The Ruger American Rifle Generation II

12/18/2023 – So here we are, Christmas is near. If not Christmas, other major religious and cultural holidays. Gift shopping and associated wrapping is done. The tree is up, decorations are in progress, family will soon head up from Texas. Yes, a peaceful time to carve out from angry politics and catastrophic world events.

It has become more important for me to understand the holiday, and to understand the life of Christ. After all, he’s the celebrant. I suppose that interest develops for many as they grow older. So I have split some recent reading time between the Book of Luke and research into associated history. It’s an effort to correlate major events by magnitude, if not by matching time of events.

Oh, no. Not preaching. Just thinking aloud. If I have learned anything over the years, it is that religious holidays are personal in nature and perspective, and the Bible is far more cryptic… enigmatic? than a collection of Bob Dylan songs.

My wife was a devout Catholic, and she lived true to her beliefs. Me? I’m more the guy in the Van Helsing movie, who brings down a church just by entering. Still, I subscribe to Alexander Pope’s “Hope Springs Eternal”.

I wish you all the very best of this season, peace and good will, and an exceptional 2024. For now, try to take it easy, I know you work too hard.

Ruger has obviously been busy

The first Ruger American Rifle was introduced in January of 2012. It was quite a departure from M77 design philosophy, but the American Rifle grew into an expansive product line. It has been offered in many configurations, from compact brush rifles to long range hunters. And as the configurations changed, new popular cartridges were incorporated.

Ruger is one of those companies that listens to customers through many channels, collects field data and revises their products accordingly. These practices are reflected in the new Ruger American Rifle Generation II.

While my review is of the Ruger American Rifle Generation II in 6.5 Creedmoor, the initial product release includes the calibers appearing on the table below. All the rest of the current long and short action American Rifle, standard and Ranch versions, will follow in 2024, along with some new chambers and additional Gen II configurations.

A bit more specificity…

Poking around, in no specific order of importance…

All Gen II models, with the exception of the 450 Bushmaster, have spiral fluted barrels to keep weight down on a medium profile barrel without sacrificing rigidity. The approach contributes to the rifle’s overall good balance. Each version has a radial muzzle brake with thread size appropriate for bore size.

Ruger has taken the balance issue one step further with an accessory weight kit, available at ShopRuger.Com, intended to bring the butt end of the American into balance in the event a heavy muzzle device is in place… my guess would be a silencer.

The action, barrel and muzzle device as shipped are finished in Gun Metal Gray Cerakote; Ranch versions are finished in Cobalt Cerakote.

The receiver is essentially the same as Gen I, with a few refinements. The driver’s side of the receiver is scalloped, framing the ATF required manufacturer’s information and the “do not stick your nose in a running fan” caution has been moved to a more compact place of honor, just below the serial number.

The bolt stop is now sprung to a neutral position, so that it retains the bolt until depressed, while not dragging against the bolt… and causing the more sensitive amongst us to breathe deeply and sigh heavily.

A nifty safety enhancement…

The Ruger American Rifle and American Rifle Generation II and Ranch version have a new three position tang safety, as pictured above, red – fire, one white bar – safety engaged and bolt is unlocked, two white bars – safety is engaged and bolt is locked in the closed position. The action is indicated cocked when a small silver tab protrudes from the bolt shroud, as pictured above.

Can a bolt be aesthetically pleasing? Read on…

The Gen II bolt, foreground, in comparison to the original American Rifle/Ranch bolt. Yes, it is much, much bigger. No, not really. It is the same size, setting aside photographic malfeasance. However, the new one piece stainless steel bolt has been machined and processed to an enhanced form that not only looks pretty spiffy, but also better resists corrosion and discoloration. The bolt handle has standard 5/16″-24 to accept aftermarket bolt knobs. The push feed, low 70° lift and three lug lock up of the original American remain, as does the spring loaded ejector and sliding extractor.

The Swiss Army knife of rifle stocks…

Matching the physical attributes of a human, to the static dimensions and geometry of a rifle stock, is problematic. Compounding the problem, different types of mechanical and optical sights require different positioning of the head for a changing line of sight.

Long arms require a long LOP, short arms, not so much. Getting the right fit tangibly impacts a person’s ability to shoot a rifle accurately, and determines their shooting comfort under recoil.

The Ruger American Rifle Generation II and Ranch utilizes length of pull spacers that are sandwiched between the rifle’s recoil pad and buttstock. Changing requires only removing the rear sling stud, and a bolt that joins the recoil pad with the spacer. The spacer supplied with the rifle results in a 13.75″ length of pull. Other spacers available at ShotRuger.Com, or eliminating the spacer altogether, can make LOP as short as 12″.

