New Toy

[Shooter]

Here's a pic for ya Ricky and everyone. Saw this little thing the other day at Larry's Pistol and Pawn, down in Huntsville.
Rich went to a Corvette gathering there today. Was bored, so loaded up my single shot SS heavy barreled Salvage 223, and headed down to see if we could do a little trading. My rifle shoots great with standard loadings, but have found it to be unreliable with sub loads and heavier grain bullets. The 1 in 9 twist just wasn't cutting it.
This new one has a 1 in 8, and hope it takes care of that problem. This thing is tiny,... even smaller than Lily's Rem model 7 with 18" barrel.
This one is called a Youth Predator 5.56 Nato, with short stock and 16.5 inch barrel. It has the new bolt and adjustable trigger system.
Rotary clip too. A lot of plastic, even the clip. It is an inexpensive gun, but they claim they shoot well.
We will see tomorrow!!!
Needless to say, my beautiful rattle can paint job is gone. If this little xhit works out, I guess I'll break out the paint or dip it with my new dip kit.

Here is a pic that should give you an idea how small it is up next to a little model 7.

[vaturkey]

Cool rifle Tommy ! Looking forward to the range report ! Good Luck !

[Wolframfan]

Nice!

[allaboutshooting]

Just nothing like a new toy.

Thanks,
Clark

[Shooter]

WELL,.......... It ain't no world record benchrest machine, that's for sure!! But for $350, it ain't bad at all.
Smooth working bolt, with three locking lugs. Adjustable trigger is nice and crisp at a measured 3 lbs.
Aluminum bedding blocks, and floated barrel. Great value for the money. Quite different from the Ruger 77, but nice.
1 1/2 groups from 55 grn hunting loads. 2" with the sub loads, but can probably do better with some tuning.
Did very nice with my match loads of my other 223, at less than half inch.
I'm not totally displeased with it's first outing, and actually optimistic. After a good barrel soaking in Butches bore shine, and a little tweaking of the loads, she should turn out to be a nice addition to my killin machines.

[vaturkey]

Sounds like the Deer better start praying !

[KPcalls]

Nice shooter.....will you deer hunt with it...? If so, what load would you are anyone else recommend.....? I just bought a Ruger AR 556 the other day and my seven year old loves it and done laid claim to it. He said he would deer kill a deer with it....

[Waddle Whacker]

I have 3 or 4 friends that have those rifles. Every one of em are shooters. I've killed deer with a couple of them. None have the short barrel like yours, though. I'm considering one in a 6.5 Creedmoore, which is hard to find, or 7mm-08...or a .223. I don't know! I love em all!
Kenny, a 55gr. Core lockt thru both lungs seems to work well.

[Shooter]

Well, second round was much better. Groups are tightening up nicely. With an 8 inch shorter barrel, I had to increase the powder charge from 5.6grns to 6 grns of Trail Boss, to push the velocity up to just under sonic.

Yes, The Rem Core Loct 55 has worked well for me in the past. A heavier bullet would be better, as long as you have the twist to stabilize them.
Problem with 22 cal bullets is, usually they are varmint bullets, which explode on impact, or the Heavys are usually Match bullets, that won't expand at all.
I use a Speer 70 grn semi that does very well, but they are hard to find. 64s, and 69s are pretty common.
I have some Berger 80 and 82 grn, but not sure what they will do on deer yet.
As far as powders for loading, most folks use 4198, Win 748, ReL 7, 4895, and so on. I have found H-335 to do the best in all my 223s.

[Hoobilly]

thats nice to be able to buy a cheaper rifle and get good results on paper

[Spuriosity]

Congrats on your new shooter.

[GOLD HUNTER]

NICE ONE !!!

[OLE RASPY]

Nice.

[ncturkey]

What brand of rifle is your new Youth Predator 5.56 Nato.

[Shooter]

What brand of rifle is your new Youth Predator 5.56 Nato.

Oh, sorry. Totally spaced on that one.
It is a Ruger American Rifle.