 shots in 1 ragged hole at 25 meters with CCI standard velocity. Purchasing the shorter length of pull stock module for proper eye relief with this glass... (this is a poor scope choice for this rifle btw...)

[Charles McKinley]

I have an email into EGW asking if they have a scope rail to fit this rifle yet.  Sounds like one of these rifle will be entering my stable.

[Fixxer]

I had some fun yesterday trying different ammo I had around. Nothing scientific. It was cold out but I bundled up and enjoyed myself for an hour or so. All shot prone at 25 meters. 5 shots at each square except the center targets were 10. The right center target I was trying to see if I could get a shot off for each breath. I am new at precision shooting so I figured I better start practicing if I am ever going to shoot Rifleman with this bolt rifle.

Best wishes,

Fixxer


ammomisc by FX'r, on Flickr

[hootntexas]

Some good groups there Fixxer, it never ceases to amaze me the difference in size of groups with different ammo.

Here is my first attempt at timed 10 rounds with my new RAR compact using CCI SV.  I think this rifle is a keeper....

[Fixxer]

Very nice Tex! I love this rifle too.  As a relative beginner my shooting is inconsistent, so I can't say group size is based entirely on ammo selection. The CCI SVs sure looked good though. If it was warmer out I may have been able to settle in and feel more confident in my shooting. I'll keep at it as the snow melts

Fixxer

[Charles McKinley]

I just received an email from EGW and they should have a scope rail out for the Rimfire American in a month or so.  I hope it is by the end of March I might convince the finance department this would be a good birthday present. 

[Johnnyappleseed]

The Ruger sure enjoyed the cci standard vel. I assume they are 40 grn. Nice group and good shooting !

My experience with 22s seems to indicate the 40 grn bullets group better .

[Fixxer]

I had never heard of the Rifleman's Challenge:

http://www.riflemanschallenge.com/appleseed.html

My goal will be to accomplish it sans scope.

Thanks!

Fixxer

[Charles McKinley]

I picked up the compact model the other day.  If I can move the sight 2 MOA with out going over I think I will be able to hold sub 4 MOA with the stock sights.  I will scope it when funds are available as open sight are only good for me to punch paper and I still am not thrilled.

EGW does have a zero MOA rail out now.  I would like a 20 MOA rail to stretch it out a little.

The trigger on mine breaks right at 3# right out of the box.  I find if I'm truly focused on the front site the fiber optic dot becomes very aimable and smaller.  If I'm not focused on it it balloons into a green blur. (did I mention I have had bifocals from 4th grade  )

The mags drop free.

I think this will be a very popular rifle at CMP.  Does anyone know if the sights off of a Ruger Mark II pistol will work on this?  It may be a good option for the open sights class if they do.

I'll post some pick after some more quality time with a hammer and the rear sight.

[mac66]

My conversation with the Ruger execs at the NRA convention mentioned making a bolt action version of the 50th Anniversary Contest 10/22 rifle, i.e, peep sights, rail, FH etc. Kind of a mini scout rifle.  They thought it would be a natural evolution of their American Rimfire. Just talk at this point but notes were taken and discussed.

[grunt soldier]

I shot Rbuckles at the crawfordsville shoot a while back and it was a great little set up.  first time picking it up I shot a 211 with it. the bolt is smooth and ran very well.

[TLARbb]

I think it would be a great Appleseed rifle with the exception of the stock open sights.  The rear leaf especially.  A good peep/ghost ring is really needed.  The rear on the 50th anniversary 10-22 while a better option than the folding leaf, is just not good enough for this program IMO.   I have the Nodak sight set up on my old carbine and it is MUCH better than the sights on the anniversary model. 

There are people that could make rifleman with the stock American BA sight setup, but I'm not one of them.  At least not anymore.

I have a Remington 33 with peep sights and it is amazing what that little rifle can do.  But being a single shot, it is too much of a handicap.

If I had what I wanted in a bolt action .22 for Appleseed, it would be a CZ 452 Military trainer with at least the ghost ring leaf for the rear sight.  Might want to get one to try on my FS.  The trainer is better because of the longer sight radius.  The Ultra Lux with the 28" barrel would be even better for precision, but I've never had the opportunity to try one to see how it handles.

