Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Guns and Ammo => Topic started by: bknilvr00 on January 22, 2018, 07:58:06 AM

Title: New rifle!
Post by: bknilvr00 on January 22, 2018, 07:58:06 AM: Through other peoples good graces and a bit of luck, I have acquired a new left handed Ruger American Predator in 6.5 creedmoor. I have been eyeballing bolt actions for a while after I sold my 30-06 Savage 111 as it was just too punishing for my scrawney behind to shoot comfortably. The stars aligned, deals were made, and boy am I a happy camper. The anticipation is killing me because I won't be able to shoot it till this coming weekend but I suspect after all the reviews I've read that I have a dynamite little rifle. I have topped it with a Leupold VX3i 4.5-14x50mm on PRW high rings. Holy smokes is that scope nice. Easily the highest quality glass I now own. I also have a Gamma 65 muzzle break ordered that will be on the rifle before first shot so I dont need to worry about re-zeroing. Before elk season starts my goal is to have the gun glass bedded in a boyds pepper laminate stock as well as getting the barrel, action, and scope/ rings cerakoted. Might go black but I suspect a gray or silver will look pretty slick. As if I couldn't win more in this whole ordeal, my wife bought me a reloading setup fpr christmas. Now I can get into the intricacies of handloading to compliment the capabilities of my hands down favorite rifle!
Title: Re: New rifle!
Post by: h20hunter on January 22, 2018, 08:02:08 AM: What do crossfit addicts and new 6.5 shooters have in commom?

Just ask, they will be sure to tell you!!!! :chuckle:

*joke disclosure, he is my buddy, its a nice little set up, and I'm just flipping him grief.
Title: Re: New rifle!
Post by: CP on January 22, 2018, 08:10:54 AM: :tup: Nice. I need to get one of those scopes.
Title: Re: New rifle!
Post by: magnanimous_j on January 22, 2018, 08:13:12 AM: Nice! 6.5 Creed is a joy to shoot. I got one a couple months ago too.

I'm curious to see what elk load you come up with. My Savage 11 seems to like the 129gr Interlocks, which I'm sure are fine for coyote-deer, but I'm a bit wary of using them on elk.
Title: Re: New rifle!
Post by: Calvin Rayborn on January 22, 2018, 08:13:37 AM: Right on, Git 'er dun! :tup:
Title: Re: New rifle!
Post by: BULLBLASTER on January 22, 2018, 08:27:02 AM: Quote from: h20hunter on January 22, 2018, 08:02:08 AM
What do crossfit addicts and new 6.5 shooters have in commom?

Just ask, they will be sure to tell you!!!! :chuckle:

*joke disclosure, he is my buddy, its a nice little set up, and I'm just flipping him grief.
:chuckle:
Title: Re: New rifle!
Post by: Tjkride on January 22, 2018, 08:33:25 AM: Thise vx3i's are great scopes, I just got one myself for a 338 rcm. Clear and tough. Thise Americans are accurate things. Its nice to see another lefty too. I also interested in the elk load you come up with.
Title: Re: New rifle!
Post by: Fl0und3rz on January 22, 2018, 10:01:27 AM: Quote from: BULLBLASTER on January 22, 2018, 08:27:02 AM
Quote from: h20hunter on January 22, 2018, 08:02:08 AM
What do crossfit addicts and new 6.5 shooters have in commom?

Just ask, they will be sure to tell you!!!! :chuckle:

*joke disclosure, he is my buddy, its a nice little set up, and I'm just flipping him grief.
:chuckle:

:chuckle:

Nice rifle.
Title: Re: New rifle!
Post by: BULLBLASTER on January 22, 2018, 10:28:59 AM: I was very tempted to buy a 6mm creedmoor (can’t believe I’m saying that on a public forum :chuckle: ) Ruger American last week. After all I’ve seen about how well they shoot and the low cost. But I don’t think I could part with it when my custom is done in a few months so I resisted.
Title: Re: New rifle!
Post by: b23 on January 22, 2018, 10:38:45 AM: Quote from: h20hunter on January 22, 2018, 08:02:08 AM
What do crossfit addicts and new 6.5 shooters have in commom?

Just ask, they will be sure to tell you!!!! :chuckle:

*joke disclosure, he is my buddy, its a nice little set up, and I'm just flipping him grief.

