Ruger American Gen 2 Thoughts

[Hunterjohnny]

I have been looking at this rifle in a 6.5 Creedmoor.  I am old school and have always had 270's but have an itch to try something new out for a bit.  Do any of you have this rifle and have any opinions of it?  Seems like a solid gun with good reviews.  I know folks on here have a lot more experience and knowledge on rifles so I figured see what everyone thinks. I like the spiral fluted barrel even though I don't heat up barrels enough to matter I guess that is  more looks.  It has a muzzle brake which I like.  I have had many Ruger pistols and like them a lot.  But mostly Weatherby rifles.  So any thoughts are welcome, thanks.

[dsotm]

I'd prefer a Howa around the same price point

[bigorange]

Not the same rifle but I’ve been very pleased with the American Predator. I know some other folks with higher end Rugers who are very pleased as well. 

[Hunterjohnny]

2 hours ago, bigorange said:

Not the same rifle but I’ve been very pleased with the American Predator. I know some other folks with higher end Rugers who are very pleased as well. 

I was trying to see the difference in the two, 2" on the barrel is all I'm seeing.  I will look at those a little more.

Thanks

[Tnix308]

I have the gen 2 in 7 prc and like it. I put a Timney trigger in it and it shoots great. The only draw back I have found is the 20 inch barrel looses some velocity. The rifle is well built and feels great. Shot a whitetail this year at 476 and I worked like a charm. Hope this helps.

[Calamado_Guey]

I am also looking at getting one this year in 6.5 or 7mm-08. I’ve shot .264 win mag for 40 plus years and looking to try something different. A friend bought one a couple years ago and he likes everything about it. 

[CatfishKev]

They seem to have a lot of bang for the buck but if lean towards the gen 2 predators cuz they have 22" barrels.  Want one in 6.5prc but haven't seen any.  If I can't find one I'm probably gonna go with the weatherby cerakoted badlands version.  

[PRDATR]

1 hour ago, Tnix308 said:

I have the gen 2 in 7 prc and like it. I put a Timney trigger in it and it shoots great. The only draw back I have found is the 20 inch barrel looses some velocity. The rifle is well built and feels great. Shot a whitetail this year at 476 and I worked like a charm. Hope this helps.

Check out this Rabbit Hole.

https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/7mm-prc-short-barrel.292298/page-8

[maximus]

i have a Tikka t3ctr 20 inch barrel in 6.5 creed and shoots lights out, speed is 2735.

[Tnix308]

2 hours ago, PRDATR said:

Check out this Rabbit Hole.

https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/7mm-prc-short-barrel.292298/page-8

You’re not kidding on the rabbit hole, great info. I’m shooting factory Hornady 180 matches and it really likes them. Thanks for the info. 

[Hoss50]

My son had a Gen1 Predator and it was a nice rifle. I am seriously considering getting a Gen 2 in 6mm ARC for a bench/steel/deer gun. 

They have alot to offer for the price point, and Rugers usually shoot really well. 

My buddies kid has a Gen 1 Predator in 6.5cm. I loaded a test load of 120gr Barnes TTSX in it, and his son fired a 3 shot group. It was 1 football shaped hole. It was wild to see an 11yr old who is a decent shooter just smash a group like that with a $500 rifle. 

[SO I HUNT]

I have gen. 2 and it’s been a great rifle for the money. Mine is the 300 blackout.

[Stray Horse]

I would get a Tikka.  

[Hunterjohnny]

Thanks for all the replies.  I appreciate it. I might be leaning towards the Predator now, we'll see what sales come up or what the classified gods reveal.

[07Guardian]

I've had a couple gen 1 22" predator's in 6.5 creedmoor that are both great guns.  Have since passed them on to family members to get them shooting more and build confidence.  Both of them shoot factory precision hunter ammo in half inch groups at 100 yards.  As with all Ruger Americans, the stocks are pretty flimsy and prone to warp/contact the barrel.  With both these creedmoors (and a 308 and 5.56 ranch rifle I still have), I wrapped some sand paper around a deep socket and opened up the barrel channel.   Then, I filled the holes in the honey comb area with JB Weld(not JB Quick!) to stiffen the front of the stock.  Not bedded, just stiffened fore end, leaving barrel free floated.  Worked great on all 4 guns.  No warping or barrel contact since.

Brother in law bought a 20" gen II creedmoor for his wife for Christmas.   I mounted the scope and did barrel break in, then tested some ammo through it.  It shot the precision hunter factory ammo at 1.5".  Hornady american gunner 140 grain was 1/2" and two hand loads built for other guns were sub moa.  It's a shooter.  Ceracoat is a very nice upgrade.   The stock texture is a small upgrade but this gen II stock is just as flexible and came warped right out of the box.  I personally would take the brake off and shoot it without because I'm much more blast sensitive than recoil sensitive.  If you don't mind the blast, the break made the already mild creedmoor feel about like the 5.56 ranch rifle to me. I found the AICS style mag a real PITA to both load ammo in it and then to seat it in the rifle.  I much prefer the flush fit rotary mags in the gen 1 Americans.  The adjustable comb and LOP option were nice to fit the rifle to her.  But, the kits for making these adjustments are an additional expense.  The Gen II  bolt is noticeably smoother and quieter than the gen one rifles.  The gen II three postion safety is nice as well.

Unless wanting a barrel shorter than 22", I would still pick a gen 1 over gen 2 mainly because that gen II magazine was very aggravating.  Find a gun store with each in stock and go compare the two.  You can sometimes find gen ones on sale around $400.  I got my 18" gen one 308 for $420 including tax and FFL fee when grabagun.com had them on sale.

I don't think you can go wrong with a Ruger American but @Stray Horse gave you the best advice........just get a Tikka!   Buying my Tikka Creedmoor is what inspired me to pass the Rugers on to family members