Got another Ruger American variant.

[LoonWulf]

So a friend of mine decided we needed to do a gun project together.
Originally he wanted to work on a large bore ELR type rifle, but after going over the options with him, he realized the ammo would cost more than his car, much less the scope and rifle.

His next idea was we mess with identical 6.5CMs.

I had not intended to get dragged into the actual "spending" portion of the project, and being jobless at that point, there was relatively little money to throw around.
Thus, as much as he (and I honestly) would have preferred to start with something like a Bergara HMR or the like, I gave him a max price of 500, since I had all the other stuff I needed.
I sold my Savage 6.5, and a bow, to fund this purchase so I wasn't budging on cost.
The only options in that price range had the features we were looking for were the RAP/Go Wild, T/C compass, and a Savage of some sort.

Being a fan of the RAs, we went with the Go Wild.
It had a nice Bronze Cerakote paint job, and what looked like a decent radial brake. It also has the newer AI maged stock, in a decently attractive camo pattern.
Admittedly, it's my lower cost stand in for the HC X-Bolt......

I haven't gotten to shoot the gun yet, and I'm not positive on the modification we're planning on making (I know stocks are on the list).

The basic rifle is actually very nice.

The Cerakote is properly applied inside and out, and very even. The one spot that will show wear is the root of the bolt handle where it hits the back/angle of the slot in the receiver.
The stock is a bit stiffer than my old RAR, and regular American. The honeycomb pattern came out after older my rifles I think. But it's not as stiff, or heavy, as my RAM.
The AI mag is a little more difficult to insert than the rotary's, and having to remove the latch to get the action of of the stock is kinda annoying.
The trigger is standard RA fair. Set at about 3.5lbs, with some slightly gritty take up and a clean break.
The one piece scope mount dosent match the one that was on my RAR or RAM, it's taller and the is no pause in the rail section's. I don't know if that's now standard, or if the GO WILD go something different. Either way it seems like a well made mount.
The muzzle brake, while attractive, looks to be a one size fits all design (at least for sub .450s) and the bore is overly large for the 6.5CM. Not that I think the brake is necessary, but if they were gonna install one, might as well at least do 2 or 3 different bore sizes.
The barrel is the same as my RAM and .745ish behind the threads. I'm curious if that matches the other RAPs barrel dias, as I've read they are .625ish.

so far this what I've done on in addition

Remove, clean, remount scope rail.

Install my Nikon 4.5-14x40 in Weaver GS rings (not my first choice, but I wanted to buy local and that's what they had).

Time the brake, since the flats being crooked bugged me(did it after the pictures).

Remove the housing, clean, and polish the contact surfaces on the trigger. I also installed a reduced weight spring.
I found that an AR buffer retaining spring is about perfect, and allows a pull weight as low as 2-2.5lbs. The extended travel of the spring keeps tension on the trigger longer which makes me feel better than trying to shorten, or otherwise reduce the stock spring.

I'm about to polish the bolt, but I think the Cerakote process removes/fills some of the tool marks in the receiver. This makes the Go Wilds bolt travel, stock, smoother than my RAM with just the bolt polishing (I'll do the Rams receiver eventually).

Moved my cheap Harris style pod over.

The only for sure planned change we have is replacing the stocks. My buddy is going to use a Magpul Hunter, I'm either going with a B&C or another Boyds. Other than that, I think we'll keep our guns the same.
I'm probably going to sell the AI/Go Wild stock to help pay for the replacement. I just don't like the way American stocks feel.

I've got a pile of 140eldms to start with bullet wise. Im gonna try my 46-47gr of Superformance, and 41-42gr of h-4350.

I'll post updates as they happen.

I've got to say I'm not a huge fan of the name Go Wild!

 

[troy fairweather]

nice this gun would fill the niche i have to get the browning hells canyon. i would go with the b&c stock the od green would look cool. if u go for wood look at the richards miro fits stock for the price of the boyds u can get a AA grade walnut from them and they do laminates. o and be easy on the torque on those rings, the little wedge like to crack check before u shoot the gun. i had may crack on me wever sends new ones. other then that they seem ok rings. good luck.

 

[LoonWulf]

Ive used a few Richards stocks, but they don't inlet them for the RAs.
The B&Cs topping my list right now. I was actually thinking the black and red, but the OD and black would be a sweet combo too. Kinda like my 6x47s FDE and OD.

I've never used the grand slams before, but I torqued them to spec. If they break I'm gonna be mildly annoyed lol.

 

[troy fairweather]

I will call the tomorrow to see if they do, there site is not up dated lately. That color would look ool to for the little more cash the b&c are nice and if u get it ruffed up u can sent it back and the will re paint it ans add the web. I have to sets of the grand slams both have racked the wedge more the one. Most time when they are just sitting in ( i herd the ping two times when it happened. Other time was after a hunt in the old about 15 f and the gun was in the house warming up and i here the ping. I found if you just use the short end of the torx wrench they don't crack

 

[sparkyv]

I hope you get it shooting better than my stock RARP 6.5CM. I can't do better than 1.1MOA 5 shot groups at 300yds. Not done tinkering with my loads just yet, however. My stock RARP in .233 Rem shoots lights out in comparison.

