Ruger accuracy

I love mine as well. Group pictured is 5 shots at 100 yards with 73gr ELD-m handloads at 5 thousandths off the lands, 2900fps. It’s consistently sub 0.50” at 100 yards even on my bad days. Hangs around 1/4” when I’m “on my game”

First time I ever took it(and 223 for that matter) out to 1,000 yards I averaged a 5/10 hit(or miss) ratio on a 1 MOA gong. Next time out to do it I was averaging 8/10 hits and had a couple 10/10 hits, doing 10 shot strings the whole time.

It’s become my favorite rifle to shoot.

CarbonMTN said:

This is the best that I have shot. looks like I can do better!

Click to expand...

Did you sand the living hell out of the barrel channel? The stock flexes quite a bit. I sanded until I had around 1/8” of clearance between barrel/stock on the Left and Right sides....and close to 1/4” of clearance on the bottom

Also these barrels tend to love copper fouling, so if you are a guy who cleans his barrel every 50 rounds I would try stopping and just see what happens. I don’t clean mine until I see accuracy drop off, which is usually after 400-500+ rounds

Trigger work also helps. I brought my factory trigger down to 2 pounds. But I have a Timney on the way to get it down to 1 pound. I have the Timney on my RAP 6.5 and the Timney feels much better than the factory trigger at 2 pounds

Just curious what makes you want to get the Tikka t3x varmint? Just the more refined action?

Gotcha gotcha. I don’t know what the aftermarket is like for Tikka but the Ruger isn’t bad and it’s growing

Prefit barrels from Patriot Valley Arms, Criterion, Preferred Barrel Blanks, Pac Nor, and maybe some more, honestly not sure.

I put a PVA barrel on my 6.5 and it’s a hammer.

Triggers are limited to Timney or Jard right now. Hopefully more will jump on board

This is my RAP 6.5 with PVA barrel in an American made Indian Creek Design MoFo chassis

Put this little guy together for my middle son. Its a Ranch rifle in the Magpul stock. Got the factory trigger down just below 2lbs.

Shoots everything under an inch, had a few groups around 1/2" but it doesn't really ever shoot at paper. I took it out to 950yds on a 12" plate with 75ELD's at around 2820 fps once, I think I got about 8 out of 10 IIRC.

Backcountryguy said:

Did you sand the living hell out of the barrel channel? The stock flexes quite a bit. I sanded until I had around 1/8” of clearance between barrel/stock on the Left and Right sides....and close to 1/4” of clearance on the bottom

Click to expand...

I have never handled one of these rifles, but the price point and the positive reviews have always had me curious/interested. How flexible are the stocks? Are they only flex-y in comparison to high end stocks, or do they need sanding for clearance right out of the box to make them serviceable?

drew_235 said:

How flexible are the stocks?

Click to expand...

Extremely. If you yell at them aggressively they get all banana shaped.
The factory stock and magazine are almost unusable.

True, I forgot about the newer ones utilizing decent mags. The 4 round rotary pieces of plastic are hot garbage.

The .223 Ruger Predator uses pmags, beyond that they seem to use AI style mags.
My first rifle was a Savage predator, and the magazine that came with it wouldn't work, my first warranty magazine wouldn't work, and the third was the charm. (the round in the mag would pop up and jam with the bullet tip down and the primer too far up to be fed by the bolt) I purchased a Tikka shortly thereafter.
Having said all of that, the Ruger American Predator at $400 calls to me like a Siren song.

I've got 2 RAPs and I love them. One is still in a factory stock that I sanded the barrel channel to clear. The other is in a Magpul stock and I like it so much better. I ended up removing the spring to set trigger pull and replacing it with one from a ball point pen. It's way too touchy now, but it works for me.

I e got one that was a 300bo ranch which is now a 223 all redone. Got a guy I hunt with one in 243 that shoots well. Just ordered a 6.5 predator for my sister as a deer rifle.

