Ruger American Ranch ... Care to give a review ?

[Kent Goldings]

Mine is in the 450 Bushmaster. Surprisingly good groups from the big thumper. Fun gun for the money and I stole it with a store closing discount and another from the pretty manager. So , yes Im happy with it,,,, BUT as far as budget guns go I think the Savage Axis is a better gun.

I own two Ruger Americans and two Savage Axis 2. The build quality of the Americans noses the Axis just slightly and the way the stock is bedded to the action is better. However, the Savages are plenty accurate. I think, as a project, the Axis may have better potential.

However, after about 1,500 rounds through my Axis 2 223, the trigger and firing spring began to malfunction. I’ve probably shot 1/2 that with my American 308, the 223 is much cheaper to shoot. I’ve had no problems with the Americans.

if I had to get one as out-of-the-box solution, I’d get the Ruger. However, if I was going to restock it and upgrade the trigger, there are more options in the Axis.

Of course, if your looking for the least expensive bang, you won’t go wrong with the Axis.

 

[nortatoga]

@Kent Goldings where did you get the cheek rest on your rifle?

 

[Kent Goldings]

@Kent Goldings where did you get the cheek rest on your rifle?

Home Page - Matthew's Fabrication - Matthew's Fabrication

matthewsfabrication.com

 

[nortatoga]

Home Page - Matthew's Fabrication - Matthew's Fabrication

matthewsfabrication.com

Thank you Sir!

 

[nortatoga]

For those of you thinking about the Ranch Rifle in at least in 5.56 @livingston, @thewheels it would seem that the rifles made before 2018 did not take AR-mags JFYI in case you come across a used one that you think is a go deal.

 

[@thewheels]

For those of you thinking about the Ranch Rifle in at least in 5.56 @livingston, @thewheels it would seem that the rifles made before 2018 did not take AR-mags JFYI in case you come across a used one that you think is a go deal.

I'm leaning towards 6.5 Grendel - not sure why but just because. I'd really like one in 7.62x39 but I really want it to have the ability to use cheap AR mags but AFAIK that one uses Mini 30 mags which are typically not as cheap or as available.

 

[Kent Goldings]

I'm leaning towards 6.5 Grendel - not sure why but just because. I'd really like one in 7.62x39 but I really want it to have the ability to use cheap AR mags but AFAIK that one uses Mini 30 mags which are typically not as cheap or as available.

I think you can use AR mags, if you get replace the mag well. I don’t know how well it works. There are a couple of YouTube videos.

I thing a 6.5 Grendel is a more versatile load. But, I’ve never seen 7.62x39 absolutely unavailable and it is still about 35 cents a round. I’ve got a few thousand rounds in my stash, just in case.

 

[ArmedCorgi]

@nortatoga did you end up getting the nodak spud sights?

 

[Criticalt]

Heres a great review....
Last year my buddy won a Ruger Rancher in 6.5 Creedmore with a 26 inch barrel.
It has the synthetic stock which he doesnt care for just because, well.....its plastic.
He had never fired a 6.5 Creedmore but was intrigued.
Long story short.......he got 3 deer with it this year......all 1 shot kills.
He has killed about 30 deer in the last 25 years and said this gun knocks them down like no other and barely damages the meat. He said it looked like a 22WMR hit them.
At my range hes making sub 1moa groups at 400 yards......with a cheap ass Vortex scope.
This is more of a caliber review but he loves the gun. He was going to sell it but now its his go to deer rifle.
Told you this was gonna be a great review!!!

 

[nortatoga]

@nortatoga did you end up getting the nodak spud sights?

Yes I got them last week, mounted them a few days later really like them. A friend got the mate to my rifle (same shop) and also got the Nodaks for his, while tightening the front sight it cracked. Nodak is making good on it, they called me to let me know that they are sending me a O-ring to put in between. I also ordered from Tech-sights a SKS sight adj for $7.95

and a Midwest Industries muzzle brake from Browell's $ 29.99



Looking forward to get to the Club and sighting it in also trying to decide which scope I will set-up, I thinking of taking a Pentax 4x12 I have on a 22 magnum lever gun. I also want to paint the stock in the spring.

 

[nortatoga]

My Ruger American Ranch Rifle in 5.56 is just about done. Still need to paint the stock. Installed the Matthews Fabrication adjustable cheek rest today which seems to change the eye relief issue I was having with the Pentax scope I was planning on using (Maybe?) I will see!

So as is...
Ruger American Ranch Rifle in 5.56.
Nodak Spud iron sights.
Millett Tactical one piece scope mount.
Nikon Pro-staff 3x9-40 scope (may change out)
Matthews Fabrication cheek rest.
and a Midwest Industries muzzle brake.

 

[Kent Goldings]

My Ruger American Ranch Rifle in 5.56 is just about done. Still need to paint the stock. Installed the Matthews Fabrication adjustable cheek rest today which seems to change the eye relief issue I was having with the Pentax scope I was planning on using (Maybe?) I will see!

So as is...
Ruger American Ranch Rifle in 5.56.
Nodak Spud iron sights.
Millett Tactical one piece scope mount.
Nikon Pro-staff 3x9-40 scope (may change out)
Matthews Fabrication cheek rest.
and a Midwest Industries muzzle brake.

Are you building a “mini” scout?

 

[ArmedCorgi]

I have to get me a set of those iron sights!

 

[nortatoga]

Are you building a “mini” scout?

I guess something like that! Thanks for the lead on the cheek rest!!

 

[Howdy]

My MVP .308 does.

I came in here to recommend the MVP. It feels way sturdier than the entry level ruger, mossberg patriot, savage axis bolt actions. Worth the extra $150-200 IMO

 

[Kent Goldings]

If

I came in here to recommend the MVP. It feels way sturdier than the entry level ruger, mossberg patriot, savage axis bolt actions. Worth the extra $150-200 IMO

If we’re talking random rifles, we can look for opinions on things like the Howa 1500 or CZ 527 as well.

