Ruger American Predator not grouping well help!

[TickTock]

Went to the range this morning to sight in & try to get some groups, all I can say is it was a huge disappointment. Can't upload pics unfortunately

First the rundown - RAP in 6.5G , DNZ game reaper mount, MEOPTA OPTIKA5 4-20x50, 3 port side discharge ebay muzzle brake. Trigger spring replaced sitting somewhere around 1.5-2lbs. Ammo is Hornady Black 123gr eld-m . Everything is tight from scope to mount to action screws and I can slide a dollar from the muzzle to the action

Shooting off bipod up front and sand bag in rear. Cleaned barrel took it to the range and once sighted shot a dismal 2.125" group, let the gun cool, I was extremely careful shooting & was able to get a 1.25" group..... Not happy

Came home, ate some breakfast had a cigarette & went back out tried to really shoot perfect. First group with cold bore was 2" even, Removed muzzle brake completely thinking it might be causing issues then shot a 1.25" group & poi was 6" higher & to the right 2" strangely enough, I let gun cool had another cig shot a 1.375 group with about a 10-15 mph side wind, didn't let gun cool down except long enough to load up the mag with 5 more rounds & shot a 2.125" group immediately after.

I use this same bipod & sand bad & shoot under 1/2" with my savage 223 bolt gun so I can't blame that.

What's going on here guys is it the gun just doesn't like this ammo? Did I get a lemon? I can't live with a gun that can't group better than this. I'm open to suggestions & obviously want to try different ammo but can't find any other kind locally

[Double Naught Spy]

Okay, so you tried your configuration of gear in 1 and only 1 setup and it doesn't group well and now you are wondering if you got a bad rifle or if it doesn't like the ammo? Literally everything in a build/rebuild/modication is suspect until you figure out what the problem is.

You could try several things.

1, try different ammo. You have tried only one type. Yes, the gun may not like that loading of the ammo, plain and simple. You wanted to know if it didn't like the ammo. One primary way to determine this is by finding other loads for the bullets or trying different ammo all together. There is a reason why reloaders do ladder testing for a specific gun and don't necessarily use the same load for every rifle they shoot of that caliber. I understand you can't find more locally. You may have to order online. However, there are several other things you could check which is pretty much everything else.
2, try a different shooter. We all have bad days and mental blocks.
3, don't shoot off the bipod. That you shoot other guns off the bipod does not matter because what happens on other guns isn't directly relevant here. You need to remove the potential bases for error and a bipod can be one of those. Use a sandbag up front. Your other additions are suspect by default until you find the problem.
4, replace the optics with something different. I know they are tight. That doesn't mean they aren't defective.
5, try shooting without the muzzle brake. Muzzle devices can and sometimes noticeably do influence the POI including group sizes with a particular load. Interesting that you said you got it off ebay. It may be your problem.

[grendelnubi]

Did you make sure the barrel is free floating? Mine showed to have sufficient clearance but I still sanded it down some.

The worst grouping mine has shot was 1.25" and that was during load development with the 120 eldm. I have never shot factory ammo in mine so I really can't give feedback regarding factory ammo accuracy.

Don't give up on it. It will shoot. I would run it without a muzzle device and try some different ammoif it were me.

[TickTock]

So the second time I went to the range I shot one group with the brake and the other 3 without it & there was no real difference in accuracy just poi. I have it soaking overnight with some wipeout. It was heavily streaked with copper when I got home despite being squeaky clean when I went out this morning, I know some will form but this seemed excessive. I'm going to shoot it tomorrow from a rest & see if removing the bipod changes things. I'm obviously going to try and find other ammo and eventually load for it just snowballing ideas right now

[LR1955]

So the second time I went to the range I shot one group with the brake and the other 3 without it & there was no real difference in accuracy just poi. I have it soaking overnight with some wipeout. It was heavily streaked with copper when I got home despite being squeaky clean when I went out this morning, I know some will form but this seemed excessive. I'm going to shoot it tomorrow from a rest & see if removing the bipod changes things. I'm obviously going to try and find other ammo and eventually load for it just snowballing ideas right now

TT:

Heavily fowled with copper after only a few rounds?

I suspect the barrel is poor quality. Ruger is not known for its barrels.

You can try to save it by cleaning out the copper and spending a couple of hours lapping it but I wouldn't waste the time on a Ruger barrel.

If it is the barrel, get rid of the Ruger barrel and replace it with a quality barrel.

LR-55

[kmon]

I would check for barrel stock for contact. Also I have not shot that model rifle, Is the stock stiff enough for good shooting with the bipod and are you loading the bipod?

[dpete]

I can slide a dollar from the muzzle to the action

He stated in the original post he could slide a dollar from muzzle to action. To me that indicates the stock is not touching the barrel while under no pressure. Whether that is true while using a bipod or sandbag is another matter.

[TickTock]

I went ahead and relieved the barrel channel some in case it's making contact when I am shooting like maybe I'm putting pressure on it then without knowing it. I've seen a bunch of these rifles shoot extremely well on the web so I'm a long way from ditching it. I'll definitely try getting the correct action screw torque as well. Also have some different ammo coming.

The way it was erratic with poi some leads me to think there may have been some stock pressure at play but I won't know until tomorrow morning when I get back to the range again.... Fingers crossed

[kmon]

I would try it loosely on sand bags on that range trip if what you have done does not get you there. I had a Winchester M70 in 223WSSM that the Tupperware stock was so flimsy forget it shooting with a bipod or even tight sling attached. Just cradled on sandbag it shot sub MOA, bipod more like 3 MOA.

[TickTock]

You may be on to something, I'm not a fan of the stock but right now I'm stuck with it. Might try stiffening the forearm in the future. I'm getting some Nosler and Barnes ammo to try. Not making excuses but I've personally not had any rifles that preferred Hornady ammo but I know others who swear by it.

I'll keep at it until something works

[Billinthedesert]

Any updates, TickTock?