 

[edapp]

That looks pretty good! I would love a HC X-bolt but at the pice they are asking I don't see it happening. Too man't great options when you get over 1K, and up and over 2K for the mcmillan or Pro versions.

Looking forward to the report.

 

[LoonWulf]

I hope you get it shooting better than my stock RARP 6.5CM. I can't do better than 1.1MOA 5 shot groups at 300yds. Not done tinkering with my loads just yet, however. My stock RARP in .233 Rem shoots lights out in comparison.

Ive read that the threading can sometimes cause issues with the muzzle on the RAPs, again cant remember WHERE i read that for the life of me. Its something I kinda wonder about.
Im thinking I might go buy a box of factory ammo today just to shoot the thing and get a base line. Well see when the kids get up.

 

[troy fairweather]

Ive read that the threading can sometimes cause issues with the muzzle on the RAPs, again cant remember WHERE i read that for the life of me. Its something I kinda wonder about.
Im thinking I might go buy a box of factory ammo today just to shoot the thing and get a base line. Well see when the kids get up.

it maybe a good idea if the gun does not shoot with the threaded end. to do a counter bore this can be done with most any tapered reamer.

 

[troy fairweather]

That looks pretty good! I would love a HC X-bolt but at the pice they are asking I don't see it happening. Too man't great options when you get over 1K, and up and over 2K for the mcmillan or Pro versions.

Looking forward to the report.

I was thinking of doing the burnt bronze on my A bolt in 7mm.wsm i like the look of the new hc, I am more a mauser guy

 

[sparkyv]

Ive read that the threading can sometimes cause issues with the muzzle on the RAPs, again cant remember WHERE i read that for the life of me. Its something I kinda wonder about.
Im thinking I might go buy a box of factory ammo today just to shoot the thing and get a base line. Well see when the kids get up.

Would it be a good idea to remove the threaded cap to test this out?

 

[LoonWulf]

Would it be a good idea to remove the threaded cap to test this out?

It might possibly change your barrel harmonics for the better (or worse).
What i remembered reading is that the threading process basically "pinches" the muzzle if it's done to fast, on a muzzle without enough meat, or with too much pressure.
I'll try find where I read that.

The other things I'd check, having played with a few now, are action screw torque, and the stock touching the barrel.
You could also try hanging some weight off the front end such as a muzzle break or linear comp to see if it makes a difference. I've seen some is has and some it hasn't.
None of my Americans cared that much, but it DOES happen.
I've got a linear comp if you want to try it.

Also 1.1moa at 300yds from a 400 dollar rifle is pretty hot either way lol.

Oh as a side.note I hand polished the bolt body with 400 then 1500 (yeah I know, but that's all I had), and its as smooth running as any gun in my stable. Including my Abolt, bergara, and polished out 700s......miles better than any savage I've owned.

 

[troy fairweather]

next time i am u by my dads i think i will try to make a barrel tuner for these threaded guns, i an try it on his ruger predator 6.5

 

[LoonWulf]

next time i am u by my dads i think i will try to make a barrel tuner for these threaded guns, i an try it on his ruger predator 6.5

Shouldn't be to hard. A thread converter to go from 5/8 to something over .75 and a internally threaded sleeve to go over that withwa set screw or two to lock it would do it on the cheap and easy.

Make the sleeve taper and give it a muzzle and it would be real purdy.

 

[LoonWulf]

I've decided I dislike the sticky out magazine, and more specifically the magazine latch. I've got the stock posted for sale here and probably gonna toss it on eBay.

I'll also probably wait till after I replace the stock to do a range report, just so it doesn't get dinged up....gimme a couple weeks.

 

[troy fairweather]

I've decided I dislike the sticky out magazine, and more specifically the magazine latch. I've got the stock posted for sale here and probably gonna toss it on eBay.

I'll also probably wait till after I replace the stock to do a range report, just so it doesn't get dinged up....gimme a couple weeks.

what stock are u thinking of. do u diike the mag because t is on the balance point of the gun or just the looks. with all these '' budget '' guns i wish they would just do a blind mag.

 

[LoonWulf]

The mags not bad, it's really the mag latch that bugs me.

My hands large enough to wrap around the bottom of the 3rn mag, but the latch pokes me and catches on stuff.

The mag IS harder to insert, and we're I keeping the stock I'd either bevel the mag well, or the magazine itself.

Right now I'll see if I can get a regular American stock, eventually I'll get the B&C. Got a trip coming up in the next few weeks, and since I don't get pto yet it's gonna eat a chunk of my paycheck so no play money for a bit.

