Ruger American Rimfire .22 Mag - Review
Ruger American Rimfire .22 Mag - Review
Got my Ruger American Rimfire last week to utilize as a Ranch Rifle with reach that won’t blow my ears out or require a suppressor.
Goal was something to use on Varmints that wasn’t overly expensive, could weather the bumps, bruises, and weather of life in a UTV, and get me to 150yrds with out blowing out my ears.
Enter the Ruger option.
First task was a trigger job. YouTube to the rescue as the factory setting was 3.11 pounds. Following the video, I was able to adjust the trigger pull to an amazing 6.9 ounces!!!
Mounted a Vortex Diamondback 1” tube 4-12x. I won’t spend much time on this. But, I would never buy another one of these scopes. Narrow FOV, coarse reticle, and I can’t get the reticle and target in the same parallax plane. But, not wanting it on any other rifle, a low use, hard life…….No tears shed. Intended to test two loads.
30gr Hornady V-Max
40gr Speer Gold Dot
First let me say, the trigger job is amazing.
Next, the factory stock sucks. I have another Ruger American Ranch Rifle in .223 Remington that accepts AR mags and that barrel is free floated and the rifle amazing.
This stock is warped and touched on the left side of the barrel. The action has been removed and reattached twice with no reprieve. If you grab the Forend and place any pressure, the Forend torques in multiple directions.
Regardless, on the bench, with the front rest placed close to the centerline of the stock and not out front, there is little influence.
Results were surprising. I expected this to be the winning load, but the rifle had other ideas. So I ran the Speer Gold Dot out to 100 yards and it continued to perform. The gun then attained its place in daily ranch life. I am pleased for the price. Loading is flawless, trigger (after adjustment) is amazing for a factory trigger, accuracy with factory ammo acceptable, and the all weather metal and stock will serve its daily life.
Now, I just need a yote to wander out in front of me on the daily route.
Goal was something to use on Varmints that wasn’t overly expensive, could weather the bumps, bruises, and weather of life in a UTV, and get me to 150yrds with out blowing out my ears.
Enter the Ruger option.
First task was a trigger job. YouTube to the rescue as the factory setting was 3.11 pounds. Following the video, I was able to adjust the trigger pull to an amazing 6.9 ounces!!!
Mounted a Vortex Diamondback 1” tube 4-12x. I won’t spend much time on this. But, I would never buy another one of these scopes. Narrow FOV, coarse reticle, and I can’t get the reticle and target in the same parallax plane. But, not wanting it on any other rifle, a low use, hard life…….No tears shed. Intended to test two loads.
30gr Hornady V-Max
40gr Speer Gold Dot
First let me say, the trigger job is amazing.
Next, the factory stock sucks. I have another Ruger American Ranch Rifle in .223 Remington that accepts AR mags and that barrel is free floated and the rifle amazing.
This stock is warped and touched on the left side of the barrel. The action has been removed and reattached twice with no reprieve. If you grab the Forend and place any pressure, the Forend torques in multiple directions.
Regardless, on the bench, with the front rest placed close to the centerline of the stock and not out front, there is little influence.
Results were surprising. I expected this to be the winning load, but the rifle had other ideas. So I ran the Speer Gold Dot out to 100 yards and it continued to perform. The gun then attained its place in daily ranch life. I am pleased for the price. Loading is flawless, trigger (after adjustment) is amazing for a factory trigger, accuracy with factory ammo acceptable, and the all weather metal and stock will serve its daily life.
Now, I just need a yote to wander out in front of me on the daily route.
Last edited by Zee on Wed Jun 21, 2023 3:05 am, edited 1 time in total.
Talent hits a target no one else can hit; Genius hits a target no one else can see.
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Wambli Ska
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Re: Ruger American Rimfire .22 Mag - Review
Excellent review. Great pick for the task 

Re: Ruger American Rimfire .22 Mag - Review
Let’s not forget the part where CPJ planted the seed and Jedi
Mind Tricked you into buying this.
And thank him for suggesting the Ruger over the Savage.
I’ve got proof I can screen shot.
So, just admit it.
Mind Tricked you into buying this.
And thank him for suggesting the Ruger over the Savage.
I’ve got proof I can screen shot.
So, just admit it.
“The shepherd slaughters more of the flock than the wolf ever will.”
Re: Ruger American Rimfire .22 Mag - Review
Who are you?!? What are you talking about?!? Prank caller!!
Talent hits a target no one else can hit; Genius hits a target no one else can see.
Re: Ruger American Rimfire .22 Mag - Review
“The shepherd slaughters more of the flock than the wolf ever will.”
Re: Ruger American Rimfire .22 Mag - Review
ZEE GOTS PHOTOS UP! YAAAAAY!
Yeah. . .I need another .22LR like I need - - yeah. I don't need another .22LR.
But after diving in and kinda, sorta, understanding what the Brits were doing with the No. 4's forend bedding, I'm not really intimidated by anything with two vertical screws holding the action in. I kinda want to try the LR clone of Zee's rifle and see what can be done to de-noodle the front end. . .
Yeah. . ."need". . .riiiiiight. . .
Yeah. . .I need another .22LR like I need - - yeah. I don't need another .22LR.
