Ruger Gen II American
A Dandy Deuce!
The Ruger American (top), and Gen II — same great accuracy with more modern looks and style.
“Brandon” is telling everyone the big corporations are ripping off the American consumer by giving less goods for the same price. Maybe the corporations are keeping the prices the same so the average American can afford partial-sized product? Isn’t it better to have less, than not afford nothing at all? Especially when talking about food?
Ruger American Gen II
However, there is one American that is as value-packed as they come — the Ruger American Gen II Rifle. The original Ruger American made a huge splash when introduced 13 years ago. The rifle was a basic, plain Jane, no-frills, entry-level rifle. However, Ruger’s engineers were able to design the original American so it would outshoot rifles three times the price of the American rifle. These are American values to be proud of, and one of the reasons I’ve had a life-long love affair with Ruger firearms. Ruger builds guns that last a lifetime, are accurate and the working man can afford!
I was late to the party but made up for it quickly. My first American was a 300 BLK Ranch rifle, followed by a .308 Winchester, then came a 7.62X39 Russkie, a 6.5 CM (to see what all the fuss was about) followed by a 5.56. I loved the affordable price as well as their exceptional accuracy. It made me feel smug when outshooting buddies with expensive custom rifles. I also rounded out my American addiction with a .22 rimfire and .17 HMR.
Skinner Sights makes a new “Scout Rail” for the Gen II, if you
choose to make a Scout-style rifle. It also adds an open sight option.
Ugly Duckling?
Ruger knew they had an accurate platform, albeit a slightly generic-looking one. How can we put lipstick on this “plain Jane” to seduce a shallower rifleman who cares more about looks than performance? First thing Ruger did was put the American in a new dress. One with a little flash, a few cuts, some speckling, and voila!, now we have a stylishly modern-looking stock with a humpbacked comb and ergonomic grip in a stock that looks like it came from an expensive custom shop. The 1-8″ twist spiral fluted barrel adds style and function, providing more surface area to dissipate heat.
The traditional 2-position push safety was upgraded to a 3-position safety so now you can lock the bolt down when traipsing through thick cover and not have your bolt get pulled open. Feeding is smoother from the included 10-round magazine.
Thin-faced shooters have the option of switching out the comb for a higher, more positive cheek weld when peering through their scope. I’ve never had this problem, having well-developed German jowls. Length of pull is also adjustable. Rather than including these parts in the box, Ruger makes them available from the ShopRuger.com website to keep the price down on something 90% of people won’t use anyway. Smart move.
The barreled action is “Power Bedded,” utilizing two bedding blocks molded into the stock and mated with milled cutouts on the receiver, ensuring the finest accuracy possible. Perhaps this is the main contributor to the American’s accuracy? Bolt handle is enlarged from the original American, making manipulation more positive and is threaded 5/16″-24 for easy replacement of your choice. A one-piece Picatinny rail is factory installed for easy scope mounting.
Buffalo Bore Deer Slayer ammo proved the most accurate
but not by a lot. Tank’s gun wasn’t picky on what it shot.
Shooting
I mounted a Leupold Freedom 2-7X33 scope which, for the intended purpose of the Gen II Ranch rifle in 5.56, is perfect for me. Its short 16.1″ barrel makes it a convenient truck gun. Varmints and predators are in danger out to 200 yards with this setup. Using a larger, higher magnification scope would upset the balance.
For range day, I had three different loads to shoot. The first was Buffalo Bore Deer Hunter loads using Barnes TSX 55-grain bullets. Next was HSM 55-grain FMJ. Lastly were some handloads of mine using 55-grain Nosler BT, loaded over 26 grains of Winchester 748.
Shooting was done at 100 yards with three groups of three rounds and averaged. Sandbag rests were used for stability. To say the rifle shot well would be an understatement of Brandon’s magnitude. The Buffalo Bore ammo averaged 0.631″. The HSM 55-grain FMJ averaged 0.813″ and my handloads were 0.724″. I’m sure groups would be smaller if a larger magnification scope were used.
These Sub-MOA groups are amazing for such an affordable rifle.
Summation
The Ruger American Gen II is another successful venture by Ruger. With the upgraded looks of the stock, barrel, muzzle brake and rugged Cerakote finish, this carbine can take the roughest of conditions as well as inflict serious harm on vermin, game or predators while looking like a semi-custom gun. Its compact size makes it perfect for the truck or ATV, as well as stalking in thick cover.
