Ahead of SHOT 2012, Ruger’s introducing its American Rifle. The long gun is . . . wait for it . . . made in America. By Americans. For Americans. On a budget. The rifle’s sub-$500 msrp gives you dibs on Ruger’s new “Marksman Adjustable Trigger,” a doo-hickey that lets anyone with a screwdriver (not just marksmen) adjust the trigger pull from three to five pounds. Ruger’s equally new Power Bedding system “positively” locates the action (there it is!) and free-floats the barrel. Unlike the venerable 10-22’s trigger finger-friendly push-button safety, the American Rifle’s safety sits on the tang, Mossberg-style. But wait! There’s more! Calibers that is . . .

The American Rifle is available mid-month in four flavors: .240, .270 and .308 Winchester and .30-06 Springfield. Buyers opting for the latter two calibers may appreciate the integrated recoil pad. Long gun cognescenti may clock the pad—that “manages recoil surprisingly well”—and the American Rifle’s overall design and conclude that the latest AR is the bastard child of a 10-22 and a Benelli R1. I couldn’t possibly comment.

In fact, I’ll leave the snark aside in favor of a mainline hit of PR-i-tude. Look for a TTAG review ASAP.

Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. (NYSE: RGR) is proud to present the Ruger American Rifle™, an all new, 100% American made bolt-action rifle that sets a new standard of excellence among value-priced, bolt-action rifles. Offered in short- and long-action calibers, the Ruger American Rifle combines the rugged reliability of Ruger’s past with the award-winning ingenuity featured in so many of Ruger’s new products.

“The Ruger American Rifle delivers exciting features and outstanding accuracy at a very reasonable price,” remarked Ruger President and CEO Mike Fifer. “Our new rifle is lightweight and quick handling, yet manages recoil surprisingly well. With a great trigger, smooth-cycling bolt, and tack-driving accuracy, the Ruger American Rifle gives hunters an affordable tool to achieve success in the field,” he concluded.

The 6-1/4 pound Ruger American Rifle offers no-compromise engineering innovation, proving that a world class rifle need not come with a high price tag. The new Ruger Marksman Adjustable™ trigger offers a crisp release with a pull weight that is user-adjustable between three and five pounds. Ruger’s new patent-pending Power Bedding™ system utilizes stainless-steel bedding blocks insert-molded into the stock to positively locate the receiver and free-float the barrel. The barrel’s rifling is cold hammer forged to exacting tolerances, providing sub-MOA accuracy, long-term endurance, and a mirror-smooth finish that is easy to clean.

The Ruger American Rifle’s three-lug, 70 degree bolt provides ample scope clearance, and utilizes a full diameter bolt body and dual cocking cams for smooth, easy cycling from the shoulder. The reliable 4-round, rotary magazine fits flush with the stock and offers the smooth feed that has become the hallmark of Ruger rotary magazines. The receiver is drilled and tapped for mounting the included scope bases.

The Ruger American Rifle carries easily, shoulders quickly, and shoots comfortably, thanks to the ergonomic design of its trim, lightweight stock with an ambidextrous palm swell, forend finger relief, and soft rubber recoil pad. The easily accessible tang safety, which can be placed “on safe” while the bolt is cycled, is complemented by the passive, trigger-mounted safety which positively locks the trigger for an additional measure of security.

[NOTE: This post originally contained both the American Rifle and the new Ruger SR22. Hence the comments about that gun. I’ve hived that post off into a new article.]

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

36 COMMENTS

  1. It looks like Ruger took the design of the Walther P22, and gave it the aesthetics (or lack of) of a Taurus 24/7. First Kel-Tec, now Umarex.

  4. Actually I like both guns.
    The SR22 would be a fun plinking pistol and the Bolt Action Rifle may be a good value for the money.

  5. Cool. I’m interested to see the MSRP on these.

    I’m looking for a sturdy, inexpensive bolt action in .308, and I like most of Ruger’s products.

    As for the SR22…yeesh it’s ugly. But I’ll probably still buy one. I have a love of anything chambered in .22 LR.

    • The Ruger website has more info on them. Looks like msrp for the rifles is $449, so obviously street price will be lower.

  6. Well, looks like ill wait to pick a rifle now. Was thinking about the vanguard in 308. But looks like a challenger appears.

