As this guy demonstrates with his Ruger American Predator, you don't necessarily need a high end custom rifle to hit a target over a mile away.
Ruger attempted to capitalize on the success of their American line of budget rifles when they first unveiled the Ruger American Predator a few years ago.
That new line of bolt-action rifles have also been a big hit for their outstanding accuracy and YouTube is full of videos where shooters and hunters successfully make shots at really long ranges with a Ruger American Predator rifle.
This particular video shows a guy hitting a 36" steel plate a mile away (1,761 yards to be exact) with his American Predator hunting rifle chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor.
He was using an off the shelf moss green synthetic stock rifle with a few modifications like a cheek riser and a muzzle brake. He was shooting handloads using a 140gr Hornady ELD bullet (same as Hornady Match Ammo) pushed by H4350 powder for a muzzle velocity of 2,725 feet per second.
Watch the video to see him make the shot.
He's a pretty good marksman, right? I don't care who you are, but hitting a target over a mile away on your fifth shot with a $400 Ruger American Predator rifle is quite a feat. The varmints don't stand a chance now!
According to the video, it took 3.6 seconds for the bullet to reach the target. During that time, it slowed from 2,725 feet per second at the muzzle to just 933 feet per second at impact, and he needed to hold 1,750 inches (over 145 feet) above the target!
The 6.5 Creedmoor was originally designed for long range competition shooting and uses high BC bullets that are resistant to wind drift and retain energy very well. However, this video also shows why the really, really long range shooters like Bill Poor and the guys on the Hill Country Rifle Team use cartridges like the .375 and .408 CheyTac that retain even more energy at extreme range.
Out of the box, the Ruger comes with an adjustable trigger pull, a matte black threaded barrel, a picatinny scope base and more. Overall, the Ruger American Rifle Predator looks like a winner for anyone looking for an ergonomic rifle that offers exceptional accuracy at great distances. We're putting one on our wish list!
Like what you see here? You can read more great articles by John McAdams on The Big Game Hunting Blog. Follow him on Facebook, YouTube, & Instagram.
NEXT: CHECK OUT THIS SOUTH DAKOTA MULE DEER HUNT WITH A SUPPRESSED 6.5 CREEDMOOR
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