Welcome to another American Rifleman Gun Of The Week video, and this time we’re on the range with a bolt-action rifle chambered for the wildly popular 6.5 mm Creedmoor cartridge. Meet the Ruger American Gen II Standard. Watch our video above to see it in use on the range.
When it comes to American-made firearms, Ruger is one of the biggest companies that design and manufacture guns right here in the U.S. And the storied brand has successfully designed and marketed several types of bolt-action rifles over the years, starting with the iconic Mauser-like M77 in the late 1960s. But it wasn’t until 2012 when the industry was taken off guard by Ruger’s completely new bolt-action rifle dubbed the American.
Rather than turning the M77 inside-out and on its head, Ruger engineers went back to the drawing board to create its American rifle. With it came a few trend-setting concepts. The first is that it was an affordable rifle with incredible accuracy potential, straight out of the box. It was built for speed of manufacture and ease of use. With that first gen American rifle, you got a CNC-machined receiver and a wonderful cold-hammer-forged steel barrel. It featured a short-throw action with a large-diameter bolt body and three-lugged head all fitted to an injection-molded stock by way of the company’s Power Bedding System, which are a set of V-blocks that consistently secure the barreled action within its stock. This was similar to the pillar bedding you typically found on custom rifles at the time. Our testers raved over the American, too. And since our initial review in 2012, myriad options have rolled out of the factory year after year.
In 2024 Ruger announced a new bolt-action offering, this time a complete update to its successful American rifle line. Dubbed the American Gen II, this version sports a few trendy upgrades worth considering. Sure, you can still get that base model if you desire, but this latest example will leave you wanting more ammo and time to enjoy it.
At first blush, it’s easy to see a few of the upgrades Ruger employed on its Gen II Standard rifle. You’ll get a redesigned stock with a splattered-paint finish and ergonomic treatments to the gripping surfaces. There’s a removable comb riser for a better cheekweld with optics and removeable spacers to adjust the stock’s length of pull, so it can be configured to small- and large-frame shooters alike. You’ll notice the Gen II stock is set up for detachable box magazines; either STANAG or AICS-pattern mags are used, depending upon the chambering selected. Our test sample arrived chambered for 6.5 mm Creedmoor, so with it we received a three-round, AICS-pattern box.
Noteworthy to this latest generation American is its barrel. In 6.5 Creedmoor, its length measures 20” and comes with unique spiral-pattern flutes that not only look cool, they help reduce weight while also reducing barrel temperatures faster. It comes threaded 5/8x24 TPI and has a radial muzzle brake installed from the factory. In addition, the barreled action of this Standard model American comes with an easy-to-maintain Cerakote finish in Gun Metal Gray, though, other colors are available on the Ranch and Predator versions.
On the range is where the Ruger American Gen II Standard shines. We particularly like how Ruger ships this rifle with a Picatinny rail installed, so mounting an optic was less of a chore. Our testers also found the upgraded stock to be a benefit to shooters, as well, the enlarged bolt handle and detachable box magazine are welcome additions. And considering Ruger opted to include a three-position, tang-mounted safety to the American Gen II rifle, all of our testers agree this feature is a benefit to not only hunters, but target shooters alike. All told, Ruger’s second generation American rifle is a solid step up for a new generation of American shooters looking for the latest features.
Ruger American Gen II Standard Specifications
Manufacturer: Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc.
Action Type: bolt-action, centerfire, repeating rifle
Chambering: 6.5 mm Creedmoor
Receiver: 4140 alloy steel; Gun Metal Gray Cerakote finish
Barrel: 20" alloy steel; Gun Metal Gray Cerakote finish
Magazine: AICS-style; three-round detachable box
Sights: none; Picatinny rail
Stock: dark gray synthetic; gray/black splatter texturing
Overall Length: 39.5" to 41.25"
Weight: 6 lbs., 8 ozs.
MSRP: $729