Dang, it's a tough crowd in here today.

Everyone is bringing their "A" game this morning. On one of the other threads if you shoot a Creedmoor you're compared to a pink lady apple. :chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle:
Title: Re: New rifle!
Post by: BULLBLASTER on January 22, 2018, 11:00:00 AM: Quote from: b23 on January 22, 2018, 10:38:45 AM
Quote from: h20hunter on January 22, 2018, 08:02:08 AM
What do crossfit addicts and new 6.5 shooters have in commom?

Just ask, they will be sure to tell you!!!! :chuckle:

*joke disclosure, he is my buddy, its a nice little set up, and I'm just flipping him grief.

Dang, it's a tough crowd in here today.

Everyone is bringing their "A" game this morning. On one of the other threads if you shoot a Creedmoor you're compared to a pink lady apple. :chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle:
Bknilver00 picked the wrong day to post about his new creedmoor! :chuckle:
Title: Re: New rifle!
Post by: 7mmfan on January 22, 2018, 11:48:27 AM: I'll be nice :) It will be a lot easier to hit steel at 172 yards with that as opposed to the open site 30-30, or the 357.
Title: Re: New rifle!
Post by: h20hunter on January 22, 2018, 11:55:41 AM: He did pretty well with both.
Title: Re: New rifle!
Post by: jjness11 on January 22, 2018, 12:15:44 PM: Nice rifle. Great round. Looking forward to some feedback. :tup: I have been looking at those Ruger American's for my kids.
Title: Re: New rifle!
Post by: Magnum_Willys on January 22, 2018, 12:21:49 PM: Im feeling like a lonely homeless stepchild everyone has all these new creedmoors and Im rockin old school junk........ better check how much I have built up in my visa rewards account.........
Title: Re: New rifle!
Post by: magnanimous_j on January 22, 2018, 01:27:19 PM: Quote from: Magnum_Willys on January 22, 2018, 12:21:49 PM
Im feeling like a lonely homeless stepchild everyone has all these new creedmoors and Im rockin old school junk........ better check how much I have built up in my visa rewards account.........

I picked mine up for a song because my buddy bought it intending to build some custom thing out of it then lost interest. Even then I only bought it because the ammo isn't stupid expensive like a lot of the other "new hotness" calibers.
Title: Re: New rifle!
Post by: 7mmfan on January 22, 2018, 01:48:30 PM: Quote from: h20hunter on January 22, 2018, 11:55:41 AM
He did pretty well with both.

Yes he did
Title: Re: New rifle!
Post by: bknilvr00 on January 23, 2018, 11:21:04 AM: Quote from: 7mmfan on January 22, 2018, 01:48:30 PM
Quote from: h20hunter on January 22, 2018, 11:55:41 AM
He did pretty well with both.

Yes he did

Aw, so sweet of you guys to show up and defend my honor
Title: Re: New rifle!
Post by: h20hunter on January 23, 2018, 11:22:11 AM: Rob has a pink stock in the classifieds.....might pretty it up a bit. Just saying.
Title: Re: New rifle!
Post by: bknilvr00 on January 26, 2018, 03:52:01 PM: I must make a confession. It's been less than 24 hours since I have posted about anything related to 6.5 creedmoor, and I'm going to do it again... I got my new muzzle brake! Easy peasy installation. Will get to see it perform on sunday and cant wait!
Title: Re: New rifle!
Post by: Biggerhammer on January 27, 2018, 07:38:19 AM: Several of us messed around with the the Ruger Predators when they first came out. One of the local benchrest competition shooters picked one up first. He did a couple little tweaks on the rifle and it shot really well. So a dozen or so guys followed in tow.

You might want to consider making sure the barrel is free floated to the recoil lug. If your going to be shooting with a bipod. Make sure the barrel is still free floating while the bipod is "Loaded". Also make sure the action screws are torqued to the inch pound specs in the manual.

The rifles shoot really well both the 6.5 & 6mm Creedmoor.

