Old Hunter
New Member
I mostly hunt with older rifles (Ruger M77 & Winchester M70 & M88) but wanted to try one of the modern value-priced rifles that have become popular, I also wanted to get another 243 WIN because I have plenty of components from former rifles. Late last July I bought a basic Ruger American in 243 WIN at Neuse Sport Shop in Kinston and topped it with a Redfield 2-7x33 that I had in the closet. I started working up a deer hunting load but couldn't get enough cool weather to fine tune it prior to hunting season, so I found some of the Federal 100 grain Power-Shok (blue box) factory loads and got it zeroed with that. I have shot one 85 lbs. doe so far and plan to shoot another this coming week. The rifle has been up to snuff and equal to the good reviews I read online about them. Mine came with the newer, non-rotary magazine, and it has fed over 80 rounds fine. I also found one of the old rotary ones (original style) in stock at a gun dealer in Wilmington, so far it has fed fine as well. I think the trigger is pretty good for a cheap rifle, breaks cleanly and repeatedly the same. OH