Ruger American Predator

[waitforit]

Picked a predator up in 6.5CM for my son and shot it for the first time today. Did nothing except lighten up the trigger to 3lb and make sure barrel was freefloated.

After a 5 rounds for scope adjustment here is a 3-shot 0.42 inch group at 100yds. These are 147 eldm over 37 gr of H4350.. i just picked a low book charge to get started.

These guns are a little rough around the edges but can shoot! Bonus, Ruger is sending me a black youth stock free of charge. Next steps will be to polish / jewel the bolt to make it smoother, swap the AI mag for a metal one so I can load to the lands, and finally to work up a proper load.

 

[Fatcamp]

Everyone wants to know where you got the reloading components.

We had one of those Rugers, very accurate gun. Should have kept it and saved the hassle. I put together a Tikka with a 3-9 SWFA for my wife she never touches. SMH Just uses that ugly Savage she loves.

 

[waitforit]

I looked at a Tikka but decided to give this a chance, glad I did (besides.. I have a Kimber and I cant give the kid a better gun than I have...).

Ive been gathering supplies for almost a year now. My other gun is a 7mm08 so the 4350 is useful there too.

 

[Fatcamp]

LOL. I started buying and looking for components 2 years ago. That's why I have cartridges for practice. 6.5 Unicorn is crazy hard to find right now.

 

[waitforit]

I got brass from a LGS, primers and powder are popping up for sale more regularly now.. just gotta be quick on the trigger with buying it. 6.5 bullets are fairly easy to come by now.

 

[Fatcamp]

Ya, local Scheels had 143 ELDX on the shelf for a couple days. H4350 is still in short supply, but I'm not hunting it either.

 

[11boo]

I bought one in 6.5 too. A rifle that costs under 400 bucks should not shoot this well. First shots caught me by surprise it shot factory ammo so well. I have several different brands/weights and they all wanted to go to point of aim.

Shot about 30 rounds of 3-4 different brands, all in a 2.5” group At 100. Any of them would go into an inch.

The trigger group looks like cast zinc, the stock is cheap and flexible. And it shoots lights out.

 

[waitforit]

I think its all about the freefloat barrel and pillars for the action - they did a great job with that.