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi90.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fk269%2Flandonmoses%2FMobile%2520Uploads%2F506247C8-59B1-4E68-9D68-3D45BE96AC19_zpsgbehxpqf.jpg&hash=92a5fb067d8327261137f8eb3c7e55c51da2b48a) (http://s90.photobucket.com/user/landonmoses/media/Mobile%20Uploads/506247C8-59B1-4E68-9D68-3D45BE96AC19_zpsgbehxpqf.jpg.html)

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi90.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fk269%2Flandonmoses%2FMobile%2520Uploads%2F44283734-8D0F-406B-95A9-4D99AA4A98E9_zpsq04zyqkq.jpg&hash=25e063c5de3e017028af18f100ef0cba04d2ca19) (http://s90.photobucket.com/user/landonmoses/media/Mobile%20Uploads/44283734-8D0F-406B-95A9-4D99AA4A98E9_zpsq04zyqkq.jpg.html)

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi90.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fk269%2Flandonmoses%2FMobile%2520Uploads%2FBA96BB69-35ED-4604-9EC6-0D522209558B_zpsyezeffpn.jpg&hash=8a9b2ac85a6b0742837fed02a7bfa863d7422734) (http://s90.photobucket.com/user/landonmoses/media/Mobile%20Uploads/BA96BB69-35ED-4604-9EC6-0D522209558B_zpsyezeffpn.jpg.html)

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi90.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fk269%2Flandonmoses%2FMobile%2520Uploads%2F2F553E9C-AAB8-4431-8A8A-A1D2F16FB5D4_zpspqmn2jez.jpg&hash=bf9c989fa9989bfee34089878d7641e6314806f5) (http://s90.photobucket.com/user/landonmoses/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2F553E9C-AAB8-4431-8A8A-A1D2F16FB5D4_zpspqmn2jez.jpg.html)
Title: Re: New rifle!
Post by: CP on January 27, 2018, 08:04:05 AM: Quote from: Biggerhammer on January 27, 2018, 07:38:19 AM
Several of us messed around with the the Ruger Predators when they first came out. One of the local benchrest competition shooters picked one up first. He did a couple little tweaks on the rifle and it shot really well. So a dozen or so guys followed in tow.

You might want to consider making sure the barrel is free floated to the recoil lug. If your going to be shooting with a bipod. Make sure the barrel is still free floating while the bipod is "Loaded". Also make sure the action screws are torqued to the inch pound specs in the manual.

The rifles shoot really well both the 6.5 & 6mm Creedmoor.

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi90.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fk269%2Flandonmoses%2FMobile%2520Uploads%2F506247C8-59B1-4E68-9D68-3D45BE96AC19_zpsgbehxpqf.jpg&hash=92a5fb067d8327261137f8eb3c7e55c51da2b48a) (http://s90.photobucket.com/user/landonmoses/media/Mobile%20Uploads/506247C8-59B1-4E68-9D68-3D45BE96AC19_zpsgbehxpqf.jpg.html)

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi90.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fk269%2Flandonmoses%2FMobile%2520Uploads%2F44283734-8D0F-406B-95A9-4D99AA4A98E9_zpsq04zyqkq.jpg&hash=25e063c5de3e017028af18f100ef0cba04d2ca19) (http://s90.photobucket.com/user/landonmoses/media/Mobile%20Uploads/44283734-8D0F-406B-95A9-4D99AA4A98E9_zpsq04zyqkq.jpg.html)

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi90.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fk269%2Flandonmoses%2FMobile%2520Uploads%2FBA96BB69-35ED-4604-9EC6-0D522209558B_zpsyezeffpn.jpg&hash=8a9b2ac85a6b0742837fed02a7bfa863d7422734) (http://s90.photobucket.com/user/landonmoses/media/Mobile%20Uploads/BA96BB69-35ED-4604-9EC6-0D522209558B_zpsyezeffpn.jpg.html)

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi90.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fk269%2Flandonmoses%2FMobile%2520Uploads%2F2F553E9C-AAB8-4431-8A8A-A1D2F16FB5D4_zpspqmn2jez.jpg&hash=bf9c989fa9989bfee34089878d7641e6314806f5) (http://s90.photobucket.com/user/landonmoses/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2F553E9C-AAB8-4431-8A8A-A1D2F16FB5D4_zpspqmn2jez.jpg.html)

That SST is really sticking out of the case. What's the COL on that, somewhere North of 2.85"?
Title: Re: New rifle!
Post by: Biggerhammer on January 27, 2018, 08:06:53 AM: The info is to the right of the group. 2.835 and still feeds from the magazine. A 129 SST @ 2803 FPS is a killer! Even at distance.
Title: Re: New rifle!
Post by: CP on January 27, 2018, 08:17:55 AM: Quote from: Biggerhammer on January 27, 2018, 08:06:53 AM
The info is to the right of the group. 2.835 and still feeds from the magazine. A 129 SST @ 2803 FPS is a killer! Even at distance.

