Ruger American Rifle Generation II .243 Winchester
Model: 46904
Ruger American Rifle Generation II .243 Winchester
Model: 46904
Full Specifications
Threaded 5/8"-24 barrel: compare .30 caliber suppressor prices.
About This Firearm
The Ruger American Rifle Generation II is a lightweight bolt-action .243 Winchester built for deer and varmint hunting. It replaced the original Ruger American and has an MSRP of $769. Its stock carries a spacer that comes out to shorten the reach and a comb insert that lifts out when sights sit low, so one rifle can be set up for a growing shooter and then for an adult.
A Picatinny base is already on the receiver, and one AI-style magazine holding three comes with it along with steel sling swivel studs, so rings and an optic are all you need to add. The three-position tang safety locks the bolt closed, the Marksman trigger adjusts, and the pull runs down from 13.75 inches with the spacer out. There are no sights. The 20-inch spiral-fluted barrel carries a radial-port brake on a 5/8-24 thread, and the brake unscrews for a thread protector or a suppressor mount.
If you're cross-shopping, the original Ruger American Rifle is a used buy now. It is 0.10 lbs lighter with a 22-inch barrel, a bare muzzle and a rotary magazine that holds one more round. The Bergara B-14 Ridge has an MSRP of $999, weighs 1.20 lbs more and spends the difference on a barrel with a sub-MOA guarantee behind it.
Best For
Strengths & Limitations
- Power Bedding locates the receiver in an integral bedding block and free-floats the barrel.
- The one-piece bolt is stainless with three lugs and a 70 degree lift, and the oversized handle unscrews on a 5/16-24 thread so a different knob can go on.
- Cerakote covers the barrel, the brake, the receiver and the bolt handle, so there is no bare steel at the usual rust spots.
- A brake on a cartridge this mild buys little and costs a lot of noise for anyone standing beside you.
- Ruger flags this chambering as limited availability, so finding the .243 instead of a 6.5 or a .308 takes patience.
- One magazine comes with the rifle, and spare magazines and thicker stock spacers are both separate purchases.
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.243 Winchester Ballistics →Frequently Asked Questions
Will the older American Rifle magazines fit?
No. This rifle takes an AI-style box and the earlier one a rotary magazine, so they are different parts with different capacities.
What changed from the original American Rifle?
A spiral-fluted barrel 2 inches shorter with a factory brake on a threaded muzzle, Cerakote in place of matte black, a tang safety that now locks the bolt, a stock with removable spacers and comb inserts, and the AI-style magazine.
Can the comb height be changed?
Yes. The fitted low comb suits a magnified optic and lifts out for low-mounted sights, and Ruger sells other comb options separately.
What twist rate is the barrel?
1:9 right hand, the same rate as the rifle it replaced.
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