Ruger American Predator .223 Rem Upgrades

[chzhd]

My father-in-law won this rifle in a charity auction and gave it to me so my soon to be 12yo son can use it to start learning the fundamentals. I know it's not the best rifle to choose but the price was right for me. The first trip to the range with it was very underwhelming. Granted, I was feeding it relatively cheap ammo (Winchester M193) and I was having to hover my head to get a decent view through the scope, but I expected at worst 1" groups at 100yds. It was closer to 1.5" groups.

I just ordered some Berger match ammo and I have some Prime ammo I want to try but I need to fix the stock issue. Can someone please suggest a better stock option that I can drop this into? I would prefer something with an adjustable cheek riser so its easier to switch between my son and I.

Thanks,

T

Edit: Before anyone questions whether I am capable of shooting better than 1.5 MOA at 100yds, I usually shoot my AI AX in 308 using 175 FGMM around 1/4 MOA. I consider myself a competent average shooter, not advanced by any means but certainly better than 1.5 MOA.

 

[bigdaddydmd]

Magpul hunter works pretty well for it. I have one of the ruper american predator .223s. getting mags is a pita and I had to redneck engineer a few Ruger AI mags to work with it. Magpul keeps saying they will release AI style .223 mags that work with their hunter stock, but they have been pushing that line for a couple years now. If I did it over again I would look hard at the MDT Oryx chassis system. Make sure you research if MDT .223 AI mags will work in their chassis with the ruger american predator. That .223 mag issue with the Ruger is a pain in the ass. I believe boyds makes wood stocks and the AT-one for the american rifle series that can still incorporate the plastic ruger rotary mags.

 

[gopherslayer]

Foam and duct/hockey tape for the comb. How high are your rings that you’re hovering?

That ammo isn’t the best. I’d be happy with 1.5” groups. Shit ammo and a $400 gun. Not the best recipe for killing flies on your target.

 

[Triple D]

You expected ammo that should shoot 1.5-2.5” groups to shoot 1”?

That’s the immediate problem.

 

[spife7980]

For my ruger 223 I opted for the oryx when it came out as it was basically the only option to use aics mags.

The one sticking point is that in an American with 223 sized cases you need to use accurate mag aics with the extended lips. Accurate mag had me order a normal 223 metal mag but add in the comments to specify that I wanted the extended plastic feed model as they don’t differentiate on the order form. If you use the normal one it will release the rounds before the bullet has started into the chamber so you lose all control of the case and it smacks into the barrel breech.

The magpul hunter uses a different than normal sized mag well location so it doesn’t work with 223 regardless of what you do to try and help, it won’t feed reliably.

That said, shitty ammo will always shoot shitty. Don’t base all of your judgements on poor ammo selection.

 

[Potsy]

Pard has had 2 Ranch Rifle .223’s that both shot very well. FWIW, Fiocchi 50 grain Vmax loads shoot so well he doesn’t bother hand loading for it. As his wife pretty well made the first one hers, she requested a trade when she found out the same rifle could be had with an AR mag arrangement, which is at least less of a PIA to load.
The American’s rotary magazine has always sucked and the .223 painfully so, given it’s confines relegate mag feeding to AR length ammo and fitting any AI arrangement is costly. The Wylde throat and 8” twist have far more potential than the feeding system will allow.
That said, I’ve seen guys Dremel/file out the rear inside of the mag to gain enough OAL for 75 ELD’s.
Edited to add: Just looked on Ruger’s website, and they’re not showing any American .223’s that do not run AR mags.

 

[chzhd]

You expected ammo that should shoot 1.5-2.5” groups to shoot 1”?

That’s the immediate problem.

I didn't expect 1/2 MOA groups with this ammo but I also wasn't expecting 1.5 MOA either. I have shot 1 MOA groups with this ammo out of my AR-15 so I was at least expecting that.

If I can get this rifle to shoot decent groups with better ammo than I may look into the MDT XRS or LSS stock. Otherwise it will the the foam and duct tape treatment.

 

[mgoodrich]

Build & Price Gunstock Configurator | Boyds Hardwood Gunstocks

Shop hardwood gunstocks for any make, model, and action with the Boyds Gunstock Configurator. Choose from several wood and finish options.

www.boydsgunstocks.com

LSS Gen2 Chassis

Our LSS Chassis converts your rifle to an external box magazine fed rifle, while improving accuracy, and giving the rifle superior ergonomics.

mdttac.com

Boyds has the one stock that I would have bought if it had been available at the time I purchased mine. I have a 243 and a 6.5 creedmore american predator. So might want to consider that one, but I do not have one myself.

I replaced my stocks with the MDT LSS system and both guns shoot well typically 1" moa on a bad day. Have gotten better groups when I do my part.

I also bought the oryx stock to try out, just haven't decided which gun to mount on it, or get a new one. Was trying to find a 6mm creedmore for it.

 

[trdjohn]

if you can swing the scratch for a chassis that's the way to go, if you're unsure if your kid will get into shooting, and need cheap alternative to get cheek riser then there is Matthew's Fabrication Adjustable Kydex Cheek Rest Riser... I had one and it worked well, was solid