I like em. I like most things ruger though.

drew_235 said:

I have never handled one of these rifles, but the price point and the positive reviews have always had me curious/interested. How flexible are the stocks? Are they only flex-y in comparison to high end stocks, or do they need sanding for clearance right out of the box to make them serviceable?

Click to expand...

Basically if you rap one hand around the end of the stock and the barrel all in one, and squeeze, you can easily make the stock contact the barrel.

My philosophy with these rifles is sand material from the barrel channel until I cannot squeeze them together with MODERATE pressure and make the two contact each other. But that squeezing technique is ONLY for the bottom of the channel. For the Left/Right sides I simply sand the sides until I’ve got close to or just under 1/8” of clearance on each side of the barrel.

The newer models that use AR15 magazines or AICS magazines are indeed “stiffer” than the older models that used rotary magazines....but the new models are still plenty flexible.

Almost ALL Ruger Americans in the factory stock come with the stock touching or damn near touching the left side of the barrel. You can “reset” it...but you’re gonna have to sand regardless if you want to insure that the barrel never contacts the stock.

Backcountryguy said:

Basically if you rap one hand around the end of the stock and the barrel all in one, and squeeze, you can easily make the stock contact the barrel.


Almost ALL Ruger Americans in the factory stock come with the stock touching or damn near touching the left side of the barrel. You can “reset” it...but you’re gonna have to sand regardless if you want to insure that the barrel never contacts the stock.

Click to expand...

Their poor manufacturing tolerances are so consistent that it's always on the left side? You have to admire that in a backwards kind of way.

Yep. I’ve sanded two out on the left side and will be sanding this third I’m sure.

Simply put, in the “budget rifle” class, I don’t think the Ruger Americans can be beat. Some actions are definitely sloppier than others, and some aren’t as accurate as others(or maybe it’s just the shooters, who knows)....but most of the ones I’ve seen, when shot by a good shooter, with good ammo that the rifle likes, they’ll shoot 1/2 MOA or better.

Give them alittle TLC with some DIY items like polishing the bolt, and pay for some add one that you’d likely do to other rifles anyways, and it’s a great shooting rifle that is comfortable to operate.

My RAP 6.5 action is slick as shit. My RAP 223 is less-so, but I think that’s mostly due to the milling done to the bolt body to feed from AR15 magazines.

drew_235 said:

Their poor manufacturing tolerances are so consistent that it's always on the left side? You have to admire that in a backwards kind of way.

Click to expand...

All the Right Hand Bolt models are laying in the box on the Left hand side...I think that is the reason they all come touching the barrel on that side or almost touching that side

TonyTheTiger said:

Put this little guy together for my middle son. Its a Ranch rifle in the Magpul stock. Got the factory trigger down just below 2lbs.
View attachment 7148949
Shoots everything under an inch, had a few groups around 1/2" but it doesn't really ever shoot at paper. I took it out to 950yds on a 12" plate with 75ELD's at around 2820 fps once, I think I got about 8 out of 10 IIRC.

Click to expand...

Congratulations! You are one of very few people who have gotten the Magpul stock to feed 223...most people either are not “handy” enough or they give up too easily.

spife7980 said:

I e got one that was a 300bo ranch which is now a 223 all redone. Got a guy I hunt with one in 243 that shoots well. Just ordered a 6.5 predator for my sister as a deer rifle.

I like em. I like most things ruger though.

Click to expand...

I like the idea of a 243, but I need a different caliber in the safe like I need a hole in the head.
Ultimately, this thread is not helping the future wallet very much.

I even have an extra Leupold VX2 3-9x50 from the mid 90's sitting in the safe, begging to be put on something.

Backcountryguy said:

Congratulations! You are one of very few people who have gotten the Magpul stock to feed 223...most people either are not “handy” enough or they give up too easily.

Click to expand...

To feed 223/300bo you just need to email accurate mag for their extended feed lip 223 aics mag. It controls the round long enough for the bullet tip to start into the chamber before popping free of the mag for reliable feeding.

spife7980 said:

To feed 223/300bo you just need to email accurate mag for their extended feed lip 223 aics mag. It controls the round long enough for the bullet tip to start into the chamber before popping free of the mag for reliable feeding.

