Shooting my cheap Rugers.

[jmr40]

I continue to be impressed by my Ruger Predators. This isn't out of the norm, but I did save a few targets from todays range session. All targets were shot at 200 yards I don't even bother at closer ranges anymore. I tend to tape over bullet holes and reuse targets multiple times, often just taping over holes on targets other shooters leave up. I didn't just pick out the best 3 and tape over the other holes.

First the 308. The 1st 4 shots were in 3/4". I pulled the last shot, which ended up dead center, but opened the group up to about 1 1/2".


Next the 6.5 CM. This is just a shooting machine. This is 2 different loads. Target on the right is 139 gr Scenars, left target is 140 gr Barnes Match Burners. Groups measure 3/4" and 7/8"


This is the most amazing. My $550 Ruger AR pistol with a Leupold 1-4X scope. I zeroed the scope at 50 yards and had been plinking offhand at 25-30 yards with it. I noticed I had a clean target at 200 and decided to see what would happen. I just guessed at the holdover and was pretty shocked to see this 1" 200 yard group. I claim no skill for this. Just my lucky day.



I didn't take the 223 today, but as a rule it is the most accurate. Another 200 yard target shooting Fiocchi factory loads. This is about 1/2". And this is with a 6X fixed power scope.

 

[1KPerDay]

Awesome.

 

[Milt1]

I guess you are impressed!

 

[BigBL87]

Certainly some skill involved in that last one... but wouldn't hurt to go buy a lottery ticket.

 

[jmr40]

There is a local gun shop here that has been selling the Predators at $389 OTD. The 6.5 CM is a limited run in SS and it was a bit over $400. I don't recall the exact price I paid for that one. I was in there yesterday and they standard Ruger Americans priced at $275. All of their marked prices are OTD including tax.

There are better rifles, but if there are any that are more accurate I haven't shot one yet.

 

[BigBL87]

There is a local gun shop here that has been selling the Predators at $389 OTD. The 6.5 CM is a limited run in SS and it was a bit over $400. I don't recall the exact price I paid for that one. I was in there yesterday and they standard Ruger Americans priced at $275. All of their marked prices are OTD including tax.

I have no real NEED for a 6.5 Creedmoor, but darn if I don't want one and the American seems be pretty darn solid. Maybe I'll talk myself into it someday.

 

[jmr40]

I didn't NEED one either. But I bought the Ruger in 6.5 CM because I saw it as the cheapest option to get a rifle with a known reputation for accuracy just to see what the fuss is all about. I'm sold, in my experience the round lives up to all of the hype and then some.

Altogether between several of my friends we own 5-6 rifles in the cartridge made by 3 different manufacturers (Ruger, Tikka, Bergara). Every one of them are the most accurate rifles each of us own bigger than 22 caliber. Even with off the shelf factory ammo.

I've not killed anything with the cartridge yet, not even hunted with it. I have other "nicer" rifles in other cartridges that I'm attached to. I bought this initially as a range toy, but I'm convinced it will do just fine as a hunting round too. I've seen some penetration tests comparing it to 308. The 6.5 with 140 gr bullets gave exactly the same penetration as a 180 from a 308.

 

[Nature Boy]

Nice shooting @jmr40

 

[FL-NC]

I have a RAR predator in 6.5 CM too. Shoots way better than a $400 rifle should.

 

[Steve S.]

Rifle and rifleman - both get credit.

 

[Captcurt]

There is a local gun shop here that has been selling the Predators at $389 OTD. The 6.5 CM is a limited run in SS and it was a bit over $400. I don't recall the exact price I paid for that one. I was in there yesterday and they standard Ruger Americans priced at $275. All of their marked prices are OTD including tax.

There are better rifles, but if there are any that are more accurate I haven't shot one yet.

That is the kind of accuracy that I had with my Predator. It wore a 4X12 Diamondback and didn't care what load that you put through it. I had 4 loads from 120 gr-130 gr that shot sub-MOA. I settled on 130 gr Accubonds and did a doe thinning project with it. Worked well from 20-300 yards. Probably took 25 head with it.

 

[sparkyv]

My 223 Predator shoots as good as yours, jmr40, but I was disappointed that I couldn't get better than 1.2 MOA outta my 6.5CM Predator at 300yds. Yours shoots pretty good. Nice groups.

 

[Ks5shooter]

Not cheap......inexpensive. Love the Rugers.

 

[jmr40]

Not cheap......inexpensive. Love the Rugers.

Good point. Although the prices I see in many places are creeping up

 

[nhcruffler]

I wish I could group my shots like that at 200yds. You and your equipment did great. I don't get to shoot past 100 yds much and that is all up hill. I did notice that you have some quality glass and I believe that will be my next purchase.

 

[Captcurt]

Good point. Although the prices I see in many places are creeping up

Ruger goes up about 7% every year. I bought my first Model 77 in 1977. It was a Bi-centennial 270 with a really nice fiddleback stock. Paid $155 for it. Not long ago I could get a birch 10/22 for $160 wholesale. They run $200-$225 now.

 

[nipprdog]

Impressive! That group with the AR pistol makes me mad that I didn't buy one when they were on sale for $569.

As far as the .223, I recently picked up an American ranch in 5.56, AR mag version. I won't hijack your thread and post a bunch of pics, but it is a very accurate rifle. I'm quite impressed by it.