Ruger Glenfield Model A .308 Review

[ad_1] Ruger’s acquisition of Marlin Firearms in 2020 opened lots of doorways. I feel most shooters, by now, have seen what Ruger has accomplished with the basic Marlin 336 lever-action. It's downright stunning, and it shoots simply pretty much as good because it appears.

What many didn’t notice (myself included) was that when Ruger acquired Marlin, it additionally acquired Glenfield. Why? Glenfield was Marlin’s funds line of weapons, and so they got here together with the acquisition. I recall Glenfield .22 rifles from the late Nineteen Sixties and into the Seventies. They have been well-made, not fancy, and so they labored.

About Glenfield

The Glenfield title was utilized to inexpensive rifles that Marlin marketed by means of mass retailers, akin to J. C. Penney and others. Typically made with plain hardwood or beech shares as an alternative of walnut, the Glenfield Mannequin 60 and others have been good sellers. For you geeks on the market that should know, here's a chart I discovered on Firearmwiki.com that exhibits the correlation between Glenfield and Marlin fashions…

It’s vital to understand that Marlin didn’t simply “low cost out” on the Glenfields. They used Marlin’s proprietary rifling and have been effectively put collectively. In case you discover one in the present day on the market, by and huge, it must be a good deal. They have been made to final, however simply lower prices in areas that didn’t have an effect on reliability and accuracy. I’ve seen some on Gunbroker.com.

I regarded for a predecessor Mannequin A in .308, made with the Glenfield title earlier than Ruger acquired it, however didn't discover one. The one centerfire Glenfield rifles I discovered have been a couple of variations of the Marlin 336 in .30-30. Mainly, Ruger has launched a inexpensive model of its American rifle line and branded it Glenfield. The brand new rifle is obtainable in 243 Win, .270 Win, 6.5 Creedmoor, .308 Win, .30-06 Springfield, .350 Legend, and .450 Bushmaster calibers. The one we’re right here is the .308 Winchester model.

This Mannequin A

(Sorry, however each time I hear or say “Mannequin A”, I don’t consider a rifle. Henry Ford’s creation all the time involves thoughts… I do know guys who've one. OK, again to the story…)

For my part, Ruger is laying the inspiration for a doable collection of lengthy weapons bearing the Glenfield title. Since there have been no Glenfield Mannequin A centerfire rifles earlier than, the door is open to introducing extra, possibly with completely different mannequin numbers/letters. I could possibly be unsuitable, however I’ve adopted Ruger for many years and have seen related conditions earlier than. There’s nothing unsuitable with that, in fact… the extra, the merrier, I all the time say. Add in the truth that this rifle sells, in the true world, for about $400, and I may see this being a profitable enterprise. Reasonably priced centerfire rifles might help transfer new shooters into the tent.

That’s me, really… I'm simply now, after virtually 50 years of capturing, attempting to maneuver into the centerfire rifle camp a bit extra. I’ve all the time been a handgun sort of man, however I’m discovering the fun of longer-range, centerfire rifles. (I simply did a overview of the brand new .277 Fury and completely loved capturing it.) I even have a Springfield Armory M1A coming in. Black Hills is supplying my ammo, in order that opens doorways to opinions that won't have occurred earlier than. Search for that rifle in a future overview.

Specs

Right here you go, proper from the Mannequin An internet web page…

Mannequin # 52001

Caliber 308 Win

Capability 4

Inventory Moss Inexperienced Splatter

Materials Alloy Metal

End Matte Black

Sights None – Picatinny Rail Put in

Journal Kind Flush Match

Weight 6.3 lb.

Total Size 40″

Barrel Size 20″

Size of Pull 13.75″

Thread Sample 5/8″-24

Twist 1:10″ RH

Grooves 5

Recommended Retail $499.00

Instruction Guide Glenfield™ Mannequin A

The place To Purchase

Options

Adjustable set off presents a crisp launch with a pull weight that's person adjustable between 3 and 5 kilos, permitting shooters to make that excellent shot. I measured it at 3 kilos, 4 ounces common on this rifle, with no adjustment.

Splatter completed inventory gives wonderful grip with out being too sharp or abrasive.

Smooth rubber buttpad is crafted for optimum recoil discount.

The one-piece, three-lug bolt with 70° throw gives ample scope clearance and makes use of a full-diameter bolt physique and twin cocking cams for easy, simple biking from the shoulder.

Patented Energy Bedding™, integral bedding block system positively locates the receiver and free-floats the barrel for excellent accuracy.

Manufacturing facility-installed, one-piece Picatinny scope base.

Threaded barrel with factory-installed thread protector is chilly hammer-forged, leading to ultra-precise rifling that gives distinctive accuracy and longevity.

The seen, accessible and easy-to-actuate two-position tang security gives on the spot safety.

Contains: one journal; sling swivel studs.

Observations

I used to be impressed with this rifle. As I discussed above, it sells in shops for about $400. That lower-end worth nonetheless buys you a reasonably respectable function set. Listed here are some issues I seen…

The adjustable set off isn’t precisely match-grade, however for common searching functions, a three-pound minimal is just not dangerous. Mine breaks proper at 3 kilos out of the field with no creep. It hits the wall, and “snap”. I prefer it. Mix it with the tang-mounted security, and I feel we have now a winner. Additionally, I'm left-handed, as these of you who've learn my opinions would possibly recall, and cross-bolt safeties are a no-no. I can take care of the bolt deal with being on the “unsuitable” aspect – I’m used to that – however the security is simply the place it must be.

