There are so many rifles I wanted over the years and the trigger is what kept my CC in my wallet. After pulling Jewel triggers at 1 pound for 25 years, there's no going back with one exception, the factory Tikka trigger aftermarket springs will get those down to 1.5 or less. I'm pretty sure I'd buy a Ruger Gen 2 if I could get a trigger for it that would pull 1.5 pounds or less. You guys make fun videos. Really enjoy them. Thanks again.
I just bought a gen 2 predator. The trigger is super light. I haven't measured it but it feels to be about 1.5 or less. You don't have to buy an entire trigger to change it just a cheap spring. That's what sold me. I don't think I'm going to mess with my trigger it's so nice.
It’s amazing, this video just popped into my feed and I never researched anything. The thing is, I did just buy a Ruger GenII 223 Standard and 308 Predator 😮
I got REM Gen2 Predator with a Magpul Hunter STANAG chassis and have been gathering different ammo to see what mine likes when I head out to the range, at 25yds everything is good, but I want to check farther out. I had seen the videos for the .308 and now this, damn! THX and keep up the work.
I just got the Ruger American Gen 2 Predator .223 yesterday. I mounted an Arken Sh4J 6-24x scope and bi-pod. Unfortunately the weather was crappy today so I did not get out to sight it in. Looking forward to good weather on one of my days off this coming week so I can try it out. I also could not get my trigger lower than about 3.5 lbs. Maybe it will be ok, Have to see how it shoots first, maybe get a new trigger for it.
Thanks Guys! I have the Gen I Ranch in 5.56 and I found that the Hornady Frontier 68 grain in 223 works really well. I did pick up a box of these in 5.56 to do a comparison between the two. I didn't chrono test for spread or deviation I'm just going by group size at 100 yards. I just re-scoped this rifle the a couple of days ago and I have not had the chance to get it on the bench yet. I had an old Tasco 3-9 power and my eyes just need a little more help so I put a Monstrum 6-24 x50 with 30mm tube on it. I bought the gun for nothing more than range plinking, but it could be a back up hunting rifle if need be. I like that MDT stock and would love to put it on my rifle for sure.
My one complaint is that it is 223 only. Can't use 5.56 ammo, but 223 match grade stuff seems to be pretty numerous, so it's not a big complaint. We have a video coming out next Friday on why FPS spread is just as important as group size. It's tough to get consistent factory ammo, but you can definitely figure out what to expect from from it. Most people don't reload so we kinda taylor the content to the average person and what they would be doing.
I recently bought a Ruger gen II classic in 223. It loves the Fiocchi 40gr V max. All groups less than 1" closer to 1/2". I know the 1 in 8 twist should love the heavier bullets but not so much in mine anyway.
I had a 223 Rugar stainless in the eightys. It was one of a kind. At 100 yards it would hit dimes. An incident that wasn't what I thought it was made me sell it. Wonder where it is today?
Either I missed the part or you did not mention on what distance you shoot. Nice and informative video by the way, very rare that American UA-camrs go for accuracy instead of "awesome steel plate magazine dumps" :)
I've taken my gen2 223 out to 700 so far . Have it bedded in boyds at1 stock , dropped some lower power trigger springs in it . Great shooter . Honestly the best grouping round I've ran through it is 60 gr vmax. I've tried eldm 73gr , 77 and 69 otm and ppu 75 gr . The 60 gr vmax groups the tightest for my particular sample of the rifle. .60-75 moa 5 shot groups . Everything else I've tried runs 1-1.5moa.
We are loving our gen ii. Just upgraded the trigger to a timney that pulls just under 2lb. For whatever reason our stock trigger wouldn't go under 3.5lb and it was just too heavy for what we like. Testing some 69 grain SMK and tmk hand loads soon.
Is that the Gen II Predator with the green stock? If so I got the same one but the cerekote looks more coyote tan than mine that looks more gold or bronze. That MDT stock looks great!
Nice rig! I'm actually getting ready to build a gen ii 308 myself. Your videos have provided great insight. Finding gen ii 308 footage is challenging. Most are about 6.5 Creedmore. That 223 is definitely clean. What distance are y'all shooting? Great video!!
Aprreciate your comment. We are shooting just at 100 yards in this video, but next Friday we have a video shooting at 300 yards and 650 yards with this rig. We demonstrate why we chose the ammo we chose.
