What do you do with a brand new Ruger? What...

[Skylerbone]

Tear it apart and see what it’s made of. Tear it... Sometimes you hear such great things about a rifle that you’ve just got to experience it for yourself. Today was homecoming for a RAR coupled with the new Leupold VX Freedom in 3-9 x and I must admit I’m impressed.

Looking forward to some range time and a head-to-head comparison between it and its stable mate, the T/C Compass, both in 6.5 Creedmoor. I snapped a few phone pics over the hour I spent making a fine budget rifle just a hair nicer. I also skipped a few pictures like relieving the stock to eliminate any chance of barrel contact, clipping a coil from the trigger spring, and final results of bolt polishing.


Plain Jane and barely distinguishable from other budget friendly offerings (on the outside).


I’m a bit disappointed in Leupold’s new offering, specifically the incredibly mushy turret adjustments. Otherwise the glass is as clear as my VX2s.


The second action screw is located beneath the magazine release which must be removed for access using a punch for the roll pin.


A quick peek at the magazine well after removal. Lacking the special action block I made a slave pin from a Q-tip to reinstall the roll pin (which I sanded with 400 grit).


Next was trigger adjustment which meant a c-clip removal.


Ruger’s trigger includes a safety lever blade which I removed to gently polish surfaces to include the sides and safety blade slot. Next I installed a .2mm shim on either side of the blade to reduce lateral slop.


Looking carefully shows the location of the shims.


A dab or two of grease...


Edges of the bolt before polishing.



With the Little League season kicking in to full gear it may take time to get around to a complete rewiew. In the meantime I hope you enjoy the pics.

 

[Big7]

HARD to beat a Ruger. IMO..

 

[LoonWulf]

Tear it apart and see what it’s made of. Tear it... Sometimes you hear such great things about a rifle that you’ve just got to experience it for yourself. Today was homecoming for a RAR coupled with the new Leupold VX Freedom in 3-9 x and I must admit I’m impressed.

Looking forward to some range time and a head-to-head comparison between it and its stable mate, the T/C Compass, both in 6.5 Creedmoor. I snapped a few phone pics over the hour I spent making a fine budget rifle just a hair nicer. I also skipped a few pictures like relieving the stock to eliminate any chance of barrel contact, clipping a coil from the trigger spring, and final results of bolt polishing.


Plain Jane and barely distinguishable from other budget friendly offerings (on the outside).
View attachment 785341

I’m a bit disappointed in Leupold’s new offering, specifically the incredibly mushy turret adjustments. Otherwise the glass is as clear as my VX2s.
View attachment 785342

The second action screw is located beneath the magazine release which must be removed for access using a punch for the roll pin.
View attachment 785348

A quick peek at the magazine well after removal. Lacking the special action block I made a slave pin from a Q-tip to reinstall the roll pin (which I sanded with 400 grit).
View attachment 785346

Next was trigger adjustment which meant a c-clip removal.
View attachment 785344

Ruger’s trigger includes a safety lever blade which I removed to gently polish surfaces to include the sides and safety blade slot. Next I installed a .2mm shim on either side of the blade to reduce lateral slop.
View attachment 785347

Looking carefully shows the location of the shims.
View attachment 785343

A dab or two of grease...
View attachment 785345

Edges of the bolt before polishing.
View attachment 785349


With the Little League season kicking in to full gear it may take time to get around to a complete rewiew. In the meantime I hope you enjoy the pict.

Nice work, I've found that 15mins with 4-800+ sandpaper and oil does wonders for these rifles.
The shims are a nice touch!

 

[Hokie_PhD]

I saw the title of the thread and the wise guy in me thought....
Sell it and but [fill in your favorite brand]

Seriously though, congrats on the new rifle. And great idea showing the disassembly and tweaks. I can’t wait to see the review.

 

[Bartojc]

Looking forward to the range report. Now with mag options I'm looking into a Predator model, not sure which caliber yet. I have a standard American in .243.

