
This American-made Rifle is a Budget Friendly Tack Driver
By PJ DelHomme
When we set out to build a 1,000-yard rifle for less than $1,000, we knew there was only one rifle for the job. We chose the Ruger American for a few very good reasons. It’s affordable, made entirely in the United States, and it shoots remarkably well. What more can you ask in a rifle?
We first covered the Ruger American rifle in 2013. At the time, it sold for $449 and was offered in just six calibers. We called it a “solid, straight-shooter that lives up to the hype.” Other writers, like Ron Spomer, were impressed with its price point and accuracy.
The Ruger American was well-received, and it’s still in production. In fact, it’s now offered in a wide array of calibers and models to suit just about any hunter. We’ll look at how the rifle has evolved in just a little over a decade since its introduction, and see what hunters are saying about it today.
If It Ain’t Broke
Ruger’s engineers and designers got a lot right when they developed the first Ruger American, and many of its features have remained the same over the years.
A few features of note:
- An adjustable trigger offers a pull weight between three to five pounds.
- The one-piece, three-lug bolt with a 70-degree throw provides ample scope clearance and utilizes a full-diameter bolt body and dual cocking cams.
- An integral bedding block system positively locates the receiver and free-floats the barrel, improving accuracy.
- It has a 4+1 rotary magazine
New Models, Features, and Calibers
In 2024, the Ruger American is still an affordable rifle in an increasingly inflated market. The quality has remained consistent over the years, and while the price has kept pace with inflation, it’s still a great buy.
Today, the Ruger American comes in seven different models, offering hunters plenty of choices. For our 1,000-yard project, we chose the Predator chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor. It has a 22-inch barrel and is available for left or right-handed shooters. That rifle retails for $699, but we were able to find ours on sale for $483.
One big evolution for the 2024 Ruger American is the caliber offerings. The Predator model alone is offered in 10 different calibers, from 350 Legend to .308 Winchester. If you poke around the website long enough you’ll find other caliber options, including, 5.56 NATO, 450 Bushmaster, .300 Win Mag, and plenty more.
With barrel lengths starting at 18” inches, the Ruger American Compact is worth a look if you need to outfit a youth hunter. It’s also chambered in calibers like 243, 7mm-08 (my favorite) .308, and 6.5 Creedmoor.
One of the most noticeable differences in the newer version is the versatile Picatinny rail, which is standard on all Ruger American models. The rail takes some of the pain out of mounting a scope and saves a few bucks on mounting hardware.
Ruger American Reviews
When looking for an honest product review, I find that online forums offer “a gloves off” breakdown. Turns out, the Ruger American passed the forum test. On Rokslide.com, you’ll find some fairly entertaining reviews from rifle owners. Take a look:
—I have the predator model in 6.5 cm (Creedmoor). Love it. It shoots better than I can.
—I have one in 7mm-08 that shoots clover leafs (sic) with almost any decent factory ammo. I’m impressed with it every time I shoot it.
—I have one in 6.5 manbun that’s served me well. My biggest complaint is no one really makes a good stock for it. McMillan did a limited run and there is a Magpul stock that’s functionally good but heavy. So it’s kind of fix up the stock it comes with or go to a chassis. Other than that I like mine.
—I have the predator version in .308. While I don’t love the shorter barrel, it’s very accurate. It’s my deer stand gun, so it doesn’t get carried far. The Magpul stock is heavy, but much better than the OEM plastic.
I’d say those comments are pretty good, regardless of your opinion of the 6.5 and manbuns. Take a look at the recently introduced Ruger American Generation II model if you like bells and whistles on your rifles like fluted barrels, Cerakote coating, and muzzle brakes. It starts at $729 and received good reviews as well. Then again, if you’re looking for a tried-and-true, workhorse that gets the job done, you can’t beat the original Ruger American.
PJ DelHomme writes and edits content from western Montana. He runs Crazy Canyon Media and Crazy Canyon Journal.
Related Articles & Videos
Ballistic Calculators and Hunting – Union Sportsmen’s Alliance