Ruger American Ranch Rifle in .350 Legend: The Ultimate Compact Hunting Companion

For hunters seeking a versatile, precise, and reliable rifle perfectly suited for varied conditions, especially in states requiring straight-wall cartridges, the Ruger American Ranch Rifle chambered in .350 Legend stands out as an exceptional choice. This bolt-action powerhouse, with its distinctive Flat Dark Earth synthetic stock and compact profile, is engineered to deliver minute-of-angle accuracy right out of the box, ensuring that every shot counts when it matters most.

Why Choose the .350 Legend Caliber?

The .350 Legend cartridge has rapidly gained popularity, particularly among deer hunters across the United States. Its rise is primarily due to its compliance with straight-wall cartridge hunting regulations in many Midwestern and Eastern states, such as Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, and Iowa, where traditional bottleneck rifle cartridges might be restricted. But its appeal extends far beyond regulatory compliance.

• Effective Deer Cartridge: The .350 Legend offers impressive terminal ballistics for medium-sized game like whitetail deer, black bears, and hogs. It delivers sufficient energy for clean, ethical kills within typical hunting ranges, often out to 200-250 yards, depending on ammunition and shooter proficiency.
• Low Recoil: Compared to many other hunting calibers, the .350 Legend produces significantly less recoil, making it more comfortable to shoot for extended periods, encouraging better marksmanship, and making it an excellent option for new hunters, youth, or recoil-sensitive individuals.
• Affordable Ammunition: Generally, .350 Legend ammunition is more budget-friendly than many other centerfire rifle cartridges, allowing for more practice and range time without breaking the bank.
• Versatility: Beyond deer hunting, its characteristics make it suitable for general target shooting, plinking, and even some pest control applications where a powerful, yet manageable, round is desired.

The Ruger American Ranch Rifle embraces the full potential of the .350 Legend, offering a purpose-built platform that maximizes the cartridge's strengths.

Unpacking the Ruger American Ranch Rifle: Design & Performance

What makes the Ruger American Ranch Rifle a top contender for hunters and sport shooters? It’s a culmination of thoughtful engineering, robust construction, and user-centric features designed for peak performance in the field.

Precision Accuracy: The Cornerstone of the American Ranch Series

At the heart of the Ruger American Ranch Rifle's reputation is its outstanding accuracy. Ruger has integrated several key technologies to ensure consistent, repeatable precision:

• Cold Hammer-Forged Barrel: The 16.38-inch barrel is cold hammer-forged, a manufacturing process that results in ultra-precise rifling for exceptional accuracy, longevity, and easy cleaning. The compact length makes the rifle maneuverable in dense brush and comfortable to carry, without sacrificing velocity for the .350 Legend.
• Threaded Muzzle with Protector: The barrel features a 1/2"-28 x 0.4" thread pattern and comes with a factory-installed thread protector. This is a significant advantage for users who may wish to attach a muzzle brake to further reduce recoil, or, where legal, a suppressor for quieter shooting and reduced muzzle flash. This adaptability adds another layer of versatility to the rifle.
• Patented Power Bedding® System: This innovative, integral bedding block system positively locates the receiver and free-floats the barrel. By precisely seating the receiver, it eliminates accuracy-robbing flex and allows the barrel to vibrate consistently with each shot, which is critical for achieving and maintaining that "minute-of-angle" accuracy.
• Ruger Marksman Adjustable™ Trigger: A crisp, clean trigger pull is paramount for accuracy. The Ruger Marksman Adjustable™ trigger offers a user-adjustable pull weight, ranging from a light 3 pounds up to 5 pounds. This allows shooters to fine-tune the trigger to their personal preference, promoting better shot placement and reducing anticipation.

Ergonomics & Handling: Designed for the Hunter

The Ruger American Ranch is built for practicality and comfort in dynamic hunting environments.

• Lightweight Synthetic Stock: The rifle features an ergonomic, lightweight Flat Dark Earth synthetic stock. This material choice makes the rifle incredibly durable and impervious to weather, unlike traditional wood stocks that can warp or swell. Its light weight (approximately 6.10 lbs) ensures easy carrying during long treks through the woods.
• Optimized Stock Design: The stock blends a classic look with modern forend contouring and grip serrations, providing a secure and comfortable hold in various shooting positions, even with gloves. The flat dark earth finish also helps it blend into natural environments.
• Soft Rubber Buttpad: To further enhance shooter comfort, especially with the already mild-recoiling .350 Legend, a soft rubber buttpad is included. This effectively absorbs residual recoil, making follow-up shots quicker and extended shooting sessions more enjoyable.
• Compact Overall Length: With an overall length (OAL) of just 36 inches, this rifle is exceptionally maneuverable in tight spaces, dense underbrush, or while navigating a blind. The 13.75-inch length of pull (LOP) is designed to accommodate a wide range of shooters.

