Ruger American Predator 6.5 Creedmoor Matte Black Bolt Action Rifle

The Ruger American...

The Ruger American Predator with Stainless Steel barrel is a solid budget hunting rifle. The ability to use AI pattern magazines is a positive, as is the threaded muzzle for easy attachment for a muzzle brake or suppressor. The stock is nothing special, but should be fine for hunting. The trigger, from the factory, is very heavy, I replaced the trigger return spring with an MCARBO unit and dropped the weight down to about 2.5 lbs with a crisp break. Accuracy is excellent for a factory rifle. Using some loads I had on hand mine printed right at MOA for five shot groups. I'm sure the rifle could do better with a specific load workup. The barrel heats up quick, and I noticed some "group drift" with heat. Had I known how thin the barrel is, it's definitely a "sporter" profile and not a "heavy sporter" profile, I would have purchased the Ruger American Hunter model, with the heavier barrel and muzzle brake already installed, as the 2" of barrel length advantage the Predator has is meaningless in the field. The rifle came drenched in oil from the factory, but I needed to apply grease to the bolt lugs and cocking cam surfaces to eliminate the feel of metal on metal galling. If you need a budget, lightweight, accurate hunting rifle, this is a good one. If you are looking for a target rifle, this is probably not the best option.