 

[turbobike]

I’ve been eyeballing a CZ527 in 7.62x39 (wood)....held one and shot it. Really nice quality, trigger was crisp. I’ll be looking at em’ but most are going for 8-900 bucks, I’ll grab one if the price comes back to reality some day.

 

[nortatoga]

I came in here to recommend the MVP. It feels way sturdier than the entry level ruger, mossberg patriot, savage axis bolt actions. Worth the extra $150-200 IMO

To compare apples to apples the Mossberg Patrol is the only one to compare to the RAR I posted above as both are 5.56 NATO not 223 Rem. I have nothing against Mossberg and would have check one out if I saw one, But one of my LGS's had 2 of the Ranch Rifles in stock. And I am a Ruger guy as I have others.

 

[Kent Goldings]

To compare apples to apples the Mossberg Patrol is the only one to compare to the RAR I posted above as both are 5.56 NATO not 223 Rem. I have nothing against Mossberg and would have check one out if I saw one, But one of my LGS's had 2 of the Ranch Rifles in stock. And I am a Ruger guy as I have others.

I find that complaints about the lack of sturdiness of the Ruger American are very superficial. The factory stock is light, but it is technically sophisticated for a plastic stock. Someone picking it for the first time at a gun store may think it’s just a piece of Tupperware. However, I think the bedding system puts the American above all other sub $500 rifles. I say this when owning 2 Savage Axis 2 rifles.

My only complaint is the low comb. Ruger would do well to make the stock modular like the rimfire variant.

BTW, with the Magpul Hunter stock, my Ruger American 308 is lights out to 700 yards. The sporter weight barrel does get hot though.

 

[nortatoga]

@Kent Goldings I agree completely, I am very happy with the rifle!

 

[Bustedknees]

My Ruger American Ranch Rifle in 5.56 is just about done. Still need to paint the stock. Installed the Matthews Fabrication adjustable cheek rest today which seems to change the eye relief issue I was having with the Pentax scope I was planning on using (Maybe?) I will see!

So as is...
Ruger American Ranch Rifle in 5.56.
Nodak Spud iron sights.
Millett Tactical one piece scope mount.
Nikon Pro-staff 3x9-40 scope (may change out)
Matthews Fabrication cheek rest.
and a Midwest Industries muzzle brake.

View attachment 111026

View attachment 111025

wondered if drilling holes would weaken or lead to cracks in these stocks.

 

[Kent Goldings]

wondered if drilling holes would weaken or lead to cracks in these stocks.

Do you mean when you install the cheek rest? I haven’t had a trouble with cracking.

 

[Bustedknees]

Do you mean when you install the cheek rest? I haven’t had a trouble with cracking.

yes, the forward screw / hole looks like it needs to be high near the top edge of the stock. I just ordered a slip on riser because I was nervous about drilling into my stock.

 

[Kent Goldings]

yes, the forward screw / hole looks like it needs to be high near the top edge of the stock. I just ordered a slip on riser because I was nervous about drilling into my stock.

I just inspected mine. I don’t want to take it apart to take a photo. But, there’s no cracking.

 

[Parzival]

Was looking for a Ruger 5.56 but could not find one in stock. I came across a MVP Thunder Ranch, love it so far and prefer the wood stock to the plastic. It’ll get refinished someday as I’m not a huge fan of the camo. Little more expensive but in the gun world right now I knew if I didn’t leave with it, it would be gone before I went back.

 

[nortatoga]

wondered if drilling holes would weaken or lead to cracks in these stocks.

yes, the forward screw / hole looks like it needs to be high near the top edge of the stock. I just ordered a slip on riser because I was nervous about drilling into my stock.

I too was nervous about drilling the holes, but watched the video on Matthews site and a few others. But the polymer stock was actually easy! I did buy the Harbor Freight punch set mentioned for $9.99. I too have a pair of slip-on neoprene cheek rests on a pair of rifle I don't need to be adjustable. And a Blackhawk velcro cheek rest on my SCR which I now plan on changing to this Kydex cheek rest as it to is set-up to be module co-witnessed with a red-dot and fold down iron sites and a scope.

As far as cracking polymer stocks I found nothing on YouTube on that ??

 

[nortatoga]

My Ruger American Ranch Rifle in 5.56 is just about done. Still need to paint the stock. Installed the Matthews Fabrication adjustable cheek rest today which seems to change the eye relief issue I was having with the Pentax scope I was planning on using (Maybe?) I will see!

So as is...
Ruger American Ranch Rifle in 5.56.
Nodak Spud iron sights.
Millett Tactical one piece scope mount.
Nikon Pro-staff 3x9-40 scope (may change out)
Matthews Fabrication cheek rest.
and a Midwest Industries muzzle brake.

View attachment 111026

View attachment 111025

Hated to Quote my own post, but finally finished the RAR rifle (painted the stock) What do you think @ArmedCorgi ?



I really wanted a dark gray but could not find anything that was dark enough.

 

[ArmedCorgi]

Hated to Quote my own post, but finally finished the RAR rifle (painted the stock) What do you think @ArmedCorgi ?

View attachment 130445

I really wanted a dark gray but could not find anything that was dark enough.

It looks really good! How are you liking the cheek riser? I still have to order a set of the irons from Nodak.

 

[nortatoga]

It looks really good! How are you liking the cheek riser? I still have to order a set of the irons from Nodak.

Cheek riser works great, really helped with proper eye relief with the scope and quickly moves down out of the way for using the iron sights.

 

[ArmedCorgi]

What did you paint the stock with? I'd still recommend changing the bolt handle.