Ruger American Ranch 7.62x39

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Update on my quest for the Ruger American Ranch 7.62x39. Finally located one in a shop in TX, had it shipped and picked it up last week. My scope Vortex PST 1x4 came in (thanks @Tim for the heads up) earlier this week. Made to the range this afternoon and I am really liking this little rifle! Rough sight in with Tula FMJ at 50 yards, wasn’t able to move back further today. Best grouping with the Tula at 50yds was around .75. Once sighted in, switched to Belom brass FMJ ammo. And WOW!!! It was awesome. I cannot wait to get back further to test it out some more. Shot two 3 round groups and both under .5 MOA. Another reason I’m happy with those groups is the high winds blowing the target around. I was having to shoot between wind gusts. After the two 3 round groups, did a few quick drills of walking and throwing the rifle up and sitting the rifle down on a table, grabbing it and throwing it up really quick. Taking shots at 4 and 6 in steel plates between 50 and 75 yds, all hits with Tula FMJ. The rifle really handles great. Compact, lightweight, and fast handling little package.
 

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I’ve looked at these for a while for a short range rifle for thick brush of Eastern NC. Why 7.62 Russian instead of 300 Blackout? Just price of ammo (which seems dicey currently)? Or 5.56 which isn’t super attractive but it’s like 9mm in a pinch.
 
I’ve have an older one in 300 blackout, that takes flush fitting magazines. It’s a great little rifle as well. I have a good supply of the 7.62x39 ammo and this one takes Mini-30 magazines. Sooner or later I’ll try to swap out the older 300 blackout for a newer model that takes AR magazines. But the main reason was having a good supply of ammo already.
 
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Sorry to hijack your threading, but I have one of these that I currently have a 3-9 power scope on and I want something more like a 1-4. Does anyone have budget friendly suggestions for an optic that helps with quick acquisition of targets in that power range. Emphasis on budget friendly as I don't feel like going stupid expensive on a budget rifle that is a plinker.

ETA: I missed out on the deal thread that Tim threw up that the OP referenced.
 
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ChickenHawk said:
Sorry to hijack your threading, but I have one of these that I currently have a 3-9 power scope on and I want something more like a 1-4. Does anyone have budget friendly suggestions for an optic that helps with quick acquisition of targets in that power range. Emphasis on budget friendly as I don't feel like going stupid expensive on a budget rifle that is a plinker.

ETA: I missed out on the deal thread that Tim threw up that the OP referenced.
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Might consider the Vortex Crossfire 2 1-4X24 Vbrite. I owned one and quite liked it. Simple and fast reticle. Center dot it not quite daylight bright but nice for lower light. I replaced it with a spendier scope. But I liked it a lot. I paid 199$ on amazon.

Look like 149$ on europtic. A bargain imo. (demo)

www.eurooptic.com

Vortex Crossfire II 1-4x24 V-Brite Like New Demo Riflescope CF2-31037

Vortex Crossfire II 1-4x24 V-Brite Like New Demo Riflescope CF2-31037 for sale! Call for best price (570) 368-3920
www.eurooptic.com www.eurooptic.com
 
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NKD said:
Might consider the Vortex Crossfire 2 1-4X24 Vbrite. I owned one and quite liked it. Simple and fast reticle. Center dot it not quite daylight bright but nice for lower light. I replaced it with a spendier scope. But I liked it a lot. I paid 199$ on amazon.

Look like 149$ on europtic. A bargain imo. (demo)

www.eurooptic.com

Vortex Crossfire II 1-4x24 V-Brite Like New Demo Riflescope CF2-31037

Vortex Crossfire II 1-4x24 V-Brite Like New Demo Riflescope CF2-31037 for sale! Call for best price (570) 368-3920
www.eurooptic.com www.eurooptic.com
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Thanks. I was looking between that and the Bushnell 1-4x24.
 