-Jeff

 

[someguy2800]

Did you ever have a leupold vx1? They had really mushy turrets too but also have great glass. Wondering how they compare.

 

[Varminterror]

VX3i also have mushy turrets, unless a guy ponies up for the M1/M5’s.

 

[Skylerbone]

Did you ever have a leupold vx1?

It’s been a few moons since I fiddled with one but this honestly the Freedom reminds me of cutting corrugated cardboard with a dull pocket knife (weird but it came to mind). I had a pair of Mark ARs within reach and confirmed I wasn’t crazy by twisting the turrets to the distinct Click...Click.

 

[22250Rem]

Very interesting...... I'm not in the market for a rifle right now but every time I look at a RAR my mind starts coming up with reasons why I "need" one. At least now I can follow your tuning and tweaking of this one. Looks like a set of Warne rings holding that Leupold; they're one of my favorites. Have you been able to measure the trigger pull after clipping a coil from the trigger spring ? Thanks for posting all your tweaks; Looking forward to more of this thread and can't wait for the range report.

 

[viking499]

What caliber is your RAR?

 

[Skylerbone]

I’ve never bothered with a trigger scale but I have had aftermarket triggers set to a specified pull weight of 3 lbs. Near as I can tell the RAR easily matches that and still has a bit of adjustment to go without even touching the second spring (that resets the safety blade). That blade requires perhaps 3/4 lb of pressure to bring it flush with the trigger shoe, Then there is an ever so slight touch of creep followed by a crisp break and reasonably short overtravel.

Viking this one is 6.5 Creedmoor. Last fall I purchased a Compass in that same chambering when Field & Stream forced my hand with a $179.99 after rebate sale price. I confess to really liking the T/C despite the “rolling” trigger release but I definitely understand why so many guys here are married to the Ruger, it is just that nice and a breeze to spiff up.

 

[viking499]

Viking this one is 6.5 Creedmoor. Last fall I purchased a Compass in that same chambering when Field & Stream forced my hand with a $179.99 after rebate sale price. I confess to really liking the T/C despite the “rolling” trigger release but I definitely understand why so many guys here are married to the Ruger, it is just that nice and a breeze to spiff up.

Ok, that's what I was gathering, but had not seen that type of mag and release before. I have been looking for a 6.5 Grendel with the new bottom on it to see if I like it or not. If not, I am going to probably pick up a Howa in Grendel.

 

[Skylerbone]

Looks like a set of Warne rings holding that Leupold; they're one of my favorites.

You bet they are, good eye. I also neglected to mention the other truly notable difference between the Compass and RAR, the bolt manipulation. Both lock up nicely, but the Thompson’s bolt wiggles around like a belly dancer whereas the Ruger slides back and forth without lateral play.

Viking I’m not sure if it is offered in Grendel. I do know the first generation offered a different stock configuration with a rotary magazine. I like the versatility of the modular mag well, I’m just not certain I’ll ever take advantage of it.

 

[SwampWolf]

Enjoyed reading the interesting write-up, Skylerbone. To add, I hate mushy turret adjustments almost as much as I hate mushy moving safeties.
I guess the only thing I actually like that is mushy is mush and mushrooms.

 

[sawcut]

Nice pictures and information. I hope you post how your bolt polishing goes and any other mods you do. I will be trying them myself.

I do have a question for anyone else that has a Ruger American: I have the 223 Predator AR mag. Overall I like the value and handling of the rifle. But I find than when I work the bolt with some force, I have an issue. If I push the bolt handle up and forward hard at the same time, about halfway through the bolt travel, the bolt catches slightly on something, some machined edge or corner, and this holds up the bolt. If I am slow and deliberate to only push the bolt forward, I don't have this issue. But I am used to working my bolt action quickly off hand, and I never have this issue with my Remington 700 or typical military surplus action. This only happens if I operate the action aggressively, but that's why I got this rifle - to put some bolt action rounds downrange at steel targets and plastic bottles.

I will look into what is binding and will see if I can just polish the obstruction away, but I am curious if anyone has noticed the same issue and tried to remedy it.

