Just ordered a Ruger American Predator!

[TOP PREDATOR]

yeah been doing some more .243 rac research today, got to fondle a compact vs. full size, vs axis yesterday, i think the ruger is the way to go for my dedicated yote rifle.

with these new models coming out, especially in a few "interesting" calibers, i'd think ruger must have something in the works for a more stiff stock, maybe even a heavy barreled version.

though being a savage fan, i'm used to the tupperware type flimsyness. i just cut a good portion of the front off my savage factory stocks off, trim the sides up off the barrel, gets rid of the barrel contact and flex for sure.

good luck with that 308, from that other post with the group in it, it looks to be shooter.

 

[UCChris]

Sounds good Top Predator. I took a Dremel to my stock. Now the barrel is completely free floated, even with a bipod on it.

I'm getting the scope for a b-day present to myself, so I got another couple months to wait until I can take it out for the first shots.

The Ranch version looks awesome. I wouldn't be surprised if I ended up with one in 5.56. I already have a scope laying around for it...

I think it would be cool if a "Varmint" version came out. A truly heavy barrel contour on that gun would be sweet! I think the Predator is a perfect combination of heavier contour without making the gun overly heavy. Though, for a "Varmint" style rifle, a really heavy contour is awesome!

 

[shooterfpga]

Im more inclined to say 10x since it seems like you want a fixed scope. However with those short ranges a 6x might be better. Ultimately though i would recommend a variable scope.

 

[UCChris]

I originially wanted a 10x, and I think I still do. The reason I list 6x, 10x, and 12x is because those are the powers that the SWFA SS scope comes in. I think I will go with 10x on the .308 and a 6x when I can get a hold of a Ranch version in 5.56

 

[shooterfpga]

I figured it was because of swfa. Im from texas and the parts i always hunted in was always heavily wood except my trails and cutouts. I know for me personally to use a fixed 10 scope at the different distances i would come away with a lot less meat.

 

[UCChris]

Where it hunt it is low sagebrush and rolling hills. My shots are generally going to a minimum of 200 yards. I was more debating 10 vs 12, not so much 6 versus 10. Though the 6x sounds perfect for the 5.56 Ranch version.

 

[Forgetful Coyote]

Where it hunt it is low sagebrush and rolling hills. My shots are generally going to a minimum of 200 yards. I was more debating 10 vs 12, not so much 6 versus 10. Though the 6x sounds perfect for the 5.56 Ranch version.

Say sir whats your maximum distance usually looking like then?

Im like our Texas brother that posted earlier, my stompin grounds is nothin but thick woods with a few organized pine plantation areas with no brush and pretty good sight lines for a ways.

To get any real distance we gotta shoot over the water in the lake, roughly 250 yards x 600 yards in the widest and longest points. We also gotta uphill power line that gives a good line for 500 yards or so, outside of those two it aint nothing but little deer trails with a few treeless fields..

 

[UCChris]

Well, 800-1000 meter shots are not uncommon, nor far in between. But due to the limitations of the .308 round, my longest hunting shot will be 500-600 meters. Though, on anything coyote or smaller, I don't mind taking shots 800+ meters.

 

[TOP PREDATOR]

UCChris, just a couple of short barrel .308 to kick around

.308 HORNADY 165GR SST MOLY .447 BC

17" 1:10 SHORT BARREL
TRIM LENGTH 2.010
OAL 2.760 (some jump, for some reason my Savage barrel likes it since it was new)
FED 210 LR PRIMER
CHRONY 10FT FROM MUZZLE, 5 SHOT AVG.
82 Deg F. 85% hum.

IMR4064 - From testing the 110 vmax, 4064 seems to be slow to use in the short barrel. Didn't bother to try and eat up heads, doubt if i'd even get 2200 FPS.


IMR3031

37.5 GR 2263 FPS
38.5 GR 2344 FPS
39.5 GR 2391 FPS
40.5 GR 2465 FPS
41.5 GR 2501 FPS
42 GR max load in several books, I usually don't entertain that idea.

40.5 GR & 41.5 GR produced the best results


110GR .308 HORNADY VMAX MOLY .290 BC

17" 1:10 SHORT BARREL
TRIM LENGTH 2.010
OAL 2.710 (some jump, for some reason my Savage barrel likes it since it was new)
FED 210 LR PRIMER
CHRONY 10FT FROM MUZZLE, 5 SHOT AVG.
75 Deg F. 80% hum.

IMR4064 (39.5 produced the best groups, though very slow and considerable drop throughout the charge) APPROX 170 ROUNDS PER LB.

39 GR 2090 FPS
39.5 GR 2110 FPS
41 GR 2270 FPS
41.5 GR 2320 FPS
42 GR 2360 FPS
42.5 GR 2380 FPS
43 GR 2410 FPS

Couldn't get much more FPS out of the short barrel with this powder. Where this left off, IMR 3031 & 4198 picked up.

Using 4064 44 gr while cutting back the barrel:
22" 2670
20" 2570
19" 2527
17" 2420

IMR3031

41 GR 2408 FPS
42 GR 2507 FPS
43 GR 2576 FPS
44 GR 2671 FPS
45 GR 2771 FPS
46 GR Compressed load / max load in several books, I usually don't entertain that idea.

41 GR & 45 GR produced the best results

IMR4198

37 GR 2735 FPS
38 GR 2801 FPS
39 GR 2930 FPS
39.5 GR Compressed load / max load in several books, I usually don't entertain that idea.

39 GR produced the best results.