High value predator rifle?

[scottprice]

I’d like to assemble a new thermal predator rifle and I’m leaning towards the Gen2 American Ranch in 5.56… or possibly American Standard in 223

For the money, I don’t think their accuracy reputation and aftermarket support can be beat. I like the Ranch a lot because even with a suppressor, I’ll only be looking at a ~23” overall barrel length

The point of my post is to exhaust all search efforts and see if there’s any other rifle that I’m missing in that $550 pricing tier. I have no issue with a used rifle either.

If you have a Gen2 Standard or Ranch, post some photos of your accuracy results and the ammo it likes

 

[Snowwolfe]

I’d like to assemble a new thermal predator rifle and I’m leaning towards the Gen2 American Ranch in 5.56… or possibly American Standard in 223

For the money, I don’t think their accuracy reputation and aftermarket support can be beat. I like the Ranch a lot because even with a suppressor, I’ll only be looking at a ~23” overall barrel length

The point of my post is to exhaust all search efforts and see if there’s any other rifle that I’m missing in that $550 pricing tier. I have no issue with a used rifle either.

If you have a Gen2 Standard or Ranch, post some photos of your accuracy results and the ammo it likes

I wouldn't exactly call $550 a high value rifle.

 

[scottprice]

I wouldn't exactly call $550 a high value rifle.

You must not understand what value means then…. The American is a damn good rifle for 550… that’s what value is. I didn’t say it’s a Sauer or a Blaser

 

[Tmac]

My Ranch rifle shoots 77 gr TMK’s very well with a can, consistently 1 1/4” or better for 10 at 100. It’s the first gen. The 16” barrel is the way to go vs a 22” imo. Very handy even with the can.

 

[Steve300xcw]

I'd slap together another AR before I bought another American.

 

[huntsman22]

My high-value brokedick thermal rifle is a Gen1 Ranch in grendel with a high-value Wraith mini thermal attached. MOA to 800 with factory 123's....

 

[E.Shell]

I have two RAR-Gen 1 5.56, 1:8 rifles. Bought used locally for $400 & $375. Using with a 7mm suppressor right now, but have a 5.56 YHM Turbo T3 incoming. 14x scope.

To me, the biggest liability is the Tupperware stock and the associated difficulties with shooting it consistently. Trigger isn't too bad, bolt run is a little rough, bolt lift (recocking effort) is a little stout, but overall not a bad 'budget rifle'.

I do like having the AR-15 magazine version, since I have "a few" of these mags in several capacities on hand. We are limited to 8 rounds in a rifle here for deer hunting and I use some Colt 8 rounders in it. They run fine and don't hang any lower than the factory 10 round 'MagPul' mags, just easier not to overload. I'd like to have some decent 5 rounders.

Both rifles shoot FGMM 69s into about 1" to 1-1/4" 10-shot groups from sandbags at 100 yards.

Both shoot Speer 64 grain GoldDots into about 1-1/4" to 1-1/2" at 100.

Playing with 77 TMKs/XBR8208/LC/CCI#41 loads now, but precision is about on par with the 64s...so far.

I'd like to have them a little smoother to operate and a little more precise to shoot, but I think for as cheap as I got them, they're fine rifles.

 

[scottprice]

To me, the biggest liability is the Tupperware stock and the associated difficulties with shooting it consistently.

I should have mentioned, another thing I like about the American lineup is the aftermarket support. One of the first things I will likely do is out the stock for something more robust whether it’s a chassis or a more vertical grip varmint style stock

 

[E.Shell]

I'd slap together another AR before I bought another American.

I have a few AR-15s, but don't care for the way they balance and carry when hunting.

 

[scottprice]

Agreed, I’m a bolt action guy

 

[Steve300xcw]

fwiw you can snag a 16" tikka from euro optic for $650. And tikka's got a $75 rebate this month as well...

Tikka T3x Lite .223 Rem 16" 1:8" Bbl Synthetic/Blued Rifle JRTXE312SB

Tikka T3x Lite .223 Rem 16" 1:8" Bbl Synthetic/Blued Rifle JRTXE312SB For Sale

www.eurooptic.com

 

[E.Shell]

But it's blued and needs muzzle threads...

fwiw you can snag a 16" tikka from euro optic for $650. And tikka's got a $75 rebate this month as well...

Tikka T3x Lite .223 Rem 16" 1:8" Bbl Synthetic/Blued Rifle JRTXE312SB

Tikka T3x Lite .223 Rem 16" 1:8" Bbl Synthetic/Blued Rifle JRTXE312SB For Sale

www.eurooptic.com

 

[scottprice]

fwiw you can snag a 16" tikka from euro optic for $650. And tikka's got a $75 rebate this month as well...

Tikka T3x Lite .223 Rem 16" 1:8" Bbl Synthetic/Blued Rifle JRTXE312SB

Tikka T3x Lite .223 Rem 16" 1:8" Bbl Synthetic/Blued Rifle JRTXE312SB For Sale

www.eurooptic.com

Wow…. I’ll have to think about that! Only downside is it is not threaded

 

[KenLee]

fwiw you can snag a 16" tikka from euro optic for $650. And tikka's got a $75 rebate this month as well...

Tikka T3x Lite .223 Rem 16" 1:8" Bbl Synthetic/Blued Rifle JRTXE312SB

Tikka T3x Lite .223 Rem 16" 1:8" Bbl Synthetic/Blued Rifle JRTXE312SB For Sale

www.eurooptic.com

You gonna shoot Blackhills 556 77gr tmk outta that 223 Tikka?

 

[Steve300xcw]

But it's blued and needs muzzle threads...

So?

Wow…. I’ll have to think about that! Only downside is it is not threaded

So get it threaded. I'd buy one of those every day over the american

 

[Steve300xcw]

You gonna shoot Blackhills 556 77gr tmk outta that 223 Tikka?

I cant make myself spend that much on 223 ammo

 

[scottprice]

I cant make myself spend that much on 223 ammo

Likewise…. $14/box Frontier ammo flattens everything I shoot at

 

[KenLee]

So?




So get it threaded. I'd buy one of those every day over the american

American gen 2 look cool, but I'm not hunting with a 4 round mag that hangs down in my way.

 

[homebru.trout]

If you already know you're replacing the stock, grabbing a Howa barreled action would be your other option. Brownells has 223, Grendel, 6ARC, etc. Add an MDT field chassis for $299.

Keep an eye out for discount codes that come around frequently and you can do pretty well in terms of accuracy and value for dollar.

 

[KenLee]

Likewise…. $14/box Frontier ammo flattens everything I shoot at

Y'all don't appreciate splatter bullets