I've always believed that the Hornady Black, American Gunner, Frontier, and Match series ammo were the same load because of their advertised velocities, bc are the same per bullet, and that it was just marketing strategy to create the different product lines. They 68 and 75 gr shoot good (including handloads) from my 16" 5.56 chambered Mossberg MVP, slightly favoring the 75. But that deeper throat of the 5.56 chamber really seems to shoot best with any loadings using the Sierra 77 MK bullet, Fiocci makes a good Match version. From watching your videos on this Ruger Gen2, I'm starting to fall in love with these things. Incredibly accurate! I just need to decide on what caliber to get. Is this the Predator model with the 22" barrel?
I have a question. When you purchased your Ruger 223 did the stock have a push button mag release? So when you put the new stock on did that MDT stock come with the AI mag release.
Yes exactly. The chassis had everything you needed. It took about 20 min or less. Basically if you have a screw driver and punch tools it's pretty simple. The side button in the original stock is part of the stock, and the mdt comes with its own mag release system.
I've got one in 243.. 3/4 MOA at 100 with 75gr vmax(3290fps) and 90gr ELD-X ( 2971fps ) .. factory ammo.. shoot off a bag.. not bipods.. it will yield better accuracy
I’ve wanted a chassis for mine, but don’t want added weight. I hike back into state mountains to hunt. What a good light weight chassis for the RA gen ii?
Honestly the stock chassis is great on the gen ii. I have a 308 also and the mdt was originally going to go there, but same story, I wanted less weight.
They are Caldwell target stands. You can find them at any sporting goods store or Amazon. They don't do well when it's super windy though. I've upgraded to some different stands, but they are affordable and do in a pinch.
Well heck boys. I lucked out with my .223 Gen 2 Predator and it shoots sub-MOA at 200 yards. Been thinking about putting it in the MDT Field Stock and putting a brake on it. Basically exactly what you're doing here! How rigid is that foreend? Good enough with the medium light profile Predator barrel? Also, which magazine were you running? The AICS .223 magazines are known to be a bit finicky
I added an arca rail and accutac bipod and it's very rigid. Love the field stock also. I am running and have had good luck with the polymer aics 223 mag.
@@BaldGuysWithGuns Awesome, thanks man! I have the MDT metal mag with extended feed lips. Think I'm gonna snag the Field Stock. I've been waffling between that or the XRS stock for weeks
@@BaldGuysWithGuns was the .308 a 22 inch barrel as well. The reason for the questions is that I am researching to purchase these two rifles. Thanks for the quick responses tp my questions. I think I have watched them all about three times each.
The 308 is the standard gen ii. So 20 inch barrel. I've heard good things about the 223 for both barrel lengths. I got the predator cuz it was on sale for the same price as the standard and it has a burnt bronze cerekote. No other special reason.
@@BaldGuysWithGuns one last question. Are you happy with that 20inch barrel length in the 308 or would you preferred a 22 inch barrel.? After watching your 1000 yard shooting it would seem either would be fine, but for hunting the 20 inch would be better choice.
I'm happy with the 20 inch barrel. Now that I have the right ammo, it shoots great. Not sure if you saw the video where we went out 1000 and the wind was actually cooperating, I went 4/10 but I didn't even get on target till shot 5. Once on target I went 4/5 on a 10 inch plate.
I'm actually looking into the timney for a replacement. Since I could only get the trigger down to 3 and 1/2 lb pull I was a bit disappointed. Timney already makes a single stage 2lb trigger for this rifle. I'm very close to dropping the coin for it. I will say this trigger does break quite nicely, but it's a bit heavy.
For a sub $600 gun people should not be complaining about a single thing on this rifle. If you do your job so will the rifle. Well done Ruger.
There are so many rifles I wanted over the years and the trigger is what kept my CC in my wallet. After pulling Jewel triggers at 1 pound for 25 years, there's no going back with one exception, the factory Tikka trigger aftermarket springs will get those down to 1.5 or less. I'm pretty sure I'd buy a Ruger Gen 2 if I could get a trigger for it that would pull 1.5 pounds or less. You guys make fun videos. Really enjoy them. Thanks again.
You can get 1 lb heifers for them
I just bought a gen 2 predator. The trigger is super light. I haven't measured it but it feels to be about 1.5 or less. You don't have to buy an entire trigger to change it just a cheap spring. That's what sold me. I don't think I'm going to mess with my trigger it's so nice.
I've seen 8 oz
It was great to see two guys testing one rifle at the same time. It shows how two different shooters compare with the ammo choices
Love the triggercam footage man! Keep it coming!
Please keep up these great videos. I love watching them and getting good information.
