Decided on a RAP

[ABQcowboy]

How's it going guys? I have been trying me best to do the proper research before purchasing my first bolt action rifle. I am fresh to the bolt action game, but do have limited experience with my AR15. I have been wanting to try out the long range rifle game for awhile now. So I set out with a few goals in mind when trying to select this rifle.

1) I wanted a low cost rifle system.
2) I want a rifle system that will allow me to get my feet wet in the long range target shooting game. This will be the primary use for this rifle.
3) The ability to hunt medium game (whitetail). This would only happen once a year, max.

From my research I have found that a 6.5 Creedmoor should be a satisfactory caliber from my needs listed above. The only thing I am unsure on is the expense of ammo. Am I going to be paying a ton more for 6.5CM than .308?

For awhile I was really torn between the Ruger American Predator, a 700 ADL, or a Savage 110 Tactical. All of these rifle fall in a nice entry level price point. Recently the RAP went on sale at Cabelas so I decided to pull the trigger on it in a 6.5CM w/AI style mag. So my question is what is next for my system? I know that I need to get a set of rings and a scope. I'll post another thread on scope selection in the optic section. Should I invest in a Bipod or bags to start? Any other advice before I start out? Thanks guys.

 

[ThePretzel]

From my research I have found that a 6.5 Creedmoor should be a satisfactory caliber from my needs listed above. The only thing I am unsure on is the expense of ammo. Am I going to be paying a ton more for 6.5CM than .308?

Not really. The only time .308 is cheaper is if you're buying bulk stuff that's pretty garbage for accuracy anyways, otherwise you'll be paying right around $1.00-1.25 a round for match ammo.

That said, the Hornady American Gunner 6.5 Creedmoor is honestly really good and it goes on sale for $0.50/rd at Sportsman's Warehouse pretty often with even the standard price hovering around or below $0.75/rd. In my Savage 12FV it shoots between 1/2 and 3/4 MOA out to 400 yards at least. The RAP I shot in 6.5 Creedmoor really liked the 140 ELD-M loads, those shot at the same level of accuracy at 300 yards for me.

As far as a bipod, I'd recommend picking up a Harris HBRMS. It's got the notched legs and cant to make sure your rifle stays level, and is built to last without the more expensive price point of offerings from companies like Atlas, Thunder Beast, or the Ckye Pod. With a good bipod you can always make a bag to use (or just stuff a sweatshirt under the butt of the rifle) until you feel like upgrading to a better bag, at which point something like a Gamechanger or Tactical Udder will give you a nice bag to use both on top of obstacles and as a rear bag.

 

[One1Bravo]

How's it going guys? I have been trying me best to do the proper research before purchasing my first bolt action rifle. I am fresh to the bolt action game, but do have limited experience with my AR15. I have been wanting to try out the long range rifle game for awhile now. So I set out with a few goals in mind when trying to select this rifle.

1) I wanted a low cost rifle system.
2) I want a rifle system that will allow me to get my feet wet in the long range target shooting game. This will be the primary use for this rifle.
3) The ability to hunt medium game (whitetail). This would only happen once a year, max.

From my research I have found that a 6.5 Creedmoor should be a satisfactory caliber from my needs listed above. The only thing I am unsure on is the expense of ammo. Am I going to be paying a ton more for 6.5CM than .308?

For awhile I was really torn between the Ruger American Predator, a 700 ADL, or a Savage 110 Tactical. All of these rifle fall in a nice entry level price point. Recently the RAP went on sale at Cabelas so I decided to pull the trigger on it in a 6.5CM w/AI style mag. So my question is what is next for my system? I know that I need to get a set of rings and a scope. I'll post another thread on scope selection in the optic section. Should I invest in a Bipod or bags to start? Any other advice before as I start out? Thanks guys.

The cheap stock is one of the biggest weak points on the Ruger Americans. I'd look for a quality stock or chassis.

 

[wade2big]

Not really. The only time .308 is cheaper is if you're buying bulk stuff that's pretty garbage for accuracy anyways, otherwise you'll be paying right around $1.00-1.25 a round for match ammo.

