I picked one of these up when my local Cabelas got them in stock. I had a Bushnell 3500 Elite 3-9x40 I had picked up on a Christmas sale that I mounted with Weaver rings. Off to the range with a box of Hornady 129gr SST Superformance and a box of Hornady 120gr Amax match. I really like this rifle and the photos pretty much tell the tale.

This is a photo of the first three shots through the rifle, the 129gr SST Superformance @100 yards:

Not bad. I played around with a few more shots then went to the other load I had.

This is a photo of the first three shots of the 120gr Amax Match @ 100 yards:

I was impressed at this point and think I will keep the gun.

The 140 grain AMax shoots slightly better groups in my RAR-P than the 120 grain AMax or 129 grain SST.

If you're buying factory ammo locally, Cabela's has Hornady ammo discounted for the next week or so.

I want to try the 140s soon. Thanks for the tip. I'm working near Omaha and will stop by the Cabelas there.

Nice shootin.

I haven't tried any 140s or any factory ammo for that matter, but the 123gr A-Max shoot really well in my Predator.

I agree, the 123 grain AMax seems to be a sweet spot for the Creed. I shot my single Creed whitetail with that bullet in 11/15 and expect to shoot a few more with it over the next few years. Unless I go crazy and build a 6.5 WSSM.

I liked 123s at 2900+ outta mine... prairie dogs did not....

I may have asked before and forgot - which suppressor are you using on that Creed, and how do you like it?

Suppressed Armament Systems "Arbiter".... it's a bad ass can...

I just ordered the new SAS Reaper MX for my Creed.

I gotta Sico Harvester on mine.....

Of course Cabelas in LaVista was out of ammo but I did get a box of 123 Amax bullets and a set of reloading dies.

My RARP shot every weight I tried from 120 to 140 very accurately. Guess I should of kept it. Just didn't shoot it well offhand. Just didn't balance out well for me. Because of that I knew I wouldn't hunt it. I'll own another 6.5CM soon enough.

MDT is now making a chassis for the American, for those so inclined.....

http://mdttac.com/lss-chassis-system.html

it is one way to get away from the chitty mags and run AICS....

huntsman22 thanks for the idea on that chassis - that might be fun to try.

Redneck Budget Ruger american/precision rifle until the production ramps up and prices get back to normal on the ruger precision rifle in 6.5cm

still cheaper than a RPR

The .260 RAR-Ps are pretty bad ass too.... if you're .308 brass inclined..... Whittaker's had'em for $300.....

123 Amax at 300 and 500....

For that kinds smack, you can get a Ruger Precision Rifle from Whittikers and use the PMAGs..

If a guy already has a SA American, $500 will get ya a stock, chassis and mags.....

uhh, OK..... I like 'fun' as much as the next guy.....grin





It needs some tweaking and I'm waiting to hear back from MDT on the fix. I actually have to work the next few days, so I can't fugg with it anyway.

huntsman22,
What is the problem you are having with the LSS?
Mine should be at the P.O. in the morning..

Now that is pretty interesting! Would definitely be interested if it took standard P mags.

My little 300 Blackout would look spiffy in one of those rigs.

The inletting fuggs with the safety, not deep enough in the tang. I just removed the button/linkage to try it. Will just dremel it out myownself as they want me to send it back along with the trigger assembly. It also binds on the mag-stop screw. They're sending me another style to try......

Any idea if they fixed the ones they're shipping out now?

Bad influence that huntsman22 is I have an LSS on the way too.

They wasn't aware of a problem until I called.He tried to say it was my Predator model that was the problem and that their sample rifle fit great. I had to email pics and provide measurements Maybe I'm wrong, but I thought all of the American centerfires took the same trigger assembly. And maybe they never tried their slave action for safety function when it was fitted..... No matter, it's not a big deal to me to grind on it a little, as they are crediting me $100 for the trouble. While I was on the phone with them I asked about the model 77 LSS, as I'd be interested in picking one of them up, too. They didn't bother to fit it to the Predator or VT models with two-stage triggers. It will only work on the std/guide models. Worthless to me unless it fits MY rifles...

'rut and wizzer, are yours for the Americans? Let me know how it goes, huh?

Mine are RAR and one RAPred..
I'll fit both to the LSS but as far as I can tell their trigger assemblies are the same..

I also have a LSS for on old Sav. pre-accutrigger and I had to do some minor inletting with a Dremel on it in the bolt release area..

Let you know how it works out once I get my mitts on the bugger..

Interesting; I haven't kept up with it but didn't know they made those. No surprise though.

Is the throat in those as deep as the Creedmoor version? Mine has the 123 A-Max a fair ways off the lands at mag length. Minor disappointment but it still shoots well.


Also - are any of you guys using a 20 moa base on these?

