Ruger American Predator 6.5mm Creedmoor
Model: 26973
Ruger American Predator 6.5mm Creedmoor
Model: 26973
Full Specifications
About This Firearm
Ruger built the American Predator's 22-inch barrel with a 5/8\"-24 thread already cut for a suppressor or brake, fitted a factory Picatinny rail, and dropped in the 4 lb adjustable Marksman trigger — three things most competitors charge extra for or skip entirely. At $669 MSRP, it has become the default entry point for shooters who want a working 6.5 Creedmoor rifle now and a platform to improve later.
The Power Bedding system free-floats the barrel and gives the action a stable bedding surface, which is enough to get most Predators shooting around 1 MOA with good ammo. The 105.6 oz (6.6 lb) weight is among the lighter options in this class — the Howa 1500 runs nearly 20 oz heavier. Buy this if you want a no-frills 6.5 CM rifle with threading and a rail ready to go and plan to put money into optics or a future stock upgrade. Skip it if you want walnut furniture or a polished action out of the box — that's not what this rifle is.
Best For
Strengths & Limitations
- Ships with a threaded barrel (5/8\"-24), factory Picatinny rail, and adjustable trigger — most competitors at this price offer none of these as standard.
- The Marksman trigger adjusts down from 4 lbs and owners report a clean, consistent break once dialed in — usable straight from the box without spending extra on an aftermarket unit.
- At 6.6 lbs, it's one of the lighter options in this caliber class, which matters on an all-day mountain hunt.
- The factory stock is functional but cheap-feeling — bedding the action or swapping to a Boyd's stock is the first thing most owners do, which adds to the total cost.
- The 3-round AI-style magazine capacity is the lowest in this group; the Howa 1500 and Savage 110 High Country both ship with 4-round magazines.
Category Rankings
How the Ruger American Predator 6.5mm Creedmoor ranks among full-size 6.5mm Creedmoor rifles.
Compatible Ammunition
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Alternatives to Consider
Similar full-size 6.5mm Creedmoor rifles ranked by similarity.
| NAME | BEST PRICE |
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Browning X-Bolt Hunter 6.5mm Creedmoor
Browning
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Christensen Arms Ridgeline 6.5mm Creedmoor
Christensen Arms
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Weatherby Vanguard 6.5mm Creedmoor
Weatherby
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CZ 600 Alpha 6.5mm Creedmoor
CZ
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Howa 1500 6.5mm Creedmoor
Howa
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Frequently Asked Questions
What's the first upgrade most Ruger American Predator owners make?
Bedding with off-the-shelf compound or swapping to a Boyd's At-One or Pro Varmint stock are the two common paths most owners take. The bedding job often gets sub-MOA groups tighter and is the cheaper move. The stock swap gives you better ergonomics and a stiffer platform, which pays off more if you're running a heavy optic or suppressor. Either upgrade is done before most owners consider touching the trigger, since the Marksman unit is already adjustable and generally gets the job done as shipped.
Does the Ruger American Predator come with a scope base, or do I need to buy one?
It ships with a factory Picatinny rail already mounted on the receiver, so you don't need to buy a separate base or rings adapter. Any standard 20 MOA or flat Picatinny rings will mount directly. This is one of the practical advantages over rifles like the Howa 1500, which ships without a rail and requires a separate purchase to mount optics.