What about that bobbling noggin?

The Ruger American Generation II and Ranch version have an interchangeable comb riser system. They ship with a low comb, 1/2″ comb height increase above plain stock, but medium 5/8″ and high 3/4″ combs are available at ShopRuger.Com for those who need something more. Changing the comb requires only loosening the same swivel stud, pulling the spacer back slightly and sliding the riser off.

The stock finish is “Gray Splatter”. I love that name. It feels like a bunch of fine threads sealed into the finish and it is very anti-slip in cold and wet weather. I know that for a fact. If they could have incorporated that into a glove, it would definitely help some of those NY Giants receivers early in the season.

The recoil pad is radiused at the heel to reduce the chance of snagging on clothing when bringing the rifle to the shoulder. The pad features a new design that provides progressive resistance to recoil for exceptional dampening of recoil, without losing form.

This model’s stock removal was straightforward, as the rear action screw can be accessed through the magazine well. Some other models require removal of the magazine latch. Ruger includes an assembly tool, pictured above to the right of the magazine well, to simplify reassembling the latch, latch pin and spring to the well.

The Magazine system is AI compatible, so magazines of varying capacity and brands are compatible. Magazine types are assigned as most appropriate for configuration. So across the American Rifle and American Rifle Ranch there are flush fit, stack and rotary, AI compatible, AR compatible, and Mini Thirty types. Type is defined in the specific rifle specs.

Ruger Power Bedding. Accuracy assured…

The stock is heavily “egg crate” reinforced throughout, making for a very solid feel and a solid base for the Ruger bedding system.

Ruger M77/Hawkeye rifles have grown progressively more accurate over the past couple of decades. However, the American line began with exceptional accuracy, and the Generation II is even better.

Key is the Ruger Power Bedding System where the action joins the stock at four V Block locations, arrows in picture above, and floats everywhere else. Not only does this benefit the shooter, it also allows Ruger to easily adapt many application specific stock configurations.

Adaptability is a theme with this rifle. It adapts to applications and individuals, while complying with Ruger standard manufacturing processes and providing an inventory common to many model variations. Solid engineering.

The Ruger Marksman Adjustable trigger remains as one of the best. Pull is infinitely adjustable within a range of 3 lbs to 5 lbs, there is no perceptible creep or overtravel. Adjustment is done with the stock off. The trigger release safety offers virtually no resistance and protects against accidental discharge. I like that little bell crank that actuates the three position safety.

Better than the cam in my truck…

Ruger has expended a good deal of effort to slick up bolt travel; they’ve unloaded the bolt stop from the bolt, refined bolt finish, full diameter bolt body, and dual cocking cams. Carried over from Gen I, using two cocking cams spreads the firing pin spring load over a larger bearing surface, reducing cocking effort. Nice touch.

Live fire performance…

Range time was split out over several days, with one day at 7°F another was a near tropical 36°F. Turns out, temperature had no significant effect on factory ammo. Much more so on my ears and fingers. Yes, you should feel sorry for me.

Cartridge	Bullet Weight Grains	Rated MV FPS	Recorded MV FPS	100 Yard 3 Shot Group”
American Eagle Match	120	2900	2584	0.5
Hornady Match	120	2910	2713	0.7
Federal Fusion	140	2750	2575	0.6

Velocity fall off from rated is primarily due to the use of a 24″ test barrel to establish a manufacturer’s rated velocity, versus the real world 20″ barrel found on many hunting rifles.

Accuracy is excellent and consistent within the product line. While 3 shot groups may not be statistical proof of accuracy, they are thermometer appropriate and, I believe, indicative of the American Rifle Generation II’s performance.

What stood out?

I would define performance as a combination of accuracy, function and handling. The subject Ruger American Rifle Generation II is a hunting rifle by caliber and configuration. Having a firearm that can shoot accurately, beyond my marksmanship abilities, is essential. That attribute means I will never be limited by the firearm I carry, and that practice can make me better.

The American Rifle Generation II instills confidence. I know it would be there when called upon. The design is too robust and too refined, to fail due to temperature and precipitation extremes. I live in that kind of an environment.

The truth is, the Ruger American Rifle Generation II is so slick in operation and shooter engagement, I didn’t even offer resistance at 7°F. The bolt throw remained light, and bolt drag was near friction-less. Trigger pull was constant, the comb met my face with support for scope line of sight, and magazine changes were effortless. The recoil pad barely patted my shoulder under moderate 6.5 Creedmoor recoil.

Side note – Terrific product manual; arrangement, detail, illustrations, schematics, and parts lists.

The Ruger American Rifle Generation II is clearly the product of people who have their brains and firearm-related hearts in the right places. Nice product.