I can see why they do detachable mags. As much as WE like the cleaner internal boxes, DMs are a selling point for a lot of folks.
They are also probably about the same cost to make lol.

 

[Skylerbone]

Right now I'll see if I can get a regular American stock, eventually I'll get the B&C.

If memory serves, and circumstances haven’t changed, @jmr40 was looking for an AI stock for his rotary equipped 6.5 RAP.

Congratulations on the new rifle, looks good.

 

[LoonWulf]

That's right, I'd forgotten he was looking for one.

 

[troy fairweather]

The mags not bad, it's really the mag latch that bugs me.

My hands large enough to wrap around the bottom of the 3rn mag, but the latch pokes me and catches on stuff.

The mag IS harder to insert, and we're I keeping the stock I'd either bevel the mag well, or the magazine itself.

Right now I'll see if I can get a regular American stock, eventually I'll get the B&C. Got a trip coming up in the next few weeks, and since I don't get pto yet it's gonna eat a chunk of my paycheck so no play money for a bit.

I can see why they do detachable mags. As much as WE like the cleaner internal boxes, DMs are a selling point for a lot of folks.
They are also probably about the same cost to make lol.

the b&c are good for the money guys will say pay for the hs. stock but i don't think its worth the extra cash. the big thing the dbm makes the rifle cheaper is there is less cnc time having no feed lips.

 

[LoonWulf]

the b&c are good for the money guys will say pay for the hs. stock but i don't think its worth the extra cash. the big thing the dbm makes the rifle cheaper is there is less cnc time having no feed lips.

Yeah I LIKE B&C stocks, I've used 3 now I think. All the older Carbelites and they we're worth what I spent on them. They arnt light, but are otherwise pretty damn good.

Savages one size fits all centerfeed box was a good way to avoid the cost of feed rails.

 

[LoonWulf]

So the plan was to not shoot this thing for a while but weather, family, and boredom, conspired to entice me into getting out for a little bit.

Pretty sure this guns gonna shoot!

I only had about 1/2hr before dropping the kids off at the aunt's, to go to one of "ranges" I use when our official range is crowded.....which it always seems to be on weekends now.

Anyway, the range I used is only about 80yds. I've ranged from where I was shooting at other times, but didn't have my lrf with me today.

The ammo I had was left overs from my 6.5CM savage.

After a quick look down the bore, bore sighting, I started shooting at the target.
Shots 1-3 we're adjust 4 clicks at a time up and right, the group dead on the bull was 3rnds of Superformance under an 140eld-bleM.

The group above was 4 more clicks up, and shot with 42gr of RL-17.



The muzzle brake is very effective......at tossing everything on the ground all over you. I now remember why I hate radial brakes
It does it's job pretty well tho. The already light recoil is reduced to a soft push, and the gun doesn't jump very much. The brake is also not as loud as some of the others I've shot.

 

[LoonWulf]

Done....ish
So after messing with trying to swap stock with another member here, who had a regular RAP. I changed plans a bit.
He couldn't get the AI stock and mag to work with his regular RAP. The mag would hit the bottom of the action before locking in.
That brought up the question of where or not the regular stocks and mags would work with my AI'd action.
The b&c stock I wanted uses the regular mags.

Anyway, I got a good deal on the Magpul stock, and figgured if I didn't like it I could always give it to my buddy for his build. I like it tho, and it works fine with my rifle, so Its probably gonna stay.
Added a Glades Armory bolt handle, and did some painting.
I also installed the new Athlon Midas BTR 2.5-15x50.....in a set of Leupold rifleman 30mm rings....cause that's what I had.
I'll be ordering a set of Warnes soon tho.




The Magpul has a pretty serious bedding block in it.


It actually goes all the way down into the grip, but I didn't picture that.

The other "quirk" is that you can't get the bolt in or out normal with the action in the stock. But if you flip it over it the shrouds taper will ride over the comb.





New Magpul aics mags have a cute nearly matching insert and follower.



I also had to do some fitting (sanding) to get the GA bolt handle to go into the body.
Better tight than loose I guess.


Not sure if I paint the handle, stem, both or neither.

Now just need to get out and do some shooting.

 

[FL-NC]

I've decided to sell my RAR predator 308, and will replace it with the same gun in 6.5 CM.

 

[LoonWulf]

I've decided to sell my RAR predator 308, and will replace it with the same gun in 6.5 CM.

Can't fault that decision at this point, there isn't (imo) alot that the .308 does better than the smaller CM.
If you can get the AI mag version, just to get the milling on the action.
I've found thru some conversion, and my own poking that the newest actions are machined for Ruger AI mags, but they sell inserts for the AI stocks to use regular mags.
I'll post some pictures and give a more detailed description in a new specific thread
I'm honestly very happy with Ruger and the American line.

 

[LoonWulf]

Oh I forgot, I also have matching linear comp for when I don't want to use the brake.