Click to expand...

Has that been successful in the Magpul stock though? A big issue in the Magpul stock has been the magazines sitting too low in relation to the action/bolt because of Magpuls messed up AICS specifications they use

I use the Long feed lip magazines(accurate mags) that the old Ruger Scout used in a chassis for my RAP 223 and they work great. But others said they couldn’t get them to work in the Magpul stock. I told them to build up the magazine catch so the magazine would sit higher in the action, but nobody was willing to “tinker” with the magazine

spife7980 said:

I e got one that was a 300bo ranch which is now a 223 all redone. Got a guy I hunt with one in 243 that shoots well. Just ordered a 6.5 predator for my sister as a deer rifle.

I like em. I like most things ruger though.

Click to expand...

What do you use your ranch rifle for? I know they have a certain cool factor, but I just can't figure out what I'd do with one that wouldn't be just as well served by either an AR or a slightly longer barreled .223 or .300 bolt gun.

drew_235 said:

What do you use your ranch rifle for? I know they have a certain cool factor, but I just can't figure out what I'd do with one that wouldn't be just as well served by either an AR or a slightly longer barreled .223 or .300 bolt gun.

Click to expand...

They make good “truck guns”....you can take a shot without auto-loading the next round into the chamber. Shorter barrel so it’s easier to get in/out of vehicle, or add a suppressor and still be semi-short overall length

If they are suppressed, bolt action is obviously quieter than a semi-auto too

nice shots

Lightweight and handy it takes AR mags it shoots decent and can be had for $400. I should get one in 223 and another in 7.62x39.

I’ve had a few, 223, 308, 6.5 grendel and they all shot crazy accurate. I want another one in grendel, 300blk when I get a can and 7.62x39

drew_235 said:

What do you use your ranch rifle for? I know they have a certain cool factor, but I just can't figure out what I'd do with one that wouldn't be just as well served by either an AR or a slightly longer barreled .223 or .300 bolt gun.

Click to expand...

I used it as my thermal host and I got it because I wanted to use subsonics pig hunting at night. Super lightweight, cheap, accurate we’re what I was looking for and it delivered in spades. Turns out subsonics are god awful for hunting though so I’ve since redone it into a 223 and the only thing original piece left of it is the action and I now use an ar for my thermal. But I learned some stuff about subs which was still fun.

Backcountryguy said:

Has that been successful in the Magpul stock though? A big issue in the Magpul stock has been the magazines sitting too low in relation to the action/bolt because of Magpuls messed up AICS specifications they use

I use the Long feed lip magazines(accurate mags) that the old Ruger Scout used in a chassis for my RAP 223 and they work great. But others said they couldn’t get them to work in the Magpul stock. I told them to build up the magazine catch so the magazine would sit higher in the action, but nobody was willing to “tinker” with the magazine

Click to expand...

Idk, my problem when I tried the magpul hunter was that the magazine feed lips weren’t long enough. Never had an issue with the rounds not getting picked up by the bolt, just popping free of the magazine before having entering the chamber so they rattled about freely and ran into the barrels face and never fed completely. I returned it but have since gone to the oryx and with the old mags it’s the same problem but extended feed lips mags work great.

For those that have the Ruger Predator AND have tried to hang a muffler off the front, how much does the barrel flex?

I haven't had any issue with mine flexing. POI was within an inch left of no muffler.

drew_235 said:

For those that have the Ruger Predator AND have tried to hang a muffler off the front, how much does the barrel flex?

Click to expand...

Not that much. You’ll obviously see Point of Impact shifts but just how much will vary

CarbonMTN said:

what do you mean barrel flex?

Click to expand...

Is the barrel so thin that it flexes (droops) an appreciable amount when a 12oz suppressor is screwed on to it.

If a 3/4" steel shaft with a small hole through the center droops under static load from 12oz you have some metallurgical issues. By the same logic 24"+ sporter contour barrels should be sagging pretty good.

