With elk season just months away, I was elated to learn that Ruger will offer their popular American Rifle in .300 Winchester Magnum. Although a .30-06 will work for elk, the added energy and muzzle velocity of the .300 Win Mag is better suited for animals over 600 pounds at ranges that can reach to 400 yards. Teamed up with Hornady’s new 180-grain GMX bullet in their Superformance ammo and a Nikon Pro Staff 7 2.5-10X with BDC Reticle, I knew I had a package that gave me an edge. On the bench, the rifle easily lived up to it M.O.A. reputation with the final sight-in shot precisely two inches high at 100 yards.
I used the All-Weather version, a model that was surprisingly appropriate. High-mountain elk is normally a snow event, yet rain fell continually on the mid-October Colorado hunt (at 8,500 feet), and the synthetic stock and stainless barrel handled the unexpected precipitation with ease. In the field, the rifle carried and handled easily the first four days and made the difference the morning of day five. Spotting a bull in a distant patch of timber just after daylight, I turned the Nikon to full power in the hopes of identifying the four-point minimum rack and making a killing shot. Waiting anxiously for the bull to re-appear, I suddenly heard hooves pounding behind me. Looking over my shoulder, a bull came racing down the mountain, headed right for me. With the 10X magnified view in my mind, I swung on the bull, fired, but missed. Incredibly, the bull stopped and the reticle settled low in its shoulder. At report, the bull broke and fell just 75 yards further, a testament to the lethal package. I don’t remember chambering a second round or squeezing the trigger, but the rifle stood the test of the high-excitement, make-or-break, moment.
With a MSRP of about $600, the American Rifle can be the perfect addition to any hunter’s collection, especially if you need the extra energy and range of the .300 Win Mag. Check out the features of the rifle listed below and online at ruger.com.
I had hoped to recover the Hornady 180-grain GMX bullet from the bull, but the powerful round penetrated both shoulders. The Nikon Pro Staff 7 scope delivered excellent accuracy and a quick recovery even at close range.
Features:
- Ruger Marksman Adjustable trigger offers a crisp release with a pull weight that is
user adjustable between 3 and 5 pounds, allowing shooters to make that perfect shot. - Ergonomic, lightweight black composite stock (designed for quick, easy handling) blends
a classic look with modern forend contouring and grip serrations. - Soft rubber recoil pad is crafted for maximum recoil reduction.
- The one-piece, three-lug bolt with 70° throw provides ample scope clearance, and utilizes
a full diameter bolt body and dual cocking cams for smooth, easy cycling from the shoulder. - Power Bedding, an integral bedding block system that positively locates the receiver and free- floats the barrel for outstanding accuracy.
- Offers minute-of-angle accuracy that can make every hunt a success.
- Barrel is cold hammer-forged, resulting in ultra- precise rifling that provides
exceptional accuracy, longevity and easy cleaning. - Features a visible, accessible and easy-to-actuate tang safety.
- Offers a reliable 4-round, rotary magazine that fits flush with the stock and offers
the smooth feed that has become the hallmark of Ruger rotary magazines. - The receiver is drilled and tapped for mounting the included scope bases.
Matte stainless finish for corrosion resistance and durability.
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