Ever puzzled how the most recent improvements in optics and ammunition carry out when put to the check? Nicely, strap in, as a result of we’re about to seek out out! We just lately took the Ruger American Predator 18″ in .308 Winchester to the vary with an thrilling mission: check the brand new Leupold VX-5HD Gen 2 3-15×44 CDS-SZL2 scope paired with Barnes’ newest innovation – the Harvest Assortment of ammunition – together with two different premium searching rounds that symbolize the chopping fringe of ballistic know-how.
The aim? To see if this mixture of confirmed rifle platform, state-of-the-art optics, and trendy ammunition can ship the accuracy and efficiency that right this moment’s hunters demand. We’re discussing increasing this setup from close-range situations to 500+ yards on metal targets, whereas evaluating how every ammunition sort performs when it comes to accuracy, consistency, and sensible searching purposes. Whether or not you’re after whitetails within the again forty or elk within the excessive nation, this rig has the potential to revolutionize your searching recreation. So, let’s break down this bundle of searching versatility and see why it’s turning into a well-liked alternative for contemporary hunters.
The Ruger American Predator 18″ .308: A Modernized Basic
Let’s kick issues off with the center of our setup – the Ruger American Predator. This isn’t simply one other budget-friendly bolt gun; it’s a precision instrument masquerading as an everyman’s rifle.
Earlier than we dive into the nitty-gritty of this contemporary marvel, let’s take a fast stroll down reminiscence lane. Ruger has been a family identify within the searching world for many years, however the American Predator sequence? That’s an entire new ball recreation. Launched within the early 2010s, the Ruger American line was Ruger’s reply to the demand for an reasonably priced, correct, and dependable searching rifle. However they didn’t cease there. They took it up a notch with the Predator mannequin, designed particularly for hunters who demand a bit extra from their firearm.
The 18″ threaded medium profile barrel is the Goldilocks of barrel lengths – not too lengthy, not too quick, however excellent. It affords the right stability between maneuverability in tight areas and the rate wanted for moral, long-range photographs. Regardless of the shorter barrel, the .308 Winchester cartridge paired with trendy ammunition retains enough power for moral harvests of deer and different massive recreation inside sensible searching ranges. The chilly hammer-forged barrel ensures sturdiness and constant accuracy, shot after shot.
However what actually units this rifle aside is its user-friendly options. The adjustable Ruger Marksman set off may be fine-tuned from 3 to five kilos, permitting you to customise your pull weight to your preferences. The one-piece, three-lug bolt gives easy, quick biking, whereas the free-floated barrel ensures that your level of impression stays constant, no matter temperature or stress on the inventory. And let’s not neglect the threaded muzzle (5/8″-24 thread sample), which provides you the choice so as to add a suppressor or muzzle brake down the road. All of this is available in a bundle that gained’t break the financial institution, proving that you simply don’t must take out a second mortgage to get a high-performance searching rifle.
Leupold VX-5HD Gen 2 3-15×44 CDS-SZL2 Scope: Crystal Clear Precision
Now, let’s speak in regards to the eyes of our searching rig – the Leupold VX-5HD Gen 2 3-15×44 CDS-SZL2 Facet Focus HTMR-MIL scope. This isn’t your run-of-the-mill searching scope; it’s a precision optic that represents the top of American-made glass and engineering.
With its 3-15x magnification vary, this scope is flexible sufficient for the whole lot from close-range brush searching to long-range precision photographs. It’s like having a Swiss Military knife to your eyes. The 44mm goal lens strikes an ideal stability between light-gathering functionality and holding the scope’s profile low in your rifle.
However what actually units the Leupold VX-5HD Gen 2 aside is its legendary optical efficiency and revolutionary options. We’re speaking edge-to-edge readability delivered by Leupold’s proprietary Twilight Max HD Gentle Administration System, which maximizes gentle transmission for unmatched low-light efficiency. The HTMR-MIL (Hashed Tactical Milling Reticle) affords a clear sight image for shut photographs whereas offering exact holdover and windage references for reaching prolonged ranges at 15x magnification.
