I have had the itch for a compact rifle for a couple of years. Something light and small to carry on the longer walks into the woods, national forest and WMA hunts.

The Ruger American Compact SS .308 is what I have about decided on. The gun is 36.5" long with an 18" barrel, 12.5" LOP. Problem is I am 6'3" and am a little concerned about the short length of pull.

I get tired of lugging my heavy bean field gun into the brush for a 60 yard shot. I have a 44 mag lever action that I enjoy carrying when I know I wont be shooting over 125 yards.

Is this a dumb idea? Some of you guys with experience with compact rifles, talk me into or out of it...

Lever gun

I think anybody who DOESN'T have a compact rifle for woods hunting is crazy. I'll never be without one again. Mine of choice (got two of them) is the Remington Model 7 stainless. Sweet little rifle, regardless of the caliber choice.

I love my Remington model 7. Short ,compact, light and easy to carry. I carry it more than any of my other centerfires now.
You can add a thicker recoil pad to lengthen the pull some.
I like the shorter LOP on mine in winter when wearing bulky clothing.

Ive got a .243 thats been cut down for a youth/woman size shooter by a gunsmith that owned it before me. Its one of my favorites. Its not as light as what you are looking at but it shoots great for an adult even though the LOP is short.

FWIW the compact SS Rugers are sharp and on my to do list for sure.

For me the weight is more important than a couple more inches of barrel length. I actually prefer a longer barrel because of velocity loss and muzzle blast. For what you are talking about, I bought a Kimber Montana 7mm-08.

However for a short barreled gun the 308 would be my first choice and the Ruger American is a good compromise between light weight and price. You might also consider the Tikka Ultralight with fluted barrel. They are under 6 lbs and sold through Cabelas and Sportsmans Warehouse. The SW models are a little cheaper.

im 6 feet with very long arms, and the compact fits me very well. wish i had the bread to buy one right now ...

I just got to handle a SS compact ruger American 308. It felt good.

Got my kid a Ruger American 270 last year (reg not compact) and it shoots great. No problems with it at all. I did put some RTC very soft silicone in the stock to make it a little heavier & help with recoil.

If only they made one in stainless/synthetic I would say the Browning X-Bolt micro was the finest walking rifle ever made.

Ruger M77 stainless compact on 7-08 or .308.

Check out the Ruger American Predator in 308. I just bought one for my son and its a great little gun. Im 6'1" and it fits me great. I am thinking about getting one for myself.

http://www.ruger.com/products/americanRiflePredator/specSheets/6974.html

Was it at a local gun shop? I might just run by and take a look myself.

Yall about have me talked into it. May look a little closer at that Predator model. Has the 18" barrel with the longer LOP. I would prefer the stainless though.

Just bought my wife a Ruger American Compact in 7mm-08 that she picked out. Haven't had a chance to shoot it yet though, but it feels great in the hands. It isn't the stainless model, but we did handle one yet she liked the regular better. From everything I've read and seen, seems these are good little guns for the money.

My go to gun is a CVA Scout 7mm-08 SS , it's compact with a 20" barrel , light weight and very easy to maneuver in stand and shooting house , killed plenty of deer with it, compacts are the way to go.

bought my daughter that exact rifle and I love it. Its a tack driver

Gotta Remington Model 7 like a bunch of the guys that have commented. I've only had it a few months but I love it so far. Laminate stock and in 7-08, it's a breeze to carry around. Traded for it from a fellow aldeer member. I'm 5'11 so a compact rifle's pull feels pretty good to me. Killed a groundhog and coyote so far. Actually sitting with it right now while I'm doing a little yote hunting while they cut the corn around me! Gotta say a lever gun is a great choice too. No matter what people say a 30-30 can shoot 200+ yards. My main deer gun is still and for the last 13-15 years is my ruger 7mm rem mag but def get tired of carrying it.
Right now:

I'm 6'4" 350lbs. I have a ruger m77 compact in a .243. Barrel length is 16.5 and 12.5 lop. I have no issues. It is my go to rifle. If the gun that you want was available, I would have bought it instead of the m77 compact. I wanted a beat around gun, mine is just too pretty. I couldn't resist.

Thompson center makes a youth rifle that comes with a stock extension for under $300 with rebate. I bought the .243 for my daughter and it outshoots every thing i have. very impressed with the machining quality; action, 5r rifling, and reciever. for the money thompson has the most value.
Also to bama bucks: a laminated stock is nice, but they are the heaviest stocks you can find.

Yea I know, I've been shopping around for a nice synthetic stock.