I've tried searching on previous posts, but thought I would check again to see what you guys think. Are there any glaring knocks on this gun? What's a good price? Would a 700 ADL be a better gun for similar money?

i won't buy one ......inexpensive .... but cheaply made. zillions of them at low prices in gunbroker

I have one in 243 and I have no complaints. I have a Remington 700 as well which is my go-to, but would have no reservations on taking out the Ruger American any time.

I believe I picked mine up for $330

Say what you want, its hard to knock a .3 group out of a 308. Straight out of the box, scope install and sightin, PPU 168 gr HPBT ammo.

My .243 Ruger American shoots awesome. It's been 100% reliable and I have no complaints.

Ruger states that the design of the American rifle was an attempt to provide a rifle that had reliability and quality features previously only found in rifles in the $1000 range while making sure it was adorable enough that anyone could have one.
now I'm not convinced that they got there but they came damn close

I would by the 700...it is the "little black truck" of the bolt rifle world, lots of components for it to up grade at a later date.

Ed

I'd more likely buy a Tikka T3 or a Ruger M77, if the pocketbook allowed.

This would kind of be a backup/truck gun /occasional guest rifle so i was trying to stay cheap on it. I just stumbled across a deal on a 7mm-08 he can't get rid of and was looking for opinions on it

IMO best bang for the buck. I have never heard anything bad about them.

Do yourself a favor though, PLEASE get a very good scope, don't go cheap here!!!!!!!

for that purpose I would give it a try then like above post put a good scope on it

I have rifles all over the price spectrum from $150 Handi rifles to $3000 customs. I have had 3 Ruger Americans and would feel just as confident with one of them in a deer blind as anything I have.

They are a performance to price ratio success. If Ruger made them with a $200 walnut stock option they'd sell three times as many.

I have one in 223. 8 power Leupold with a dot. A real killer.

Thanks to another forum member I have a VX-I to put on it

I have not heard any negatives about them. But I have a Ruger 77 with nice walnut stock in 308 that I bought for $450 and would sell for same price, and that includes rings. So for the money of the American+taxes and a couple more bucks, you might be able to find a better value if you can go used.