Ruger American Predator 6.5 CM

[Charlie1022]

Wow what a good shooting new rifle! I found one at a really good price at Rural King for $379.99. I lapped the barrel before I shot it and mounted a Hawke 6X24 scope I got on sale a couple years ago. I shot some Hornady ELD M 140 gr and first shot was off the edge of the target. I made the adjustments I thought would get me on target. Second shot was within 1/4" of dead center. My first 5 shot group was less than an inch. It was getting very hot out so I only shot 10 rounds but the last 2 shots were touching. I need to do something to get a better check weld to the stock. I did order a muzzle brake which will help with recoil to make it like my RPR in 6.5CM. Now to get some more trigger time and load some ladder loads for this one to see just how good it will shoot. I am very happy with it!

 

[748]

Try nozler bullets, if 1 inch isn't good enough for you.

 

[jmr40]

All of the Ruger Predators that I've shot have been exceptional. I also have them in 308 and 223 in addition to 6.5 CM. I have several friends with them as well.

If looking for inexpensive factory ammo I've found this to be almost as accurate as my best handloads. I have tried a few boxes and found the brass worked out well to reload too. My brother and his son in law don't handload and shoot a ton of this stuff and give me their brass.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1020605499?pid=865833

I've gotten best accuracy loading Lapua Scenar 139 gr bullets

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1270666752

 

[FL-NC]

I have the same exact rifle and also a ranch model in 300 BLK. They both shoot far better than a sub-$400 rifle has any right to. My 6.5 shoots sub MOA with Federal 140 grain nontypical (a soft point hunting round). This is available at Academy sports for about $17 a box. Its a hunting round that acts like a match grade round on paper, and performed incredibly well on a 6 pointer I dropped last hunting season. You may want to try them in your rifle, just to see what happens.

 

[792mauser]

Even my "meh" stock 243 ruger was good at just about 2 inches @100 with the cruddy stock, crunchy trigger and un-freefloated barrel with good ammunition.

Now its in a magpul stock and acceptable under inch accurate with hornady ammunition. (I can't seem to replicate their dang formula to get my loads as accurate)

The rimfires, 223 and the 7.62x39 are fantastic for the price in my opinion.

 

[edwardware]

. . . I lapped the barrel before I shot it and

Curious, what did that look like?

 

[nipprdog]

Wow what a good shooting new rifle! I found one at a really good price at Rural King for $379.99. I lapped the barrel before I shot it and mounted a Hawke 6X24 scope I got on sale a couple years ago. I shot some Hornady ELD M 140 gr and first shot was off the edge of the target. I made the adjustments I thought would get me on target. Second shot was within 1/4" of dead center. My first 5 shot group was less than an inch. It was getting very hot out so I only shot 10 rounds but the last 2 shots were touching. I need to do something to get a better check weld to the stock. I did order a muzzle brake which will help with recoil to make it like my RPR in 6.5CM. Now to get some more trigger time and load some ladder loads for this one to see just how good it will shoot. I am very happy with it!

Coinsidently, that rifle is in the new RK flyer for the same price.

 

[CptnAwesome]

I can't say enough good about the Ruger American Predators. I bought one in 6.5 Cr early last year and love it. Topped it with a Vortex Viper and it shot great right out of the box.
I've since added a Boyds AT-ONE and a cheapo ebay tanker muzzle brake.

Here's a pic of it now and a 3 shot group from a load I tested a couple weekends ago at 100yds.I was aiming at the intersection of the orange lines

 

[Charlie1022]

Curious, what did that look like?

I spent 1/2 hour with JB bore lapping compound then cleaned the bore before first shot. Sorry no pictures.