I just picked up a SWFA 1-4 on sale for $239. Free shipping & no tax. Normally $399 😎

www.swfa.com

SWFA 1-4x24 SS 30mm Riflescope

SWFA 1-4x24 SS 30mm Riflescope Details SKU: SS14X24IR Finish: Matte Reticle: Illuminated MIL-Quad DM (Red) Tube Diameter (mm): 30 Elevation Knob: Exposed Short Target (.1 MIL) Windage Knob: Exposed Short Target (.1 MIL) Parallax Setting: Fixed Focus Focal Plane: Second
www.swfa.com www.swfa.com
 
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The Ruger American Ranch in 7.62x39 is an awesome rifle. If they made one that took AK mags I'd probably have one by now. The one that takes Mini-30 mags is really cool if you do in fact have a Mini-30. Glad you're getting great performance out of yours. Awesome groups!
 
NKD said:
Might consider the Vortex Crossfire 2 1-4X24 Vbrite. I owned one and quite liked it. Simple and fast reticle. Center dot it not quite daylight bright but nice for lower light. I replaced it with a spendier scope. But I liked it a lot. I paid 199$ on amazon.

Look like 149$ on europtic. A bargain imo. (demo)

www.eurooptic.com

Vortex Crossfire II 1-4x24 V-Brite Like New Demo Riflescope CF2-31037

Vortex Crossfire II 1-4x24 V-Brite Like New Demo Riflescope CF2-31037 for sale! Call for best price (570) 368-3920
www.eurooptic.com www.eurooptic.com
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Freaking @NKD making me spend money again. It is a little high for a proper cheek weld, but I like it better than traditional rings as I can throw it up a little faster. Bit more of a natural head position for me as well. Me being a midget is probably part of the problem.

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TheBobcat said:
I've contemplated getting one of these for my son as a first deer rifle. I would think recoil would be mild and ammo readily available for practice.
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You did not mention your son's age, but you are correct it is a mild recoiling rifle. Plenty of cheap ammo for him to practice, and there are some really good hunting rounds available from Hornaday, Federal, Winchester, Nosler, etc. I would not hesitate to take my rifle deer hunting. It's lightweight, compact, and handles like a dream in confined areas like a ground blind or buddy stand.
 
Ruger American rifle in commie 762x39. Too funny.. Great mid range round and will kill the hell out of a deer. I had a Mini 30 Ranch and Min 14 Ranch a long time ago. Neither one would shoot anywhere near that. My Ruger American in 308 is a great game getter. My go to bush gun. I could see owning one in 762x39. Fun fact...that round is parent cartridge to 220 Russian which is what you have to buy to make 6ppc brass.
zany-face-apple.png
 
Mathieu18 said:
I’ve looked at these for a while for a short range rifle for thick brush of Eastern NC. Why 7.62 Russian instead of 300 Blackout? Just price of ammo (which seems dicey currently)? Or 5.56 which isn’t super attractive but it’s like 9mm in a pinch.
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Look into a Howa Mini action. I got one in 450 Bushmaster. The action’s ~1” shorter than a short action, and the 16” barrel it’s quick handling.
They’ve made them in 223, 7.62x39, 6.5 Grendel, 350 Legend, 450 Bushmaster, and probably others.
 
Average Joe said:
Haven’t shot my suppressed yet. It’s a great rifle. I would buy another without hesitation.
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In general the Ruger American is a great series of well made rifles in configurations that people want to buy for a solid price
I want one in 7.62x39 as well
 
I’ve got one in 5.56 and one in .300 Blackout. The 5.56 takes AR mags while the .300 takes those abomination of a Ruger mag.
 
Hammer12b said:
I’ve got one in 5.56 and one in .300 Blackout. The 5.56 takes AR mags while the .300 takes those abomination of a Ruger mag.
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My .300 blk out is the same. I called Ruger to order one of the new stocks so I could use regular AR mags. Was told that they are compatible because of the bolt design. I know some people don’t like the Ruger M-30 mags for the 7.62x39 ranch rifle. But I will say that I’ve not had any issues with them. I believe they are a better design that the 7.62x39 AR mags.
 
Slacker said:
Is the bore .311 or .308?
I'll guess .311 due to the accuracy reports with steel case ruskie Boolits.
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Not sure. I’ll try to find out.
 
Average Joe said:
My .300 blk out is the same. I called Ruger to order one of the new stocks so I could use regular AR mags. Was told that they are compatible because of the bolt design. I know some people don’t like the Ruger M-30 mags for the 7.62x39 ranch rifle. But I will say that I’ve not had any issues with them. I believe they are a better design that the 7.62x39 AR mags.
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I’ve not had any firing issues, my issue is that they are hard to find, cheaply made and expensive.
 