That said, the Hornady American Gunner 6.5 Creedmoor is honestly really good and it goes on sale for $0.50/rd at Sportsman's Warehouse pretty often with even the standard price hovering around or below $0.75/rd. In my Savage 12FV it shoots between 1/2 and 3/4 MOA out to 400 yards at least. The RAP I shot in 6.5 Creedmoor really liked the 140 ELD-M loads, those shot at the same level of accuracy at 300 yards for me.

As far as a bipod, I'd recommend picking up a Harris HBRMS. It's got the notched legs and cant to make sure your rifle stays level, and is built to last without the more expensive price point of offerings from companies like Atlas, Thunder Beast, or the Ckye Pod. With a good bipod you can always make a bag to use (or just stuff a sweatshirt under the butt of the rifle) until you feel like upgrading to a better bag, at which point something like a Gamechanger or Tactical Udder will give you a nice bag to use both on top of obstacles and as a rear bag.

It looks like sportsmans warehouse bumped their price up to $189 shipped for 200. Ive been buying it there for $140 shipped for a while. That price was the only reason I havent started to reload. I guess thats not the case anymore.

 

[stello1001]

Next, you'll be needing this...

https://www.stockysstocks.com/stock...ical-grip-sporter-varmint-ruger-american.html

 

[smokinbobf4]

Agree on a stock swap. I got one for my dad and it is extremely flimsy

 

[Leatherlunger]

Heres a picture of the new B&C medalist for sale from stockys for the American. Fits the oredaotr model too according to the description. Additionally, grab a gun has Sstainless steel 6.5 creed RAP’s in stock. Looks like a dealer exclusive. Not much more thatn the AICS model. That stock seems pretty legit. I was planning on going down this road for the same purpose but ended up just repurposing stuff i had.

 

[bassmaster07]

I had one of these and almost pulled the trigger on several stocks.

1. Shoot the factory stock as long as possible. Shoot off bags and not off a bi pod.
2. Buy sell lease: so you love shooting but hate the 5th flyer b/c your gun got hot. You are going to keep shooting for a long time. Ok now run the numbers. New gun/chassis/scope vs upgrading the Ruger American. Now what can you sell the RAP for?
3. If money is not an object keep it.

In the end I cut my losses and moved to a Tikka. Just more options to upgrade and at better prices.

Sell the Ruger on a smaller sight with people or hunters looking to get into shooting longer ranges or the 6.5 band wagon. They do not sell well here.

PM me if you want. I got lots of feed back here a year ago in your same spot. Me: No comps, mainly hunting and just wanting to shoot better. Had a max budget of about $1000 for the whole system.

 

[EscapeVelocity]

I went the Ruger Predator route for a cheap build this time. I found the Magpul hunter stock at Primary Arms in Texas for $199. Should be a light weight rifle to shoot 1k and hunt with.

 

[ABQcowboy]

I had one of these and almost pulled the trigger on several stocks.

1. Shoot the factory stock as long as possible. Shoot off bags and not off a bi pod.
2. Buy sell lease: so you love shooting but hate the 5th flyer b/c your gun got hot. You are going to keep shooting for a long time. Ok now run the numbers. New gun/chassis/scope vs upgrading the Ruger American. Now what can you sell the RAP for?
3. If money is not an object keep it.

In the end I cut my losses and moved to a Tikka. Just more options to upgrade and at better prices.

Sell the Ruger on a smaller sight with people or hunters looking to get into shooting longer ranges or the 6.5 band wagon. They do not sell well here.

PM me if you want. I got lots of feed back here a year ago in your same spot. Me: No comps, mainly hunting and just wanting to shoot better. Had a max budget of about $1000 for the whole system.

I hear where your coming from on the dollars and cents with the RAP. I kinda figure that this first bolt is going to be a budget gun to learn and figure out how often I go etc. If I decide I want to take it to the next level I can do a rifle build from the ground up and keep the ruger as a lightweight hunting rifle. I don't wanna put too much into this gun, but I don't want to be regretting not spending an extra hundred for a nicer scope that will make the whole experience more enjoyable.