How does this video not have more engagement right now? This was a great comparison video. My dad’s got two gen 1 Americans - one in 22-250, and another in 25-06. Both group like precision rifles. I just picked up a Ranch in 5.56, but I haven’t grouped it yet. I’m debating whether or not to get a Timney for it first. I put a 1-8 Vortex Strike Eagle SFP on it, but eventually I want to get a thermal for night time coyote hunting.
My gen 1 30-06 came with a rail and I've never had feeding issues like a lot of people say. The bolt does make a slight zipper sound but it's not nearly as loud as I've heard in some videos. Great accuracy with Remington Core Lokt 150gr. Looking forward to getting a gen 2 when the price is right.
I went to pick up a gen 2 last week I wanted to try it out this hunting season but I struggled to put the magazine into the rifle at the gun store . So I said no thanks . Cant have that. It has to work flawlessly. So its back to my gen1 . Way faster to snap the mag in and go.
Honestly I'm impressed with how well the Gen 1 grouped. I'm not sure if it's because you had it longer and the barrel was well seasoned but damn those looked good.
I don't get the compaints about the "zipper noise". In my experience and observation, it's the exception to even get one follow-up shot on a deer with a bolt action. What's the "zipper noise" going to do that the sound of the first shot hasn't already done? Besides, I took some 0000 steel wool to a noisy ranch bolt. It took five minutes to make it silent and slick.
My Gen 2 trigger wouldn't go lower than 3.5 lbs also. I clipped the trigger spring a little at a time until I could get it to 2.5 lbs. I never messed with the adjustment screw so I could probably get it lower but 2.5 lbs is enough for a hunting rifle for me.
I have now had 3 Ruger American rifles. I first got the standard model and shot my first deer with it. I traded it for a predator. Got a used Hunter later. For how often get to shoot, they perform well and I’ve never felt like I needed an upgrade. They definitely have some cut corners, but nothing that can’t be worked with. They made a budget rifle with an excellent barrel. I don’t know what they did differently with the gen II, but most of what I hear makes me think they lost their magic
The big improvement is that they beveled the sharp edge leading up to the chamber, in the Gen 2. Makes it much more reliable for feeding. The first gen is not a dependable rifle - I’ve had feeding issues with every one I owned.
@@helterskelter156my gen 1 Go Wild model runs great and has good accuracy (about 0.7-1 MOA reliably on 3 shot groups). Mine also does not make a zipper sound like many complain about.. I polished my bolt lol
@@TheCodyO Don’t care about the zipper sound. All RARs I’ve ever handled had great accuracy, but failed to feed reliably unless you’re extremely diligent with the bolt. I’m not sure if you’ e hunted with your rifle, or just shot off the bench. If you’ve not hunted or run into situations where your adrenaline is rushing and you cannot work the bolt with certain care, then you may have not encountered a problem with your rifle. You could also have gotten very lucky, and gotten a good one.
My gen 1 standard 7mm-08 does not have the rotary mag. Thank goodness. It's a "308" short-action standard flush mount that holds four rounds. Just bought it this year.
@@Bullets4Bucks Also, bought a predator in 6mm creedmoor that had an AI mag. Hated it. They sent me a new AI mag-well and AI mag because it wouldn't feed and they threw in a free flush mount mag-well because I mentioned that I wanted to change it out. Ended up having to send everything back for them to fix it but they still sent all the extra stuff back with the repaired rifle. After some thought, I'm going to sell the Predator because I have a 7mm-08 American Standard. The ballistics are close enough (the 08 has up to 200 more foot-pounds) out to 300 yards that I feel, for my purposes, having the 6 is redundant. Point is, they still have standard surface mount mag-wells that fit the gen 1 predators, standards and ranches if anyone wants to swap their rotary or AI out for a standard flush mount. I think they may have the same for the gen 2s as well. It may depend on the caliber. But getting and swapping the short action surface mount standard mag well wasn't a problem. The gen 1 mag wells may fit in the gen 2s for all I know. The wells for the gen 1s were only around $25 and change last I heard, but they're not listed on their site. You have to contact Ruger.
How was the Gen 2 sighted in? I'm in lower Alabama so I MIGHT take a 200yd shot. Most shots around 100 125yd range. But all my rifle are sighted in dead on at 100. Thinking bout getting this Gen 2 and setting it up for longer shots
What would be your suggestion for a step up in reliability and accuracy. I can spend up to 50% more. I also have this rifle and am sub moa at 500 yards with it. 22 inch barrel on the magpul 700 stock with a vortex venom 5×25
Pretty nice comparison between the two Generations. I like all of the upgrades of the Gen 2 even though it’s not perfect. I am waiting for the release of the lefty models at Shot Show. Not sure 🤔 yet which cartridge that I want to get.
Hey that Gen 1 looks like it has the Tikka fold over the loading face is it harder to load or drop in shingle rds as compared to a open loading face like the Rem 700s
@@Bullets4Bucks I go to Sportsman's warehouse often and told them I wanted one in the Predator model. Went in a month ago, walked out with one. Love it!!! I also have an AR plus 6.5 Grendel and it uses the same AR style mag. I did swap the trigger for a TImney
Always wonder how much you shoot these before accuracy testing. I had to shoot about 4 boxes of ammo through gen 1 predator before it calmed down. I wouldn't think the gen 2 would be much different in break in need.
