Happy with new Predator Max 1 in .223

[greer]

Spent a nice day shooting and reloading for my new rifle, a Predator Max 1 in .223 which is a new model for 2010 I believe. It was about 32 degrees and very calm. The rifle came form Bud's Gunshop and has the camo stock with matte blue metal and medium heavy 22" fluted barrel. It came out of the box with a very crisp 1 3/4 lb trigger and after inspection I'm impressed with the new Accustock and the way the aluminum bedding system works. It doesn't seem like a gimmick at all. The barrel nut is now smooth without any flutes which I don't understand, probably just for looks. My Savage barrel nut wrench won't work on this one. I put a Weaver V-16 scope on it with a Luepold one piece base and rings. With the 1-9 twist I started out shooting 60 gr. V-Max's with 3 types of powders cleaning every 5 shots and then a fouler and averaged about 15/16" with the two best loads. After several groups/ cleanings I dropped down to 55 gr V-Max with IMR 4198 and the groups started clustering up with many times 4 shots in 1/2 or 5/8 and a flier taking the group to 7/8 or 1". Oddly the 1-9 barrel seems to like 50 gr and 40 gr V-Max bullets even better than the 55's but this was just one session. I may go back and try some heavier bullets with different powders. The last few groups had one true 1/2" group and a couple at 9/16" along with more 4 shot clusters with a little flier opening them up to 7/8" or so but rarely over an inch. My goal is a reliable 5 shot 1/2" rifle which I think I will have  eventually. All this was done at a 100 meter range (110 yds). With some 50 gr V-Max's I had left I shot 4 shots at 300 yds and the group was 1 9/16" which I was tickled with. The drop was 12 1/2 " from a 100 yd zero. I'm using Lapua brass and Federal BR primers. All the loads were on the warm side. The rifle is a little barrel heavy but could be shot off hand pretty well I think. The bore seems very well finished and is cleaning up pretty easily after break in. I believe Savage will do well with this model. The rifle fills a niche between a sporter and those big varmint/ target rifles.  Good Shooting. Doug Greer

[chutesnreloads]

Will you use it in the field.Would like a report on how well it carries.

[greer]

  I'll probably do some crow hunting. With the scope and Leupold base/rings it weighs almost 9lbs 13 oz. so it might be a little heavy to pack too far. I might also shoot it in some informal matches. We have a balloon bust near Somerset, Ky that has a 200 yd factory class ,which Savages pretty much dominate. I might play at that a little. I won't be able to shoot with the big Savage target rifles but it's something I've been wanting to try.           

[chutesnreloads]

That's not helping me justify buying one.All ready have a 10FP in .223 and .308.If all you do is carry it a few hundred yards to a stand they're great.Handled a predator model at the store a while back and liked it.That's why I asked about carry.Most of us know there's a world of difference between handling one at the store and carrying it around the field.Over fences hills valleys brush and bogs.Still a little over nine lbs. is better than whatever the heavy barreled one weighs.Bet you get that baby consistently under 1/2" and likely considerably better.

[greer]

Thanks. Under 1/2" on a regular basis would be a bonus. Waiting for another calm day.

[Old Hunter]

I'm drooling for one in 243. Thanks for the info and please keep us posted on how it works out.

[243dave]

I've got one of the older predators with the fixed magazine chambered in 223.  I haven't shot it much but it will put 45gr winchester white box ammo in about 1/2 inch(3 shots) at a 100yds.  I'll eventually reload some 60gr v-maxes, 69gr MK and some hornady 75gr hpbt.  What sold me on the predator model is its size.  Its not too heavy to carry around and not too light to shoot well off a bench.  It might not do anything great but it does everything well.     Dave

[greer]

We'll , I still can't say I can put 5 in 1/2" on a regular basis. Had the oddball 3/8" group and a few 1/2 " groups. Still getting that little flier more often than I'd like. Groups probably average 3/4". Seems to like IMR 4198 and shoots pretty good with a wide variety of bullet weights. For the heck of it we put up a big target board at 500 yds and a couple of water filled milk jugs and with 50 gr V-Maxes simply coudn't group well or hit the jugs. At another session I loaded some 60 gr V-Maxes with 748 powder and looked up the ballistics in the Hornady manual. We dialed in the 64" drop that was called for and put a 5" 3 shot group on the paper that was a little low and a foot left. Figured that in and busted both jugs with 2 shots. My buddy shot another 3 shots on paper and ended up with a 3 1/2" group which I was tickled with. Out aways those heavier bullets make a difference. Going to try some Varget powder next along with those 60 gr V-Maxes. So far picky with powder, not picky with bullets.         greer

[rugerfan.64]

Try some Varget and Sierra's 65 grain Gameking. My Remington loves em and its got a slow twist barrel. I bet those Savages would print one hole with em.

[greer]

Tried Varget and the same 60 gr V-Maxes and it didn't shoot as well as with the 748. I'll try to bum some Seirra 65 gr bullets. Thanks.

[Dand]

I'm enjoying  the reports. I'd like to have a medium weight 223 for plinking paper and maybe some field work.

[Ethan]

Awsome, I have looking at Predators all over like a Hawk.....But there is a diffrence between wants and needs though.

[nomosendero]

I like it!!