Help me build out a Ruger American Gen2

[USAF Ret]

So, I was not planning on getting another rifle, but the PX had a 20% off sale going on and had a Ruger American Gen2 Predator in 308 Win. I got it for $400, no tax. I just could not pass it up. I am wanting to do a chassis hunting rig. Trying to keep it fairly light, maybe 8 lbs with scope. I have been looking at the offerings and right now it looks like KRG Bravo, MDT Field, MDT LSS, and Sharps Bros Heatseeker for chassis'. I am also keeping an eye out for Black Friday scope deals. I would like to keep the scope under 20 oz with a 16x magnification. I do need to pull the action from the stock and weigh it so I know what my limits are. Also, while not a bare bones budget, I do want to keep it lower or I could have ended up buying a rifle already in a chassis system.

Open to suggestions. Anyone done a build like this? Thoughts on components?

 

[NeedleCrook]

just for reference, I have a gen 1 in 6.5 cm with the MDT field stock, which I’m very happy with by the way. I can weigh it later with it stripped, but I’m sitting at 12 lbs with the with stock, hatch bipod, NF nx8 scope, rings, break, arca and pic rail. I could definitely go lighter on all components but I’m happy with everything and don’t mind carrying a heavy rifle when the trade off is more accuracy.

 

[NeedleCrook]

Gen 3 Little Bastard Self Timing Muzzle Brake*

American Precision Arms is very excited to share the release of the Generation 3 Little Bastard. It has been a long time coming but we wanted to make sure everything was perfect before offering something new. The development of APA Gen 3 Little Bastard was the result of American Precision Arms'...

www.americanprecisionarms.com

Also APA breaks are on sale!

 

[SchwarzStock]

I was going to try to build a light-weight folder with a chassis stock using a Rem 700 last year. When I got the Titanium stock from XLR, added a butt stock and equipped it with the same sling/bipod attachments I had on a H-S Precision stock the rifle gained weight. A good portion of the weight on the rifle is the steel trigger guard so I thought the chassis might be at least as light as the H-S since it had its own magazine well cast into the chassis. I can't remember this moment what the chassis model was but it was the shortest one offered.

Until someone makes a folder like the one Robbie Barrkman produced 30 years ago using McMillan stocks I'm going to stick with the H-S and the embedded bedding block. I don't think there is anything to gain with a chassis unless you just like the look of "space guns".

 

[USAF Ret]

Gen 3 Little Bastard Self Timing Muzzle Brake*

American Precision Arms is very excited to share the release of the Generation 3 Little Bastard. It has been a long time coming but we wanted to make sure everything was perfect before offering something new. The development of APA Gen 3 Little Bastard was the result of American Precision Arms'...

www.americanprecisionarms.com

Also APA breaks are on sale!

Thanks, I shoot suppressed though. It comes with a radial brake, which feels like it is welded on.

 

[SchwarzStock]

Just found an old email; it was the Atom

 

[bojangles808]

Gen 3 Little Bastard Self Timing Muzzle Brake*

American Precision Arms is very excited to share the release of the Generation 3 Little Bastard. It has been a long time coming but we wanted to make sure everything was perfect before offering something new. The development of APA Gen 3 Little Bastard was the result of American Precision Arms'...

www.americanprecisionarms.com

Also APA breaks are on sale!

eurooptic has them for under 100 too

 

[USAF Ret]

I was going to try to build a light-weight folder with a chassis stock using a Rem 700 last year. When I got the Titanium stock from XLR, added a butt stock and equipped it with the same sling/bipod attachments I had on a H-S Precision stock the rifle gained weight. A good portion of the weight on the rifle is the steel trigger guard so I thought the chassis might be at least as light as the H-S since it had its own magazine well cast into the chassis. I can't remember this moment what the chassis model was but it was the shortest one offered.

Until someone makes a folder like the one Robbie Barrkman produced 30 years ago using McMillan stocks I'm going to stick with the H-S and the embedded bedding block. I don't think there is anything to gain with a chassis unless you just like the look of "space guns".

I like the adjustability and modularity of a chassis. I have several rifles with standard stock, but had a SIG Cross a while back that I liked but sold. Of course, wishing I hadn't. But, I just wanted more velocity with a longer barrel.

 

[USAF Ret]

I am flexible on weight. Just as light as possible.

 

[zdc1775]

Thanks, I shoot suppressed though. It comes with a radial brake, which feels like it is welded on.

If it's like mine was it's not Loctited on or anything, just a bit of surface corrosion on the threads. Slap it in a barrel vise and either apply heat or give the wrench a tap with a dead blow and it spins right off.

 

[USAF Ret]

If it's like mine was it's not Loctited on or anything, just a bit of surface corrosion on the threads. Slap it in a barrel vise and either apply heat or give the wrench a tap with a dead blow and it spins right off.

I will probably have to take it to a smith. I don't have a barrel vise. Thanks.

 

[zdc1775]

I will probably have to take it to a smith. I don't have a barrel vise. Thanks.

In that case, if you have a standard bench vise, these work fine for this application.

https://www.amazon.com/NO-M-R-Purpose-Polymer-Groove/dp/B012BVM1E8

 

[USAF Ret]

In that case, if you have a standard bench vise, these work fine for this application.

https://www.amazon.com/NO-M-R-Purpose-Polymer-Groove/dp/B012BVM1E8

Purchased. Thanks much!