Ruger American Gen II

[luv2safari]

Count me in the group that prefers shorter barrels. Where I hunt a longer 24" barrel is too much of a pain and I've never had any problems with accuracy or bullet performance with a 18-20" barrel. I think that the standard in .223 or 6 ARC would be a good compliment to the AR's I have in those calibers.

Zach,

I can see where back east deer hunting is vastly different than out here. For one thing you have so much better opportunity. In my state residents are on a draw basis, and getting any tag of any kind is a once-every-three-year proposition if that lucky.

Since our shots are often longer and cross canyon or open plains, the longer barrels are better accuracy wise. They just hold steadier for most hunters.

If I were setting up to hunt your country I would have a fast-handling and handier 18" to 20" rifle in something like 358 Win, a great round I have in which I have a lot of confidence. That's my old-school talking.

 

[luv2safari]

I've never met a Ruger American that I liked. No way I'd pay $729 for one. Doubt I'd pay $300 for one.

Have you ever shot them long ranges, where accuracy needs to be better than minute of barn?

 

[ojibweindian]

Have you ever shot them long ranges, where accuracy needs to be better than minute of barn?

No question they have a reputation for being accurate.

That being said; I loathe them. Ugliest, flimsiest things I've ever seen.

 

[zdc1775]

Zach,

I can see where back east deer hunting is vastly different than out here. For one thing you have so much better opportunity. In my state residents are on a draw basis, and getting any tag of any kind is a once-every-three-year proposition if that lucky.

Since our shots are often longer and cross canyon or open plains, the longer barrels are better accuracy wise. They just hold steadier for most hunters.

If I were setting up to hunt your country I would have a fast-handling and handier 18" to 20" rifle in something like 358 Win, a great round I have in which I have a lot of confidence. That's my old-school talking.

Actually the shorter barrel preference is more from my time hunting out west in WA than my prior hunting experiences here in the south east since we mostly hunted over fields from box blinds.

After buying my first 20" barreled 308 I realized that it was just much easier to carry and move around with vs the 24" 30-06 I was using before buying that gun. Combine that with my experiences overseas using a Mk12 out to around 600 meters and seeing it's effectiveness and now the only long barreled rifles that I own are that old 30-06 and a RA predator in 6 CM that I haven't gotten around to sending off to a gunsmith to be cut back, or swapping the barrel out on.

And I agree with you that a bolt gun in 358 Win or 338 Federal and an 18" barrel would make a handy little rifle, but my walking around rifle for this season has been a 10.5" AR in 300 BLK and I don't see changing that out anytime soon.

 

[Roverguy]

Strange configurations, 16” or 20” barrels. And the fluted twist? The latter designed one supposes to support the margin increase. The former? Odd.

 

[Hookeye]

That will be interesting to see. I have often preferred wood stocks compared to flimsy synthetics but I've found that a nice stiff synthetic stock isn't bad at all.

You can usually stiffen them up manually with some JB Weld but its a pain. Plus some actions just don't lend themselves as much to it (eg the Savage Axis stocks will still flex up and down no matter how stiff - even laminate stock flexes up and down - I think it's due to the type of recoil lug they use).

First version Axis had stock flex at wrist too.

 

[Hookeye]

Unfortunately?
I like a good looking rifle.
Much of the new stuff doesn't fall into that catagory (for me).

Hard to believe, but nice stuff that works is, or was, available.

With the market flooded, new types of shooters....

Like archery companies, just add/change a few things to make it "new and improved"......do that every yr or so to
keep folks buying "latest and greatest".

Plastic and cerakote........."limited edition" color schemes.
Some folks go nuts for that stuff.

Fine, its their money.
They do seem a bit bummed when it comes to resale, for some reason.

 

[Hookeye]

I almost got a .450 BM Ruger American, but it would have needed a Magpul stock, diff bolt shroud/handle and trigger.
Just couldn't see adding that much to an entry level rifle.
My buddy did though

 

[EIB0879]

If I bought one of the Gen 1 s I would get a Boyd's stock on it. But it would have to be really cheap otherwise I would just go with a Begara B-14, Howa 1500, etc...

 

[maxxhavoc]

Ruger's MSRP has nothing to do with reality.

Example:
MSRP:

Price online:


$140 Difference. The new RAR model's MSRP is about $60 more than the old ones, and I have not seen one of the RARs within $100 of MSRP for sale at a decent shop.

As far as the OLD Ranch Rifles went, they were pretty good to go out of the box, I never had touching issues with those. The fullsize "Standard" on the other hand, that stock did touch. I put a Boyd's on my 30-06 and am very happy with the results. For a thin profile barrel, it does well. I like the looks of the medium profile on the new models (as well as the threading...) It prints groups a bit smaller than my .308 Tikka T3 Lite. Which I have decided needs a heavier stock, too....

I'd pay $10 more for an unfluted or even straight fluted model though. Spiral fluting is not my thing.

 

[wild willy]

I see no left hand models. I have two of the older left hand guns.The one thing I hope is that there’s a way to put the new safety with the bolt lock on the older guns.

 

[LoonWulf]

I really dislike the exterior shape of the original Ruger American stocks..... But I never really had any issue with them flexing enough to cause accuracy issues.

I think I've owned six now.....

And yeah I spent some money on them.... All but one got a replacement stock.

The "party in a box!" Got 4 barrels, 2 scopes, and 2 stocks lol.


Actually.... While I don't really care for the way the second gen stocks look.... Mostly because of that black riser. If they fix the proportions to be closer to what I prefer. I might actually be happy with them.

