Ruger American Predator Rifle in .204 Ruger: Precision and Performance

The Ruger American Predator rifle chambered in the lightning-fast .204 Ruger stands as a top-tier choice for enthusiasts demanding precision, versatility, and reliability in a modern bolt-action platform. If you’re a serious varmint hunter or a precision target shooter looking for an edge, this rifle offers a compelling combination of features designed to deliver exceptional performance right out of the box.

For anyone seeking to answer the question, "What is the best rifle for prairie dog hunting or coyote control that offers speed and accuracy?", the Ruger American Predator in .204 Ruger consistently emerges as a leading contender. Its design is tailored to solve the challenge of hitting small, fast-moving targets at extended ranges, thanks to the inherent characteristics of the .204 Ruger cartridge combined with Ruger’s proven engineering.

Unpacking the Performance of the Ruger American Predator

The Ruger American Predator rifle series is renowned for bringing custom-rifle accuracy to a production-level price point. This particular configuration, with its 22-inch barrel and moss green synthetic stock, is specifically geared towards the needs of the modern hunter and shooter.

Why Choose the Ruger American Predator in .204 Ruger?

• Varmint and Predator Hunters: Its high-velocity, flat-shooting .204 Ruger caliber makes it deadly accurate on coyotes, prairie dogs, groundhogs, and foxes, minimizing fur damage and ensuring clean, ethical shots.
• Long-Range Small Game Enthusiasts: The combination of the rifle’s accuracy features and the .204 Ruger’s impressive ballistics allows for confident engagements at distances where other calibers might struggle.
• Precision Target Shooters: Individuals who enjoy punching tight groups at the range will appreciate the rifle's inherent accuracy and the low recoil of the .204 Ruger, which aids in spotting impacts.
• Shooters Seeking a Dependable, Feature-Rich Bolt Action: With its adjustable trigger, cold hammer-forged barrel, and included scope rail, this rifle offers significant value and performance without needing immediate upgrades.

The problem this rifle solves is clear: it provides a highly accurate, robust, and ergonomically sound platform for high-velocity shooting, ensuring consistent hits on challenging targets. Whether you are controlling predator populations on your ranch or competing for the tightest groups at 300 yards, the Ruger American Predator is built to excel.

Key Features and How They Enhance Your Shooting Experience

Let's delve into the specific design elements that make the Ruger American Predator a standout choice:

• Chambering: .204 Ruger
  • This is where the magic truly begins. The .204 Ruger is one of the fastest commercial cartridges available, launching lightweight bullets at incredible velocities, often exceeding 4,000 feet per second. This translates to an exceptionally flat trajectory, making range estimation less critical and increasing the likelihood of first-shot hits on small targets. Its minimal recoil also allows shooters to stay on target and observe impacts.
• Barrel: 22-Inch Heavy Contour, Cold Hammer-Forged, Threaded
  • Precision Manufacturing: The cold hammer-forging process ensures ultra-precise rifling, delivering superior accuracy and long-term durability.
  • Stability: The heavy contour barrel profile reduces barrel whip and dissipates heat more effectively during rapid firing sequences, crucial for maintaining accuracy during extended shooting sessions like a prairie dog hunt.
  • Adaptability: The 22-inch barrel strikes a superb balance between maneuverability and achieving optimal velocity for the .204 Ruger cartridge.
  • Muzzle Threading: The muzzle is threaded (typically 1/2"-28) and comes with a thread protector, allowing for the easy attachment of muzzle brakes to further reduce recoil or suppressors for noise reduction – a significant advantage for discreet hunting or reducing range noise.
• Ruger Marksman Adjustable™ Trigger
  • This user-adjustable trigger allows for a crisp release with a pull weight that can be set by the shooter from 3 to 5 pounds. A clean, predictable trigger break is paramount for maximizing accuracy, ensuring that the shooter’s input doesn’t disturb the sight picture at the moment of firing. This feature is a game-changer for precise shot placement.
• Patented Power Bedding® Integral Bedding Block System
  • This innovative system free-floats the barrel and positively re-locates the receiver within the stock, creating a rock-solid foundation. This design virtually eliminates accuracy-robbing flex and movement, contributing significantly to the rifle's impressive sub-MOA (Minute of Angle) accuracy potential.
• Synthetic Stock: Moss Green
  • The ergonomic, lightweight synthetic stock in a distinctive moss green finish offers durability and weather resistance, crucial for hunting in various conditions. Its texture provides a secure grip, and the forend is wide enough to accommodate a bipod comfortably, enhancing stability for prone or bench shooting.
• Magazine: Detachable Rotary Magazine (10+1 Capacity)
  • The flush-fit, detachable rotary magazine holds 10 rounds, plus one in the chamber, providing ample capacity for extended shooting sessions without frequent reloading. Its rotary design ensures reliable feeding and protects delicate bullet tips.
• Scope Rail: Factory-Installed Picatinny
  • The rifle comes equipped with a factory-installed one-piece Picatinny scope rail, ready for immediate optics mounting. This eliminates the need for purchasing and installing separate bases, saving time and money, and ensuring a robust, stable platform for your chosen scope.
• Tang Safety
  • The accessible tang safety is easily engaged and disengaged, providing secure operation and allowing for quick, intuitive manipulation without removing your hand from the grip.
• Sling Swivel Studs
  • Pre-installed sling swivel studs allow for the easy attachment of a rifle sling, essential for comfortable carrying in the field.

