Ruger American Predator

[TexasPatriot.308]

I am a Ruger person, I own several Rugers, No. 1s, minis, Ruger revolvers and my favorites the M77s in several calibers. I am a rancher and ride pastures daily. I been thinking about a Ruger Predator in .22-250 for coyotes and hogs. I know they are on the budget side, but wondering about the quality, accuracy and dependability of one. It would definitely be a true truck gun. Any input....yes or no...

 

[Captains1911]

I don’t own one, but from everything I’ve read and heard from people that do, they are really good rifles, especially considering the price. Just curious, why 22-250? I just saw that they came out with two new models, a 16” 300 BLK that uses AR mags, and a 6.5 Creedmore that uses AI mags.

 

[troy fairweather]

They are probably one of the best budget rifles out there, they shoot better then most can do from a bench. For a truck gun they would be great, u wont have to worry much about the stock getting beat up. 22-250 is good for what u want i have killed quite a few deer with a 22-250 all drt. i would put a nice sturdy scope on it maybe even a fixed 4 or 6 power. good luck

 

[Skylerbone]

As an owner I vote yes. Not the best or worst but a good bit of rifle for the money.

 

[greyling22]

Tikkas are a lot nicer, they they cost a lot more. The stocks aren't great at all, but they work. Same with the mags. I don't know of anything else in that price range I would pick over one. Maybe a T/C venture? A winchester xpr?

The T/C compass is probably a better value though.....

 

[LoonWulf]

They are my favorite of the "budget rifles"
I have a Ruger American Magnum in 7mm
And a Go Wild in 6.5CM (basically an AI predator with a fancy camo and cerakote)
I've had a ranch in .300aac.

The Americans have a few things that can be annoying. The bolts aren't polished after turning so they chatter some when running (at least the older ones weren't. My Go Wild seems to have been polished out, or the turning is better because it doesn't run like corduroy).
The stocks have been improving over the years, but are still pretty bendy. Best to make sure there's no touch issues.
The trigger while very similar to Savages Accutriger isn't as crisp in general. There isn't a way to adjust engagement either. On my most recent ones the travel was a little longer than on my older one, and a tad gritty.
Some polishing and a spring change tho and my 7s at 2lbs and smooth.....I still need to figgure out a way to adjust engagement.

 

[adcoch1]

I have a 6.5 Grendel predator that is gonna be my jeep gun when its up and running. I like the stock that doesn't matter if it gets scratched, and the ar mags that come out easily so it can be loaded and unloaded quickly. The bolt is a bit rough as Loonwulf stated, but I'll polish it up a bit when I get around to it. I put a 2-7x33 nikon scope on mine and I like the low magnification for a utility rifle. Plus its legal for both small and large game here in Washington, so thats a bonus, and ammo is cheap too. Overall a decent budget truck gun.

 

[FL-NC]

I have a RAR predator in 308 that I put in a Boyd's laminated stock and a ranch on 300 B-O. I am happy with both.

 

[sparkyv]

The RARPs are very good, many points already made above. If you compare them to your #1s and M77s, you may be disappointed. If you accept that the RARP is in a different class than those, but still shoots very well and has a a very good trigger, and is competatively priced, then you'll be satisfied.

 

[Captcurt]

I miss mine. I had a Predator in 6.5 CM with a 4X12 Vortex Diamondback that was an accurate, deer killing machine. It didn't care about the bullet weight or the powder charge. It shot most to the same POA. Never took a really long shot with it but took several deer from 250 to 300 yards. Like I said, I miss it.

 

[Frostbite]

I must have bought a lemon. My .223 Predator shot 5.5" groups at 100 yards before I changed the stock with Aguila 55 grains and not much better with others. The best it did was a 2" group with some Russian 62 grains that stuck in the chamber. Hornady 75 grains Match did not do any better. I since have upgraded the flimsy stock that touched the barrel on the right side to a Boyds At-One in which it has been bedded and it now shoots the same Aguila in 2.5" after 80 shots of fouling, worst before that. Just ordered diverse high quality Match ammo to go through it this week as I saw some improvement with the new stock, bedding and trigger work (changed spring and polishing by a gunsmith) and now want to know it it will finally shoot or not. The magazine is the five shots one and don't like it much. When it is cold (it is often cold here, winter is coming), you could swear it is going to break opened in half and it is difficult to load. If I had to do it all again, I think I should have waited and bought something else.

 

[troy fairweather]

I must have bought a lemon. My .223 Predator shot 5.5" groups at 100 yards before I changed the stock with Aguila 55 grains and not much better with others. The best it did was a 2" group with some Russian 62 grains that stuck in the chamber. Hornady 75 grains Match did not do any better. I since have upgraded the flimsy stock that touched the barrel on the right side to a Boyds At-One in which it has been bedded and it now shoots the same Aguila in 2.5" after 80 shots of fouling, worst before that. Just ordered diverse high quality Match ammo to go through it this week as I saw some improvement with the new stock, bedding and trigger work (changed spring and polishing by a gunsmith) and now want to know it it will finally shoot or not. The magazine is the five shots one and don't like it much. When it is cold (it is often cold here, winter is coming), you could swear it is going to break opened in half and it is difficult to load. If I had to do it all again, I think I should have waited and bought something else.

u were getting 5.5 inch groups and u did not call ruger immediately ?.

 

[Frostbite]

It did not even cross my mind. Do you think it would have been any good? I live in Canada.

 

[troy fairweather]

It did not even cross my mind. Do you think it would have been any good? I live in Canada.

yes ruger has the best service out there

 

[Skylerbone]

My T/C Compass was more accurate out of the box with the particular ammo I bought than my Predator but I’m still working to close the gap with a few inexpensive tricks. Once I get some time and dies I’m confident the Ruger will settle into an MOA rifle.

I did not pay for a custom rifle or benchrest accuracy and I do not expect or demand it (or even need it) from a hunting rifle. Sure makes me smile when a bargain bin sporter manages to shoot really small groups and competition between manufacturers have been a boon of late to we the consumers and from my point of view the RAP is an easy recommendation.

In fact I feel by design alone it ought to be capable of out shooting the Compass with ease, but the stars shone brightly on me and I got a very good one at a great price. If the title of the thread were Compass, yea or nay I would happily recommend it too. One or another made by someone is bound to suit each of us better than the rest.

 

[DannyLandrum]

I have customers reporting tremendous accuracy from T/C compass, for what that is worth.

A true truck gun is about the only thing a non-Ranch American is good for, since a stiff breeze or tiny bump will make you lose your mag, but since you're just shooting from the truck, you probably won't lose it - so it's perfect for that use. To me, it's not better than a Venture (same price), but I'd take it over an Axis or 783... but it does cost a lot more than the latter two I mentioned.