Which one is a better deal and gun?

[boomer92266]

I recently bought a CVA Scout 243 as a present from my wife and love it as it shoots great but I still wanted a new Ruger American with the cerakote. So I sold a few things I didn't need and decided to also get a Ruger American 243. But when I got to the shop they made it hard now to decide on a gen 1 or gen 2. They have a gen1 243 compact which I use because I am a small frame shooter, it's the Ruger American Go Wild Camo with 16" cerakote barrel and muzzle brake. They are asking $500 out the door and thats almost $300 under retail. They still have the gen 2 with either the 20" or 22" barrel for $580 out the door. I have a few extra mags for the gen 1 from when I had the 308 and they will work for the 243 so thats a plus. But the gen 2's do look nice as well and I am torn on which one. So to help me along, which would y'all get if you were faced with the same decision? Thanks for any help.

 

[Mobuck]

"with 16" cerakote barrel and muzzle brake."
Two things to consider with this choice: Terminal performance and muzzle blast.
There's noticeable loss of velocity when dropping from 22" to 16" that cuts deeply into the capabilities of the 243. Somewhere around here we have an AR upper chambered for 6x45MM (.223 case with 243 bullet) that would approximate the performance of a 16" barrel 243. It can't push bullets over 80-85 grains fast enough to ensure expansion and terminal performance beyond maybe 100 yards.
That 16" barrel with brake will be LOUD and obnoxious. A neighbor bought one of the 16" Americans in 6.5 Creedmoor. The muzzle blast is like a slap in the face and unpleasant even with ear pro. I encouraged him to mount a 'blast forwarder' which helps a bit. Not acceptable to shoot at all w/o muffs.

 

[peachhead]

Muzzle brakes can be obnoxious at any length.
If the 16" was more comfortable to me that's what I would do.

 

[Hvymax]

Well they have one that's Just Your Size set up for hunting and you already have accessories for and one that will need modifications and a bunch of extra crap for that costs more.

 

[Rumrunner]

I like the looks of the Gen II Americans. That being said I have 3 originals, one in 308, a Predator in 243, and a compact 22. All three are amazingly accurate. For that reason, I haven't bought a new Gen II {YET).