Rifleman Review: Ruger American Ranch 7.62x39 mm

by
posted on May 27, 2020
** 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. **
Watch our “Rifleman Review” segment above hosted by American Rifleman TV’s Brian Sheetz as he discusses the features of Ruger’s American Ranch Rifle chambered for the .30-cal., 7.62x39 mm cartridge.

Title screen for American Rileman TV's Rifleman Review of the Ruger American Ranch chambered in 7.62x39 mm.

Little did Bill Ruger, Sr., and Alexander Sturm know that the development of the Standard Model .22-cal. semi-automatic pistol would lead them to the Sturm, Ruger & Co. as known today. Over the course of more than a half century, Ruger has advanced its manufacturing capabilities to include abundant selections of handguns, pistols and rifles, from single-action classics to highly-tuned long-range rifles employing the most modern features available.

Right-side view on white background of a Ruger American Ranch rifle with flat-dark-earth-colored stock.

Since its beginnings, Ruger has stood by its customers by providing the best performance and quality at pricing for budget-minded Americans. In 2011, a new rifle was born out of the New Hampshire-based company—the Ruger American. With a receiver built from 4140 chrome-moly steel bar stock fitted with a hammer-forged barrel, Ruger’s new American Rifle was rich with features, including an injection-molded stock along with the company’s new Power Bedding system that uses V-shaped wedge-blocks to securely mate with the barreled action. Additionally, the company brought a newly designed one-piece, three-lug bolt and Ruger Marksman Adjustable trigger.

Rifle in hands of American Rifleman with one bolt at the rear and one hand on the optic.


Further advancements came from Ruger’s American series of bolt-action rifles, and one such model that was designed for compactness and ease of use is the Ruger American Ranch. Chambered for 5.56 NATO, 300 BLK, 350 Legend, 450 Bushmaster and 7.62x39 mm, the latter is our feature subject in the video above. The Ranch series chambered in 7.62x39 mm provides an overall length of 36” and features a 16.12” cold-hammer-forged barrel threaded 5/8”x24 TPI. The push-feed action is fed from factory-supplied five-round Mini Thirty-pattern magazines, though 10- and 20-round magazines are available. All told, this is a bolt-action rifle ready for optics that weighs less than six pounds and commands an MSRP of $549.

Close-up view of Ruger American Ranch rifle and its trigger and magazine.

Follow along with American Rifleman’s Brian Sheetz in our feature video above to learn more.

Specification table listing features of Ruger's American Ranch rifle.


Latest

target with holes
target with holes

Skills Check: The Tabula Rasa Method

Too many shooters step onto the range carrying the emotional residue of every missed shot, every bad stage and every ugly drill from the last six months like a tactical backpack full of disappointment. The Tabula Rasa method is designed to change that relationship.

Canadian Law Enforcement Agencies Select Federal Ammunition

Federal Ammunition will supply the Canadian Department of National Defense and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police with rifle and shotgun ammunition, respectively.

Shooting Surplus: Finding Affordable Mil-Surp Ammo in 2026

Today, the market for mil-surp ammo is vastly different than it was even just a few years ago. If you're a military-surplus collector and shooter, what should you look for in 2026? Here's our guide.

Colt Electro-Optics Introduces New Red Dots & Magnifier

No stranger to rebirth, Colt has recently spun off an optics division to make sure that, in a world where optics are considered to be standard equipment, a fully kitted-out gun can be all-pony.

What This Huge NFA Ruling Means for Gun Owners

The recent ruling in Jensen v. ATF and the subsequent lack of an appeal by the U.S. Department of Justice has left many gun owners with questions about purchasing NFA items. Here is some guidance.

Gun of the Week: Smith & Wesson Model 386 Night Guard

In partnership with Lipsey's, Smith & Wesson recently re-introduced two of its classic Night Guard revolvers, the Models 386 and 396, which are chambered for the .357 Magnum and .44 Special, respectively.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.