The brand new SpeedSet Elevation dial eliminates the necessity for tiny instruments and screws that may get dropped in tall grass or misplaced in a pack. Simply press, carry, reset, and go. Whether or not you’re re-zeroing or putting in a customized dial that matches your ammo, this revolutionary new system makes it sooner and simpler than ever to get arrange and on the right track. The Customized Dial System (CDS-SZL2) can also be a game-changer for hunters who need to simplify precision prolonged ranges. This technique allows you to have a customized elevation turret calibrated particularly to your chosen ammunition and altitude, permitting you to dial in exact photographs out to your rifle’s efficient vary.
With its rugged development, Guard-Ion lens coating for scratch resistance and water beading, and Leupold’s legendary reliability, the VX-5HD Gen 2 is constructed to face up to no matter Mom Nature throws at it.The facet focus parallax adjustment ensures a crisp sight image at any distance, whereas the ZeroLock 2 system gives audible and tactile clicks to immediately return to your zero setting.
Briefly, the Leupold VX-5HD Gen 2 3-15×44 CDS-SZL2 is the right match for the precision potential of the Ruger Predator. It’s like giving eagle eyes to a rifle that already shoots like a laser beam. The second focal airplane reticle design maintains the crosshairs at a constant measurement throughout all magnifications, making fast photographs at shut vary easy whereas nonetheless offering the precision required for longer photographs by using the turrets. Lastly, the scope weighs in at solely 19.9 ounces, making it a pleasure to hold within the subject.
The Suppressor Benefit: Quiet Efficiency
One of many standout options of the Ruger American Predator is its threaded barrel, which permits for the usage of a suppressor. Whereas the selection of suppressor is a private resolution based mostly in your particular wants and finances, the advantages of operating suppressed are simple.
A top quality suppressor considerably reduces the report of your .308, defending your listening to and decreasing the probability of spooking close by recreation after your shot. This may be notably advantageous when searching predators or in areas the place a number of tags are allowed. Past noise discount, suppressors additionally decrease felt recoil, making follow-up photographs faster and extra correct. The discount in muzzle blast also can provide help to keep on the right track by the scope, permitting you to look at your bullet impression and make higher choices within the subject.
Fashionable suppressors are engineered to keep up and even enhance accuracy whereas including minimal weight to your rifle. When paired with the already well-balanced Ruger Predator, a suppressor transforms this searching rifle right into a whisper-quiet precision instrument. It’s like having a “stealth mode” to your searching setup, supplying you with each benefit when it issues most.
Fashionable Ammunition: Taking the .308 to New Ranges
Now, let’s load up this precision searching machine with some trendy ammunition. We’re specializing in three top-tier choices that cowl a variety of searching situations, from searching whitetails within the massive woods to elk within the western mountains. All three available manufacturing unit masses convey distinctive benefits to the desk.
Barnes Harvest 165 grain: The Harvest Assortment by Barnes affords hunters precision and stopping energy at an reasonably priced MSRP of $39.99. Powered by Sierra’s Tipped GameKing, it delivers spectacular accuracy and confirmed terminal efficiency on deer hunter and different thin-skinned recreation. With optimized efficiency out to 400 yards and loaded with temperature-stable propellant, the 165-grain weight affords a fantastic stability of velocity and power. Accuracy, whereas not fairly matching the 130gr TTSX outcomes with the check rifle, remained greater than enough for searching purposes. The typical group measurement from three 5-shot teams measured 1.06 inches, with the perfect group breaking the one-inch barrier at 0.89 inches.
Barnes 130 grain TTSX: This all-copper bullet is a marvel of contemporary ammunition engineering, and has been one among my favourite searching masses for years. The polymer tip initiates speedy enlargement, whereas the grooved bullet physique reduces stress and improves accuracy. The lighter 130-grain weight means greater velocities of three,000 fps and flatter trajectories, making it ultimate for medium-sized recreation and longer photographs. Basically, this ammunition affords 6.5 Creedmoor trajectories out to 500 yards in a compact .308 searching rifle. Accuracy outcomes have been spectacular with 5-shot teams averaging 0.98 inches, and the perfect group measuring 0.87 inches.
Federal Terminal Ascent 175 grain: That is the heavyweight champion of our ammo lineup. The Terminal Ascent combines the perfect options of match-grade goal bullets with the terminal efficiency wanted for moral searching. The AccuChannel groove know-how reduces drag and improves accuracy, whereas the Slipstream polymer tip initiates enlargement even at decrease velocities. It’s like having a long-range precision bullet that transforms into an expand-on-impact powerhouse when it reaches the goal. The 175-grain weight is right for bigger recreation, similar to elk, and longer photographs the place power retention is essential. Accuracy outcomes have been stable with 5-shot teams averaging 1.02 inches, and the perfect group measuring 0.91 inches.
