07-02-2022, 11:40 PM
(This post was last modified: 07-02-2022, 11:46 PM by grendelnubi.)
Just wanted to give an update on my recent Ruger American Predator 6.5 Grendel. I am stoked to say the least.
I started off shooting my previous 8208 123 SST load I development for my 18" AR and it did really well a .7" group at 100 yards. Best with the 18" was 1.16" . It never really liked the SST much so I had an unopened box on the shelf.
I decided to use AR Comp and new Starline brass I have never used before. Ended up with a 27.8gr load at 2455 fps. I was a little disappointed in the velocity but it's all I need for the SST. I did want to shoot it at a little longer distances to see how it worked. In times past I have actually seen better groups at 200 vs 100 yards.
100 yards, .8" group. Group was high 1.8" (how I want it) and a little to right. I use a 36 - 190yd zero for my hunting rifles.
250 yards, 1.8" group. Made a slight adjustment to center the point of impact and dialed it in with .8 mils of elevation.
500 yards, 2.9" group. 3.7 mils of elevation for this one.
It was a very hot day, upper 90's, maybe lower 100's and windy. I shot off of bags on a plastic fold up table in the middle of a pasture, kneeling. I never really felt comfortable for any shot.
At 250 yards my target fell over twice because the ground was so hard I couldn't stick the stand in ground. I use a metal sign stand, the kind you stick in your yard. Ended up propping it up with a tree limb to keep it from failing over.
Also had some issues at 500 yards.
- The stick on 12x12 splatter target flew off, probably due to the heat and the wind was gusty. I shot this group just aiming at a location on the target.
- Lower half of target was obstructed by tall grass. In looking at the point of impact, the bullet arc made it past the grass without any affect. 500 yards is too far for me to trek to correct these issues.
For reference I added a square stick on target for the 500 yard target after retrieving it.
Not a really good comfy day for me to be out shooting, but hey, there was a chance of rain and possible cloud cover so I had to go. Neither worked out however.
Overall I believe it will do better at 250 and 500 yards which is well past my abilities. I am very pleased with this rifle. It's a dream to load developed for and has met every expectation I had regarding accuracy. I was hopeful for a little more velocity but hey it shoots the 123 SST really well.
Mods I have done to the rifle. I reduced the trigger to around 2lbs. Need to recheck it now that I have several hundred rounds thru it. I added epoxy to the front of the stock and sanded it down to improve the barrel float. I am thinking of doing a camo pattern rattle can paint job on the stock and call it a day.
I do have a weird issue using my Hornady brass however. They sometimes will fail to eject, I have to push the bolt back in and turn it down to grab the case. These brass however has over 10 reloads and could be wearing out that is why I decided to use the Starline brass I had sitting away. So far it appears to be working just fine.
I received a lot of feedback to my inquiry when deciding to purchase and I appreciate the feedback. I think I got a good one. I personally would not hesitate to buy another Ruger American. Maybe stick with a 16 inch barrel to make it more suppressor friendly.
I started off shooting my previous 8208 123 SST load I development for my 18" AR and it did really well a .7" group at 100 yards. Best with the 18" was 1.16" . It never really liked the SST much so I had an unopened box on the shelf.
I decided to use AR Comp and new Starline brass I have never used before. Ended up with a 27.8gr load at 2455 fps. I was a little disappointed in the velocity but it's all I need for the SST. I did want to shoot it at a little longer distances to see how it worked. In times past I have actually seen better groups at 200 vs 100 yards.
100 yards, .8" group. Group was high 1.8" (how I want it) and a little to right. I use a 36 - 190yd zero for my hunting rifles.
250 yards, 1.8" group. Made a slight adjustment to center the point of impact and dialed it in with .8 mils of elevation.
500 yards, 2.9" group. 3.7 mils of elevation for this one.
It was a very hot day, upper 90's, maybe lower 100's and windy. I shot off of bags on a plastic fold up table in the middle of a pasture, kneeling. I never really felt comfortable for any shot.
At 250 yards my target fell over twice because the ground was so hard I couldn't stick the stand in ground. I use a metal sign stand, the kind you stick in your yard. Ended up propping it up with a tree limb to keep it from failing over.
Also had some issues at 500 yards.
- The stick on 12x12 splatter target flew off, probably due to the heat and the wind was gusty. I shot this group just aiming at a location on the target.
- Lower half of target was obstructed by tall grass. In looking at the point of impact, the bullet arc made it past the grass without any affect. 500 yards is too far for me to trek to correct these issues.
For reference I added a square stick on target for the 500 yard target after retrieving it.
Not a really good comfy day for me to be out shooting, but hey, there was a chance of rain and possible cloud cover so I had to go. Neither worked out however.
Overall I believe it will do better at 250 and 500 yards which is well past my abilities. I am very pleased with this rifle. It's a dream to load developed for and has met every expectation I had regarding accuracy. I was hopeful for a little more velocity but hey it shoots the 123 SST really well.
Mods I have done to the rifle. I reduced the trigger to around 2lbs. Need to recheck it now that I have several hundred rounds thru it. I added epoxy to the front of the stock and sanded it down to improve the barrel float. I am thinking of doing a camo pattern rattle can paint job on the stock and call it a day.
I do have a weird issue using my Hornady brass however. They sometimes will fail to eject, I have to push the bolt back in and turn it down to grab the case. These brass however has over 10 reloads and could be wearing out that is why I decided to use the Starline brass I had sitting away. So far it appears to be working just fine.
I received a lot of feedback to my inquiry when deciding to purchase and I appreciate the feedback. I think I got a good one. I personally would not hesitate to buy another Ruger American. Maybe stick with a 16 inch barrel to make it more suppressor friendly.