I have an opportunity to aquire this rifle (in .308 Win.). Was thinking about getting it for my youngest son who is 14, and still a bit small framed. He currently hunts with a scoped Winchester Model 94 in .30-30 (for the last 5 years) with me out of a stand with a feeder thats approx. 80 yards away. He's been saying he wants to hunt with a bolt action rifle like me. The rifle in question has an adjustable length of pull (via shims) from like 12-3/4 " out to 14-1/4". It's in almost new condition and can get it for a VERY reasonable price. Does anyone here have any experience with this rifle and can attest to accuracy, reliability, etc.?

I hunt with a Steyr Scout. I actually have two. One is set up conventional. My son loves that and hates the scout set up. I am opposite.

I'm saying his because as a conventional setup the Ruger would be a great choice. I think the Scout setup has a few quirks and take a bit more skill to be fully utilized. Put a nice 3-9 on it and have at it

The Ruger is also threaded and should be soft on recoil or coud be with be with right brake. Could even be suppressed This and what you said on fit would give him a lifetime hunting partner.

If its such a reasonable price and you have the money to swing it, I wouldn't bat an eye. Ruger makes a good gun. The gun site scout wouldn't be my first choice for a starter deer rifle, but a good gun and neat add on to any collection.

My thinking exactly. It comes with both the scout scope mount and rings for the conventional mount. Another thing I thought was interesting was that it also comes with a detatchable rear peep sight. I already have a Leupold 3-9 ready to be mounted on it if I do get it, it looks like I may. It looks like an interesting rifle, I like the feel of it. But, the proof will come on the range, I've always had Remingtons so we will see.

I've shot one, it's easy handling and shot sub-MOA with 175 gr. Gold Medal Match.

still dont see the need for one, other rifles can do this, just aint ever believed everything Jeff Cooper said.

Great concept, however they ring like a tuning fork on darn near everything they bump into.

At VERY reasonable price and you have the scope already go for it. If it dont fit him he has some thing to look forward to. If it proves to not be what you want trade up or sell for a profit.

Already got it, and it's a neat rifle. It fits him very well, took out two spacers and that did the trick. J McCoy you are correct, they do have a "ring" to them, especially when cycled on an empty chamber. Interesting quirk. It also came with two three round, three five round and three ten round mags. It does not appear to have ever been fired either, so it'll be off to the range to be broken in. Not sure what weight bullet to use in it as it's a 1-10" twist, 6 groove 16.5" barrel. I'm thinking anywhere from 165 to 175 grains, but we'll have to see what it likes.

Ive been looking into these rifles as well, However I don't really like the scout type scope on them I see you can mount it tradionally back towards shooter which was a selling point for me. I'm saving my pennies as we speak. I'm not sure how much you paid for the gun but with that many mags I'm pretty sure you got a heck of a deal because I think those mags are pretty expensive by themselves.

I have been seeing them in the 700-800 dollar range, but every once in a while you'll find one for less. I REALLY like the laminated stocks on these, and the checkering is first rate. Was in the right place at the right time, I guess. I really am curious about the accuracy, I've heard mixed reviews. But, you know how those go so I'll just have to find out first hand.

I've heard the action is really sticky. Did you find that to be true?

Not sticky, just "Mauser-like". If you have a Mauser action, you know what I mean. If you don't, well, you have to be sure you are camming STRAIGHT out and STRAIGHT back in when cycling the bolt. Feed, extraction and ejection is very precise and very positive, though. It's just something you kinda have to learn.

Thanks.