Real-World Applications and How the Ruger American Predator Excels

For the Varmint and Predator Hunter:
Imagine yourself on a cold morning, scanning a vast prairie for coyotes. Your Ruger American Predator, topped with a high-magnification scope, rests steadily on its bipod. A coyote appears at 250 yards. The .204 Ruger’s flat trajectory means minimal holdover, and the crisp Ruger Marksman Adjustable™ trigger allows for a precise squeeze. The high velocity ensures the bullet arrives quickly, minimizing wind drift and the animal’s reaction time. For small varmints like prairie dogs, the devastating energy transfer means quick, humane dispatches, often without exit wounds, preserving pelts for those who trap. This rifle empowers hunters to make confident shots at distances once reserved for specialized, expensive setups.

For the Precision Target Shooter:
At the shooting range, the Ruger American Predator allows you to push the limits of your accuracy. The heavy, threaded barrel maintains consistency even after multiple shots, preventing significant point-of-impact shifts. The Power Bedding® system ensures the action is rigidly seated, contributing to incredibly tight groups. With its low recoil, you can spot your bullet impacts through the scope, allowing for immediate corrections and faster learning. This makes it an ideal platform for developing your long-range shooting skills or simply enjoying the satisfaction of consistently hitting small targets.

Tips for Getting Started with Your Ruger American Predator:

• Optics Selection: Given the rifle's precision capabilities and the .204 Ruger's flat trajectory, invest in quality optics. A scope with adjustable parallax and sufficient magnification (e.g., 4-16x or 6-24x) will allow you to fully utilize the rifle's potential at various ranges.
• Ammunition Choice: Experiment with different bullet weights and brands of .204 Ruger ammunition to find what your rifle prefers. Bullet weights typically range from 20 to 40 grains, with 32-grain and 40-grain options being popular for their balance of velocity and ballistic coefficient.
• Proper Cleaning: Maintain the cold hammer-forged barrel with regular cleaning to preserve its accuracy and longevity. Pay attention to the bore and chamber area.

Understanding the .204 Ruger Cartridge

The .204 Ruger, introduced in 2004, was specifically designed to be an ultra-high-velocity, low-recoil cartridge for varmint and predator hunting. It achieves its blistering speed by launching small-diameter, lightweight bullets.

Key Characteristics of the .204 Ruger:

• Blistering Velocity: Often exceeding 4,000 feet per second (fps) with lighter bullets, making it one of the fastest commercial cartridges available.
• Flat Trajectory: Due to its high velocity, the .204 Ruger exhibits a remarkably flat trajectory over typical varmint hunting distances, reducing the need for significant holdovers.
• Minimal Recoil: The light bullet weight and efficient powder burn result in very low felt recoil, allowing for comfortable shooting sessions and easy shot spotting.
• Excellent Terminal Performance: Despite its small bullet diameter, the high velocity of the .204 Ruger creates significant hydrostatic shock upon impact, leading to rapid and humane dispatches of small game and predators. For hunters concerned about fur damage, some bullet designs are specifically engineered to minimize pelt damage.

When comparing cartridges for varmint hunting, users often ask, "How does the .204 Ruger compare to a .223 Remington or .22-250 Remington?" While all are excellent varmint cartridges, the .204 Ruger typically offers higher velocities and a flatter trajectory than the .223 Rem, and often achieves similar performance to the .22-250 Rem with less powder and recoil, making it a highly efficient choice.

Maintaining Your Investment

Caring for your Ruger American Predator is straightforward and essential for maintaining its accuracy and longevity. Regular cleaning of the bore, bolt, and action will prevent carbon and copper buildup, which can degrade accuracy over time. A light coat of gun oil on metal parts will protect against corrosion. The durable synthetic stock requires minimal maintenance, simply wiping it down after use.

By understanding its features, capabilities, and the benefits of the .204 Ruger caliber, it's clear why the Ruger American Predator 26971 stands out as a premier choice for serious shooters. It’s a precision instrument designed for consistent performance in the field and on the range.

Where to Find the Ruger American Predator

For those ready to experience the precision and performance of the Ruger American Predator in .204 Ruger, this exceptional rifle is available at DEGuns. As a trusted retailer, DEGuns offers a wide selection of firearms and accessories, ensuring you can acquire this high-performance rifle and pair it with the perfect optics and ammunition for your needs.

Product Specifications

Feature	Detail
Model	Ruger 26971 American Predator
Caliber	.204 Ruger
Capacity	10+1 Rounds
Barrel Length	22 inches
Barrel Material	Cold Hammer-Forged Alloy Steel
Barrel Contour	Heavy, Threaded (1/2"-28)
Stock	Moss Green Synthetic
Finish	Matte Black
Hand	Right Hand
Included Accessory	Scope Rail (Picatinny)
Trigger	Ruger Marksman Adjustable™ (3-5 lbs)
Overall Length	Approximately 42 inches
Weight	Approximately 6.6 lbs (unloaded, without optics)
UPC	736676269716