The RAR-Predators in 260 were a non-cataloged limited edition for Ruger stocking dealers. Whittaker's price of $299 was less than small dealer wholesale for the cataloged RAR-Predators, a heck of a deal any way you cut it. The 2014 non-cataloged limited edition of the RAR-Predator was chambered in 25-06, the only (that I know of) long action RAR-Predator to date.

I was amazed at the groups from my RAR-P 6.5 CM. 1/2 to 3/4" 5 shot groups were common with 120 A-MAXS. I was so impressed that I ordered a Ruger Precision rifle in 6.5 CM. The groups from the RPR ran around 1" with an occasional 3/4." To say that I was disappointed in an understatement.

dump the RPR then. You'll prolly make money. Then you can get the LSS and have a Redneck Precision Rifle.....

I actually did sell my RPR and made $200 on it. Bought it for $900 out the door and sold it for $1100 2 weeks later. I actually had 5 offers to buy within 30 minutes of listing it.

huntsman22,
I mounted my RAR-P (Creed) in the LSS stock which came today..
No problem with the safety binding..
Using a .308 Accurate-Mag w/o the "blinder plate" it fed fine..
The mag w/o the blinder plate allows an COL of 2.95"

Did it suck down into the V-blocks evenly, or did it bottom out on the mag stop screw in front? I did my grinding after dinner tonight. All's good now...... If I would have ground the mag stop screw first, and tried it, I may not have had to relieve the tang. But I did that first. Yeah, I'm a dummy.

Just looked and the bottom of the receiver is definitely touching the screw..
Looks like I'll have to tear her apart again and grind down the mag screw like you did..

pm your way.

anyone wanna buy my painted American plastic stock and 3 factory mags?......

Better looking too.

Very interesting! This may be the stock upgrade for my 223 RAR.

David

if factory mags don't bother you, Boyds is WAY cheaper.....

The factory mags do bother me. I've looked at the Boyds and I'm sure they're nice, but not really what I was wanting. When the RPR came out I was thinking "I would buy one if it was 223"

The chassis stock is what I was looking for.

Thanks,

David

Tag

Finished tricking mine out. MDT LSS chassis, MDT folder, Timney trigger, Pacific trigger shoe, Ruger branded Hogue grip and Ruger AM mags, Magpul MOE stock and black cheek riser, Champion bipod, Sico Harvester can, TAB Gear cover.

That is nice. Do you know the weight w/o the can?


mike r

nope. My scale is dead.

Oh crap. Did you shoot it too?


mike r

huntsman22, is that a 20 MOA base on yours? EGW?

I'm thinking of buying one for mine, probably get an EGW from SWFA, and assume they fit and work fine, just curious if others have used them for this rifle.

yessir. EGW 20

I need the huntsman22 knowledge. My MDT chassis / ruger American has the shallow safety cut out problem.

I ground down the mag screw. Not enoug to fix the safety.

Called MDT, they said it's a known issue with predators because safety is deeper on the predators, from a ruger redesign. They were polite and helpful. Wanted to fix it.

Gave me choice of waiting for redesigned one or taking it to machine shop at their expense.

Wondering if I should bully bob fix it or have it machined all purty.

I bully bob fixed it and they refunded $100. You can't see the crude grind job I did when installed, so why take it to a shop? If you do it yerself, there is no shipping/waiting fiddle-farting around. win/win.....

or......Buy a Timney replacement trigger......

Tell me more about the timney, not the trigger but how it fixed the problem

I dunno if it would fix the problem or not, as I got mine after I hogged out the tang. But if a regular model drops in, and the Pred hangs up, the timney would make the pred like the regular/std model. And it's a nice trigger......

If you go Timney, you need to re-use the factory safety button, linkage, spring, pin and E-clip.

Sounds good. I'm going to try a timney before hogging with my dremel.

Also I really like your rig.

I'm calling it a Cadillac redneck RPR. With the sum of your upgrades the RPR is cheaper. I prefer your setup to a 10# plus RPR, and I bet it shoots dang fine too.

Thanks for the advice.

finally got batteries for the scale... As set up, with full 10 rd mag, Harris bipod, Harvester can and cover, folding adapter, MOE stock and riser, Hogue grip it goes 12.7 lbs all up..... Just over 2 lbs lighter than the RPR.

Have you seen any change or improvement accuracy wise?

I'm waiting on the timney trigger before I hog out safety area.

I haven't. But I don't shoot paper to see if it's any better. Prairie dogs still die the same, tho.......

If anyone is wanting to get a LSS and save a little coin...... lockhart tactical is 20% off and free shipping if you use code MDT20LT.....

http://rugerforum.net/ruger-bolt-ac...s-blowout-sale-20-off-free-shipping.html

I was looking at boyds stocks and was wondering why the pro varmint was offered for the American rifle and not the predator version.

I've never owned a Boyds Pro-Varmint, but I can testify from personal experience x3 that their Heritage style stock is an excellent fit for the RAR-Predator. I have them on my 204, 223, and 6.5 Creedmoor, and I'm going to order one in Blackjack laminate for my 243.

