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Posted By: steveredd1 Ruger American - 05/05/22
Ruger American any good? what's the good and bad?
Posted By: NTG Re: Ruger American - 05/05/22
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Posted By: Remington280 Re: Ruger American - 05/05/22
Both mine 6 CM and 6.5 CM shoots excellent with handloads.
They're entry level, cheap stock with triggers that need attention. Once you fix the sear spring and adjust its good.
My 6 CM was throated short but Ruger replaced under warranty.
I'd like to find a good replacement stock.
Both mine shoot as good as any Tikka I own.
Posted By: steveredd1 Re: Ruger American - 05/05/22
Originally Posted by Remington280
Both mine 6 CM and 6.5 CM shoots excellent with handloads.
They're entry level, cheap stock with triggers that need attention. Once you fix the sear spring and adjust its good.
My 6 CM was throated short but Ruger replaced under warranty.
I'd like to find a good replacement stock.
Both mine shoot as good as any Tikka I own.



something like a Boyd stock, think of a 223 that take AR mags
Posted By: boatanchor Re: Ruger American - 05/05/22
People complain about the stocks but they have a superior bedding system compared to the Tikka's............
changed springs in the trigger but the Glock design just sucks, for $150 the Timney is a tremendous upgrade.
Posted By: Whttail_in_MT Re: Ruger American - 05/05/22
Originally Posted by boatanchor
People complain about the stocks but they have a superior bedding system compared to the Tikka's............
changed springs in the trigger but the Glock design just sucks, for $150 the Timney is a tremendous upgrade.

You realize the blade is easily removed, right?
Posted By: hanco Re: Ruger American - 05/05/22
Got a .223, 3/4 groups, fun gun for pig banging.
Posted By: sbhooper Re: Ruger American - 05/05/22
My .308 is one of my favorites. A little added epoxy in the stock front and a trigger spring change and it is a 1/2-moa rifle with 150 interlocks.
Posted By: boatanchor Re: Ruger American - 05/06/22
Originally Posted by Whttail_in_MT
Originally Posted by boatanchor
People complain about the stocks but they have a superior bedding system compared to the Tikka's............
changed springs in the trigger but the Glock design just sucks, for $150 the Timney is a tremendous upgrade.

You realize the blade is easily removed, right?


Yes I did that on one of my rifles but the Timney is still worth every penny to me over anything you do to the factory trigger
Posted By: Pappy348 Re: Ruger American - 05/06/22
If I ever buy another (mine was a rimfire), I’ll resist the temptation to doll it up with add-ons. Better to spend the money up front on a rifle that’s good as-is IMO. Wouldn’t mind an All-Weather model for a beater, but they are very scarce.
Posted By: Seafire Re: Ruger American - 05/07/22
Originally Posted by steveredd1
Ruger American any good? what's the good and bad?


I'd recommend going with the Predator Model....

I have one in 6.5 Grendal I like quite a bit...

would get one in a 223 also, with the aftermarket mags like I use for my Grendal...

except I have a couple of Howa Mini Actions in 223....along with a host of other bolt action 223s...

for high volume varmint shooting tho, if down to one, I think I'd go with the Ruger American Predator, with the 10 round mags...
using aftermarket polymer mags....
Posted By: Remington280 Re: Ruger American - 05/07/22
What aftermarket mags actually work in the Predator model? I bought a pmag for my 6 CM, it locks up fine but doesn't feed well. The angle of the bullet isn't correct and gets stuck once the feeding starts. I see the issue but just not sure how to correct it.
Posted By: nimblehunter Re: Ruger American - 05/07/22
I have an American 223 Lightweight that shoots 1/2" groups all day with 24.0 gr. of Varget & 70 gr Noslers. Only problem is that the magazine well isn't long enough for the longer 70 gr. bullets. I emailed Ruger to see if they offer a longer magazine and their reply was to NOT use handloaded ammo. Not the answer that I was looking for.
Posted By: 250Sav_age Re: Ruger American - 05/07/22
Originally Posted by nimblehunter
I have an American 223 Lightweight that shoots 1/2" groups all day with 24.0 gr. of Varget & 70 gr Noslers. Only problem is that the magazine well isn't long enough for the longer 70 gr. bullets. I emailed Ruger to see if they offer a longer magazine and their reply was to NOT use handloaded ammo. Not the answer that I was looking for.



