Ruger predator G2 or Howa 1500 mini?

[kyotekiller25]

Looking to get the wife an entry level rifle in 6 ARC that she can out to 800 yards or so.

I've already got the dies and 4 boxes of Hornady Match 108 ELDMs and a box of 103g ELDXs.

Looking at rifles I've narrowed it down to the Ruger Predator Gen 2 or the Howa 1500 mini. Both have 22" barrels, both are threaded, while the Ruger comes with a radial brake. The Ruger has a medium varmint fluted barrel while the Howa is a sporter weight. The Ruger is also cerakoted. Believe the Ruger uses AR style mags while the Howa uses their own proprietary mags.

I will be handloading for either rifle with 108g ELDMs after the factory ammo has been shot up.

I know it's kinda a crap shoot with factory rifles, but which one would you go with for accuracy? At the end of the day, that's what I'm after. I've read nothing but good things about the Ruger for accuracy, and the Howa has been more of a hit and miss. However the Howa does have the better action/bolt, but that doesn't mean it will shoot any better either. I can get either rifle for right around $600 and I've got an extra 5-25x strike eagle laying around for optics.

Thanks!

 

[SecondsCount]

It's definitely a crap shoot.

My experience with one G1 Ruger American wasn't acceptable, never better than 1 MOA and mostly 2 MOA with good ammo.

I've had two Howa Minis, they both shot between .5-1MOA with the same ammo.

 

[ggshoots]

I have had 2 Gen 1 Ruger Predators, 6.5CM and 223. Both were very accurate but a little clunky cycling the action. I think I have seen a mix of reviews on the Gen 2. I have not had a Howa but would sway that way if it wasn't for the metric threads as I rebarrel my own.

 

[qldreloader]

I have owned 5 Howas. They all shot well. I will never buy another Ruger rifle.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

Does the stock of one fit her better than the other one?

 

[kyotekiller25]

Does the stock of one fit her better than the other one?

We won't be able to physically hold or look at the Howa as no one has one in stock. They do have the Rugers however.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

We won't be able to physically hold or look at the Howa as no one has one in stock. They do have the Rugers however.

https://www.howausa.com/howa-super-lite/
This one looks pretty nice with the HS Precision stock.

 

[kyotekiller25]

https://www.howausa.com/howa-super-lite/
This one looks pretty nice with the HS Precision stock.

Doesn't look like they make that model in a 6mm ARC. I do like it though.

I was actually looking at this one...And it's also one of the few that comes with a sub-MOA guarantee