Rifleman Review: Ruger American Ranch 7.62x39 mm

by
posted on May 27, 2020
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
Watch our “Rifleman Review” segment above hosted by American Rifleman TV’s Brian Sheetz as he discusses the features of Ruger’s American Ranch Rifle chambered for the .30-cal., 7.62x39 mm cartridge.

Title screen for American Rileman TV's Rifleman Review of the Ruger American Ranch chambered in 7.62x39 mm.

Little did Bill Ruger, Sr., and Alexander Sturm know that the development of the Standard Model .22-cal. semi-automatic pistol would lead them to the Sturm, Ruger & Co. as known today. Over the course of more than a half century, Ruger has advanced its manufacturing capabilities to include abundant selections of handguns, pistols and rifles, from single-action classics to highly-tuned long-range rifles employing the most modern features available.

Right-side view on white background of a Ruger American Ranch rifle with flat-dark-earth-colored stock.

Since its beginnings, Ruger has stood by its customers by providing the best performance and quality at pricing for budget-minded Americans. In 2011, a new rifle was born out of the New Hampshire-based company—the Ruger American. With a receiver built from 4140 chrome-moly steel bar stock fitted with a hammer-forged barrel, Ruger’s new American Rifle was rich with features, including an injection-molded stock along with the company’s new Power Bedding system that uses V-shaped wedge-blocks to securely mate with the barreled action. Additionally, the company brought a newly designed one-piece, three-lug bolt and Ruger Marksman Adjustable trigger.

Rifle in hands of American Rifleman with one bolt at the rear and one hand on the optic.


Further advancements came from Ruger’s American series of bolt-action rifles, and one such model that was designed for compactness and ease of use is the Ruger American Ranch. Chambered for 5.56 NATO, 300 BLK, 350 Legend, 450 Bushmaster and 7.62x39 mm, the latter is our feature subject in the video above. The Ranch series chambered in 7.62x39 mm provides an overall length of 36” and features a 16.12” cold-hammer-forged barrel threaded 5/8”x24 TPI. The push-feed action is fed from factory-supplied five-round Mini Thirty-pattern magazines, though 10- and 20-round magazines are available. All told, this is a bolt-action rifle ready for optics that weighs less than six pounds and commands an MSRP of $549.

Close-up view of Ruger American Ranch rifle and its trigger and magazine.

Follow along with American Rifleman’s Brian Sheetz in our feature video above to learn more.

Specification table listing features of Ruger's American Ranch rifle.


Latest

Kimber 1911 Ds Warrior Gotw 1
Kimber 1911 Ds Warrior Gotw 1

Gun of the Week: Kimber 1911 DS Warrior LW

In 2026, Kimber developed its 1911 DS Warrior, an American-made, double-stack design that is intended to be an affordable entry point into Kimber's double-stack handgun line.

The Armed Citizen® April 24, 2026

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Spin Difference: The Impact of Barrel Twist Rates on Terminal Performance

When most shooters think of rifling-twist rates, they mostly think of rifles with their high BC projectiles, but the rpm of a bullet also plays a part in terminal performance.

Beretta's 1301 Tactical vs. A300 Ultima Patrol Shotguns: Which Should You Choose?

Ever since Beretta launched the A300 Ultima Patrol shotgun in 2024 as a less-pricey alternative to the 1301 Tactical, shotgunners have debated whether the 1301 is worth the extra cost. Let's examine them both.

ZEV Technologies Escaping Washington State’s Hostile Political Climate

ZEV Technologies announced it is moving its headquarters and manufacturing operations out of Washington state to Utah’s Second Amendment-friendly business climate.

U.S. v. Hemani Arguments

On March 2, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in U.S. v. Hemani. The case involves a defendant who is fighting a federal indictment for possessing a firearm while being a marijuana user.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.