When the unique, Gen 1 People got here out, they didn’t have a Picatinny rail. That they had the normal scope mount holes, drilled and tapped. I a lot want the rail. Despite the fact that its appears don’t do something for the rifle, it's definitely extra versatile in permitting optics to be mounted. I actually don’t see crimson dots being mounted on these weapons – they're made for longer ranges – however some scopes might be finicky about fore-and-aft placement. Right here you've gotten a selection.

Talking of mounting a scope, many rifles use a two-lug bolt from the Mauser design, however Ruger selected to go along with a three-lug bolt. That shortens the arc you need to throw the bolt deal with to open it, which in flip means you'll be able to mount a scope with a bigger goal lens if you need.

One other small element that's appreciated is the inclusion of sling swivel studs. I prefer to put a conventional sling on most lengthy weapons, and never having to trace studs down is an effective factor. Add in a good recoil pad, and the “small particulars” field might be checked.

One different function I like is that the again of the firing pin protrudes from below the bolt shroud when the rifle is cocked. This allows you to shortly see the situation of the rifle.

You possibly can inform that Ruger was attempting to chop prices with the Glenfield. They don't embody a full-blown proprietor’s guide however as an alternative have a Fast Begin information. The final specification above is a hyperlink to the Mannequin A guide which you can obtain.

The inventory’s splatter end gives sufficient grip with out sandpapering your palms. A superb pal, a former deputy, picked it up and was impressed with its degree of “stickiness” – simply sufficient.

Final (however definitely not least, because the saying goes), the rifling and bedding are top-notch. The barrel is free-floated… one thing that many different rifles on this worth class can’t declare. Plus, that barrel is cold-forged, with Ruger’s nice rifling. These elements contribute to accuracy in an enormous method.

Vary Time

I've defined in earlier opinions that my 100-yard vary has been shortened to about 90, as an enormous tree determined to surrender the ghost throughout a storm, and it blocks my full-distance goal. So, I make do. Even so, I may get a good suggestion of the general accuracy of the Mannequin A.

I'm blessed to be offered ammo by Black Hills, so I broke out a few .308 Win Match masses they’d despatched. They have been the Black Hills Gold 168-grain Tipped Match King and the red-boxed 168-grain Boat-Tail Hole Level.

So, I caught a Viridian 3-9×40 scope on the rifle and began capturing. Listed here are a few pattern targets, as soon as I bought near being sighted in…

Black Hills Gold .308 Win Match 168 grain Tipped Match King

Velocity: 2547 fps

ES: 45

SD: 19.1

BC: .492

Black Hills .308 Win Match 168-grain Boat-Tail Hole Level

Velocity: 2556 fps

ES: 29

SD: 12

BC: .593

As you'll be able to see, each of those masses are M.O.A.-capable. I admit I'm not the most effective rifle shot round, however right here we are able to see the beginning of some fairly correct days on the vary. A greater shot may make the holes contact one another. I got here shut. The rifle was enjoyable to shoot, aside from one factor…

One Glitch

All the pieces labored as marketed with the rifle after I shot it, besides I had a couple of instances when the extractor didn't slip over the case rim, which left the case within the chamber. I used a cleansing rod to take away these instances… they weren’t caught and so they got here proper out. I’m considering that the extraction difficulty might need been brought on by “new-itis”. The extra I shot it, the higher it labored. If I proceed to have points with it, I’ll contact customer support at Ruger, and so they’ll take care of it. This isn't a big deal, however I believed they need to no less than learn about it.

(UPDATE: The issue endured. After calling Ruger about this difficulty, they determined to ship me a brand new rifle. So, I despatched the unique again for them to look at, and I mounted the sling and scope from it on the brand new one. I used to be happy with it… It really works as marketed.)

A Plug For Radar

I broke out my Caldwell Velociradar chronograph to get a greater concept of what this rifle with this ammo may do. This little gem lets you not solely clock the muzzle velocity, however in case you set it up correctly, it gives you downrange velocities and bullet ballistic coefficient numbers. It makes use of Chirp radar, not Doppler.

I even have an Athlon Rangecraft Velocity Professional chrono that I exploit for handguns and closer-range capturing. It’s faster to make use of however presents solely muzzle velocities because it makes use of Doppler radar – not Chirp just like the Velociradar – and can't present downrange ballistics. The Garmin chrono is comparable. In case you are interested by getting a radar chrono, both of those is an effective wager. I’ve owned over time a number of optical chronos, however as soon as you employ a radar mannequin, you’ll by no means once more arrange screens downrange. I’ve shot my share of chronos previously, however with these radar models, that may be a factor of the previous.

Do You Want This Rifle?

I generally pose that query to readers. After all, it’s one which solely you'll be able to reply. Nonetheless, if you're available in the market for a lesser-expensive centerfire in any of the calibers this rifle is available in, you would possibly wish to give it a glance. I'm impressed with its function set, contemplating its $400 road worth. I feel you may do worse. There are rifles on the market that value extra however aren’t constructed the best way this one is.

For an entry-level centerfire rifle shooter, it is sensible. You get a good barrel, free-floated, with a three-lug bolt and Pic rail that permits virtually any scope to be mounted. You even have an simply accessible security with a cocked firing pin indicator. Add within the sling swivels and respectable recoil pad, and this gun turns into extra attention-grabbing.

So… do you want one? I go away that as much as you. As for me, this rifle won't return. It'll serve me effectively throughout Indiana’s firearms deer season, which begins mid-November. I’ll hold you posted!