Update for MDT lss chassis owners with RAR predators:

Timney trigger and grinding down the magazine screw head is NOT enough to correct issue.

You will need to hog out the safety tang area as huntsmans22 did.

Dremel time? Or machine shop if you don't want to void warranty.

I have a similar RAP 6.5 + LSS Chassis build. I added the Glades Armory Bolt Handle and the MDT Butt Riser...

It shoots great. Accurate out pass 1,000 yds.

Had the same issues with the safety not fitting and the mag screw.

Should have it back from the gun smith this week all ready to go!.

nice tops......

Huntsman22,

Did you compete in a PR event with the RAP and MDT-LSS? How did it perform?

I competed in one event with the plastic stock and 4 round mag and had lots of issues with FTF!

I am installing the LSS to build a respectable system to compete with my friends... As soon as I get my Timney installed & modified safety I should be ready to give it a go on 3/28...

I get 1/2" to 3/8" groups with the 6.5 Winchester 140match ammo.

What ammo are you using? Have you considered a hand load?

Yeah, but it was an informal little deal with a couple buds. The American did fine. It ain't a AI, but works for me.... Ammo is 140 Amax's over 42.5 H4350 and CCI 200's

Thanks. I am about to work up a load of Sierra MK 140 HPBT with H4350 with CCI in my used Win brass. I will probably go a little less than 42.5 and work up to that....

The Win uses SMK... I can get it and not break the bank...

Are any of you guys forming brass from mil 7.62 to fit the necks better?

I found that forming 7.62 brass into Creedmoor leaves the necks thick enough to turn down to match the Ruger's slightly oversized chamber. In mine, the chamber neck is .297-.298", brass formed from commercial Win 308 is .292" (loaded), before neck turning. I turned my 7.62 brass to .2955" for a little better fit.

Also, mil 7.62 brass is strong enough to form it in one pass through the Creedmoor sizing die, with no intermediate steps.

With the height of the base, will low rings work for 3-9x42 scope, or is med required?

Is the OEM base any good? I forgot to pick a new one up so I may have to rock the OEM for a little while.

I'm assuming its aluminium...

Seems fine on mine.

I've used the factory installed base with Warne fixed Maxima rings on all of my RAR-Predators.

I tried to mount a 3-9x42 Vortex Diamondback on mine, Weaver low rings were just a hair too low, scope contacted the barrel. A Leupy Mark AR 3-9x40 fits perfectly in the same rings with just a little clearance to the barrel.

It's close enough that "low" rings from another brand might work fine for you.

^^Appreciate insight.

What is a rough velocity on that? Trying to get an idea of what others are seeing from a 22" barrel and how actual loads compare to book in this cartridge.

2750

Thx.

Enjoying your nice spring weather?!

My MDT LSS was supposed to be delivered yesterday but my postman must have chickened out. I even shoveled in front of my mailbox for him.

The LSS for the model 77 came today. I had to dick around with a dremel again to make it work. Still won't work with 2-stage triggers, so I slapped my 204 ultralite into it....

I finally made it to the range this morning. The gunsmith did a lot of work to get the trigger and pins in without conflict. He also bedded the mounting blocks into the chassis. Now no movement at all.... I sent MDT photos of the mill work. New Timney trigger as well. My weight is 12.2# without Ammo.

Net results were great. Sub MOA with most rounds making a single ragged hole the size of a dime. No fliers! That was at 100 yds with Win 140g match.

Going to a precision rifle event tomorrow. I hope my dope is good!

I was trying to order one but could not find this thread. Is it still active to get 20% off?

nope....it only lasted 2 weeks..

This request is for anyone with a Ruger American/American Predator that had an issue with proper fit in the MDT LSS Chassis.

Would you please post a picture of the linkage between the safety switch and the trigger? Thank you.

If trying to fix the issue, my fix required milling the upper left corner.

Now the chassis works well with all of my predators. 22-250, 204 ruger, 6.5 CM

I'm on travel until next Tuesday, so I can't do the comparison with mine until then.

However, since you have multiple calibers of this rifle, compare the orientation of the safety switch amongst them. (by "safety switch", I mean the actual thumb tab).

I heard that some of these switches may have been installed backward.

Thank you, "17_wizzer" for the pics!

and if they were, no biggie to flip the tab around.....

Just picked up an LSS for my RAR-P, and had some issues getting the rear of the receiver to drop all the way, as well as the trigger adjustment screw hitting the chassis.

Similar issues you're having? I'm an experienced shooter, but new to customizing things myself.

tag

Digging up an old thread here....

Just curious, do you guys that have an American in an LSS have a lot of play in your magazines?

I bought a MDT poly for mine, and it's got a ton of wobble in it. Didn't know if this was normal, but certainly seems like I have a problem somewhere.