Reliable Action & Safety: Built for the Field

Every component of the Ruger American Ranch Rifle is designed for smooth operation and user safety.

• One-Piece, Three-Lug Bolt: The robust one-piece, three-lug bolt provides a strong lock-up and features a 70-degree throw. This shorter throw allows for ample scope clearance, preventing the bolt handle from interfering with larger optics, and facilitates quick, easy cycling from the shoulder. Dual cocking cams ensure smooth and reliable bolt operation.
• Tang Safety: The rifle incorporates a highly visible, accessible, and easy-to-actuate tang safety. Positioned conveniently at the rear of the receiver, it provides instant security, allowing the shooter to quickly and silently switch between "safe" and "fire" modes.
• Detachable Box Magazine: The rifle feeds from a reliable, detachable box magazine with a 5+1 capacity (five rounds in the magazine plus one in the chamber). This system allows for quick reloads and easy unloading, enhancing safety and convenience in the field. The matte black finish on the receiver ensures durability and a non-reflective surface.
• Picatinny Scope Base: The rifle comes factory-installed with a one-piece Picatinny scope base. This standardized mounting platform provides maximum flexibility for attaching a wide array of optics, from traditional hunting scopes to red dot sights, ensuring you can customize your setup to your exact needs.

Who Is This Rifle For? Addressing Common Questions

The Ruger American Ranch Rifle in .350 Legend is a superb choice for a variety of users and scenarios.

• "What's the best rifle for deer hunting in states with straight-wall cartridge laws?" This Ruger American Ranch is purpose-built for that exact requirement, offering optimal performance within those legal frameworks.
• "I'm a new hunter; what rifle should I get that's easy to shoot?" Its low recoil, comfortable ergonomics, and user-friendly features make it an ideal starting point for beginners learning to shoot centerfire rifles.
• "I need a compact, maneuverable rifle for hunting in dense woods." The 16.38-inch barrel and 36-inch overall length make it highly agile in thick cover, perfect for brush busting or hunting from small blinds.
• "How can I maximize accuracy with a factory rifle?" The combination of the cold hammer-forged barrel, Power Bedding, and adjustable Marksman trigger provides a solid foundation for achieving excellent precision without needing extensive aftermarket modifications.
• "Is the Ruger American Ranch durable enough for harsh hunting conditions?" Absolutely. The matte black alloy steel barrel and receiver, coupled with the rugged Flat Dark Earth synthetic stock, are designed to withstand challenging weather and demanding field use.

Preparing Your Ruger American Ranch for the Field

Optimizing your Ruger American Ranch rifle for peak performance involves a few key steps:

1. Optics Selection: With the pre-installed Picatinny rail, selecting and mounting your preferred optic is straightforward. Consider your primary hunting ranges and conditions when choosing between a traditional variable power scope, a low-power variable optic (LPVO), or a red dot sight.
2. Ammunition Testing: While the rifle is inherently accurate, different brands and bullet weights of .350 Legend ammunition can perform differently. Experiment with several types to find what shoots best out of your specific rifle.
3. Trigger Adjustment: Take advantage of the Marksman Adjustable™ trigger. Find a pull weight between 3 and 5 pounds that feels most natural and promotes consistent, smooth trigger breaks for you. Always ensure the rifle is unloaded and pointed in a safe direction when making adjustments.
4. Cleaning and Maintenance: Regular cleaning of the bore, action, and magazine ensures long-term reliability and accuracy. The durable finishes on the Ruger American Ranch make maintenance relatively simple.

In conclusion, the Ruger American Ranch Rifle in .350 Legend (UPC 736676269815) is more than just a rifle; it's a meticulously designed hunting tool that embodies Ruger's commitment to quality, innovation, and performance. Its combination of accuracy, ergonomics, reliability, and the potent yet manageable .350 Legend cartridge makes it an indispensable asset for any serious hunter, particularly those operating under straight-wall cartridge restrictions. Whether you're chasing whitetail through dense timber or practicing at the range, this rifle delivers on its promise of minute-of-angle precision and enduring value.

Product Specifications Summary

Feature	Detail
Brand	Ruger
Model	American Ranch
Caliber	.350 Legend
Capacity	5+1 Rounds
Action	Bolt-Action
Barrel Length	16.38 inches
Overall Length (OAL)	36 inches
Weight	6.10 lbs
Stock Material	Synthetic
Stock Finish	Flat Dark Earth
Barrel Finish	Matte Black
Receiver Finish	Matte Black
Trigger	Adjustable Ruger Marksman
Safety	Tang
Muzzle	Threaded, Thread Protector
Thread Pattern	1/2"-28 x 0.4"
Twist Rate	1:16"
Sights	Picatinny Rail (Optics Ready)
Hand	Right Hand
Application	Field Hunting
Includes	One Magazine, Sling Swivel Studs
Receiver Material	Alloy Steel
Length of Pull (LOP)	13.75 inches
UPC	736676269815