Ruger American Rifle Gen II vs American Rimfire: Buyer's Guide
Ruger sells two bolt-action rifle lines under the American name. The centerfire Ruger American Rifle Generation II is built for hunting and range work in a long list of cartridges. The Ruger American Rimfire is a separate, lighter-recoil rifle for .22 LR, .22 WMR and .17 HMR. They share a name and some design ideas, but they are different rifles for different jobs.
What the two lines have in common
- Both are bolt-action rifles with detachable magazines.
- Both have a tang-mounted safety.
- Both are made by Sturm, Ruger and sold through Ruger's own catalog under the American name.
Generation II centerfire: what changed
Ruger introduced the Generation II American Rifle in late 2023. Per Ruger and press coverage, the updates include a fluted, Cerakote-finished barrel, barrel threading for muzzle devices (5/8"-24 on most models, 1/2"-28 on the Ranch), a stock that adjusts for length of pull and comb height, a replaceable bolt handle, and a three-position tang safety.
The centerfire models compared
| Model | Barrel | Finish and stock | Fits best |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | 20 in | Sporter barrel, same calibers as the earlier Standard | All-round hunting and range use |
| Ranch | About 16 in | Cobalt Cerakote, Flat Dark Earth stock with black splatter | Short, light carry in brush or a truck |
| Predator | 22 in | Burnt Bronze Cerakote, green stock with black and bronze splatter | Varmint and longer-range shooting where velocity helps |
| Patrol | 16.10 in, bull contour, cold hammer-forged | Graphite Black Cerakote, black stock with gray splatter | Compact, steady rifle with a Picatinny rail |
Ruger describes the Ranch as lighter and more compact because of its shorter barrel, and the Predator as using its 22 inch barrel to reach greater velocities. Calibers vary by model and change over time, so check the current Ruger model page before you order. Examples Ruger lists include .308 Win, 6.5 Creedmoor, .223 Rem and 5.56 NATO depending on the model.
The American Rimfire
The Rimfire is a smaller rifle with its own magazine system. Ruger says .22 LR models use a flush-mounted 10-round BX-1 rotary magazine that also accepts 10/22 magazines. Models in .22 WMR and .17 HMR use a flush-mounted 9-round JMX-1 magazine. Other features Ruger lists include:
- A Ruger Marksman Adjustable trigger, with pull weight set by the shooter between three and five pounds.
- A cold hammer-forged barrel.
- A 60 degree bolt throw for scope clearance.
- A receiver-mounted bolt release, so the bolt can be removed without pulling the trigger.
- Sling swivel studs.
Ruger also offers sighted and compact versions with 18 inch barrels.
Which one fits which buyer
- First rifle, low recoil, cheap practice: the Rimfire. .22 LR is the usual choice for learning and small-game plinking.
- Deer-size game or general hunting: a Standard or Predator centerfire in a cartridge that suits your game and your local rules.
- Short and light for brush, trucks and ranch work: the Ranch.
- Compact with a rail, or in an AR-style cartridge such as 5.56: the Patrol, in the calibers Ruger offers for it.
- Want one rifle for the range and one for the field: many buyers pair a Rimfire with a centerfire so practice stays cheap.
Hunting rules on cartridge size, magazine capacity and barrel length differ by state, so check yours before you buy.
On our shelf right now
The first two listings are named "American Rifle" without a generation, so open the product page to see which version you are getting.
- American Rifle 6.5 Creedmoor
- American Rifle .308 Win
- American Gen II .308 Win
- Predator Gen II .308 Win
- Ranch Gen II Compact .223 Rem/5.56
- American Rimfire .22 LR
Open each listing for the exact model details before you decide.
Official sources
General information, not legal advice. Current as of September 2026. Laws change; check the official source before you act.
