This will be a little project of mine. After buying a TC Venture a couple of years ago for coyote hunting, based on the advise of one friend and mainly wanting something inexpensive, I was so impressed by the accuracy of a low cost rifle that I've sorta been intrigued with them since. Been wanting to get my hands on a Ruger American for awhile just to see what they will do. This is my first Ruger rifle. Reviews look very good. I thought I would start a thread and post my progress as I go. Part of it will do with working up a load and components. I am not posting it in the reloading forum or long range forum simply because the focus will mainly be the rifle. My goal initially will be to keep the rifle as I bought it, inexpensive, also using an inexpensive scope, although I may eventually upgrade. As for loading components, no, I don't do that cheap. My intended purpose will be to compete in factory class 2,3, and 500 yard shoots. If it shoots well I will also shoot some 1k steel shoots. Yes I said 1k. Laugh, but stay tuned. (; I also will likely do some groundhog hunting with it.
For starters the initial setup is the factory rifle. Scope is a Sightmark 10-40x56 Triple Duty Mil-Dot Dot. Burris Signature Series Zee Rings. (I know not cheap but I prefer these). Caldwell Bipod for long range groundhog.
It sounds like a lot of scope but it really wasn't expensive. I got it in the spring of 2016 through Optics Planet for $250. Functionally I've been very happy with it. Dials consistently and comes back to zero repeatedly. Has crisp audible clicks. Very impressed with turrets at this price. Glass quality? Lol, 40 power at $250? It leaves A LOT to be desired as expected. Does reasonable to around 20 power but after that the clarity really falls off. I used it on a 223 last year shooting at 500yds, on 40 power I was able to center in bulls eye but definitely needed a spotting scope for the clarity to see holes in paper.
The Zee Rings have the .010 offset inserts so I was able to set the scope up with a 20moa cant. I should be able to dial out to 1k.
I have yet to start loading. I will post more as I go. Remember, this project is to see what can be done with an off the rack budget rifle. If it lives up to it's reviews, and shoots as well as my TC did, many of you doubters will be impressed, and those of you who think you can't get into shooting some distance at a very reasonable cost will have new optimism. As always, time will tell, but I'm very optimistic. Stay tuned.
For starters the initial setup is the factory rifle. Scope is a Sightmark 10-40x56 Triple Duty Mil-Dot Dot. Burris Signature Series Zee Rings. (I know not cheap but I prefer these). Caldwell Bipod for long range groundhog.
It sounds like a lot of scope but it really wasn't expensive. I got it in the spring of 2016 through Optics Planet for $250. Functionally I've been very happy with it. Dials consistently and comes back to zero repeatedly. Has crisp audible clicks. Very impressed with turrets at this price. Glass quality? Lol, 40 power at $250? It leaves A LOT to be desired as expected. Does reasonable to around 20 power but after that the clarity really falls off. I used it on a 223 last year shooting at 500yds, on 40 power I was able to center in bulls eye but definitely needed a spotting scope for the clarity to see holes in paper.
The Zee Rings have the .010 offset inserts so I was able to set the scope up with a 20moa cant. I should be able to dial out to 1k.
I have yet to start loading. I will post more as I go. Remember, this project is to see what can be done with an off the rack budget rifle. If it lives up to it's reviews, and shoots as well as my TC did, many of you doubters will be impressed, and those of you who think you can't get into shooting some distance at a very reasonable cost will have new optimism. As always, time will tell, but I'm very optimistic. Stay tuned.