  7. I like them both and actually like the look of the SR22. With 10round capacity I’m assuming it’s a 1911 style magazine and not double stacked. Too bad, a little .22 pistol with 20+ round mag capacity would be incredibly fun!! Oh well, I guess I’ll just have to shell out for a few extra mags.

    • I’ve heard, but don’t know how true it is, that the main issue with .22 LR in double-stack magazines is that it’s a rimmed cartridge, which makes it hard/impossible to feed properly as it rims can lock easily.

  8. As much as I appreciate Ruger’s commitment to introducing new and interesting products I’d be happier if they could actually produce, in quantity, some of their previous new releases.

    I’ve been looking in vain for a LH Gunsite Scout since July. Finally just got a M1A Scout to scratch that particular itch.

  10. For anyone looking for a lower-cost hunting rifle, check out the Savage Model 11. My .308 with a synthetic stock and Accutrigger was under $500. Best handling deer rifle I’ve ever owned.

  11. So they make a cheap rifle and call it “The American”? What are they trying to say?

    I agree the sr22 is ugly and looks like a copy of the walther grip shape. Idk why they didn’t make it like an SR pistol since they have an awesome grip. And it also
    Looks like the barrel is not threaded like the p22, so suppressor enthusiasts won’t be looking at this guy.

    • Does anyone know if this .22 is being made by Umarex like all the others? That’s the only reason I can think of that they would have kept the wierd p22 grip shape.

  12. I like the rifle. I don’t think there are too many (any?) other 3-lug designs in that price range. And the rotary magazine is unique as well. I wonder if they’ll make it in anything unique, like .44 magnum or 7.62×39.

    • My S&W i-Bolt is a three lug design. I paid about five bills for it and couldn’t be happier. Factory Timney trigger, factory scope mount and a premium T/C – made barrel. Unfortunately they’re no longer made but well worth buying used.

      I like the looks and specs of this new Ruger.

  13. Don’t care about the rifle. The SR22 caught my attention for a brief moment. For those who are interested, http://www.gunblast.com already has a review up on both of the weapons in this article. I already have a Mark III 22/45 so I don’t see the need for the SR22 at least for me. I would prefer and still plan on getting their LCR revolver in .22lr. I really wish Glock would produce a .22lr version of their firearms. Other than that, I can appreciate that Ruger is constantly releasing new products to keep us gun nuts interested.

  14. If I wanted a .22 pistol from Ruger I’d get a Mk. III or an older Mk. II or Mk. I. If I wanted a P22, I’d get a P22. Still gotta give points to Ruger for getting the first announcements of the year.

  15. Odd, isn’t it? We keep being told that “there are fewer people owning more guns”. Yet we keep seeing more and more entry level bolt guns. I think Ruger, Savage, Marlin, Mossberg, etc know something that the pundits don’t.

  16. but they have already come out with a factory threaded 22/45, but i would assume that a more “tactical” version of this 22 pistol comes later with a threaded barrel.

  18. The .22 should do fine as long as they have stopped the slide cracking issue of the P22. Hopefully this on is steel or aluminum and not some zinc mystery metal.

    And a copy of a Savage, including accu-trigger, unless it comes in cheaper than an actual Savage it’s a nonstarter.

  19. hey! no iron sights on that rifle? .. nice.

    Ruger, Can you please just give me a LCR in .22 convertible (lr/mag) or turn that puketastic SR22 in to a SR22 mag !?!

  21. JQ shot some very nice groups with Federal ammo. out of his review rifle chambered in -06. I think I will order the .308 for a rainy day deer rifle.

  22. I reckon Ruger has seen how well Savage has been doing at the lower end of the market & rightly decided they needed an entry level offering.
    Good thing too in these straitened times.

  25. Just picked up my american 308 today.added a 3x9x40 banner scope . Wow right on at 100 yards with my feeble shooting.Why cant my mini 14 be this accurate at twice the price ? I really like this piece.Its worth every bit of $325.00

  26. I bought one and failed to look it over thoroughly enough.The machining on the bolt face is horrendous,tons of tool marks and nowhere near level.

  27. Does anyone with a comment on here have a shooters evacuation of this rifle, or you all a bunch of wannabe snipers?

  28. I just bought one for a nice light hiking deep into the woods gun. cheap enough that you dont care if it gets bumped around a little. Shoots great!!

Comments are closed.