Ruger got the twist correct but screwed up with the magazines, both in COAL and function.
Posted By: ldholton Re: Ruger American - 05/08/22
Originally Posted by Remington280
What aftermarket mags actually work in the Predator model? I bought a pmag for my 6 CM, it locks up fine but doesn't feed well. The angle of the bullet isn't correct and gets stuck once the feeding starts. I see the issue but just not sure how to correct it.
The 6 CM will be using a Asics type mag. PMAG brand does have two different followers. If I remember right one colored follower is designed around the creedmoor and the other color follower is designed around a 308 be sure and check that you got that correct I'm sure you can find it on the internet. I can't remember which way for sure I think Brown is designed for the creedmoor but I could have it backwards. And also try feeding one less bullet than a full mag. I converted a 22-250 over to a PMAG stock and Asics type mag with the brown follower. It feeds four flawlessly but if you load it with five the first one does not feed reliably. The angle of the follower I think I know how to fix it but I have not got to it yet.
Posted By: ldholton Re: Ruger American - 05/08/22
Originally Posted by nimblehunter
I have an American 223 Lightweight that shoots 1/2" groups all day with 24.0 gr. of Varget & 70 gr Noslers. Only problem is that the magazine well isn't long enough for the longer 70 gr. bullets. I emailed Ruger to see if they offer a longer magazine and their reply was to NOT use handloaded ammo. Not the answer that I was looking for.
I shoot some Speer 70 grain bullets loaded at or little longer than book listed COAL and they shoot very well.. you can shoot longer bullets and load them to my length and start there you might be surprised how well they can shoot even further off the lands.
Just use caution when you're getting shorter than listed COAL you'll be taking up case capacity and raising pressures just keep that in mind.
Posted By: Whttail_in_MT Re: Ruger American - 05/08/22
Originally Posted by ldholton
Originally Posted by Remington280
What aftermarket mags actually work in the Predator model? I bought a pmag for my 6 CM, it locks up fine but doesn't feed well. The angle of the bullet isn't correct and gets stuck once the feeding starts. I see the issue but just not sure how to correct it.
The 6 CM will be using a Asics type mag. PMAG brand does have two different followers. If I remember right one colored follower is designed around the creedmoor and the other color follower is designed around a 308 be sure and check that you got that correct I'm sure you can find it on the internet. I can't remember which way for sure I think Brown is designed for the creedmoor but I could have it backwards. And also try feeding one less bullet than a full mag. I converted a 22-250 over to a PMAG stock and Asics type mag with the brown follower. It feeds four flawlessly but if you load it with five the first one does not feed reliably. The angle of the follower I think I know how to fix it but I have not got to it yet.
In the description here: https://magpul.com/firearm-accessories/pmags/bolt-action/pmag-5-762-ac.html?mp_global_color=118
Posted By: ldholton Re: Ruger American - 05/08/22
Originally Posted by Whttail_in_MT
Originally Posted by ldholton
Originally Posted by Remington280
What aftermarket mags actually work in the Predator model? I bought a pmag for my 6 CM, it locks up fine but doesn't feed well. The angle of the bullet isn't correct and gets stuck once the feeding starts. I see the issue but just not sure how to correct it.
The 6 CM will be using a Asics type mag. PMAG brand does have two different followers. If I remember right one colored follower is designed around the creedmoor and the other color follower is designed around a 308 be sure and check that you got that correct I'm sure you can find it on the internet. I can't remember which way for sure I think Brown is designed for the creedmoor but I could have it backwards. And also try feeding one less bullet than a full mag. I converted a 22-250 over to a PMAG stock and Asics type mag with the brown follower. It feeds four flawlessly but if you load it with five the first one does not feed reliably. The angle of the follower I think I know how to fix it but I have not got to it yet.
In the description here: https://magpul.com/firearm-accessories/pmags/bolt-action/pmag-5-762-ac.html?mp_global_color=118

From Magpul's site:
The original PMAG 5 7.62 AC magazine, identified by its green lock plate and follower, was optimized for the .308 Winchester based family of cartridges and is compatible with short action AICS-spec bottom metal, to include the Bolt Action Magazine Well for the Hunter 700 Stock, and performed well with most non-.308 based cartridges in nearly all applications. Some three lug bolt action rifle platforms, such as the Ruger American Rifle®, presented some occasional feeding concerns when used with the standard green follower PMAG 5 7.62 AC magazine. We have made an inline change to a new design of spring and follower. The revised PMAG 5 7.62 AC magazine, easily identified with its brown lock plate and follower, has been optimized to ensure complete Magpul reliability with a broad range of calibers in the Ruger American Rifle® and other 3-lug bolt designs, while maintaining or improving the proven Magpul reliability in Remington® 700 footprint platforms and other 2-lug bolt action designs. For the Hunter American stock, we recommend using only the new, brown follower magazines, in calibers like 6.5 Creedmoor. All other actions, and the Ruger in .308, can use either version interchangeably.
Posted By: Seafire Re: Ruger American - 05/09/22
Originally Posted by ldholton
Originally Posted by nimblehunter
I have an American 223 Lightweight that shoots 1/2" groups all day with 24.0 gr. of Varget & 70 gr Noslers. Only problem is that the magazine well isn't long enough for the longer 70 gr. bullets. I emailed Ruger to see if they offer a longer magazine and their reply was to NOT use handloaded ammo. Not the answer that I was looking for.
I shoot some Speer 70 grain bullets loaded at or little longer than book listed COAL and they shoot very well.. you can shoot longer bullets and load them to my length and start there you might be surprised how well they can shoot even further off the lands.
Just use caution when you're getting shorter than listed COAL you'll be taking up case capacity and raising pressures just keep that in mind.

you can't raise pressures beyond SAAMI specs with the 70 grain Speer, when using H 380 powder... in fact its under SAAMI specs yet still gives darn good velocity and accuracy..
that is my GoTo powder for 223s and 70 grain Speers... same with the 63 grain Sierra SMPs...
Posted By: Remington280 Re: Ruger American - 05/10/22
Originally Posted by Whttail_in_MT
Originally Posted by ldholton
Originally Posted by Remington280
What aftermarket mags actually work in the Predator model? I bought a pmag for my 6 CM, it locks up fine but doesn't feed well. The angle of the bullet isn't correct and gets stuck once the feeding starts. I see the issue but just not sure how to correct it.
The 6 CM will be using a Asics type mag. PMAG brand does have two different followers. If I remember right one colored follower is designed around the creedmoor and the other color follower is designed around a 308 be sure and check that you got that correct I'm sure you can find it on the internet. I can't remember which way for sure I think Brown is designed for the creedmoor but I could have it backwards. And also try feeding one less bullet than a full mag. I converted a 22-250 over to a PMAG stock and Asics type mag with the brown follower. It feeds four flawlessly but if you load it with five the first one does not feed reliably. The angle of the follower I think I know how to fix it but I have not got to it yet.
In the description here: https://magpul.com/firearm-accessories/pmags/bolt-action/pmag-5-762-ac.html?mp_global_color=118
Thanks for the clarification.
Posted By: Remington280 Re: Ruger American - 05/10/22
Originally Posted by ldholton
Originally Posted by Whttail_in_MT
Originally Posted by ldholton
Originally Posted by Remington280
What aftermarket mags actually work in the Predator model? I bought a pmag for my 6 CM, it locks up fine but doesn't feed well. The angle of the bullet isn't correct and gets stuck once the feeding starts. I see the issue but just not sure how to correct it.
The 6 CM will be using a Asics type mag. PMAG brand does have two different followers. If I remember right one colored follower is designed around the creedmoor and the other color follower is designed around a 308 be sure and check that you got that correct I'm sure you can find it on the internet. I can't remember which way for sure I think Brown is designed for the creedmoor but I could have it backwards. And also try feeding one less bullet than a full mag. I converted a 22-250 over to a PMAG stock and Asics type mag with the brown follower. It feeds four flawlessly but if you load it with five the first one does not feed reliably. The angle of the follower I think I know how to fix it but I have not got to it yet.
In the description here: https://magpul.com/firearm-accessories/pmags/bolt-action/pmag-5-762-ac.html?mp_global_color=118

From Magpul's site:
The original PMAG 5 7.62 AC magazine, identified by its green lock plate and follower, was optimized for the .308 Winchester based family of cartridges and is compatible with short action AICS-spec bottom metal, to include the Bolt Action Magazine Well for the Hunter 700 Stock, and performed well with most non-.308 based cartridges in nearly all applications. Some three lug bolt action rifle platforms, such as the Ruger American Rifle®, presented some occasional feeding concerns when used with the standard green follower PMAG 5 7.62 AC magazine. We have made an inline change to a new design of spring and follower. The revised PMAG 5 7.62 AC magazine, easily identified with its brown lock plate and follower, has been optimized to ensure complete Magpul reliability with a broad range of calibers in the Ruger American Rifle® and other 3-lug bolt designs, while maintaining or improving the proven Magpul reliability in Remington® 700 footprint platforms and other 2-lug bolt action designs. For the Hunter American stock, we recommend using only the new, brown follower magazines, in calibers like 6.5 Creedmoor. All other actions, and the Ruger in .308, can use either version interchangeably.
Thanks
Posted By: Remington280 Re: Ruger American - 05/10/22
I just called MAGPUL and the brown follower is designed for the 6.5 CM but still have feeding issues with the Ruger American. He said it would not work for the Ruger American.
Posted By: ldholton Re: Ruger American - 05/10/22
Originally Posted by Remington280
I just called MAGPUL and the brown follower is designed for the 6.5 CM but still have feeding issues with the Ruger American. He said it would not work for the Ruger American.
Well that's the s**** and against exactly what they said above. That above I put was directly copied and pasted from magpul's website..
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