The Predator and Go Wild barrels are 0.75” at the muzzle

The new “Hunter American” model available in 308 and 6.5 creedmoor comes with a 20” barrel that is 0.85” at the muzzle, and are in the Magpul Hunter stock from the factory, with the RPR brake on it as well

I should’ve clarified when saying “the barrel doesn’t flex that much”....I just meant you’ll see a Point of Impact shift going from nothing on the end of the barrel to adding a suppressor or muzzle brake. You can’t see the barrel actually flex.

How much POI shift you’ll see will vary depending on how much weight you add. My current suppressor weighs 13 ounces, and then the cover adds an additional 6 ounces I think. POI shift was around 4” down and slightly to the left if I remember correctly

Backcountryguy said:

The Predator and Go Wild barrels are 0.75” at the muzzle

The new “Hunter American” model available in 308 and 6.5 creedmoor comes with a 20” barrel that is 0.85” at the muzzle, and are in the Magpul Hunter stock from the factory, with the RPR brake on it as well

I should’ve clarified when saying “the barrel doesn’t flex that much”....I just meant you’ll see a Point of Impact shift going from nothing on the end of the barrel to adding a suppressor or muzzle brake. You can’t see the barrel actually flex.

How much POI shift you’ll see will vary depending on how much weight you add. My current suppressor weighs 13 ounces, and then the cover adds an additional 6 ounces I think. POI shift was around 4” down and slightly to the left if I remember correctly

Click to expand...

Thank you, that was the response I was looking forward to. If my previous statements and questions made it sound like I thought the barrel was a limp d!ck, then I didn't communicate clearly enough. I wasn't implying that you'd be able to see the barrel droop, rather that at 100 yards you'd have an appreciable drop.

spife7980 said:

To feed 223/300bo you just need to email accurate mag for their extended feed lip 223 aics mag. It controls the round long enough for the bullet tip to start into the chamber before popping free of the mag for reliable feeding.

Click to expand...

This is something they don't have up on their website?

TonyTheTiger said:

This is something they don't have up on their website?

Click to expand...

Correct. You will order their normal 223 mag on the website but you should make them aware of the order beforehand (and maybe in order notes too, can’t remember) and they will send you the proper mag.

Backcountryguy said:

How much POI shift you’ll see will vary depending on how much weight you add. My current suppressor weighs 13 ounces, and then the cover adds an additional 6 ounces I think. POI shift was around 4” down and slightly to the left if I remember correctly

Click to expand...

I’ll second this, AAC Cyclone (heavy) threaded on my 22” barrel Grendel Predator exhibited a POI shift down about 4.5”

Backcountryguy said:

Congratulations! You are one of very few people who have gotten the Magpul stock to feed 223...most people either are not “handy” enough or they give up too easily.

Click to expand...

Trial and error. By the time I figured out what needed to happen the mag was pretty ugly. I built up the catch bump and also notched the corners of the mag that contact the underside of the reciever. Now that I know what I'm doing I need to buy another one and do a more professional looking job.

spife7980 said:

Correct. You will order their normal 223 mag on the website but you should make them aware of the order beforehand (and maybe in order notes too, can’t remember) and they will send you the proper mag.

Click to expand...

Ruger sells a 10 round polymer AICS pattern 223 mag (#90562). Run one in my PTG bottom metal Savage 223.

TonyTheTiger said:

Trial and error. By the time I figured out what needed to happen the mag was pretty ugly. I built up the catch bump and also notched the corners of the mag that contact the underside of the reciever. Now that I know what I'm doing I need to buy another one and do a more professional looking job.

Click to expand...

Which magazine are you using?

Backcountryguy said:

Which magazine are you using?

Click to expand...

The Ruger AICS mag. I'm guessing they made it for the RPR in 223.

Middle Man said:

Ruger sells a 10 round polymer AICS pattern 223 mag (#90562). Run one in my PTG bottom metal Savage 223.

Click to expand...

That not it chief, it’s ruger 90458 but they aren’t made anymore for ruger, just through accurate mag direct.