New Bolt Action

[GySgtFTL]

Just added a Ruger American Predator II in .243 Win. The scope is a Burris XTR III 3.3 x 18 x50. I have not had time to mount it yet. Should have it range ready by Monday afternoon. Also have a Timney trigger to replace the factory trigger. The factory trigger is not bad, but it won't adjust quite as low as I prefer. I'll set the pull at about 2.5 lbs., zero the Burris and should be ready to whack some coyotes.
Also own a four-inch and a six-inch GP100. That's about it for my Ruger collection. I've been meaning to buy a 10-22 for years but just never got around to it yet.

 

[Mauser9]

Can't wait to hear the results. Interesting looking rifle. Like your choice of caliber. Just read a review in Guns & Ammo on them. Timney sounds like a great choice.

 

[dobegrant.45]

Welcome from Arizona

 

[XUSNORDIE]

Welcome aboard Gunny.

Nice rifle. I have Ruger American Predator in 204R.....I was up until a couple years ago an avid predator hunter. In fact, help start up and manage the largest predator hunting contest in MD...it lasted a few years until PETA, USHS teamed up and shut it down. In fact the laws were changed to NO contests allowed any longer. Health issues including two major and one minor surgeries have kept me from pursuing yotes and fox lately.

Anyway, the Predator Rifle was fantastic. I did change the stock out for a Bell & Carlson, and put on a tactical bolt handle from Glades Armory. Much easier to use wearing gloves on a frigid night predator hunt in JAN/FEB. The trigger was fantastic and adjusted down to 2.5 after some emery cloth and flitz. I put that rifle through the ringer and it never failed. I have a pic of it in the hunting section somewhere.

I also used it as a Varmint rifle now and then during the summers working up loads. A lot of Ground Grizz fell to that rifle.

243 is a great cal for yotes. Only reason I went with 204R is because sometimes fox or yotes came in to the call, and the 40gr Vmax was enough for Wyle E Kyote within reasonable distance. If I was dedicated to calling yotes I brought my Ruger Hawkeye in 243.

Again, Welcome aboard and enjoy your rifle......please post pics of your yote hunts. I miss it.

EDIT: Found that thread if you are interested:

https://www.rugerforum.com/threads/ruger-predator-on-predators.309058/

 

[thinckley]

I am very intrigued by the Gen II's, but not a fan of the bronze cerakote... at all.

Still, love the .243, although I do not own any. It was the first rifle caliber I shot and eventually my dad's will become mine.

 

[Air-cooled]

I love Rugers, I love the .243. But I do not like a lever action hunting rifle with a conventional stock that has magazine hanging below the stock. Ruger still makes them that way.

 

[XUSNORDIE]

I love Rugers, I love the .243. But I do not like a lever action hunting rifle with a conventional stock that has magazine hanging below the stock. Ruger still makes them that way.

The OPs rifle is a bolt action with detachable magazine....

 

[thinckley]

The OPs rifle is a bolt action with detachable magazine....

I think he’s referring to this abomination, I mean lever action “AR-15”

https://www.offgridweb.com/gear/new-bond-arms-lever-action-ar-15/amp/
I bet that gives the liberals seizures.

 

[thinckley]

This is marginally better than that one. Especially in walnut and blue.

https://www.shootingnewsweekly.com/...action-supreme-magaze-fed-rifle-draws-crowds/

 

[Mobuck]

That's a lot of scope for that sort of rifle.

 

[XUSNORDIE]

Actually that's an ideal scope if he's intending it as a primary predator rifle, which it is marketed as.

 

[The Norseman]

I'm always interested in Guns. Always liked
Ruger. Please definitely give a Range Report
when you shoot it.

One time at the range a guy was visiting
with me about guns. He seen my fancy
Winchester Mdl 70. I showed interest in
his Ruger plastic thing he was shooting.

He told me, oh it's just a cheap rifle I got
and appears to shoot good. Much to
his surprise I said, what do you mean
shoots ok? That rifle (his rifle) there is
a very accurate rifle, it probably can out
shoot mine. The way it's CNC machined and
bedded with that stable stock, you have
a good rifle there!

I bet his shooting greatly improved that
day. I meant what I said too. I believe
off the shelf Guns are so much better
today with CNC and advance materials
are that good.

 

[Mobuck]

"Actually that's an ideal scope if he's intending it as a primary predator rifle, which it is marketed as."
I know from past experience the capabilities and limitations of the 243 Win and IMHO, 15X isn't required to reach those capabilities.

 

[XUSNORDIE]

"Actually that's an ideal scope if he's intending it as a primary predator rifle, which it is marketed as."
I know from past experience the capabilities and limitations of the 243 Win and IMHO, 15X isn't required to reach those capabilities.

Are you thinking typical big game 100 gr 243 deer loads or 70/75 gr varmint/predator loads? The OP has a 3-18x50 optic. This is ideal. Low power for closer range shots, dial up more for the yotes that hang up and require longer shots. Not to mention the higher power is better for identification, especially at night with a kill light mounted on it. You can always dial down as the yote works in closer to the call.

Take a look at what the predator hunters rifles are wearing. Especially the tournament hunters. This is a very average power range for predator hunting.

Take a look at varmint hunters rifles and 18x is basically mid-range power.

 

[Mobuck]

If you say so.

 

[XUSNORDIE]

If you say so.

....As a matter of fact I do...

 

[Rumrunner]

I have an original American Predator in 243. Here is a picture of 3 different factory loads that I shot Monday.
It also shoots my 58 grain V-Max reloads very well, keeping them in 3/4" at 100 yards.

 

[Rumrunner]

Meant to add welcome from IL. Let us know how it does. I really want a Gen II in 223.

 

[Evan Colt]

I had newly purchased same article in all brown color and never mounted any for now. I'm also waiting for you result interestingly.

 

[Mobuck]

I'll toss out a proven comment: a hunter does not have to be able to count whiskers on the coyote's nose to make a fatal shot.

 

[Hvymax]

I love Rugers, I love the .243. But I do not like a lever action hunting rifle with a conventional stock that has magazine hanging below the stock. Ruger still makes them that way.

I suppose all of your pistols are Vaqueros

 

[Air-cooled]

The OPs rifle is a bolt action with detachable magazine....

Sorry, I meant bolt action....

 

[GySgtFTL]

Went to the range with the Ruger and the first two shots were about 18 inches high at 50 yards. After about six clicks the Burris elevation knob locked and wouldn't move. I think it was some kind of locking turret system or something and I didn't have the manual with me. I'm quite certain it was operator error. Regardless I sent it back and replaced it with a Steiner t6xi 3-18x56. I'll get back out there tomorrow and get it zeroed properly. (I actually read the manual this time.) I did get the Timney trigger installed and set at just under 2.5 lbs. Breaks clean.
The trip wasn't a total wash though, I also took my Remington 700 Long Range, .300 Win Mag out and got it zeroed. Now that's a great shooter.

 

[XUSNORDIE]

That Burris had Locking turrets (pull up to turn) and zero click stop so you can return to a preset zero. You still ended up with a nice piece of glass. I love a 56 bell as night predator hunting with scan lights and scope mounted kill light was my thing.

 

[Rumrunner]

Nice looking rig.