:tup: Thanks
Title: Re: New rifle!
Post by: bknilvr00 on January 28, 2018, 01:35:03 PM: Range report! Rifle is a pleasure to shoot. With the muzzle brake on it, the thing kicks less than my wifes .243 Savage lady hunter. Kinda struggled a little with the eye relief and parallax, but with a little more rifle time I'll get it adjusted correctly. My boresighting job had it on paper at 100 yards and pretty well dialed by the third shot. Best group I could get at 100 was around an inch but it was all user error. Had I been using a more solid rest at a comfortable height, I'm positive I could have really got nitpicky about getting a group. At 220 yards with a few clicks here and there, I was ringing steel plates ranging from 10 to 6 inches in diameter pretty consistently. All misses were absolutely me and not the rifle. I will however state as many others have before me that the stock leaves little to be desired. A new stock will really do alot in the stability and comfort department. What I also learned this trip that my wife's 243 with its 180$ scope is a bell ringer. I'm pretty sure I shot it better than I shot my own rifle lol. I was not alone on my trip to the range so I'm sure the second party will horn in with his own opinions....
Title: Re: New rifle!
Post by: h20hunter on January 29, 2018, 09:33:30 AM: I admit I was there. Thank goodness my beard offers full protection from manbunnities. I would be at risk. We were shooting American Whitetail ammo and group size would be about an inch, maybe better, at 100 with factory ammo. Overall, even for a righty shooting a goofy lefty gun it was a pleasure to shoot. The break provided plenty of recoil reduction. Stock left a bit to be desired and the magazine frankly is crap. I can see issues with repeated use as it is plastic and flimsy. I was most suprised by the trigger...not bad at all. We indeed shot out to 220 on steel and it easily layed down some good smack shot after shot. I think overall good glass and handloads will nurse this rifle along. For the price it is indeed a shooter.
Title: Re: New rifle!
Post by: 7mmfan on January 29, 2018, 02:15:11 PM: Quote from: h20hunter on January 29, 2018, 09:33:30 AM
I admit I was there. Thank goodness my beard offers full protection from manbunnities. I would be at risk.

Just pony tail that beard of yours. Or French braid, those are classy.
Title: Re: New rifle!
Post by: bknilvr00 on January 29, 2018, 02:40:58 PM: Quote from: 7mmfan on January 29, 2018, 02:15:11 PM
Quote from: h20hunter on January 29, 2018, 09:33:30 AM
I admit I was there. Thank goodness my beard offers full protection from manbunnities. I would be at risk.

Just pony tail that beard of yours. Or French braid, those are classy.
Well that would require him to pick all cheeto bits and fruit loops outa that thing. Better off going for beard dreadlocks.
Title: Re: New rifle!
Post by: 7mmfan on January 29, 2018, 03:22:20 PM: Good call. Nothing like the smell of beardylocks in the morning.
Title: Re: New rifle!
Post by: Magnum_Willys on January 29, 2018, 03:53:48 PM: Steel at 220? Dont have one but would expect a lil 6.5 to break clays at 200-300 without even breathing hard or am I wrong?
Title: Re: New rifle!
Post by: h20hunter on January 29, 2018, 04:22:09 PM: Easy. We only have access to that as our longest shot during general range time.
Title: Re: New rifle!
Post by: h20hunter on February 10, 2018, 05:01:04 PM: Well...it happened. He was shooting and like that his 6.5 prowess created an instant manbun.
Title: Re: New rifle!
Post by: magnanimous_j on February 10, 2018, 06:55:42 PM: Quote from: h20hunter on February 10, 2018, 05:01:04 PM
Well...it happened. He was shooting and like that his 6.5 prowess created an instant manbun.

Look, that's just going to happen.
Title: Re: New rifle!
Post by: 7mmfan on February 11, 2018, 08:53:56 AM: It was inevitable. Another good man down. :salute: