The Keefe Report: The Ruger Ranch Thirty

by
posted on August 30, 2017
** 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. **
ranch_thirty_lede.jpg

For a company that is as American as apple pie, Ruger has been in the 7.62x39 mm business for a long time. The company introduced the Mini-Thirty rifle back in 1987—not long before the fall of the Iron Curtain—and it was big enough news to make the cover of American Rifleman. It turns out the 7.62x39 mm was a pretty good cartridge. It could do most of the jobs then performed by the .30-30 Win., and the running dog capitalists and their lackeys flocked to it. 

But what if you like the 7.62x39 mm cartridge but want something besides a semi-automatic? As popular as the 7.62x39 mm has been, relatively few bolt-action rifles have been chambered for the affordable cartridge. Well, Ruger might have the rifle for you. Based upon requests from customers, Ruger has adapted its Ruger American Rifle to accept the steel detachable box magazine of the Mini-Thirty rifle.

The full name is the “Ruger American Ranch Rifle Model in 7.62x39 with Mini-Thirty magazines.” That's a mouthful, and as imaginative as the “Springfield Armory SAINT w/Free Float Handguard.” I think people will end up calling it simply the “Ranch Thirty,” and it is my hope Ruger follows their lead.

The gun, built on the affordable and proven Ruger American Rifle Action, has a cold-hammer forged 16.12”-long barrel with a 5/8-24 thread at its muzzle for those seeking to add a suppressor. A cap is included for those who do not. The stock is flat dark earth, and the gun includes the Ruger Marksman Adjustable trigger.

The new gun ships with a five-round-capacity detachable box magazine, released by pushing the magazine catch at the rear of the magazine well. Know how the Mini-14 magazine release works? It’s the same principle. And in case you're looking for more capacity, this little handy bolt gun will accept any Ruger factory Mini-Thirty magazine, including 20 rounders. The Ruger American Rifles I have fired have been remarkably accurate—especially considering their modest sticker prices—and I cannot wait to take it out to the range to see what a good barrel can make of the 7.62x39 mm’s accuracy potential.

Latest

Springfield Armory 1911 DS Prodigy Compact 3.5" AOS black pistol handgun right-side view
Springfield Armory 1911 DS Prodigy Compact 3.5" AOS black pistol handgun right-side view

Gun Of The Week: Springfield Armory Prodigy Compact 3.5” AOS

For this episode, we’re on the range with a double-stack, M1911-style handgun that’s more compact and lightweight than we’re used to seeing. This is the Springfield Armory Prodigy Compact 3.5” AOS chambered for 9 mm Luger.

The Armed Citizen® Aug. 1, 2025

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

Budget Pistol Rigs With AIM Surplus

It's still possible to pull together a budget-friendly, name-brand pistol rig for $300 to $400, if you play your cards right.

Nextorch Celebrating 20th Anniversary—A Timely Preparedness Reminder

Nextorch North America is celebrating the company’s 20 years of providing lighting solutions for consumers, law enforcement professionals and military forces around the world.

Rifleman Review: Smith & Wesson M&P 22 Magnum

One of Smith & Wesson's recent additions to its M&P handgun line is the M&P 22 Magnum, and there's a lot more going on in this gun, technologically, than it appears at first glance.

New For 2025: Beretta BRX1 Ranch

Beretta has expanded its BRX1 straight-pull action into a "ranch rifle" configuration, providing a handy, lightweight platform that still includes some of the groundbreaking features of the original BRX1 rifle.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.