Ruger American now comes in Varmint variety!

[Macchina]

I don't know if you guys saw this. Ruger just announced the American will now also come with a heavy barrel, one-piece base and green stock. Price is just a bit more and the calibers look about right.




From thefirearmblog:
Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. (NYSE: RGR) announces an all-new Predator version of the Ruger American Rifle® – the 100% American-made rifle that set a new standard of excellence among full-featured, bolt-action rifles. The Ruger American Rifle® Predator model includes all the features of the original Ruger American Rifle®, plus a moss green stock, a heavier tapered, threaded barrel and a factory installed one-piece aluminum scope rail. It is available in six calibers – .223 Rem (featuring a 1:8 Twist), .204 Ruger, .22-250 Rem., .243 Win., 6.5 Creedmoor and .308 Win.

“The Ruger American Rifle® is a proven performer, delivering outstanding accuracy right out of the box. This new Predator model offers a slightly heavier barrel and other features that our Ruger customers requested,” said Ruger President and Chief Operating Officer Chris Killoy.

The 6-1/2 pound Ruger American Rifle® Predator model offers no-compromise engineering innovation, proving that a world-class rifle can still be affordable. The Ruger Marksman Adjustable™ trigger offers a crisp release with a pull weight that is user-adjustable between three and five pounds. Ruger’s patented Power Bedding® system utilizes stainless-steel bedding blocks that are insert-molded into the stock to positively locate the receiver and free-float the barrel.

The Predator retains the Ruger American Rifle’s three-lug, 70° bolt that provides ample scope clearance. The bolt also utilizes a full diameter body and dual cocking cams for smooth, easy cycling from the shoulder. The reliable four-round (five-round for .223 Rem. and .204 Ruger) rotary magazine fits flush with the stock and offers the smooth feed that has become the hallmark of Ruger® rotary magazines.

The threaded barrels (1/2-28 threads on .223 Rem, .204 Ruger and .22-250 Rem. models, and 5/8-24 on all other calibers) allow fitment of a variety of muzzle accessories, including sound suppressors. This makes the new Predator model an ideal choice in the thirty-two states that allow hunting with suppressors and in the many more states that allow suppressed target shooting.

The full article is here: http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2014/05/16/ruger-american-line-adds-varmint-rifles/

 

[Doc7]

Oh man this just put a big hitch in my settled plan to get the mossberg mvp predator with the bull barrel in 223..

This has a 1:8 twist and I like the flush magazine. Don't have a crazy need for the AR magazines in the mossberg predator


My two main concerns are: the Mossberg rifle doesn't have a single bad review on accuracy, and the stock on it is so attractive to me.

 

[HOOfan_1]

They might offer a Varmint model later with a heavier barrel.

 

[Macchina]

They might offer a Varmint model later with a heavier barrel.

Huh?

 

[Doc7]

They might offer a Varmint model later with a heavier barrel.

That's the point of this thread!

 

[jmr40]

That is NOT a heavy barrel on the Ruger Predator. it might be a tiny bit thicker, but is at most a midweight. It is less than 4 oz heavier than the standard rifle.

Seems they added just enough beef to thread on a suppressor.

Not that it needs much. I have 2, a 223 compact and standard 308. Both are very accurate. In limited shooting I'm getting .75 MOA with both. I expect better as I find loads they like and get the barrels broken in.

 

[Doc7]

That is NOT a heavy barrel on the Ruger Predator. it might be a tiny bit thicker, but is at most a midweight. It is less than 4 oz heavier than the standard rifle.

Seems they added just enough beef to thread on a suppressor.

Not that it needs much. I have 2, a 223 compact and standard 308. Both are very accurate. In limited shooting I'm getting .75 MOA with both. I expect better as I find loads they like and get the barrels broken in.

In a range situation, how much do you find barrel heating to affect your 223 American? I expect 99% of my shots with this rifle to be in a paper punching, "centerfire trainer for me / introduction for newbies" role.

 

[HOOfan_1]

That's the point of this thread!

They don't call it a varmint..they call it predator...I wouldn't call that a varmint contour barrel either.

Just like they have a Hawkeye called a predator and they also have the target/varmint model.

That is NOT a heavy barrel on the Ruger Predator. it might be a tiny bit thicker, but is at most a midweight. It is less than 4 oz heavier than the standard rifle.

That was what I was saying in not enough words to make it clear

 

[Theohazard]

Macchina, thanks for the info on these predator models. I've been looking for a good bolt-action host for my .308 silencer, and up until now I was set on a Savage Hog Hunter. But I'm liking the specs on the Ruger American Predator: It's lighter, cheaper, has a shorter barrel (that makes a difference when you've added 6" by attaching a silencer), and doesn't have iron sights that I'm never going to use.

 

[bannockburn]

I would be interested in one in .243 as I have been thinking about adding an inexpensive bolt gun to my rifle collection for some time now.

 

[txcookie]

Agreed a nice cheap but well built rifle would be nice for my kids to learn with.

 

[Panzerschwein]

I DIG IT!

I'm in the market for a good vah-muht rifle!

 

[dprice3844444]

davidsons
#6936 ruger american ss/syn 18 inch threaded bbl retail 529.00 1/10 twist 4 shot rotary mag. 6lbs. a 3x9x50 redfield would be perfect for this. sweet rifle for back packing

 

[Gtscotty]

I'm pretty excited about this rifle, I have been in need of a .223 bolt gun for cheap centerfire plinking for a while, and this seems like about exactly what I'm looking for. The review at Realguns.com of the predator rifle shows what I would call phenomenal accuracy with factory ammo for the price.

http://www.realguns.com/articles/616.htm

The threaded barrel is a big plus, if you want to use a can on your rifles having them come from the factory threaded saves around $100. As for street price, my local dealer quoted me $379 on all Predator models when he gets them in stock, not too bad at all.

 

[Ks5shooter]

Why the green stock?

 

[Gtscotty]

I'd guess to visually distinguish the predator version from the non-predator versions. The green stock should also act like a kind of subdued camouflage, it would certainly be harder to see on a green, grassy or woodsy backdrop than the all black version.

 

[Bartojc]

I got some advertisement mail from Ruger about this. Looks like a nice setup, and I thought I might want one someday, but I'm less excited about it this week.

They've had my RAR .243 for 5 weeks now. I've been told I'm getting a new one to replace it, but it may be another 3-4 weeks. Really ?

Seems like a long time for their mistake. I'm a little sour on Ruger today, and I own 3 of them.

-jeff b.

 

[BamAlmighty]

Definitely going to pick up a 308 model.

 

[Walkalong]

Nifty little rifle.