What to do, what to do? - TexasBowhunter.com Community Discussion Forums

bearintex · 02-22-2020, 11:34 AM

I have a Ruger American Predator in 6.5 MB. It sits in an MDT chassis. Pushing 2500 rounds through it, most of them 10 rounds at a time in 2 minutes or less. I’m beginning to see a drop off in accuracy and velocity with it. Still plenty good to hunt with, but not to compete with. Looking at options here. First, a rebarrel using a prefit. Would run $400ish plus tooling if I do it myself. Second, buy another predator in 6.5, put the new action in the chassis and the old action in the new factory stock, and have it strictly as a hunting rifle. Third, (and the way I’m leaning) is to get a new RAP in 6mm CM and do the same thing. The recoil, even with a brake or suppressor is just a little much to reliably see hits and misses with the 6.5. Dropping to 6CM reduces that recoil and lets me get the velocities up near 3k with similar BC to the 6.5 I have been shooting at 2650-2700. Only drawback to the 6CM is that I’d have to start from scratch with the reloading- dies, cases, etc., so another $2-300 there that I wouldn’t need to spend with either of the 6.5 options.

Decisions, decisions, decisions.

mrc · 02-22-2020, 11:43 AM

The smart thing to do would be to rebarrel with a better quality barrel. If you buy another Ruger you take a gamble on getting a good one, on the other hand I would probably get a different caliber and spend twice as much money and start all over again. But I get bored with calibers and guns quickly and change things up.

cblackall · 02-22-2020, 10:06 PM

If you like the platform, and are pushing it that hard on a regular basis, rebarrel it. The quality should be better than factory. It’s the cost of doing business when running the rifle hard shooting competition. Going to 6 CM will just torch a barrel quicker, but if that’s the performance you’re after, it’s a great round.

Pushbutton2 · 02-23-2020, 01:43 AM

I've got Ruger American predator, 6.5 MB, it's a safe queen. Haven't even mounted a scope to it I might could sell. Wanting to buy a thermal

As Always My Heart is filled with Love for You and Your Families. Not because I am commanded to Love my Neighbor, but because I can, am able to and it brings me Joy.

bearintex · 02-23-2020, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pushbutton2

I've got Ruger American predator, 6.5 MB, it's a safe queen. Haven't even mounted a scope to it I might could sell. Wanting to buy a thermal

As Always My Heart is filled with Love for You and Your Families. Not because I am commanded to Love my Neighbor, but because I can, am able to and it brings me Joy.

If you weren’t over 4 hours away......

Pushbutton2 · 02-23-2020, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bearintex

If you weren’t over 4 hours away......

I should be able to get it to Spring.
Can't say for sure I can as I hadn't asked my buddy yet

As Always My Heart is filled with Love for You and Your Families. Not because I am commanded to Love my Neighbor, but because I can, am able to and it brings me Joy.

02-22-2020, 11:34 AM	#1
bearintex Pope & Young Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Angleton Hunt In: 20 minutes from the house!	What to do, what to do? I have a Ruger American Predator in 6.5 MB. It sits in an MDT chassis. Pushing 2500 rounds through it, most of them 10 rounds at a time in 2 minutes or less. I’m beginning to see a drop off in accuracy and velocity with it. Still plenty good to hunt with, but not to compete with. Looking at options here. First, a rebarrel using a prefit. Would run $400ish plus tooling if I do it myself. Second, buy another predator in 6.5, put the new action in the chassis and the old action in the new factory stock, and have it strictly as a hunting rifle. Third, (and the way I’m leaning) is to get a new RAP in 6mm CM and do the same thing. The recoil, even with a brake or suppressor is just a little much to reliably see hits and misses with the 6.5. Dropping to 6CM reduces that recoil and lets me get the velocities up near 3k with similar BC to the 6.5 I have been shooting at 2650-2700. Only drawback to the 6CM is that I’d have to start from scratch with the reloading- dies, cases, etc., so another $2-300 there that I wouldn’t need to spend with either of the 6.5 options. Decisions, decisions, decisions.

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02-22-2020, 11:43 AM	#2
mrc Ten Point Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Graham TX. Hunt In: Young and Jack	The smart thing to do would be to rebarrel with a better quality barrel. If you buy another Ruger you take a gamble on getting a good one, on the other hand I would probably get a different caliber and spend twice as much money and start all over again. But I get bored with calibers and guns quickly and change things up.

02-22-2020, 10:06 PM	#3
cblackall Spike Join Date: Mar 2012	If you like the platform, and are pushing it that hard on a regular basis, rebarrel it. The quality should be better than factory. It’s the cost of doing business when running the rifle hard shooting competition. Going to 6 CM will just torch a barrel quicker, but if that’s the performance you’re after, it’s a great round.

02-23-2020, 01:43 AM	#4
Pushbutton2 Pope & Young Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Van,TX Hunt In: Mc Culloch County since 2015 Van Zandt County since 2017	I've got Ruger American predator, 6.5 MB, it's a safe queen. Haven't even mounted a scope to it I might could sell. Wanting to buy a thermal As Always My Heart is filled with Love for You and Your Families. Not because I am commanded to Love my Neighbor, but because I can, am able to and it brings me Joy.