I was fortunate to be part of a select group to hunt with the Ruger American Generation II Standard back in October 2023. We used the American Standard G2 chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor to chase oryx in Texas. This experience left no doubt that I want to try the compact American G2 Ranch as soon as it’s available. An American G2 Ranch chambered in .300BLK was used for this evaluation. Several other calibers are available.
Ruger American Gen II Ranch – Reliable Shooter
The American Generation II is unrecognizable from its Gen I predecessor. A new stock features a Monte Carlo-esque contoured raised cheekpiece. The length of pull and comb height are adjustable. Ruger designed the G2 stock so a section can be removed, reducing the length of pull by 12 12-inches. Ideal for smaller-stature hunters.
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A compact, lightweight bolt-action rifle like the Ruger G2 Ranch with threaded barrels is an ideal candidate for those out and about working property for a living. It is a true “jack of all trades” ranch rifle. Easy to bring along and able to deal with most anything encountered on the back forty.
Ranch Rifle=Working Rifle
A rifle using Ranch nomenclature had better be handy. The Ruger G2 Ranch is. Weight is 6.2 pounds, and length is 37.3 inches. The 16-inch spiral fluted cold hammer forged barrel will raise eyebrows with its aesthetics and put the user on notice that something new is at hand with this Ruger rifle. The well-done Cerakote finish is easy on the eyes and provides a superior, rugged finish. While a .300BLK does not need a muzzle brake, a threaded muzzle is almost standard now, so Ruger chose to provide a muzzle brake versus only a thread protector cap.
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Ruger’s patented Power Bedding integral bedding block system secures the receiver and free-floats the cold hammer forged barrel for improved accuracy. The ergonomics of the stock allow for a comfortable, repeatable cheekweld combined with hand/finger placement conducive to pulling the 3-4 pound adjustable Ruger Marksman trigger.
Steel Receiver
The G2’s steel receiver arrives with a factory-installed Picatinny optics rail, simplifying optic mounting. The one-piece, three-lug bolt cycles smoothly and features a full-diameter bolt body, dual cocking cams, and an oversized bolt knob that can be replaced by the end user. The bolt’s 70-degree throw keeps it clear of any mounted optic. Tighter overall tolerances with the American G2, including chamber boosts accuracy potential. A 10-round Magpul magazine arrives with the .300BLK G2 Ranch. Lower and higher capacity magazines are available as well.
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A tang-mounted safety completes the action. The American G2’s safety has three positions: forward for fire, middle safe, where the bolt can still function, and rear safe with the bolt locked down. This is an important detail that Ruger listened to their customer base about and changed from the Gen I American. If you have ever been afield in thick terrain or jostled around in an ATV, you know that a bolt can be inadvertently opened, dropping a round out. This can pose a problem when the rifle needs to be deployed in a rapid fashion.
Chambering
My decision to go with an American G2 Ranch chambered in .300BLK may surprise. .300BLK is more associated with AR platforms. However, a better mixture of classic bolt with utilitarian cartridge would be hard to come by. The .300BLK was introduced in response to a US special operations military forces request. Anecdotal information compares standard velocity .300BLK 110-125 grain ammunition as exceeding the ballistics of the 7.62×39 and eclipsing 5.56MM in both ballistics and terminal punch. At 300 yards, the .300BLK has approximately 17 percent more energy than the 7.62×39.
The ability to easily access either supersonic or subsonic factory ammunition offers great flexibility to the .300BLK user, especially one like the Ruger American G2 Ranch. The Ruger American G2 Ranch creates “Hollywood” quiet performance when using subsonic ammunition and a quality suppressor.
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Running Suppressed
Mounting a suppressor for everyday use is growing more popular. A compact rifle like the Ruger G2 Ranch wearing a Banish Backcountry suppressor is a true utility working rifle riding in a scabbard horseback, secured into an ATV gun rack, or resting on a seat in a work truck. Having a separate magazine with subsonic rounds loaded is a good option to have. Many times, a close-range shot—50 yards and in–taken with utmost quiet so as not to disturb domesticated animals–would be a handy option.
Imagine pulling up to an animal caught in a snare that needs final dispatching. Supersonic .300BLK will be the mainstay for use due to the extended effective range compared to the velocity-challenged subsonic load.
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Heads Up Holographic Advantage
An EO TECH HH II combo was chosen for use on the Ruger G2 Ranch. The EO TECH EXPS2-2 with a G33.The STS 3x magnifier was mounted on the receiver’s Picatinny rail. Both units together only add 22 ounces to the rifle. The G33 3x magnifier sitting behind the EXPS2-2 is on a tilt mount, allowing it to be swung out of the way until the situation calls for its use. Leaving off until needed, another option as a magnifier is quick to install. Zeroing the magnifier is not required; only the EXPS2-2 sight is zeroed. Not to drop names…the G33 3x is the selected magnifier of USSOCOM. Nothing better for fast close-range target acquisition, and quick magnification enhancement as engagement distances increase.
The closed nature of the EXPS2 holographic sight creates a dependable design that will not be affected by weather or environmental conditions. Rain, snow, and debris cannot interfere with the laser-projected hologram circle/two-dot reticle on the lens, enabling accurate shooting in any conditions. Another important and oft-overlooked advantage of the holographic sight is that the projected reticle is visible to only the user. Some emitter-type red dots can show a light source to the downrange side of the sight. A lithium CR123A battery gives a respectable 1000 hours of life. Anecdotally, the battery is placed transversely in the EXPS2 to avoid stressing the contact springs during recoil.
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Downrange
Various ammunition was tested with the Ruger G2 Ranch. These included Hornady supersonic 125 grain HP, 110 grain GMX, Hornady subsonic 208 grain AMAX and 190 grain Sub-X, SIG SAUER Elite 120 grain HT, Black Hills Ammunition 110 grain TTSX and 220 grain OTM, and Federal Fusion 150 grain SP, to name a few. Most of the range time, albeit bench or more dynamic use, included the Banish Backcountry suppressor being mounted.
The compact Backcountry direct threaded to the Ruger barrel and measures only 5.5 inches in length and weighs just 7.8 ounces. That is thanks to titanium construction. The compact size and weight translate into minimal interference with G2 Ranch handling while still offering a six-baffle design that drops the decibel level down to approximately 135dB.
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100-yard Zero
A 100-yard zero was chosen based on the role envisioned for the Ruger American G2 Ranch with an EO Tech holographic sight and magnifier combo. Roughly speaking, a 100-yard zero with 110-125 grain .300BLK loads drops only -2.6 inches by 150 yards. Users can judge if a 200-yard zero is more practical for their particular situation or optic choice. Three-round groups at 50 yards were in the .75-inch range with the EO Tech combo. Group size remained consistent with or without a suppressor attached. Shifts in point of impact were minimal as well. Clay pigeons were easily broken out to 130 yards.
Further field testing consisted of Echo Valley Training Center’s Jungle Walk Range. The ability to move through its varied terrain and engage randomly placed deer/coyote/raccoon targets hidden within cover suited the Ruger American G2 Ranch .300BLK evaluation perfectly. Ranges involved were 35-150 yards, with multiple shots fired at most of the targets. The emphasis was on working the Ruger American’s bolt without removing the rifle from the shoulder. The EO Tech sight allowed for a wide field of view and quick target assessment/engagement. A quick flip down of the magnifier allowed for easy targeting of longer-range targets.
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Ruger American Gen II Ranch
The .300BLK in Ruger American G2 Ranch offers .30 caliber performance in a compact 6-pound rifle. The Ruger American G2 Ranch is a solid working companion worthy of the ranch designation.
For more information, visit Ruger.
SPECIFICATIONS: Ruger American Generation II Ranch
| CALIBER: | .300BLK |
| BARREL: | 16.1-inch stainless steel 1:7 RH twist |
| OA LENGTH: | 37.35-inches |
| WEIGHT: | 6.2 pounds |
| ACTION: | Ruger American bolt |
| CAPACITY: | Detachable AR magazine–10-round magazine arrives with rifle |
| PRICE: | $729 MSRP |
PERFORMANCE:
| Round | Avg. FPS | Avg. -3 Shot Group 50 yards (Inches) | Best -3 Shot Group 50 yards (Inches) |
| Hornady 110gr GMX | 2277 | .875 | .625 |
| Hornady 125gr HP | 2189 | .812 | .75 |
| Black Hills 110gr TTSX | 2256 | .75 | .66 |
| SIG Sauer 120gr HT | 2243 | 1 | .75 |
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