Like many other shooters, I was afraid that if Hillary Clinton won the election, we'd be in for massive new gun restrictions with all the trimmings. I'm very glad that didn't come to pass. To celebrate, I decided to buy myself a rifle I've wanted for some time: a Ruger American Predator model chambered in .308 Winchester (a.k.a. 7.62x51mm. NATO).
It feels very well balanced in the hands, and the adjustable trigger will help with accuracy. I'll put a Nikon 4x12 BDC scope on it, and see how it performs. (Thanks to a knockout ammo deal last year, I have plenty of rounds to shoot through it.)
I'm looking forward to some range time. Being almost winter in Texas, I'll have to put up with days in the chilly 55°F to 65°F range, but that's one of the hardships of living here. Eat your heart out, friends in more northerly climes!
Peter
10 comments:
Hey Peter instead of the Nikon you might take a look at the SWFA Super Sniper line of scopes. They have a really solid reputation for a budget long range scope.
Very nice choice. Tell us how she shoots.
I look forward to hearing how the new toy behaves. And for the record, it was 6° along the Eagle River this morning. 55 is too hot! :^)
it was 16 here this a.m.....i was sure shillary would win so i bought a lefty stainless 18 inch version of the same gun in .243 and just for giggles a spikes tactical lower receiver too. now that trump won i'm stuck with a dozen or so ar's. oh well, win so, lose some. have fun with the ruger.
.308 is higher pressure than 7.62X51. They aren't actually the same.
I handled one of those in 6.5 Creedmore the other day. Very nice for the price, hope you enjoy yours.
Actually, I believe after the next loose nut job finds his xxxx, the Republicans will limit us first. For all the rhetoric they spread, the fright will drive them to limit the legal guns.
The Ruger American rifles are surprisingly accurate as they come. There is a reason why Ruger used their action when they built the Long Range rifle.
Once you get it out to the range you should expect sub minute of angle groups. At least that's what I hear from several friends who own them, mostly in .243 Win which is sufficient for our poodle sized Alabama deer.
Having a similar dread of a different election outcome as yours I chose to build two AR pattern guns. One with a 24 inch heavy bull barrel, the other with an 18 inch fluted barrel. First with fancy free float fore end and cheek piece stock. Second with minimalistic furniture for lightest weight. Both stainless Stoner barrels with the Wilde chamber to accommodate both .223 and 5.56 ammunition. And an extra 1,000 rounds of 55 grain .223 just to be on the safe side.
Guess we both got lucky several times over, both in dodging a serious bullet with the election, and in having new toys to play with.
Headspace is different between the .308 and the 7.62 NATO cartridge. NATO cartridge go/no-go is longer than the .308. It is generally okay to fire 7.62 in a .308 chamber but not vice versa; if the 7.62 headspace is approaching its no-go or field reject values then a .308 cartridge would be too short (by about 0.007") and runs the risk of case rupture and catastrophic damage.
Lots of fun posts on the internet about this....
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