This number of ammunition permits you to tailor your masses to your particular searching scenario. It’s like having a golf bag stuffed with golf equipment – you’ve received the correct software for each shot.
Efficiency within the Discipline: The place the Magic Occurs
So, how does this trifecta of rifle, suppressor, and ammo carry out when the boots hit the path? The 18-inch barrel makes this rifle a pleasure to deal with in tight areas. Whether or not you’re navigating thick brush or searching from a tree stand or field blind, you’ll recognize the maneuverability. And don’t let the shorter barrel idiot you. This rifle is greater than able to reaching out to 500 yards and past with the examined scope and ammunition. It’s like having a sniper rifle that doesn’t thoughts getting its arms soiled in close-quarter woods searching. I ran this setup out to 750 yards on metal targets on the vary with relative ease and spectacular accuracy.
The Leupold VX-5HD Gen 2’s crystal-clear glass and exact changes additional improve your skill to put photographs precisely the place you need them, whether or not you’re taking a 50-yard shot in thick cowl or reaching out to 500 yards in open nation. Final however actually not least, a suppressor may also help you keep on the right track for sooner follow-up photographs by decreasing felt recoil whereas additionally defending your listening to.
A Good Mixture
And there you’ve gotten it, our complete check of this final Twenty first-century searching setup. The Ruger American Predator 18″ in .308 Winchester, paired with the brand new Leupold VX-5HD Gen 2 3-15×44 CDS-SZL2 scope, proved to be an distinctive platform for evaluating the most recent ammunition choices. The brand new Barnes 165-grain Harvest ammo, together with the Barnes 130-grain TTSX and Federal Terminal Ascent 175-grain, affords a degree of efficiency and flexibility that hunters of yesteryear might solely dream of.
What additionally impressed me was how the Leupold VX-5HD Gen 2’s CDS-SZL2 system and crystal-clear optics allowed us to completely exploit the accuracy potential of the ammunition, from close-range photographs out to 750-yard metal targets. This setup proved able to dealing with nearly any searching situation you may encounter. Whether or not you’re a seasoned professional seeking to up your recreation or a newcomer looking for a setup that can serve you properly for years to return, this mixture deserves a critical look. Completely satisfied searching, and will your freezer be full and your searching tales be memorable.
Rifle Specs
Caliber: .308 Winchester
Motion: Bolt-action
Barrel Size: 18 inches
Total Size: 38 inches
Weight: Roughly 6.2 kilos (with out scope)
Inventory: Artificial, moss inexperienced
Barrel: Chilly hammer-forged, matte black end
Muzzle: Threaded (5/8″-24 thread sample) with thread protector
Twist Price: 1:10″ right-hand twist
Capability: 4+1 rounds (removable field journal)
Set off: Ruger Marksman Adjustable set off (3-5 lbs pull weight)
Bolt: One-piece, three-lug design with 70° throw
Security: Two-position tang security
Bedding: Energy Bedding integral bedding block system
MSRP: $619
Scope Specs
Mannequin: VX-5HD Gen 2 3-15×44 CDS-SZL2 Facet Focus HTMR-MIL
Magnification Vary: 3-15x
Goal Lens Diameter: 44mm
Reticle: HTMR-MIL (Hashed Tactical Milling Reticle)
Reticle Place: Second Focal Aircraft (SFP)
Tube Diameter: 30mm
Eye Aid: 3.8-3.9 inches
Discipline of View: 37.8-7.2 ft at 100 yards
Adjustment Commencement: 0.1 MIL
Max Elevation Adjustment: 24.7 MIL
Max Windage Adjustment: 24.7 MIL
Parallax Adjustment: Facet focus (50 yards to infinity)
Turret System: CDS-SZL2 (MIL or Customized Dial System with ZeroLock 2)
ZeroLock 2: Audible and tactile return-to-zero performance
Gentle Transmission: Twilight Max HD Gentle Administration System
Lens Coating: Guard-Ion for scratch resistance and water beading
Size: 13.5 inches
Weight: 19.9 ounces
Guarantee: Leupold’s Full Lifetime Assure
MSRP: $1,499.99
