I wasn’t planning on reviewing this rifle. It came as part of a package deal with Dead Air’s new RXD30Ti suppressor collaboration, and honestly, I figured it would just be another budget bolt gun to test their can on. But after spending time with the Ruger American Gen II Ranch in .300 Blackout, I couldn’t help myself – this thing impressed me enough to warrant its own review. The American series has always struck me as a solid, budget-minded platform that gets the job done without breaking the bank. But these Gen II Ranch models? They’ve taken that formula and refined it into something genuinely appealing.
Ruger Coverage on AllOutdoor
Specifications: Ruger American Gen II Ranch .300 Blackout
The rifle comes with one AR-style magazine, steel sling swivel studs, and a factory-installed Picatinny scope base. Also available in multiple calibers, including 6.5 Creedmoor, .308 Win, 5.56 NATO, and several others. Obviously, with different cartridges come different magazines and capacities.
- Caliber: .300 Blackout
- Stock: Flat Dark Earth Splatter Gen II American
- Barrel Fluting: Spiral
- Barrel Length: 16.10″
- Barrel Finish: Cobalt Cerakote
- Thread Pattern: 5/8″-24
- Capacity: 10
- Magazine Type: AR-Style
- Sights: None – Picatinny Scope Base
- Material: Alloy Steel
- Weight: 6.2 lbs
- Twist: 1:7″ RH
- Overall Length: 37.35″
- Length of Pull: 12″ – 13.75″
- Grooves: 5
At $729, this sits right where I expected – not quite budget territory anymore, but still reasonable for what you’re getting. The Gen II improvements, Cerakote finish, and AR magazine compatibility justify the price bump over basic American models. I’d be comfortable buying one at this price, though anything over $800 would start pushing my comfort zone. The features and performance make it worthwhile at MSRP in my opinion.
“Generation II Ranch models sport a Cobalt Cerakote finish and are fitted to a Flat Dark Earth stock with black splatter texture and feature shorter 16″ barrels making these rifles lighter and more compact.”
First Impressions: Ruger American Gen II Ranch .300 Blackout
The splatter finish stock caught my attention immediately. It’s not just for looks – the texture provides excellent grip without being too aggressive or sharp. The adjustable length of pull and comb height show Ruger was thinking about fit and versatility when they designed this thing.
The 16-inch barrel keeps everything compact and handy while the spiral fluting cuts weight where it matters most. The factory Picatinny base is a nice touch that saves you time and money getting an optic mounted. What really stands out is how light this rifle feels at 6.2 pounds. That’s scout rifle territory, and speaking of scout rifles, this thing fills that role perfectly without the complexity of forward-mounted optics.
Range Time: Ruger American Gen II Ranch .300 Blackout
I only shot this rifle suppressed with the Dead Air can, so I can’t comment on the included muzzle brake. But with the suppressor? This thing became something special. The .300 Blackout cartridge was made for suppression, and this rifle proves it. With subsonic loads, it was genuinely one of the quietest centerfire rifles I’ve ever shot. It sounded like my Savage Mark II with .22 subsonics. Even my fellow range goers were impressed by how little noise it made.
The supersonic ammo was still hearing-safe with the can, but noticeably louder. The real magic happens with the heavy, slow bullets that let you shoot without disturbing the neighbors. Accuracy was solid throughout testing. The Ruger Marksman trigger broke cleanly, and the rifle shot consistently. The bolt operated smoothly with that familiar 70-degree throw that provides plenty of scope clearance.
The AR magazine compatibility is huge. No proprietary magazines to lose or break – just grab any standard AR mag and you’re good to go. The three-position safety is intuitive and allows you to lock the bolt while keeping the rifle loaded, which is perfect for hunting situations. The rifle essentially locks open on empty when you work the bolt with no rounds left, preventing you from closing on an empty chamber. It’s a small detail that shows attention to the user experience.
The adjustable stock features are there if you need them, but the rifle fit me well enough that I never bothered changing anything. The soft rubber recoil pad does its job well, though .300 Blackout doesn’t exactly punish you anyway.
This rifle hits a sweet spot for multiple roles. It’s compact enough for tight spaces, light enough for extended carry, and with the right loads and a suppressor, it becomes an incredibly effective and quiet hunting rifle. The .300 Blackout chambering opens up possibilities from subsonic suppressed work to full-power hunting loads. For deer-sized game at moderate ranges, especially in areas where noise is a concern, this setup is hard to beat.
Final Thoughts: Ruger American Gen II Ranch .300 Blackout
The Ruger American Gen II Ranch in .300 Blackout exceeded my expectations. What started as a test platform for a suppressor review turned into genuine appreciation for a well-executed rifle. At $729, it’s priced competitively for what you get. The Gen II improvements, quality construction, and thoughtful features make it worth the money. Add a good scope and suppressor, and you’ve got a package that punches well above its weight class.
This isn’t the fanciest rifle out there, but sometimes you don’t need fancy. You need something that works reliably, fits well, and gets the job done without drama. The American Gen II Ranch delivers exactly that while being genuinely pleasant to shoot. If you’re looking for a versatile, compact rifle that excels with a suppressor, this one deserves serious consideration. Just don’t blame me when you start shopping for .300 Blackout suppressors after your first range session.
In closing, I want to thank Ruger for including this rifle in the Dead Air collaboration package. Sometimes the best reviews come from guns you weren’t expecting to love. What do you think? Is the .300 Blackout/suppressor combo something that interests you? Would this compact package work for your hunting or shooting needs? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
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