New Rifle

[WD242]

Thinking of purchasing a Ruger Compact in 308 for hunting here in the Adirondacks. Looking for anyones opinion on this rifle, good or bad. Also opinions on a scope, low power fixed or variable. Thanks.

[Rangr44]

They're nice handling, in a chambering that'll easily reach across those open fields when you come out of the woods.

IMO, It's the perfect gun/situation for a good, bright, low-powered variable.

I've used several of the Weaver Classic V-3 1-3x20 scopes on rifles ranging from a Ruger .308 RSI to a  .450 Marlin with good results.

http://www.swfa.com/pc-2321-256-weaver-1-3x20-classic-v3-series-rifle-scope.aspx

[Cement Man]

I like Rugers, I like .308's and I find those Compacts very handy rifles.  I have a firend who just got one in 7-08 and it sure is a nice rig.  I think the Weaver Classic V-3 is a fine scope and I like them as well, but I have been going back more and more to fixed powers where I think appropriate.  A couple of  other options I would consider for that rifle would be a Weaver K 2..5, a Burris Short Mag 4X and the Leupold 2.5 FXII Ultralight.  I have a Sightron SII 4X32 that is really excellent - compact, great eye relief and would be a great match for the Compact, but it can be pretty limited on what you can mount it on so check the measurements first. JMO - a few options to consider - there are a lot of great scopes out there. 

[victorcharlie]

Before you buy the compact, which is a very nice rifle, you might have a look at the ultra lite......same rife as the compact, but with a 20" barrel.

[ScoutMan]

WD,

I too am an Adirondacker  born and bred, so I know what of you speak.

I have the Compact. It is mounted with an old Leupold 3X with heavy duplex. All up with sling but unloaded it weights in at 7 lbs 5 oz. It is extremely compact.

If I were going for a new scope it would be the Leupold Ultralite  2.5 X with heavy duplex reticle  to make it even more compact.

The 16.5" barrel is no problem and the velocity loss between it and a 20" barrel would be negligible for our purposes. My load is the 165 gr Nosler Partition over 43 gr. of 3031. I guessing that I'm getting at least 2500 fps.

[beemanbeme]

I'm gonna guess that if you hunted with either one for a couple of days you wouldn't notice what the barrel length was.
Those 2.5's and V3's sure are quick in the woods. 

[Cement Man]

The other difference between the Ultralite and the Compact is the shorter LOP, which I believe, makes it a distinctly enough different rifle to handle and carry.  It changes the OAL from 40" to 35.5".  I'm 5'11" and I get along just fine with most factory stocks with the "usual" LOP, but I do like 'em shorter as well, especially for offhand shooting, and since I generally wear some pretty heavy clothes when hunting. 
I had an Ultarlite in 30.06, which I gave to one of my son-in-laws when he started deer hunting.  It was a good rifle and very handy.  I got a standard  SS/syn 77 MKII in .308 and had the barrel lopped to 19.5".  I use that rifle the most and really love it.  After handling my friends new Compact this year, ummm, I think I might just have to have one of those.  I mean, I have an extra Leupold 2.5 Compact scope layin' around and it seems very wasteful not to be using it.  Right?

[ScoutMan]

I mean, I have an extra Leupold 2.5 Compact scope layin' around and it seems very wasteful not to be using it.  Right?

Of course. Don't wait!!