Ruger American Gen II Predator

[Sinjin]

Does anyone own or have experience with Ruger American Gen II Predator, specifically in 6.5 Creedmore? I'm looking for a new bolt action rifle in 6.5 Creed and I'm leaning toward the Ruger. Only Ruger rifle I've ever owned is their 10/22.

[leroy]

For what it's worth, we used to regularly shoot the old M77s in walnut stocks back in the late 70/early 80s.  I own and used to regularly shoot an m 77 varminter 308 topped off with a 16 power Leupold.   We used ta mostly plink with these rifles. 

That said, a 12 ga AA shotgun hull didn't stand a chance when shot from a sitting position, a wrapped, adjusted sling, and a good back rest like a front tire of a jeep or pickup.

We hand loaded using military brass, 168 Sierra or Hornady match bullets, and whatever the Lyman accuracy load wuz for powder.  We experimented with primers till we found the best one... probably a Federal Match, but I can't remember.

The rifle was " as is " no barrel bedding, no barrel free float other than factory, and no trigger work.

I'ma thinkin that the technology has only gotten better in the last 45 years or so.  The synthetic stock thing, pillar bedding, and CNC machining is all a plus that turns a $1000 dollar rifle into a $ 500 rifle that is better than the original.  If they would make the ranch rifle in a 7x57 Mauser, I'd buy one today, and I'm a bit north of 78 years young.

leroy

Edited May 18 by leroy

[deerslayer]

A friend and I both have the gen 1 Ranch rifle and another friend has a gen 2.  All three shoot better than they should for the price, although my accuracy falls off a cliff when the barrel gets a bit dirty.  
 

Having said that, if I wanted a new 6.5, Bergara would be the first place I would look.  

Edited May 19 by deerslayer

[deerslayer]

1 hour ago, leroy said:

For what it's worth, we used to regularly shoot the old M77s in walnut stocks back in the late 70/early 80s.  I own and used to regularly shoot an m 77 varminter 308 topped off with a 16 power Leupold.   We used ta mostly plink with these rifles. 

That said, a 12 ga AA shotgun hull didn't stand a chance when shot from a sitting position, a wrapped, adjusted sling, and a good back rest like a front tire of a jeep or pickup.

We hand loaded using military brass, 168 Sierra or Hornady match bullets, and whatever the Lyman accuracy load wuz for powder.  We experimented with primers till we found the best one... probably a Federal Match, but I can't remember.

The rifle was " as is " no barrel bedding, no barrel free float other than factory, and no trigger work.

I'ma thinkin that the technology has only gotten better in the last 45 years or so.  The synthetic stock thing, pillar bedding, and CNC machining is all a plus that turns a $1000 dollar rifle into a $ 500 rifle that is better than the original.  If they would make the ranch rifle in a 7x57 Mauser, I'd buy one today, and I'm a bit north of 78 years young.

leroy

I still have my dad’s tang safety M77 .30-06 I used to kill my first deer.  He was a southpaw and a Ruger fan, so the tang safety was icing on the cake.  It is a 22” pencil barrel and always shot OK with handloads until one day my dad’s local source was fresh out of Speer 150 Spitzers, so he switched to Sierra 150 Spitzers.  Holy moly did that gun love those Sierras!  Same IMR 4064 charge, same CCI large rifle primers.  Didn’t make sense, but he didn’t gripe about the results.  

Edited May 19 by deerslayer

[TNPhil]

Currently been researching this rifle and possibly one other as an alternative, but I really like what I am seeing online thus far. Seems this rifle shoots well out of its price range class and has the greater capability of upgrades and modifications to further personalize it. Still on the fence if it would be the Predator or simply the Gen 2 standard I would get. Decisions, decisions...

[OneClick]

Speaking of Ruger's Gen 2 stuff. . .I wanted a good short bolt (mag fed) to consume up some of my long ago purchased 77gr SMK in .224” ( I have several thousand, embarrassed to admit) .  I’ve got several built 223’s, single shot, 30” bbl, made for + 600yd metallic sight comp and  80GR pills .. . That 30yr addiction is over.  So,  bought a Ruger Ranch Gen 2 5.56, 16”, . two mo's ago.

HolyMoly, out of the Ruger box a sub 1” for the past 500 rounds.  WTH ?.  I’m not used to that without some serious garage work with pillar & steel epoxy bedding, etc, etc, custom bbl, Jewel or Timney triggers, brass all weighed and sorted, everything blessed by the Pope, etc.   I put a 35 yr old $100 Bushnell Banner scope on it that used to be on my 264 Win “coyote gun” decades ago, just to  have a nice view in the real world.  

At 350 yds it’s still holding 1 moa,  so it obviously likes the 77gr SMKs, Varget, and 2,550 fps. .  .but maybe these days “Life is Better” out of the box,  and I just missed  the memo a while back.   AR buffs may know better,  having no wood,  but I’m impressed.  If AR’s shoot like this, generally, I bow three times in your general direction(s)  in awe.   I have not yet popped off any 55gr slugs in this Ruger,  but the odds are good.