 

[Geno]

Very nice write-up! Thank-you for posting, and with pics. I’m looking forward to a range report.

Geno

 

[Skylerbone]

A few more photos for those who are interested in the internals and what you can expect if you dive in.

Ignoring the magazine release in the background, these are the 4 pieces of the trigger assembly that are released when the c-clip is removed from the trigger pivot pin. You can see the casting marks on the side of the trigger shoe which I later polished. It need not be completely smooth (as in level), only slick. I went to 600 grit which was more than adequate. I was cleaning up the slot where the safety lever rides when I spotted my shims.


This is the front of the cast trigger housing. Thankfully the exterior needs no attention! The hole contains the set screw which increases/reduces pull weight.


Here’s the bottom with the trigger shoe removed. The spring visible is compressed by the set-screw mentioned in the previous picture and this is also the spring I shortened by 1 coil. Polishing the sides (left and right-which are top and bottom in the photo) will allow any incidental trigger contact to go unnoticed rather than feeling gritty.


A better view of the shim location. For those unfamiliar, it’s a very small, thin, washer available in multiple thicknesses from most hobby stores that sell remote control vehicles.


And the aforementioned Q-tip shaft used to keep the spring and mag release lever together before reassembly with the roll pin. That pin is a rather tight fit so I sanded it down slightly round its circumference. I also slipped a pick handle behind the frame ears for support, just remember to leave room for the Q-tip that you’ll be driving out.


The bolt was a bit difficult to photograph but you get the idea. I started by greasing it up then cycling it a few dozen times. What that shows will be any areas of contact inside the receiver which are of greater importance to clean up. These contact areas will leave scratches as the bolt drags over. I concentrated on buffing those out and carefully removing the chatter marks in the raceway.

 

[chicharrones]

Did your RAR come with the jig and slave pin like mentioned in this thread?

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...an-predator-black-plastic-block-in-box.833843

 

[Skylerbone]

No jig or pin, I plan to call Ruger though. Honestly it wasn’t bad with a punch and something to brace the other side with (I used a Harbor Freight pick’s handle). For people not comfortable swinging a hammer at their rifle the jig is an excellent third hand. Having slightly reduced one end of the roll pin by sanding made for an easier insertion and removal (I tapped it out a second time to check).

 

[BigDog1955]

First thing I did with my RAP 6.5 CM was to cut down the interior of the for arm stock and filled with epoxy for a complete clear space from for arm and barrel. then the trigger I took one coil out of the spring and ground down flat, replaced the screw all the way and gave it one full turn out, that gave me a -2LB pull. Made a great difference. some pics of the stock work. no doubt amo is a key factor but the same amo should still group on any gun or caliber. Most misses I have is ME not the gun or amo.
before:

epoxy

after epoxy

clear space paper


fold it twice

This will make sure U don't have any touching of the for arm and barrel, even with a bipod or strap, should reduce odd harmonics which will cause wide patterns or what I call Wild Ones

 

[mshootnit]

Tear it apart and see what it’s made of. Tear it... Sometimes you hear such great things about a rifle that you’ve just got to experience it for yourself. Today was homecoming for a RAR coupled with the new Leupold VX Freedom in 3-9 x and I must admit I’m impressed.

Looking forward to some range time and a head-to-head comparison between it and its stable mate, the T/C Compass, both in 6.5 Creedmoor. I snapped a few phone pics over the hour I spent making a fine budget rifle just a hair nicer. I also skipped a few pictures like relieving the stock to eliminate any chance of barrel contact, clipping a coil from the trigger spring, and final results of bolt polishing.


