new 243 ruger american predator

[dieselchief]

purchased a new ruger American predator in 243. I have previously posted I do not like modern manufacturing. I still feel the same. however I like this gun. it shoots decent, is affordable and somewhat weather/truck resistant. no pride of ownership like a model 70 or 700. however it is replaceable unlike my 99 sav or 88 win. price was 389. even savage or howa based guns cannot touch that in my area.
.....I have had the worst luck with any of the 77s regardless of barrel changes. that includes the new hawkeyes also. this new style ruger shoots 1 1/2 groups with h380 and 80 sierras. I mounted a little overkill of a scope. burris 2.5x10 30mm MR T. with the included rail it was a piece of cake. just thought I share. dieselchief.

ps it is threaded, hope the suppressor deal happens!

 

[horsey300]

purchased a new ruger American predator in 243. I have previously posted I do not like modern manufacturing. I still feel the same. however I like this gun. it shoots decent, is affordable and somewhat weather/truck resistant. no pride of ownership like a model 70 or 700. however it is replaceable unlike my 99 sav or 88 win. price was 389. even savage or howa based guns cannot touch that in my area.
.....I have had the worst luck with any of the 77s regardless of barrel changes. that includes the new hawkeyes also. this new style ruger shoots 1 1/2 groups with h380 and 80 sierras. I mounted a little overkill of a scope. burris 2.5x10 30mm MR T. with the included rail it was a piece of cake. just thought I share. dieselchief.

ps it is threaded, hope the suppressor deal happens!

Overkill? I think not, you can push that .243 quite a ways out there and with the right loads, hit small targets doing it too! Otherwise, I think these rifles fill a utilitarian role nicely and am glad to read another review of them.

 

[Captcurt]

Overkill? I think not, you can push that .243 quite a ways out there and with the right loads, hit small targets doing it too! Otherwise, I think these rifles fill a utilitarian role nicely and am glad to read another review of them.

I bet that with a little load work you can cut those groups in half. Stick a 95gr. Ballistic Silvertip over some IMR-4831 and let me know what happens.

 

[horsey300]

I bet that with a little load work you can cut those groups in half. Stick a 95gr. Ballistic Silvertip over some IMR-4831 and let me know what happens.

For 95 btips or partitions, and 100 pro hunters I run h1000 and scoot em way out there prairie dog accurate at 500. Have a decent accuracy load for h380 and 85s but the velocity left me still hungry, 4831SC prints em REAL tight on the 85s too but again not the speed I was looking for, so kept the powder but moved on, playing with the imr4831 with an eye on 4451 for the 85s now.

 

[midland man]

I used too load 100gr sierra bullets and they worked perfect!!

 

[dieselchief]

I have imr4350 but I will get some imr4831. thanks gents

 

[hipoint]

I hope I'm not out of line, but you should look into getting a new stock for it. I understand your intent with this gun to be a little "beater" truck gun, but..... I just put a boyd's on my RAR .223 and man oh man, it's a whole new rifle now. I was VERY dismayed with my rifle until I chucked that plastic noodle of a stock, now I like it quite a bit.

 

[Captcurt]

I have imr4350 but I will get some imr4831. thanks gents

That works well too. I played with the 243 a lot last year. My 700 ADL is down right boring with 90gr BT, the 95gr BST and the old 100gr Barnes X. All are capable of 1/2 MOA if I do my part. Powders that worked well were IMR-4350, and IMR-4831. Shot so well that I didn't try any others.

 

[jmr40]

Don't waste money on another stock. Some of the 1st run of standard Americans had flexible forends, but even those shot great with a generous free float. Newer rifles have a much stiffer design in the forend including all of the Predators. The action is bolted to a metal V block and no part of the actual rifle or barrel ever touches any part of the stock. Changing stocks won't improve accuracy and can only make it shoot worse, no possible way to improve accuracy with another stock using this bedding system. Start throwing money at it and you can end up with $600-$800 invested in a rifle that is still a $400 rifle. If you want to spend $800 on a rifle there are better options.

They also have a 1:9 twist which is faster than most 243's which will allow you to take advantage of bullets heavier than 100 gr if you wish.

I have one of the Predators in 308 and a compact in 223. Both are beater rifles that are lightweight and shoot great. No pride of ownership as you say but they are tools that serve a purpose.

 

[mshootnit]

Pride of ownership grows whe you have a wall full of stretched furs

 

[mshootnit]

The only things I would improve are the full diameter bolt and the mag/ latch