The Ruger American

[Dangermouse]

Has anyone handled one of these rifles yet?

http://www.ruger.com/products/americanRifle/index.html

at £500 ish they look like they have the basics to be a good rifle to custom.
At the moment they are only offered in one model, very similar to the Remington SPS ie cheap stock and light weight barrel.
But with a 3 lug bolt and Savage type trigger, one wonders what would be possible with a decent stock and heavier Varmint Barrel.

If they were savvy when designing these they would have made them compatible with Remington 700 accessories, I wonder,

DM

[Dangermouse]

I have just read this on the Sniper hide forum

I pulled the barrel with very little effort, and was pleasantly surprised. The threads are 1"-16tpi, just like a Tikka T3........hmmmm. The breech face is non recessed so used or after market 700 barrels can be easily adapted. The approximate tenon length ( I moved the barrel nut before I thought to check) is .687. Adding a 700 style recoil lug will be easy, the action even has an index cut for the pin. The bolt is very smooth and nicely machined. Also of interest the bolt shroud is plastic and removes identically to a Tikka T3.

When I replaced my Varmint barrel from my Rem 700 I could not give it away, so I know that they must me readily available all over the country for beer money. I would imagine that some RFD's must be throwing these out as they do custom work.
I wonder how much a Gunsmith would charge for machining and fitting the barrel?

Just leaves finding a suitable stock. The British guy who is making the stocks similar to the GRS springs to mind as a possible avenue to explore.
#EDIT# Joe West http://joewestriflestocks.com/
DM

[meles meles]

evenin' mouse. You might usefully have a word with Richard Stork. He's on these fora from time to time and has a site at www.thedevizesgunsmith.co.uk He's an Official Armourer to the Sett, so you can trust him....