Plain Jane and barely distinguishable from other budget friendly offerings (on the outside).
View attachment 785341

I’m a bit disappointed in Leupold’s new offering, specifically the incredibly mushy turret adjustments. Otherwise the glass is as clear as my VX2s.
View attachment 785342

The second action screw is located beneath the magazine release which must be removed for access using a punch for the roll pin.
View attachment 785348

A quick peek at the magazine well after removal. Lacking the special action block I made a slave pin from a Q-tip to reinstall the roll pin (which I sanded with 400 grit).
View attachment 785346

Next was trigger adjustment which meant a c-clip removal.
View attachment 785344

Ruger’s trigger includes a safety lever blade which I removed to gently polish surfaces to include the sides and safety blade slot. Next I installed a .2mm shim on either side of the blade to reduce lateral slop.
View attachment 785347

Looking carefully shows the location of the shims.
View attachment 785343

A dab or two of grease...
View attachment 785345

Edges of the bolt before polishing.
View attachment 785349


With the Little League season kicking in to full gear it may take time to get around to a complete rewiew. In the meantime I hope you enjoy the pics.

A fluted bolt would really slick up the action of an RAR, (lighter, cycle easier).
Regarding the VX Freedom mushy turretsif it holds zero you are set. Personally, I wish Leupold just stuck with the friction adjustments for hunting scopes.

 

[Geno]

Nice details! It looks like you’re having fun.

Geno

 

[guiltybutsaved]

Did you lap the rings in mounting the scope?

 

[Skylerbone]

I’ve spent the past few days researching, placing calls, and carefully measuring. It’s been my plan to find a shorter stock (LOP) with the hopes that my daughter will be able to use this or the other rifle I purchased for a hunt next year. I think today I have far more clarity than when I started so I thought I’d share what I’ve learned:

If you’re wanting an aftermarket stock for your SA Predator or other SA Centerfire, Boyd’s and Magpul will fit. The Boyd’s will only accept Ruger’s rotary magazine, the Magpul will convert your rotary (older style) to AI.

If you’re wanting a Ruger Compact (OEM) Stock, it will fit. I measured with calipers today both my AI style Predator and a rotary style in .300 and got the same C to C on action screws with the rest of the action also lining up precisely. The Compact also fits only rotary Ruger magazines.

So in summary; all Ruger American Short Action Centerfire rifles share a common receiver.

Magpul sent me this email today.


I put the Predator and Compass side by side today and noted the T/C has a shorter length of pull, which might save me the hassle of finding it a replacement stock.


Here you can see the LOP difference between the two rifles. The Ruger was also an inch longer overall with both having the same length barrel.

 

[Skylerbone]

I managed a very quick and semi formal range trip yesterday morning. I cannot claim the results speak for the rifle as winter dragged on and I simply didn’t get out as I normally do to stay frosty. I believe with the right ammo and setup things will improve. A note on that, as there are glaring flyers. It may have been the tacky front bag but every shot felt good. I would have to double check my range card but from memory it was the 3rd round each time and the Predator has a 3-round magazine.

Equipment was my old Hoppe’s front rest, Caldwell front bag, Protektor rear bag (the Bald Eagle stayed at home). I’ve never liked this particular front bag as it grabs too much and I had no baby powder along to remediate. Those are excuses 1-3 if yall are keeping track.

Ammo was Browning 129 gr and conditions excellent, though I was continually concussed by the AR-10 shooters flanking me with full brakes. Time was my other constraint with under an hour to shoot before Little League. 4-6

Bore was cleaned with FP-10 and Bore Paste, 10 passes on a Pearce jag. Then dry patched followed up with CLP. Before firing I ran a single dry patch to remove oil. Before and between 3-round groups I ran 1 wet patch of Bore Shine followed by two dry patches to start from a clean bore condition.

Shooting was 4 rounds off the paper entirely then finding the group and adjusting the scope 5” left, 1” up. From there the target is labeled with shot numbers. Due to the number of shooters on the line I had a single opportunity to hang my target and time constraints meant it would not be touched until just before I left. Due to the wait time to initially hang my target I was allotted 40 minutes to fire.

The barrel did not heat up to an uncomfortable degree (it was barely warm) until round 14 which also resulted in mirage through the scope. Some good news on that, the Leupold tracked well and I managed to count inaudible “clicks” without looking at the knobs.