[NLYE]

My girlfriend is looking to buy her first rifle, aside from a .22. She is comfortable with shooting pretty much anything. Went to the LGS and it looks like she will be choosing between the TC Venture and the Ruger American Rifle. Both are youth models. (She's 20, and <100lbs. So, she needs the shorter stock to be able to comfortable shoot. It will be used for hunting deer and coyote as well as paper punching.

Personally, I have a TC Venture that I love. However, she likes the Ruger because it is a little bit lighter than the TC.

I'm curious if anyone has experience with the Ruger, and what their thoughts are on them, as well as in comparison to the Venture, if possible...

Second is caliber choice. She was pretty set on the 243. but is now contemplating the 7mm-08 for the greater knockdown power.

Ammo seems to be very easy to find for the 7mm-08 in my neck of the woods, so I'm not eliminating it from a choice.

Thanks for any input/feedback!

 

[ranger1033]

Well there is a couple different Caliber she can choose,I would stick with a 7mm,270 or a 308 granted 308 ammo is kind of hard to get right now..

A 243 is ok to use but I would prefer the above calibers especially if I was hunting Deer or any other type of big game..

As to the rifle I do not own ether the Ruger or the TC,has she checked out any of the Browning x-bolt which is a nice rifle and is fairly light, I would also go with a synthetic stock which will also be lighter for her to handle..

 

[NLYE]

They are both synthetic. Her dad has a 270 and I have a 308. She would like something different. There's a $100 difference between rifles, so I'm just curious as to others experiences.

 

[Ken/4]

Both 243 and 7mm 08 are great rounds.If she doesnt mind the little extra punch of the 7-08 that would be my choice for deer hands down.With her small stature you might want to see if somebody has one around you for her to try.I myself dont care for the venture but everybody has their own opinion.I havent shot the ruger american but their guns seem to be good quality as i own a couple of them.

 

[Vapor]

The Ruger has a rougher bolt, trigger, and can only be repaired by Ruger.

TC has excellent barrel quality, a finer polished bolt, and replacement parts can be bought and repair done by yourself.

She doesn't not need a $%$ing 7mm-08 for damn deer. A .243 will take elk with a premium bullet. .243 is also cheaper to feed.

I don't get this magical knock down power people keep talking about. You either pile up a deer with a good hit, or you don't. Anything in the .223 or up should do the trick.

 

[RandallOfLegend]

I have a ruger american on my buy list. Can you find one in an LGS for her to hold? That's what sold me on it.

 

[Doppleganger]

I have no issues with My 30-06 Ruger Am. Rifle. Though I haven't shot it a whole bunch, it's still pretty new to me. I thought the trigger was nice (just fyi, I've been shooting a 10/22 stock trigger for years, and JUST upgraded it), though I'm by no means a trigger expert. No issues with the action of the bolt. Magazines are available all over the place for the Ruger, in the $35-40 range. That being said, I don't have much experience with other bolt rifles.

 

[THE RAVEN]

A .243 has killd a great number of deer over the years,and can also be used as a nice varmint rifle....That's my vote.....I would go with the Ruger American,I have one in a .30-.06,no problems at all,and overall a smooth nice handling rifle,esp for the price...! BTW what are they selling for there... ??

 

[RandallOfLegend]

A .243 has killd a great number of deer over the years,and can also be used as a nice varmint rifle....That's my vote.....I would go with the Ruger American,I have one in a .30-.06,no problems at all,and overall a smooth nice handling rifle,esp for the price...! BTW what are they selling for there... ??

I saw a 243 at a LGS for $450.

 

[THE RAVEN]

I saw a 243 at a LGS for $450.

My LGS sells them for $349.00.......All Ruger American models......

 

[NLYE]

The ones I am looking at are youths...so $309.99 if i remember correctly

 

[RandallOfLegend]

My LGS sells them for $349.00.......All Ruger American models......

IIRC

But the LGS is held it in is not known for their deals.