 

[zdc1775]

The one thing I hope is that there’s a way to put the new safety with the bolt lock on the older guns.

I was actually hoping for the opposite myself. I absolutely hate safeties that lock the bolt in place.

 

[md7]

I was actually hoping for the opposite myself. I absolutely hate safeties that lock the bolt in place.

What about that feature do you dislike?

 

[tdbmd]

I like the cerakoting and the new stock a lot. I'm curious how stiff the new stock is. The non flush fit magazine and release lever on the standard models like the 308 and 6.5c would be a hard no for me but I'm not really in the market for one either. I would put up with it on the ranch models since it would be convinient to have AR mag compatibility. I don't care either way about the fluting. I am a big fan of compact rifles so the shorter barrels are a plus to me.

I read a review in the online version of Outdoor Life that said that there were flush mount magazines available. Not sure if that is accurate but that would be a better deal for me because I agree with you regarding the non flush fit mags.

 

[luv2safari]

No question they have a reputation for being accurate.

That being said; I loathe them. Ugliest, flimsiest things I've ever seen.

But, have you ever shot them?

I agree about ugly! To me all the new plastic guns are an abomination to the eyes, like all the new cars. Something with nice lines, deep bluing, and attractive wood is my thing. IMO all the plastic will deteriorate far too soon, where wood and steel have lasted centuries. It's too bad the gunmakers saw fit to make inexpensive guns awful looking. It's like they're daring us to buy them.

As to a sloppy bolt, my favorite 98 Mausers are pretty sloppy. This Ruger is about the same in that regard. I remembered the Remington 788's debut. We all thought Remington had lost their mind. But, they shot tiny groups, were affordable, and came with short and long barrels. They command premium prices now.

I can't see where the American, Axis, Patriot, etc will ever be worth much in years to come, but I've been wrong at least once before in my life.

 

[zdc1775]

What about that feature do you dislike?

It has always seemed more like a question in search of an answer to me, sort of like the magazine cut offs that early bolt actions had. They might have served a purpose at one time for a military arm but now seem to be used out of nostalgia and to make something, that serves a vital role, more complicated and likely to break than it should be for no reason.

Add to that just the simple fact that I have to fiddle with the safety in order to open the bolt. I know I could just leave it in the middle position and that wouldn't be an issue but inevitable it'll get pushed into the locked position and then I'll either have to play with the safety to unload or I'll push it forward to fire and still be on safe.

 

[Hookeye]

The Steyr safety (SBS) is pretty simple.
Just sayin'

 

[BreechFace]

The Steyr safety (SBS) is pretty simple.
Just sayin'

That is a pretty sweet safety and bolt removal on the Steyrs. I have too much history with the wing safety on the back of the bolt, but if I didn't it's hard to argue with the Steyr system there.

I really like the Ruger MK II's 3-position wing safety. It's easy for me to thumb with hand in trigger position. I think Ruger implemented this better than my newer Winchester M70 EW.

To those who don't understand why people like the three position safeties. Odd things happen when hunting the hills and mountains here in the west or anywhere just my exposure. Uncovered muzzles can get filled with dirt/mud/debris, exposed unlockable turrets get moved, bolt knobs can get bumped, hooked by brush and jostled until falling out and other varied issues. I prefer the added security of being able to lock my bolt in position. And the 2nd position is a really nice safety feature for blind magazine or not having to puke out your cartridges out of the bottom plate allowing one to operate the bolt with the trigger disengaged.

 

[CraigC]

No question they have a reputation for being accurate.

That being said; I loathe them. Ugliest, flimsiest things I've ever seen.

Beauty is certainly the eye of the beerholder but flimsy?

Ruger's MSRP has nothing to do with reality.

Example:
MSRP:
View attachment 1185220
Price online:
View attachment 1185221

$140 Difference. The new RAR model's MSRP is about $60 more than the old ones, and I have not seen one of the RARs within $100 of MSRP for sale at a decent shop.

As far as the OLD Ranch Rifles went, they were pretty good to go out of the box, I never had touching issues with those. The fullsize "Standard" on the other hand, that stock did touch. I put a Boyd's on my 30-06 and am very happy with the results. For a thin profile barrel, it does well. I like the looks of the medium profile on the new models (as well as the threading...) It prints groups a bit smaller than my .308 Tikka T3 Lite. Which I have decided needs a heavier stock, too....

I'd pay $10 more for an unfluted or even straight fluted model though. Spiral fluting is not my thing.

Rugers have typically gone for 75-80% of MSRP for as long as I can remember.

 

[wild willy]

I was actually hoping for the opposite myself. I absolutely hate safeties that lock the bolt in place.

A safety that doesn’t lock the bolt is PITA on a hunting rifle in thick brush

 

[WisBorn]

Lipsey's Video Review: Ruger American Generation II Rifle

Jason and Dale had a great time putting some rounds down range with the new Ruger American Generation II rifle. This Ruger rifle boasts the American accuracy...

youtu.be

Link to the lipsey video. I think it's a nice upgrade.

 

[ojibweindian]

Beauty is certainly the eye of the beerholder but flimsy?

First of all, it's bourbon

Second, yeah, those stocks are only marginally more rigid than a soda straw.

 

[CraigC]

First of all, it's bourbon

Second, yeah, those stocks are only marginally more rigid than a soda straw.

And yet all of mine shoot sub-MOA.

 

[dranrab]

Nobody knows how rigid these new stocks will be. The flimsy Gen 1 stocks flat out get the job done. It is very rare that anyone complains that their American is inaccurate. More often than not people are astounded at how accurate they are.