One thing that comes to mind with the 762 Russian Ruger American is the firing pin protrusion length. Steel cased 762 Russian typically has primer seated at all different depths. Of course the AK-47 doesn't care much like a honey badger :) american-made bolt guns on the other hand and AR-15s do care. To get around this variation Ruger must have had a longer than standard firing pin protrusion length.
 
Get Off My Lawn said:
Look into a Howa Mini action. I got one in 450 Bushmaster. The action’s ~1” shorter than a short action, and the 16” barrel it’s quick handling.
They’ve made them in 223, 7.62x39, 6.5 Grendel, 350 Legend, 450 Bushmaster, and probably others.
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Im a howa fan although the mini action magazines are inexcusably awful. for my 223 mini action I ended up using an aftermarket steel internal magazine made by Oregunsmithing. the Factory magazine system is soft plastic, easily drops the magazine while carrying and in my experience nosedives the last round in the mag. Legacy knows the magazines are garbage but continue to overcharge for them. Otherwise I absolutely adore the howa actions particularly the short actions, but the mini has a ways to go.

@Slacker
i have not measured FP protrusion on my american 7.62x39, but can confirm that primer hits are plenty solid similar to an AK in appearance. I’ve had maybe a handful of failures with berdan ammo over thousands of rounds. And IIRC they were with Barnaul which IMO have some the hardest primers. The bolt spring is absurdly heavy in this rifle in part due to the 60 degree throw which shortens cocking distance and increases weight. It’s actually kinda tough to open the action while prone. It needs a good jolt.
 
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Thought I'd dig up this thread rather than start a new one. Someone is now making an adapter to use AK mags in the American.
www.thefirearmblog.com

AK Magazine Adapter For Ruger American Ranch Rifles -

Enter Firecastle Customs, who recently announced their AK magazine adapter for Ruger American Ranch Rifles chambered in 7.62x39.
www.thefirearmblog.com www.thefirearmblog.com

The downside: it's 3D printed, only tested for Magpul mags, and it's $150 dollars. And it might not fit your particular stock.
www.firecastlecustoms.com

Ruger American AK-47 Magwell — Firecastle Customs

7.62x39!!!!!! All 3D printed magwells listed here are now made with a SLS process using glass reinforced Nylon for better finish, strength, and temperature resistance. I will need you to send in your old magwell so the magazine release can be transferred over to your new magwell. Once you have plac
www.firecastlecustoms.com www.firecastlecustoms.com
 
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Exspiravit said:
Thought I'd dig up this thread rather than start a new one. Someone is now making an adapter to use AK mags in the American.
www.thefirearmblog.com

AK Magazine Adapter For Ruger American Ranch Rifles -

Enter Firecastle Customs, who recently announced their AK magazine adapter for Ruger American Ranch Rifles chambered in 7.62x39.
www.thefirearmblog.com www.thefirearmblog.com

The downside: it's 3D printed, only tested for Magpul mags, and it's $150 dollars. And it might not fit your particular stock.
www.firecastlecustoms.com

Ruger American AK-47 Magwell — Firecastle Customs

7.62x39!!!!!! All 3D printed magwells listed here are now made with a SLS process using glass reinforced Nylon for better finish, strength, and temperature resistance. I will need you to send in your old magwell so the magazine release can be transferred over to your new magwell. Once you have plac
www.firecastlecustoms.com www.firecastlecustoms.com
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That’s cool, but for $150 you can buy 5 20rd Mini mags. 🤷🏻‍♂️

I feel like I remember seeing a guy you could ship the stock to and he would modify the mag well. He dremeled out some material and glued in a few pieces.
 
AK-Ben said:
That’s cool, but for $150 you can buy 5 20rd Mini mags. 🤷🏻‍♂️

I feel like I remember seeing a guy you could ship the stock to and he would modify the mag well. He dremeled out some material and glued in a few pieces.
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Same guy.
 
These are great little rifles. Used to have one and it was surprisingly accurate for the money. 7.62x39 gets such a bad rep of being inaccurate, but IMO 300 BLK ,as a caliber, is much more likely to not be accurate. Also Mini-30 mags are annoying because they're not laying around everywhere already.
 
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