Great work fun to watch
It’s amazing, this video just popped into my feed and I never researched anything. The thing is, I did just buy a Ruger GenII 223 Standard and 308 Predator 😮
I got REM Gen2 Predator with a Magpul Hunter STANAG chassis and have been gathering different ammo to see what mine likes when I head out to the range, at 25yds everything is good, but I want to check farther out. I had seen the videos for the .308 and now this, damn! THX and keep up the work.
I just got the Ruger American Gen 2 Predator .223 yesterday. I mounted an Arken Sh4J 6-24x scope and bi-pod. Unfortunately the weather was crappy today so I did not get out to sight it in. Looking forward to good weather on one of my days off this coming week so I can try it out. I also could not get my trigger lower than about 3.5 lbs. Maybe it will be ok, Have to see how it shoots first, maybe get a new trigger for it.
I ended up getting a timney trigger set at 2lb.
@@BaldGuysWithGuns, yeah, I saw that on your other video. Good choice.
Thanks Guys! I have the Gen I Ranch in 5.56 and I found that the Hornady Frontier 68 grain in 223 works really well. I did pick up a box of these in 5.56 to do a comparison between the two. I didn't chrono test for spread or deviation I'm just going by group size at 100 yards. I just re-scoped this rifle the a couple of days ago and I have not had the chance to get it on the bench yet. I had an old Tasco 3-9 power and my eyes just need a little more help so I put a Monstrum 6-24 x50 with 30mm tube on it. I bought the gun for nothing more than range plinking, but it could be a back up hunting rifle if need be. I like that MDT stock and would love to put it on my rifle for sure.
My one complaint is that it is 223 only. Can't use 5.56 ammo, but 223 match grade stuff seems to be pretty numerous, so it's not a big complaint. We have a video coming out next Friday on why FPS spread is just as important as group size. It's tough to get consistent factory ammo, but you can definitely figure out what to expect from from it. Most people don't reload so we kinda taylor the content to the average person and what they would be doing.
Thank you gents.
I recently bought a Ruger gen II classic in 223. It loves the Fiocchi 40gr V max. All groups less than 1" closer to 1/2". I know the 1 in 8 twist should love the heavier bullets but not so much in mine anyway.
I had a 223 Rugar stainless in the eightys. It was one of a kind. At 100 yards it would hit dimes. An incident that wasn't what I thought it was made me sell it. Wonder where it is today?
Either I missed the part or you did not mention on what distance you shoot. Nice and informative video by the way, very rare that American UA-camrs go for accuracy instead of "awesome steel plate magazine dumps" :)
We were only at 100 yards in this video. Next Friday 300 and 650 yards.
Good vid guys 👍👍
I've taken my gen2 223 out to 700 so far . Have it bedded in boyds at1 stock , dropped some lower power trigger springs in it . Great shooter . Honestly the best grouping round I've ran through it is 60 gr vmax. I've tried eldm 73gr , 77 and 69 otm and ppu 75 gr . The 60 gr vmax groups the tightest for my particular sample of the rifle. .60-75 moa 5 shot groups . Everything else I've tried runs 1-1.5moa.
Arken epl 6-24 on it for a optic.
We are loving our gen ii. Just upgraded the trigger to a timney that pulls just under 2lb. For whatever reason our stock trigger wouldn't go under 3.5lb and it was just too heavy for what we like. Testing some 69 grain SMK and tmk hand loads soon.
Is that the Gen II Predator with the green stock? If so I got the same one but the cerekote looks more coyote tan than mine that looks more gold or bronze. That MDT stock looks great!
It is the predator. And yes the cerekote barrel does seem to be more tan than gold in this one. Could be because it's next to the brown mdt though.
Nice job!
Nice rig! I'm actually getting ready to build a gen ii 308 myself. Your videos have provided great insight. Finding gen ii 308 footage is challenging. Most are about 6.5 Creedmore. That 223 is definitely clean. What distance are y'all shooting? Great video!!
Aprreciate your comment. We are shooting just at 100 yards in this video, but next Friday we have a video shooting at 300 yards and 650 yards with this rig. We demonstrate why we chose the ammo we chose.
Looking at getting one of these in a 243. Thanks for the video. Nevada?
