Ruger American Predator/ .223

R

reinert

New member
Hello Forum Folks,

I've been considering a possible purchase of a Ruger American Predator in .223 cal., and was wondering about the rotary magazine. Do these mags give the hand-loader enough room for proper bullet seating/free-bore adjustment for a custom hand-load? I know factory chambering has to do with the question, too.

Anyone out there hand-loading for one of these rifles? Good results?

Thanks for any comments,

reinert
 
I don't load for 223, but do have one of the standard rifles. Based on what I've read they do OK except for some of the very heaviest bullets seated out long. It may take me a while, but there was a detailed post on another forum a few months ago about this with instructions on modifying the magazine. If I can find it I'll pm you a link.
 
jmr,

Thanks for the reply. For the most part, and from what I've read and seen, the American does pretty well with factory ammo, at least in the .223. Any info is much appreciated. Never owned a .223, but thinking on it hard.

Thanks again,

reinert
 
I looked at the post I mentioned earlier and it wasn't exactly as I remembered. It was over a year old and someone was experimenting with an idea that apparently still hasn't been perfected so I'll not bother to provide the link. I've used Georgia Arms loads in 60, 68 and 77 gr with no issues in mine.

Overall I'm very pleased with my 223 Compact. I recently purchased a Predator in 308 and it is even better. The slightly heavier barrel seems to make a huge difference without adding too much extra weight and the newer stocks have been stiffened up.
 
The 2nd link posted by Taylorce1 is actually the one I had in mind earlier. He started working on this and the original post is a bit over a year old. As of the last post in that thread, about 6 weeks ago, they still aren't shipping anything. An interesting concept if they can get it figured out.
 
Thanks for posting, guys,

I believe when the time is right to purchase the Ruger Predator, I'd just start out with some factory ammo to get an idea of the ballpark I'm in. Being a reloader, dies, shell holder and etc. would come next (of course). I was in the local store last Monday, and was looking at the R. Americans they had there, and was truly impressed with the rifle and the price; didn't know they had a rotary mag, either (at least not the center-fire versions).

Last March I bought an American in .22lr (full 22" barreled version) and am thoroughly taken with it. It is far from being broken in yet, but the last time I had it at the range, I had 10 consecutive shots in .75" @ 50 yds. off the bench (topped with a 4X Nikon rimfire glass) . I am very happy with that, and danged if a guy cant' get some .22 ammo these days, to boot. I also see .223 ammo is quite available too, and it isn't all that pricey at this time if you shop a bit. Hence, I like to think I'll be getting the .223 fairly soon.

I've also got my original 10/22 that I got as a kid back in the mid-sixties and since the magazines will exchange with the new American .22 bolt gun, I just had to have one. It's a good one.

Thanks for the posts, and if and when (just a matter of when) I get the .223, I'll let ya'll know how it shoots.

reinert
 
I have experience with several RAR in 223. From this I can say the rifle is capable of outstanding accuracy.
For me, the issue is not whether the mag can handle longer or heavier bullets (it does have its limit) but the lead of the chamber. What you have to take into account is the Ogive of the bullet being used and where it hits the rifling. The chambers on mine dictate the OAL of the cartridge. Of the three I've worked with all require shortened OAL for best accuracy. Not a big problem so far as the heaviest bullets I've loaded are 65 gr. SGK. Just cycled a magazine of factory Hornady Match 75 gr. BTHP and they seated fine also. This may be a long bullet IDK but the Ogive looks to be Taylored for the 223 chamber.
I have had chambering issue 55 gr. Tula and Monarch 223. Cartridge OAL is fine but the Ogive (where the bullet meets the rifling) is too long for the lead.
Granted, all of mine were and are (still have one) are early production and I think Ruger may have started to chamber for 5.56 on recent rifles but I'm not sure. If so the magazine will quickly become a limiting factor when using longer bullets.
 
Hey Sg,

Never had a need for a .22 center-fire, but now in Wyoming a person can use one for deer and antelope if you use it with a 60 grn. bullet (minimum) and a 2" overall cartridge length. I figure the Ruger American in .223 would fill the bill nicely for late season, additional whitetails (doe/fawn).

I looked at them again yesterday, and I find myself leaning more towards the standard American with the 22" barrel instead of the predator. The threaded muzzle for a suppressor seems a nice feature (predator), but really, I'd never even consider needing one. I found out the hoops to jump through and the price of one is just not a needful deal for me.

I like the idea of tinkering with that little cartridge to find a good hand-load to whack a whitetail with come next December. With tax and all, the rifle should come in below 400 bucks; well within my budget for a new gun. From what I've seen locally, everything for .223 hand-loads are on the self at the stores, too. Great to see that lately.

reinert
 
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