Gun Fun

Looking for opinions/comparisons (besides price) on the Ruger American vs. the Browning Xbolt. My son has the Xbolt in .308 and really loves it for deer hunting. I've used it successfully some and decided I wanted one also but the Ruger is intriguing (haven't looked at one yet). One of my specific questions is what does the trigger feel like when wearing winter/heavy gloves? Thanks.

MZ5

Haven't pulled a Ruger American trigger. The X-bolt trigger is superb. My Hawkeye's Timney trigger is very, very good, but the factory-original LC6 parts are quite terrible. They're visibly bent/not straight, and you can feel that in the creep of the trigger pull if/when using those stock parts.

Ruger's Hawkeye has one of the shortest 'reaches' from the pistol grip to the trigger shoe of any adult-sized rifle I've ever handled. I don't know whether the American is the same or not; my brother tells me it's a little longer reach. I find the Browning's reach much more comfortable and much easier to make the trigger break cleanly (without pulling the gun sideways very slightly; may not really notice if you weren't shooting at paper off a bench/rest).

Let us know how they feel to _you_ once you've handled them both.

Frank V

I haven't tried the Rugers trigger either & our LGS has two in .30-06.
I've read several articles on tests of the Ruger American. The accuracy was reported as good to great in each.
One that got my attention was a .30-06 that shot two groups, one measured 2.18" & the other was 2.85" I think. Both groups were shot at 300 yards. Those two groups got my attention. I kind of like the Ruger, haven't shot one, just held it & looked it over. I like the idea of a detachable magazine.
Frank

bwinters

I have never been a fan of browning long guns but love the high power and the challenger.

moakes58

Cabels's in STL will have the Ruger America on sale for $339 starting 8/16/12.
It's probably just me, but when you are comparing two firearms & one is twice the price of the other, the comparison stops for me!
Get the Ruger, a scope & a lot of ammo!

Dozer02

Problem here is comparing an "entry level rifle" to a high quality X-Bolt. The Ruger American is more on par with maybe a Savage Axis. It's really unfair to compare the X-Bolt to any "economy" rifle, chances are if you really like the X-Bolt you'll be disappionted with the American. It's not an even comparison. Even one of my Axis's bested my friends American in accuracy & overall feel and that's a $280.00 rifle! A more appropriate comparison to the X-Bolt would be the Ruger M-77 and even still I'd have to give the X-bolt the nod. I do own doubles of both X-Bolts and M-77's and the Brownings fit & finish coupled with it's smoother operation and far superior accuracy make it a clear winner over the Ruger. Yeah.... I'm a Browning fan.

Darkker

Your toilet is comparable to the Axis. The American is comparable to the standard Savage, which is pronounced Stevens.

I am NOT a Browning fan, But for trigger comparisons I'll take the Browning all day long.

trigger creep

What the? That's like comparing a Snickers bar to a Mounds bar. Sure they're both candy, but one is better served for using to check if your toilet is clogged.

trigger creep

I've handled both and honestly, I give the X-bolt a slight edge, despite its inherent boogie man like ugliness. BUT, my wallet says a slight edge isn't worth the extra Rubles it would cost me.

Benemorte

As stated before, comparing a $285 Ruger American to an $775 Browning isn't really fair. I have pulled the trigger on a few RAR's, their trigger was suprisingly good, especially for the price. As to how the RAR trigger will feel with gloves on, I would not have a clue, as I never shoot through gloves in any weather, but cannot imagine it being any different other than being "padded".

Marine Division Two

Trigger on the X-Bolt is very good,The American so-so and stock is short ! The Axis trigger sucks and I have one,But the accuracy is as good as my Ruger 77 in 308.