The Ruger American Ranch Gen 2 in .308 Winchester has quickly become a popular choice among shooters, boasting a blend of affordability, versatility, and Ruger's renowned reliability. But does it live up to the hype? This in-depth review dives into the features, performance, and overall value of this popular rifle, helping you determine if it's the right fit for your needs.
First Impressions and Key Features
Upon handling the Ruger American Ranch Gen 2 .308, you'll immediately notice its lightweight and maneuverable design. This is partly due to its synthetic stock, which is both durable and comfortable, even during extended shooting sessions. The stock's design incorporates a comfortable pistol grip and a slightly raised cheek rest, ensuring proper eye alignment with the scope or iron sights.
Key features that set this rifle apart include:
- Ruger's adjustable trigger: Known for its crisp and reliable performance, the Ruger American's trigger offers a customizable pull weight, allowing shooters to fine-tune it to their preferences. This is a significant advantage over many rifles in this price range.
- Blued barrel: The barrel's blued finish provides excellent protection against corrosion and wear, enhancing the rifle's overall longevity.
- 16.1" barrel: The shorter barrel length contributes to the rifle's maneuverability, making it ideal for various hunting and shooting applications, while still delivering sufficient velocity for most .308 applications.
- Ghost ring sights: While many will opt for a scope, the inclusion of ghost ring sights provides a reliable backup sighting system, useful in various conditions.
- Versatile magazine: The Ruger American Ranch utilizes a detachable box magazine, allowing for quick and easy reloading.
Performance on the Range
The Ruger American Ranch Gen 2 .308 Winchester consistently demonstrated accuracy during range testing. While not a precision target rifle, it delivers respectable accuracy with quality ammunition, easily achieving groups under 2 MOA at 100 yards with proper sighting and technique. The rifle's recoil is manageable, even for less experienced shooters, thanks to the rifle's weight and stock design. The trigger, once adjusted, breaks cleanly and consistently, contributing to improved accuracy.
Reliability and Durability
Ruger has a well-earned reputation for building reliable firearms, and the American Ranch Gen 2 .308 lives up to that expectation. During testing, the rifle functioned flawlessly, cycling ammunition reliably and exhibiting no malfunctions. The robust construction suggests this rifle will withstand the rigors of regular use in a variety of environments.
Applications and Use Cases
The versatility of the Ruger American Ranch Gen 2 makes it suitable for a wide range of applications, including:
- Home defense: Its maneuverability and manageable recoil make it a viable option for home defense, though always consider local laws and regulations.
- Hunting: It's effective for hunting medium-sized game, such as deer and hogs, at reasonable ranges.
- Range shooting: The rifle's accuracy and ease of use make it enjoyable for recreational shooting at the range.
- Tactical applications (with modifications): While not specifically designed as a tactical rifle, it can be adapted with various accessories for tactical use.
Overall Value and Conclusion
The Ruger American Ranch Gen 2 .308 offers exceptional value for its price. It combines a blend of reliable performance, user-friendly features, and solid construction, making it a strong contender in its class. While it might not compete directly with high-end precision rifles, its versatility and ease of use make it a fantastic option for a wide range of shooters. If you're looking for a reliable, versatile, and affordable .308 rifle, the Ruger American Ranch Gen 2 deserves serious consideration. Remember to always practice safe firearm handling and follow all applicable laws and regulations.
