I hadn't seen the new rifle platform from Ruger yet, thanks for posting so I could check it out.

Looks OK, for a low priced entry level model.  I'd be interested in reading a review or two about it.  I really like the M77 rifles--great guns for hunting.  I be surprised if more .308 case variants (like .260, 7mm-08 and .338 Federal) and .30-06 case variants (like .25-06 and maybe 35 Whelen) weren't made available in this platform in the very near future as well.

Maybe BGH will have a review of this rifle in the coming months, eh.

I happen to be a big fan of the Ruger M77. It looks like Ruger's attempt at aquiring some of the buyers of "entry" level bolt rifles. They chose decent cartridges as the initial offerings, but will need to add additional ones if they expect to fully compete in this market. I'd say it is offered in both a S/A and L/A version sine the rifle's OAL is slightly different between the L/A & S/A cartridges, which I like in any bolt gun. I never saw the "good" about putting a S/A cartridge into a L/A, except for the $$ it saved the manufacturer or if someone wanted the L/A for a special purpose as in getting a longer magazine for some special case/bullet. I'd like to see how it stacks up against a Marlin XL or XS7.

I just looked at it. UGH! I would not buy a rifle that ugly! The Ruger m77's with wood stock's and blued metal are pretty darn good looking. I had two in the past, a 338 Win mag and a 7x57. Both were old thumb saftey models. What a beautiful rifle it was. Saw a new one a while back the was wood and blue steel, really nice. But the "American" leaves a lot to be desired in looks! Might be a whole lot better if they just put a decent looking stock on it. I hate the stock on my mod 700 ADL but it's a lot better looking than that thing on the "American". That action looks chunky too.

I think that Ruger has built some of the nicest looking rifles going for a long time. They should stick to what they know!

WOW!  That is ugly!!  For the money, I'd recommend people go with Savage, at least then you can get a traditional looking stock that's not quite as ugly.

Ha!  Go with a Savage...  the company that invented ugly rifles.  To each their own I guess...

Ruger basically went and made themselves a Tikka

I don't think an entry level or economy grade rifle needs to be that ugly.  Then again I recall when the M77 was largely considered by some to be an entry-level or economy grade rifle.  Not to me though, always liked the M77.  Remington had a nice entry level rifle in their Youth Model Seven.  I sure am glad to see Ruger rising to the top in the American firearms industry.  Since the Winchester M70 went $1000+ category for a rifle recently, and since Remington stopped producing the level of quality that they used to, it's good to see Ruger still offering great guns for a reasonable price and still made here in the USA.

All I can say is this: if I had to buy my Winchester M70 Featherweight today I wouldn't.  Instead I'd make mine a new Ruger M77 Hawkeye.  Then I'd use the money I'd save on base mounts to but reloading components for the rifle.