Ruger American Compact

[Buckeye!]

I was ready to order a Ruger American in 7mm-08 ...till I saw they will be producing the 7mm-08 in a Compact version.... with a 18in barrel...
I once had a Swedish Mauser that I sporterized and hacked the barrel to 18.5 inches...It was a wonderful hunting rifle ..Till I priced it and a fellow purchased it...

Any way ..I noticed very little loss in velocity with the little 6.5X55 when I bobbed off the barrel....wonder what the velocity loss will be with the 7mm-08 and the 18in barrel?

 

[Nomosendero]

My brother just shortened his 308 American barrel to 18.5", I will be taking mine to the smith for the same treatment.
I have a 24" Rem 5R Mil Spec for paper punching & some longer range stand shooting, the Ruger is more for Deer hunting in the woods, but still capable of a 400 yd. shot. For that, no problem.
In a month or so I will see what difference it made with those, but typically in a 308 the 18.5 does very well. I suspect the 7-08 will do well

 

[leon670]

You will lose approx 20 fps/inch of barrel less than the barrel length of the test gun used to determine factory velocity, which is usually 24". or about 120 fps. Not a big deal to a deer. The whole short barrels for brush idea is just that, an idea. A whippy, muzzle light rifle will not be conducive to good shooting. Especially if you are a still hunter and shoot offhand at game fairly consistently. I see no reason for a rifle barrel shorter than 22". When considering compact versions of rifles, keep in mind that they usually have a shorter stock as well. These stocks tend to be a less than ideal fit for a tall man.

 

[9x19]

One of the first commercially available rifles when Remington "standardized" the 7mm/08 was their little 788 carbine with an 18.5" barrel. Mine wasn't any fun off a bench, and wasn't pretty, but it was a shooter!

I don't think you, or your targets/game will notice the difference, but Ruger now shows the 7mm/8 as a NEW chambering for their standard American rifle with 22" barrel. :mrgreen:

 

[Buckeye!]

You will lose approx 20 fps/inch of barrel less than the barrel length of the test gun used to determine factory velocity, which is usually 24". or about 120 fps. Not a big deal to a deer. The whole short barrels for brush idea is just that, an idea. A whippy, muzzle light rifle will not be conducive to good shooting. Especially if you are a still hunter and shoot offhand at game fairly consistently. I see no reason for a rifle barrel shorter than 22". When considering compact versions of rifles, keep in mind that they usually have a shorter stock as well. These stocks tend to be a less than ideal fit for a tall man.

I've discovered over the past few years..while hunting with my buddies and there sons..that "youth models" fit me well...I'm 5' 8" and my arms are sorta short ..I actually have to stand on a ladder to scratch my butt...

well with my normal stature and all bundled up in hunting garb the youth models fit like a glove..

 

[Nomosendero]

You will lose approx 20 fps/inch of barrel less than the barrel length of the test gun used to determine factory velocity, which is usually 24". or about 120 fps. Not a big deal to a deer. The whole short barrels for brush idea is just that, an idea. A whippy, muzzle light rifle will not be conducive to good shooting. Especially if you are a still hunter and shoot offhand at game fairly consistently. I see no reason for a rifle barrel shorter than 22". When considering compact versions of rifles, keep in mind that they usually have a shorter stock as well. These stocks tend to be a less than ideal fit for a tall man.

I've discovered over the past few years..while hunting with my buddies and there sons..that "youth models" fit me well...I'm 5' 8" and my arms are sorta short ..I actually have to stand on a ladder to scratch my butt...

well with my normal stature and all bundled up in hunting garb the youth models fit like a glove..

Yes, the compact fits some well.

Buckeye, I see you have prior experience with a short barrel rifle, so no doubt you know how they handle for YOU & tha't all that matters.

In my case I am on the tall side & the normal length stock is none too long. The 18.5" is balanced very well indeed for me after trying 22" & the cut barrel & the 18.5 is much better in climbing stands & hang-ons used in the woods & besides, out to 400 yds. in other opportunities it gives up nothing in performance.
For a allround rifle I would not go the 18.5" route, but I have other rifles for longer shooting.

 

[Pal Val]

The only Ruger compact I own is in 7mm-08. It shoots fine. It also feels louder than the same caliber in a 20" barrel. It could be my wrong perception, but that little gun surely barks like a big dog.

 

[Buckeye!]

Hadn't seen any of theses Ruger American Compact models out just yet.

I'd say they would rather light...

And they have a 308 model listed also now...


http://www.ruger.com/products/americanRifleCompact/models.html