Western Utah
I've always believed that the Hornady Black, American Gunner, Frontier, and Match series ammo were the same load because of their advertised velocities, bc are the same per bullet, and that it was just marketing strategy to create the different product lines. They 68 and 75 gr shoot good (including handloads) from my 16" 5.56 chambered Mossberg MVP, slightly favoring the 75. But that deeper throat of the 5.56 chamber really seems to shoot best with any loadings using the Sierra 77 MK bullet, Fiocci makes a good Match version. From watching your videos on this Ruger Gen2, I'm starting to fall in love with these things. Incredibly accurate! I just need to decide on what caliber to get. Is this the Predator model with the 22" barrel?
It is the predator. We appreciate the comment and glad you enjoyed the video. Next Friday we shoot it with our ammo of choice at 300 and 650 yards.
I have a question. When you purchased your Ruger 223 did the stock have a push button mag release? So when you put the new stock on did that MDT stock come with the AI mag release.
Yes exactly. The chassis had everything you needed. It took about 20 min or less. Basically if you have a screw driver and punch tools it's pretty simple. The side button in the original stock is part of the stock, and the mdt comes with its own mag release system.
I've got one in 243.. 3/4 MOA at 100 with 75gr vmax(3290fps) and 90gr ELD-X ( 2971fps ) .. factory ammo.. shoot off a bag.. not bipods.. it will yield better accuracy
I’ve wanted a chassis for mine, but don’t want added weight. I hike back into state mountains to hunt. What a good light weight chassis for the RA gen ii?
Honestly the stock chassis is great on the gen ii. I have a 308 also and the mdt was originally going to go there, but same story, I wanted less weight.
where did you buy those targets?
They are Caldwell target stands. You can find them at any sporting goods store or Amazon. They don't do well when it's super windy though. I've upgraded to some different stands, but they are affordable and do in a pinch.
Well heck boys. I lucked out with my .223 Gen 2 Predator and it shoots sub-MOA at 200 yards. Been thinking about putting it in the MDT Field Stock and putting a brake on it. Basically exactly what you're doing here! How rigid is that foreend? Good enough with the medium light profile Predator barrel? Also, which magazine were you running? The AICS .223 magazines are known to be a bit finicky
I added an arca rail and accutac bipod and it's very rigid. Love the field stock also. I am running and have had good luck with the polymer aics 223 mag.
@@BaldGuysWithGuns Awesome, thanks man! I have the MDT metal mag with extended feed lips. Think I'm gonna snag the Field Stock. I've been waffling between that or the XRS stock for weeks
I have the metal mag also. It worked ok. I always felt like loading 9 instead of 10 help it feed better. Hope that's helpful
@@BaldGuysWithGuns Ha, loading 9 instead of 10 is exactly what I've found with my AICS compatible Ruger stock
Why do those 223 look so much bigger than the 5.56 ammo
It's the larger grain bullets the case size is the same, but the bullet is larger
How long is the barrel on that rifle?
22 inches on this one. The predator model is 22 inch the standard gen ii model is 20 inches.
@@BaldGuysWithGuns was the .308 a 22 inch barrel as well. The reason for the questions is that I am researching to purchase these two rifles. Thanks for the quick responses tp my questions. I think I have watched them all about three times each.
The 308 is the standard gen ii. So 20 inch barrel. I've heard good things about the 223 for both barrel lengths. I got the predator cuz it was on sale for the same price as the standard and it has a burnt bronze cerekote. No other special reason.
@@BaldGuysWithGuns one last question. Are you happy with that 20inch barrel length in the 308 or would you preferred a 22 inch barrel.? After watching your 1000 yard shooting it would seem either would be fine, but for hunting the 20 inch would be better choice.
I'm happy with the 20 inch barrel. Now that I have the right ammo, it shoots great. Not sure if you saw the video where we went out 1000 and the wind was actually cooperating, I went 4/10 but I didn't even get on target till shot 5. Once on target I went 4/5 on a 10 inch plate.
How bout Velocity for each load, "the spread" , don't care.
Creepy trigger puts me right off this rifle
I'm actually looking into the timney for a replacement. Since I could only get the trigger down to 3 and 1/2 lb pull I was a bit disappointed. Timney already makes a single stage 2lb trigger for this rifle. I'm very close to dropping the coin for it. I will say this trigger does break quite nicely, but it's a bit heavy.
I swapped the trigger spring for one from Mcarbo and got mine down to 2 1/2 lbs., which is a weight that I am comfortable with.
3 pound trigger is way to much. Aweful Ruger
Upgraded to 1lb 10oz timney trigger. Now it's a good ruger
@@BaldGuysWithGuns Yeah I guess the aftermarket trigger companies are making money when gun companies put out such trash.