But after diving in and kinda, sorta, understanding what the Brits were doing with the No. 4's forend bedding, I'm not really intimidated by anything with two vertical screws holding the action in. I kinda want to try the LR clone of Zee's rifle and see what can be done to de-noodle the front end. . .
Yeah. . ."need". . .riiiiiight. . .
WWJMBD?
I believe we should stand on Ceremony. . . while our friends handcuff the sanctimonious little prick and take him away.
I believe we should stand on Ceremony. . . while our friends handcuff the sanctimonious little prick and take him away.
- Justsomedude
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Re: Ruger American Rimfire .22 Mag - Review
That's actually a pretty slick looking little rig. I've always wanted a 22mag rifle but could never justify the need for one. Nice on getting the trigger down that far too.
Re: Ruger American Rimfire .22 Mag - Review
Guns and ammo forum
“The shepherd slaughters more of the flock than the wolf ever will.”
- Justsomedude
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- Joined: Wed Jun 21, 2023 2:49 am
Re: Ruger American Rimfire .22 Mag - Review
Doing it for Google hits.
Guns and ammo forums.
“The shepherd slaughters more of the flock than the wolf ever will.”
Re: Ruger American Rimfire .22 Mag - Review
A typical Zee range report, that is to say Fantastic! I actually could use a .22 rifle, but because a CERTAIN ENABLER got me to buy an AR receiver, I'm out of the game for a bit. Or maybe two bits.
"There is nothing I can think of that is improved by inserting a smartphone into the process."
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- Justsomedude
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Re: Ruger American Rimfire .22 Mag - Review
Not sure it will work, but it won’t hurt.Justsomedude wrote: ↑Wed Jun 21, 2023 4:59 amYou freaking genius, you.
“The shepherd slaughters more of the flock than the wolf ever will.”
Re: Ruger American Rimfire .22 Mag - Review
For a beat around .22lr in bolt action form……The Ruger American Rimfire is pretty suitable. If I wanted a little more out of a rifle,
I’d probably look at the Ruger Precision Rimfire.
Talent hits a target no one else can hit; Genius hits a target no one else can see.
Re: Ruger American Rimfire .22 Mag - Review
It’s the exact same thing, but in a mediocre chassis.
Hard MEH.
“The shepherd slaughters more of the flock than the wolf ever will.”
Re: Ruger American Rimfire .22 Mag - Review
I have never been able to justify a .22 Mag, but have wanted one anyways. Im sure at some point we will see science testing results of this rifle.
Re: Ruger American Rimfire .22 Mag - Review
I've been chasing the best ammo in my Savage 22 mag for a bit. So far I've been using some ammo that's half as old as I am so I might need to buy some newer stuff like the Hornady offering and throw that in the mix. Recently upgraded the scope with hopes of improvement.
Rimfires are always fun as no two shoot the same...
Rimfires are always fun as no two shoot the same...
Re: Ruger American Rimfire .22 Mag - Review
What did you do to the trigger to get it that low?
Re: Ruger American Rimfire .22 Mag - Review
I have a bunch of old .22 Mag ammo and it all shoots sub par. I guess I’m realizing the improvements in modern ammo as all the new stuff I’ve been buying shoots much better in general, depending on the rifles preference.jkp wrote: ↑Wed Jun 21, 2023 1:02 pm I've been chasing the best ammo in my Savage 22 mag for a bit. So far I've been using some ammo that's half as old as I am so I might need to buy some newer stuff like the Hornady offering and throw that in the mix. Recently upgraded the scope with hopes of improvement.
Rimfires are always fun as no two shoot the same...
My CZ really likes the 30gr V-Max and shoots the Speer decently as well. This new Ruger is the opposite in preference.
Talent hits a target no one else can hit; Genius hits a target no one else can see.
- bullsi1911
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Re: Ruger American Rimfire .22 Mag - Review
Yep. A 22 Mag is in my short term plans.
To make something simple is a thousand times more difficult than to make something complex.
-Mikhail Kalashnikov
AKA ‘Admin’
-Mikhail Kalashnikov
AKA ‘Admin’
Re: Ruger American Rimfire .22 Mag - Review
Remove the receiver. On the right side of the trigger housing is an E-Clip. Remove that and then push the trigger pin out. Gently pull the trigger out making sure not to lose the small return spring in the trigger you’re removing. Inside the housing you will see a large horizontal trigger return spring. You can reach in with a flat head screwdriver, push it into the coil and then remove the spring.
Place the trigger back inside, return the trigger pin, and then the E-Clip. Seat the action and voila!!!
Talent hits a target no one else can hit; Genius hits a target no one else can see.
Re: Ruger American Rimfire .22 Mag - Review
Talent hits a target no one else can hit; Genius hits a target no one else can see.
- Justsomedude
- Posts: 1304
- Joined: Wed Jun 21, 2023 2:49 am
Re: Ruger American Rimfire .22 Mag - Review
Apparently
Re: Ruger American Rimfire .22 Mag - Review
Very nice! I picked up a RAR last year and it’s a fun little rifle.
Re: Ruger American Rimfire .22 Mag - Review
Old .22 WMR and some new stuff purchased today with prices for comparison.