Welcome back to Canadian Gunz. The Ruger American Gen 2 has a lot of features I like in a hunting rifle, but it also has a magazine quirk worth knowing about.
I took a Gen 2 chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor to the range to see how it performed. Here’s what I found.
Tripods
For the range session, I used Sunwayfoto tripods as part of the support setup.
First Impressions and Features
The Gen 2 stands out right away with its sleek design. The stock has a unique splatter texture, and the spiral-fluted barrel looks sharp with its cerakote finish, which also provides great weather resistance. At only 6.5 pounds, it's lightweight and easy to carry on long treks.
It comes with a host of features you don't typically see on a rifle in this price range. It has a Picatinny rail for mounting optics, so you don't have to buy one separately. The bolt is a three-lug stainless steel design that feels smooth and has a 70-degree throw, making it fast and easy to cycle.
Accuracy and Performance
I tested seven factory loads at 100 yards. It shot sub-MOA with the ammunition it liked, and I was impressed with the accuracy.
The best load in that review was Hornady 147-grain ELD Match.
While not every round was a tack driver, the rifle proved it can deliver consistent, sub-MOA accuracy with the right ammunition, which is excellent for a budget-friendly hunting rifle.
Magazine, Trigger, and Barrel
My magazine could be hard to seat with the bolt closed. With the bolt open, I had no problem getting it locked in. I had no failures to feed or eject during the test.
The Marksman trigger on mine broke at about 4.5 pounds. It had a little creep, but I didn’t find that a dealbreaker in this rifle.
The cold hammer forged barrel was spiral fluted, Cerakote finished and fitted with a radial muzzle brake. I liked the overall package.
Stock and Adjustability
The splatter-finished stock lets you change comb height and length of pull. I liked that flexibility, and the butt pad felt nice and soft. Those details make it easier to get a fit you like.
Final Thoughts
The Ruger American Gen 2 is a fantastic rifle that offers a lot of value for the price. It's accurate, reliable, and loaded with features you'd expect on a much more expensive rifle. While the trigger could be smoother, and the magazine can be a bit finicky, these are minor issues that don't take away from the overall performance. Whether you're a new hunter or looking for a solid backup rifle, the Ruger American Gen 2 is definitely worth considering.
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