Ruger American Gen II

[Pyscodog]

I'm not a bench rest shooter but I'm pretty anal myself.

 

[GaryinIllinois]

If you can get a one-hole group at 100 yards and are not satisfied, your expectations are much higher than mine. While I will keep trying for more 1/2” groups, I am pleased with several 100 yard groups of 1” or less from what I would consider to be a utility type rifle that will be used around here at 150 yards or less.

I will be interested in what you find. H322 has always been a good 223 powder for me.

Good luck!

 

[RegionRat]

I understand they made changes to the safety on the Gen 2 version.

The Gen 1 versions I have worked with have very loud safeties. Too loud for a coyote stand at close range.

As I have yet to even see a Gen 2 in the flesh, can any of you that have handled both comment on how difficult or loud it is to manipulate the safety on Gen 2? Thanks in advance.

 

[lawrence97]

I understand they made changes to the safety on the Gen 2 version.

The Gen 1 versions I have worked with have very loud safeties. Too loud for a coyote stand at close range.

As I have yet to even see a Gen 2 in the flesh, can any of you that have handled both comment on how difficult or loud it is to manipulate the safety on Gen 2? Thanks in advance.

The safety does not make any noise whatsoever. It is located along the tang and easily accessible with the thumb. I have a Gen 2 chambered in .300 blackout. My accuracy expectations were low since I am combining a blackout (not known for accuracy), hornady bullets (definitely not known for accuracy) and a Ruger rifle without the word “precision” in its name (doubtful accuracy).

So far I have tested 175smk subsonic loads running at 900fps and at 50 yards they went in the same hole. I also tested some Hornady 110vmax at 100 yards and it was 3/4 moa. I am going to play with some supersonic in the 150-165 range to see what it does.

So far the bolt is smooth and the trigger is good for a factory rifle. Trigger is subjective since I have triggertech diamonds, flavio fares and bix n Andy’s on my rigs. For a factory plinker to burn through some blackout rounds I am satisfied.

 

[GaryinIllinois]

I replaced the trigger return spring in my Gen ll 5.56 ranch rifle with the one from M-carbo in an effort to reduce the trigger pull. With no other changes, the pull weight was reduced from 3 5/8 pounds to 2 1/4 pounds. That is about right for my use; I wouldn’t want to go any lower. Pretty good return on a $20 investment!

 

[nakneker]

Finally put the Gen II on the bench last night, first 8 shots were all touching. Feeding is still pretty rough, bolt is a little rough but the feel of the rifle was nice, no recoil with that little round and the brake. If I was keeping it I’d pull the brake and install a can on it. I was shooting 120 BTs and CFE 223 with starline brass. I have a second load I’ll try tonight after I clean the barrel. The rifle already surpassed my accuracy expectations but I’ll shoot a few 5 shot groups tonight with both loads and see what happens. The second load is some Amaxes I had laying around. I bought the rifle out curiosity for the gen II, fun little gun, quite a value at 550-600 bucks. It’s a 6.5 Grendel by the way.

 

[Bc'z]

Finally put the Gen II on the bench last night, first 8 shots were all touching. Feeding is still pretty rough, bolt is a little rough but the feel of the rifle was nice, no recoil with that little round and the brake. If I was keeping it I’d pull the brake and install a can on it. I was shooting 120 BTs and CFE 223 with starline brass. I have a second load I’ll try tonight after I clean the barrel. The rifle already surpassed my accuracy expectations but I’ll shoot a few 5 shot groups tonight with both loads and see what happens. The second load is some Amaxes I had laying around. I bought the rifle out curiosity for the gen II, fun little gun, quite a value at 550-600 bucks.

Looks pretty good from here.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

Finally put the Gen II on the bench last night, first 8 shots were all touching. Feeding is still pretty rough, bolt is a little rough but the feel of the rifle was nice, no recoil with that little round and the brake. If I was keeping it I’d pull the brake and install a can on it. I was shooting 120 BTs and CFE 223 with starline brass. I have a second load I’ll try tonight after I clean the barrel. The rifle already surpassed my accuracy expectations but I’ll shoot a few 5 shot groups tonight with both loads and see what happens. The second load is some Amaxes I had laying around. I bought the rifle out curiosity for the gen II, fun little gun, quite a value at 550-600 bucks.

I had to go back and look to see which caliber you bought. That Grendel should be lots of fun shooting that good.

 

[nakneker]

I had to go back and look to see which caliber you bought. That Grendel should be lots of fun shooting that good.

I added it, should have added it to begin with.

 

[SD guy]

No one tried one in a 6mm ARC yet?

 

[Fern]

Yeah more and more I look at it they give you lot for the money. I love the 204 and when I looked at it I think they missed the mark with the twist rate. In my opinion they should have put a 11 or 10 twist.
Cva put out one and when I was comparing the two in 204 cva put a 10 twist

 

[Fern]

No one tried one in a 6mm ARC yet?

Was looking for a 22-250 but this one has my interest.

 

[nakneker]

Shot the 6.5 Grendel again at a 100 yesterday. Shooting two loads, accuracy was sub moa 5 shots. One load had a POI impact 3.25 inches higher than the other load which was surprising considering both loads were using the same powder, brass and primer, one was a 120 grain ballistic tip and the other was a 123 grain Amax.

Went shooting with my brother this morning, getting an early start practicing for the fall, we have a few good tags this year which is a change for me. On the way out a young yote stopped around 275 and stood broadside and played catch with a 120 grain ballistic tip.

The rifle is certainly worth the asking price, feeding is rough, trigger isn’t good or bad, just kind of blah but like I’ve said before I think these rifles are a great value. Gonna finish the two boxes of loads I have for the rifle and sell it. I was just curious what these rifles were all about never having had a Ruger American Gen 1 or Gen II, the Gen II was so feature rich with the brake, flutes, cerakote, AR mag that I wanted to try it.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

That’s pretty cool, thanks for testing one out.
You'll have to try out a Howa rifle now.

 

[SD guy]

Was looking for a 22-250 but this one has my interest.

6mm ARC or 22 ARC catching your interest?

 

[rabradshaw]

I have a Ruger American Gen II in 223 Rem. It does take PMAGS. Shoots very well with everything I’ve fed thru it, but it especially likes 62gr. 5 rounds of Freedom Munitions 62gr Reman in a .48” group at 100’. It does have a threaded barrel with a proprietary muzzle brake included.
I brought it home and my wife promptly claimed it as hers. LOL