I like the American series of rifles even if the stock is plastic; they feel perfect.  Ruger's plastic design team did a great job with them.  They fit me very well and when I'm looking at the sights over the barrel, I can't see the plastic stock.  A very nice, economical rifle that shoots well.  It's a winner and so will the 50th anniversary 10-22 rifle; maybe it will become a standard catalog item for Ruger.  I hope so.

EJ

[mac66]

Rumor has it that River is going to come out with the RAR set up like my contest 10\22 with peeps.

[AS.I.R]

Thought I would throw my 2 cents into this post. I have two Ruger American. My frist one was the .270 WIN (long action I believe). This was my first bolt gun and nice to shoot. I wish it had the module butt stock, but what are you going to do. The second was the .22 LR, which I shot in the Battle Creek Appleseed event June 7/8 2013. It had a good time at the event and running the bolt. Surprisingly enough, another Appleseed shooter had the Ruger American .22 LR as well, but his was the scout model I believe (shorter barrel).

During the event, I didn't have any issues. I was't able to work the bolt fast enough on the two rounds of the AQT where you have less then a minute with a mag change. The closest I came was cambering the last round when they called time. For being my first time, and with a bolt gun, I was shooting pretty concistenly in my score (after the first couple, I was always hitting a little shy of Rifleman). I also had some tight groups on the red coats and hitting the metal plate at 100 yards. To also note, I didn't clean the rifle after the first day of Appleseed (I cleaned it before the event and after the second day, but not inbetween) and was using CCI Standard Ammo, lead nose. There was a lot of lead build up on the mags, bolt, and camber, but it still ran like a champ. Took a little longer to clean it though.

Before the event, I was working on getting the scope sighted and had some chambering issues. I have the 3 mag adapter (that puts three 10/22 mags together in a triangle form) and I think that was causing the issue ( if the front comes down too much, it has trouble chambering lead rounds). That was the only trouble. When I ran the mags normal, no issue. Just something to keep in mind. And the 10/22 bananna mags will work, might be a little hard for prone though.

They don't have many after market parts for the American (like the 10/22), but the 10/22 mag release should work if it is the long one.If you get the short with the paddles on the end, you won't be able to use it (due to the way the release is setup, it is in a removal block and you can't fit the paddle in the cut out to reinstall it).

All and all, a great bolt action for having fun with.

[NH-GP100]

I know for a fact you can take  the patch with this gun - because I have done it twice. Stone stock "full sized" setup w/Nikon 3-9 BDC (set to 4x), CCI SV ammo. Shot a 230 in 39 shots; and a 224 with 40.

I have since added a Williams peep to the rear and a Lyman globe to the front (had a gunsmith friend at the club dovetail the front)  and am using that for the rimfire/irons matches my club shoots, where I am shooting 100 out of 150 on a (I want to say t-03?) Standard nra smallbore target at 50yrds standing offhand, unslung.

I don't have the pics (on my phone), but it will keep a 10 round clover leaf off the sled at 50 with CCI SV under ideal conditions. The irons setup with the scope on Leopold rimfire rings and the interchangeable butts means I can dial both sight setups in and all I have to do is swap inserts amd I am good to go.

A note about the accuracy: I may have lucked out with this one. There have been a number of QA/QC problems thag folks have brought up on RFC. I *LITERALLY* got one of the first ones available from my lgs here in NH, less than a week after they where announced. As far as I can tell from forum posts it is as or more accurate as any others anyone has posted about. That said, Ruger seems to have all the same issues with sub-par guns making it out the door as any other reasonably priced gun maker has. The difference, of course, is that they have what may be the best CS in the field.

In my ~30 years as a Ruger owner and shooter I have had exactly one issue. That issue was not only resolved right away, but to an even higher standard that I expected from them - but that is a story for another thread.

[Niskibum]

That said, Ruger seems to have all the same issues with sub-par guns making it out the door as any other reasonably priced gun maker has. The difference, of course, is that they have what may be the best CS in the field.

Don't get me wrong, I like Ruger and I own several of their rifles and handguns, but I have never equated the name Ruger with high accuracy. As far as reasonably priced gun makers go, I believe Savage is pretty tough, if not impossible, to beat for out of the box accuracy. My avatar was shot with a Savage bolt action 22 at 25yds off the bench, and that's 10 shots in pretty much the same hole. Once you take me out of the equation that gun flat out shoots.