I have had a bug for a .308 bolt gun for a while.
Tikka released the Arctic .308 set up roughly like the Canadian Rangers rifle, and I was very close to ordering one with a Beretta armorer coupon, but the fact that you have to choose to have a front sight or suppress it is a deal breaker for me.
The dream went dormant for a while; an original al Ruger Gunsight Scout came up for sale a few hours away and I almost jumped, but the timing was off.
Then Ruger released their gen2 American in the scout format.
It checked every box for me, and I’ve had very positive experience with all of my gen1 Americans. Being 1/3 the price of the Tikka didn’t hurt…
This is my first gen2. The bolt is much smoother; I don’t have to smooth and polish it. The trigger is very good out of the box; my gen1 guns have Timney triggers; this one will likely stay as is trigger wise. I like the 3 position safety that allows bolt lock; I’ve lost many rounds of .300 WM while walking around with my gen1 American…bolt opens when going through brush…
The iron sights are very good. The front sight utilizes an AR post, so you have many options if the supplied post is not to your liking. It worked fine for me.
I put 15 rounds through it; zeroed the irons at 50 yards for now. I had some PMC ball 147 gr, and it seemed to shoot that as well as I can shoot irons (3/4” groups at 50 yards when I did my part.)
I will be putting an ASR flashhider on this, and it will likely get some glass at some point.
But for now, it’s a very nice and handy little field rifle. The irons are very capable of most work I will ask of it. It got a 1907 sling, and will probably get a Triad tactical stock pack…I like them for a field/ truck gun to keep a reload on hand.
Tikka released the Arctic .308 set up roughly like the Canadian Rangers rifle, and I was very close to ordering one with a Beretta armorer coupon, but the fact that you have to choose to have a front sight or suppress it is a deal breaker for me.
The dream went dormant for a while; an original al Ruger Gunsight Scout came up for sale a few hours away and I almost jumped, but the timing was off.
Then Ruger released their gen2 American in the scout format.
It checked every box for me, and I’ve had very positive experience with all of my gen1 Americans. Being 1/3 the price of the Tikka didn’t hurt…
This is my first gen2. The bolt is much smoother; I don’t have to smooth and polish it. The trigger is very good out of the box; my gen1 guns have Timney triggers; this one will likely stay as is trigger wise. I like the 3 position safety that allows bolt lock; I’ve lost many rounds of .300 WM while walking around with my gen1 American…bolt opens when going through brush…
The iron sights are very good. The front sight utilizes an AR post, so you have many options if the supplied post is not to your liking. It worked fine for me.
I put 15 rounds through it; zeroed the irons at 50 yards for now. I had some PMC ball 147 gr, and it seemed to shoot that as well as I can shoot irons (3/4” groups at 50 yards when I did my part.)
I will be putting an ASR flashhider on this, and it will likely get some glass at some point.
But for now, it’s a very nice and handy little field rifle. The irons are very capable of most work I will ask of it. It got a 1907 sling, and will probably get a Triad tactical stock pack…I like them for a field/ truck gun to keep a reload on hand.
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I'm thinking the RCM cartridges will be going the way of the Doodo bird. Could be wrong, but...