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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 4,571
Campfire Tracker
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OP
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 4,571 |
So admittedly..... most of my remaining dignity has been stripped long before now.... I figured why not kill it all.... and grab a RAR? I've talked a little trash on these rifles.... so when I saw one of these Predators in 6.5 Creed for only $379... I put my money where my mouth had already been. Hell, for the dough, even if it only shot an inch.... and felt like a milk jug.... it would be a great deer/pronghorn/elks rifle for the kids... and cheap loaner. Slapped a 12x SS on it... so as to be UBER.... and took it out yesterday. I grabbed 1 box of factory 140 HPBT loads, Shot one round at 40 yards.... adjusted the scope, and sent 3 rounds at 100.... you can see how that went (.375"). OK... things are getting interesting, but I know enough not to fall for the single 3-shot group banana in the tail-pipe... however, it's a good start... especially with factory ammo that can be had for $20/box. Took a look at the dope, spun it for 300 (+2.2).... clang. 400... clang. 500...... clang. 600? why not........ clang. So I'm 8 rounds deep into this gun.... and have already made first round hits at 300-600.... with a sub-$400 rig. I did a little research and loaded up some 'factory dupe' loads... though I switched the powder to IMR 4350 and went with a WLR primer. I brought those along just to see if they'd shoot.... second 100 yd group (5-shots, .9"). Guessed the velocity at 2700, spun in 3.9 Mils... and let 3 fly at the 600 yard plate.... here they are on video. [video:youtube]1YOTmkws60g[/video] After shooting those 140 Amax handloads, I shot the rest of the factory loads at 300-600... and never missed. Then took the 140 Amax looking for a coyote. Didn't find a volunteer, but did shoot rocks out to a little over 800... and was amazed at the level of performance I was getting for the money.... it won't be displacing the Tikka CTR .260, but it only cost half the money. I'm looking forward to some 123's vs. Prairie Dogs...
You better pray to the God of Skinny Punks that this wind doesn't pick up......
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Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 19,090 Likes: 2
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 19,090 Likes: 2 |
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Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 905
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 905 |
Looks like good fun on the cheap. That model come with a 20" barrel? If so it'll be interesting to compare velocities between it and your Tikka 260.
Last edited by Walter_Sobchak; 05/17/15.
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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 4,571
Campfire Tracker
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OP
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 4,571 |
It's a 22" barrel. I'm looking forward to 123 Scenar/Amax at 2900+....
I couldn't get 2700 in the CTR with the 140 Amax and H4350...
You better pray to the God of Skinny Punks that this wind doesn't pick up......
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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 4,571
Campfire Tracker
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OP
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 4,571 |
Should add..... Barrel was broken in properly using the: Shoot 36 rounds then clean method. Fouling wasn't anything I'd not consider normal.
You better pray to the God of Skinny Punks that this wind doesn't pick up......
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,229
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,229 |
Next stop, Boyds, for a proper laminated stock and a Savage metal trigger guard. I got the Heritage style for my RAR-P in 204.
2nd stop, your favorite internet vendor for a Timney trigger.
3rd stop, RAR-P nirvana?
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 27,692
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 27,692 |
Member: Clan of the Turdlike People.
Courage is Fear that has said its Prayers
�If we ever forget that we are one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under.� Ronald Reagan.
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Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 2,538
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 2,538 |
I think JB wrote in one of his articles about long range shooting that "one could shell out a few bucks for a ruger or savage whatever model in 6.5 creedmore and add a case of Hornady factory ammo and just go shoot and have fun"..... where is the Loonyism in that though. Dogshooter just proved this and with a SWFA Scope the package was probably what 800 bucks????? Kinda makes lot of of guns on the market look silly. Heck a Remington needs that much money in work just to be usable most of the time.......
P.S. Dogshooter, do not clean for a while and report back on how long it takes for the fouling to cause inaccuracy, then the real loony's will be along to blast you about improper gun care and the accuracy left on the table.....
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 22,948 Likes: 20
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 22,948 Likes: 20 |
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 8,037
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 8,037 |
Very nice! What rings are you using on that rifle?
Thanks
Your Every Liberal vote promotes Socialism and is an attack on the Second Amendment. You will suffer the consequences.
GOA,Idaho2AIAlliance,AmericanFirearmsAssociation,IdahoTrappersAssociation,FoundationForWildlifeManagement ID and MT.
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 22,948 Likes: 20
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 22,948 Likes: 20 |
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 8,037
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 8,037 |
Your Every Liberal vote promotes Socialism and is an attack on the Second Amendment. You will suffer the consequences.
GOA,Idaho2AIAlliance,AmericanFirearmsAssociation,IdahoTrappersAssociation,FoundationForWildlifeManagement ID and MT.
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,229
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,229 |
What caliber?
Nice paint job. I did my RAR-P in 223 in satin Hunter Green with matte sand splatter all covered with clear satin.
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,229
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,229 |
Yes, almost every McMillan stock that I've ever bought has cost more than any of the five RAR-Ps that I've bought.
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 22,948 Likes: 20
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 22,948 Likes: 20 |
6.5 Creed like Dogshooters. The name Apollo, however, was taken a few months ago by my Hawkeye Predator 6.5 creed.....
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 42,893 Likes: 9
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 42,893 Likes: 9 |
Don, when it comes to stock painting, you are quite the Rembrandt. very very nice sir...
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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 4,571
Campfire Tracker
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OP
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 4,571 |
wyo.... I just did the math, and I came up with $689 total in the whole thing. That includes tax, CO's lovely $7 "background check fee", 1 box of factory ammo, and the SS Scope/Rings that I bought off some college kid headed to Alaska....
The factory loads I shot are under $200/case right now on Midway....
Don... I dig the paint job. Mine is sitting in a little bedding right now and wearing a new paint job. Though mine is far more utilitarian. Don't think I'll need the 20 MOA rail... as I've got a skoosh under 20 MILs to play with.... plus the other 10 on the glass.
I figured "Apollo" was kinda run of the mill.... but "Nicene Creedmoor" didn't have the same ring to it....
What loads you shooting?
Just loaded up a couple 123 Scenar ladders to see what we can see...
You better pray to the God of Skinny Punks that this wind doesn't pick up......
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 22,948 Likes: 20
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 22,948 Likes: 20 |
Hey. You can use 'Apollo'. I call mine 'Polly', for short, anyhoo.....
I had 17 mils on the turret, and another 8 on the reticle, and was still WAY short on the 1970 yard gong at the Icebreaker.....Montucky Hold-over still works, tho.
still running 140 amax factory loads. When they're gone, I have a bunch of 140 Bergers to burn up.
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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 4,571
Campfire Tracker
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OP
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 4,571 |
I think when I run outta elevation...that's far enough. Though it is fun to send those mile+ shots. I should be able to get to 1600 yds on the turret alone, much further than I normally shoot.
Couple measurements for those interested:
Magazine length: 2.85" 140 Amax lands: 2.870" COAL (2.205" BTO) 123 Amax to the lands: 2.855" COAL (2.205" BTO) 123 Scenar to the lands: 2.825" COAL (2.195" BTO)
Can't run either of the Amax in the lands... but that hasn't been a problem in the past. I'll still seat the Scenars back a little, as there wasn't but .1" of bullet in the neck at 2.825"
You better pray to the God of Skinny Punks that this wind doesn't pick up......
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 26,524
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 26,524 |
Next stop, Boyds, for a proper laminated stock and a Savage metal trigger guard. I got the Heritage style for my RAR-P in 204.
What is the magazine situation on the Predator? If you are going with savage trigger guard, does that mean the rifle is a blind mag?
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