Ruger Compact Rifle Question

Lanark Sixgunner

I was wondering if any of you have had any experiance with this rifle and if you had any suggestions. I was also wondering if the short 16" barrel has much effect on velocity, power, or accuracy. I would be looking at one in either .308 or .7mm08

Thanks,

Lanark Sixgunner

PC800

I have one in 308 that my 10 year old son uses for deer hunting. I don't know how the 16" barrel effect velocity, as I don't have a chrono. But I can tell you the thing is accurate, 2" groups or under at 100 yards easily with hunting ammo. I put a Limbsaver recoil pad on it and he shoots the Remington reduced recoil 308 ammo. And it is very nice to carry in the woods, nice and light and the short barrel does not get caught in the briars, etc. I am seriously thinking of getting one for myself in 358 or the new 338 federal.

Lanark Sixgunner

Thanks for the prompt reply PC800,

I just had a couple more questions to ask you or anyone else out there: Is there much muzzle rise, I had a 30-30 trapper that was real bad that way, is their more recoil with the shorter barrel, and is it much good at long range?

Thanks alot,

Lanark Sixgunner

amblerrl

i have one in 7-08 which i would highly recommend. if there is a loss in velocity the deer don't know about it.

heavyiron

Hi,

I have the Frontier Scout rifle in 7mm08 which has the same dimensions as the Ruger Compact. The only differences are the Frontier rifle comes with a laminated stock, front scope mounting barrel ribs, and weighs 0.25 pounds more. I really like scout rifles and I like this one because it is fast. See below.



I have shot the rifle several times and I love its light weight and balance. The "eyes-open" targeting with this rifle is great because it is almost as fast as a shotgun to get on target. There is a Leupold 2.5x28 EER mounted in the forward position for my aging eyes.

My view of the compact rifle is that it is not meant for precision long range shooting. I would say that if you hunt from a stand or stationary and would have to shoot from a long distance the compact is probably not the right rifle. Thus far I have been able to obtain groups of 1.5 to 2 inch diameter at 100 yards range. I don't expect to do much better and I reload all my own ammo. IMHO, the compact is meant as a tool for fast and sudden encounters or lugging around the mountains all day. (No mountains in South Carolina, but I can see where that would be tiring.)

As far as velocity, there will be a price to be paid for the 16.5 inch barrel. I have never chronographed mine, but I have seen figures for people who have. For 308 150 grain Rem-Umc factory ammo, velocity was measured at 2470 fps from a Frontier rifle. The factory ballistics state 2820 fps from a 24 inch tube. So plan on losing at least 250 to 350 fps (10 to 13%) due to the short barrel. Both downrange and muzzle energy will also be reduced because the velocity isn't there.

The barrel is a medium contour barrel and is not free-floated. There also will not be any iron sights on the compact. The trigger is about 5 lbs. which I don't really like either but that can be changed.

The one other feature is that if you are a big guy, the stock may not be very comfortable for you. I am 5'10" and weigh 190 pounds and I have to hunch up when shouldering the rifle. It is a small stock and the hand on the comb will be close to your face. I also would worry about position of the scope on the compact rifle. A scope mounted over the receiver is going to be a close fit to your eye and in the excitement of the moment it could leave a circular reminder of what a 7mm08 or 308 Winchester in a 6 pound rifle can do to your eyebrow.

Hope this helps.

Heavyiron

PS I haven't noticed much rise when fired but it sure is load as hezx.

luv_the_huskers

Long range is where you will notice the difference with the shorter barrel.

duckhunter

How far is long RANGE?????

Lanark Sixgunner

Thanks for all the answers. By long range I mean a maximum of 200-250 yards.

Thanks,

Lanark Sixgunner

PC800

It does not have much muzzle rise. I have fired it with regular 308 ammo and it is fine, son just uses the reduced recoil ammo. 100 yards is the max I have fired it, no ranges longer than that around here. But 200-250 would be fine with this gun for deer size targets, just realize it is not a varminter.

JIM STARK

I sighted a s/s laminated one in for a customer's son.. .243 factory ammo ..less than 1" groups out of the box... loud report..(short bbl)....mild recoil nice rifle..got one for my grand daughter...