Ruger American Predator .308 Review - Ideal Hunting Rifle

Let’s talk about the Ruger American Predator Rifles. I am excited to do this review - because we just spent an amazing week with this particular rifle . If you want to summarize it all in one sentence - I recommend this rifle immediately to anyone looking for a very accurate, lightweight and affordable bolt action rifle.

I first recommended these to a family member a few years ago when I helped him chose his first hunting rifle while attending college in a Mountain State.

This year, was my sons first year to hunt - and after considering some options - the Ruger American won as the rifle we chose.

The rifle features a 3-5 pound, crisp adjustable trigger, full diameter three lug bolt leaving no wobble and a solid consistent engagement, a short 70 degree bolt throw with dual cocking cams, hammer forged free float barrel, integral bedding blocks molded into the stock, tang safe and a flush fit 4 round magazine. The muzzle is threaded allowing the installation of brakes, and or suppressors.

After mounting a Vortex HP Diamondback 2-8x32 my dad (his grandfather) and I, as well as my son proved that this rifle was sub-moa out of the box and not even with prime ammunition yet. After a zero - we set off to hunt on the great plains for some big bodied and heavy Mule Deer. Arriving in the hunting region - we wanted to re-confirm zero. At 100 yards the young man was able to center punch a makeshift target with ease.

Opening day was a blast as we scurried about in the breaks and coulees. The lightweight rifle with the 18” barrel was easily wielded by the youth hunter as well as being big enough for him to grow into and use for a lifetime. I know this review is not about the scope but - get one.

Spotting a decent buck at well over 500 yards, we began to put on a sneak. We were only able to crawl to within 390 yards without blowing our cover and being spotted. Using my pack as a rest, and using the dead hold BDC, the young man sent a 168 grain 308 Hornady Amax through both lungs, quickly killing the large buck. We watched as the buck rolled down the bluff - elated and overcome with excitement.