Ruger American Rimfire Compact .22 LR Rifle: Precision, Adaptability, and Unmatched Value for Every Shooter

The Ruger American Rimfire Compact 22 LR rifle (Model 8306) stands as a testament to Ruger's commitment to delivering high-quality, reliable, and exceptionally accurate firearms that cater to a diverse range of shooting enthusiasts. This bolt-action rimfire rifle, chambered in the popular .22 Long Rifle caliber, is an outstanding choice for anyone seeking a versatile firearm that excels in areas from precision target shooting and recreational plinking to responsible small game hunting and effective pest control. Designed with user comfort, adjustability, and enduring performance in mind, the Ruger American Rimfire Compact is an ideal companion for new shooters, seasoned marksmen, youth, and anyone looking for a dependable and cost-effective shooting experience.

Why Choose the Ruger American Rimfire Compact .22 LR? Addressing Your Core Needs

When considering a new rifle, many questions arise: "What's the best .22 LR rifle for a beginner?", "Which rimfire rifle offers top-tier accuracy without breaking the bank?", "I need a lightweight, compact rifle for field use, what are my options?", or "How can I get started in shooting sports with an adaptable firearm?" The Ruger American Rimfire Compact 8306 provides compelling answers to these and many more inquiries. It addresses the fundamental need for a rifle that is both forgiving for new learners and capable of advanced performance, all while being incredibly economical to shoot.

Key Features and Their Impact on Your Shooting Experience

The excellence of the Ruger American Rimfire Compact stems from its carefully engineered features, each contributing significantly to its overall performance and user satisfaction:

• Patent-Pending Power Bedding System: This innovative system ensures that the receiver is positively located, creating a rock-solid foundation for the barrel. Simultaneously, it "free-floats" the barrel, meaning the barrel does not make contact with the stock along its length. This crucial design element virtually eliminates external pressure points that could otherwise negatively impact barrel harmonics and, consequently, accuracy. For you, this translates directly into outstanding, consistent precision, shot after shot. Whether you're aiming for tight groups on paper or precise hits on small targets, the Power Bedding system lays the groundwork for exceptional accuracy.
• Cold Hammer-Forged Barrel: The 18-inch satin blued barrel of the Ruger American Rimfire Compact is crafted using a rigorous cold hammer-forging process. This manufacturing method results in ultra-precise rifling, which is vital for consistent bullet spin and trajectory. Beyond accuracy, a cold hammer-forged barrel boasts superior longevity, ensuring your rifle maintains its performance over tens of thousands of rounds. Furthermore, the smooth, uniform bore characteristics make cleaning remarkably easy, saving you time and effort after a day at the range or in the field. The 1:16" right-hand twist rate with 6 grooves is perfectly optimized for stabilizing the wide array of .22 LR ammunition available today.
• Ruger Marksman Adjustable Trigger: Personalization is key to optimal shooting performance, and the Ruger Marksman Adjustable trigger delivers just that. This user-adjustable trigger allows you to customize the pull weight between 3 and 5 pounds, giving you the flexibility to fine-tune the trigger feel to your preference. A crisp, clean trigger break is fundamental for accuracy, minimizing "flinch" and ensuring precise shot placement. This feature empowers you to achieve your best possible groups, whether you're a seasoned competitor or just learning the ropes.
• Tang Safety: The Ruger American Rimfire Compact incorporates a visible, accessible, and intuitive tang safety. Located conveniently on the tang of the receiver, it provides immediate and positive engagement or disengagement. This design promotes safe firearm handling, allowing for quick and secure operation while maintaining proper control of the rifle.
• Easy-to-Use 10/22-Style Extended Magazine Release: One of the most significant advantages of this rifle is its compatibility with Ruger's legendary 10/22 rotary magazines. The rifle includes a detachable, flush-mounted 10/22 BX-1 10-round rotary magazine, renowned for its reliability and compact profile. The extended magazine release is designed for effortless and swift magazine changes, ensuring quick reloads during target practice or when multiple shots are needed. The widespread availability and affordability of 10/22 magazines make this an incredibly practical feature.
• Optics Ready Receiver: The satin blued steel receiver is not only drilled and tapped for conventional scope bases, offering you maximum flexibility in choosing your preferred optics mounting solution, but it also features a 3/8" rimfire scope base machined directly into the receiver. This integrated dovetail allows for immediate mounting of many rimfire-specific scope rings, getting you ready for precision shooting with your chosen optic without needing additional parts.
• High-Visibility Sights: For out-of-the-box utility, the rifle comes equipped with a Williams fiber optic front sight and an adjustable, "V" slot, folding-leaf rear sight. These highly visible open sights are excellent for fast target acquisition in varying light conditions and provide a robust backup system, or a primary sighting solution for those who prefer iron sights, especially useful for plinking or training new shooters on sight picture fundamentals.
• Black Synthetic Adjustable Stock: The durable, all-weather black synthetic stock is designed for comfort and ruggedness. It features a modern ergonomic design that offers excellent handling. Critically, this Compact model includes two short length of pull (LOP) modules, allowing the shooter to customize the rifle's fit. The standard length of pull is 12.50 inches, which is ideal for smaller-framed individuals, youth, or women, but can be easily adjusted. This modularity ensures that the rifle can adapt as a shooter grows or for different family members sharing the firearm, making it a truly versatile investment. Sling swivel studs are also included for easy attachment of a rifle sling, enhancing portability and field use.
• Threaded Barrel for Versatility: The 18-inch barrel is thoughtfully threaded with a 1/2"x28 pattern, protected by a thread protector when not in use. This feature makes the Ruger American Rimfire Compact instantly compatible with a wide array of muzzle devices, including sound suppressors (silencers) or flash hiders. For shooters interested in reducing noise for backyard plinking, pest control, or simply a more comfortable shooting experience, a threaded barrel is an invaluable asset. This allows for quiet, responsible firearm use in appropriate settings.

The Enduring Appeal of the .22 Long Rifle Caliber

The .22 LR caliber remains one of the most popular and widely used cartridges in the world, and for excellent reasons. When paired with a capable rifle like the Ruger American Rimfire Compact, its benefits are amplified:

• Cost-Effectiveness: .22 LR ammunition is remarkably affordable, making high-volume practice sessions financially feasible. This allows shooters to hone their skills without the prohibitive cost associated with centerfire cartridges.
• Minimal Recoil: The light recoil of the .22 LR is perfect for new shooters, youth, and anyone sensitive to recoil. It allows for extended shooting sessions without fatigue and helps new learners focus on fundamental marksmanship principles without anticipating recoil.
• Versatility: The .22 LR is incredibly versatile. It's perfectly suited for:
  • Recreational Plinking: Enjoyable and low-cost fun at the range or in suitable outdoor areas.
  • Target Shooting: Ideal for developing precision and consistency, often used in competitive shooting disciplines.
  • Small Game Hunting: With proper shot placement, the .22 LR is effective for harvesting small game like squirrels, rabbits, and groundhogs.
  • Pest Control: A quiet and effective solution for nuisance animals in appropriate settings, especially when paired with a suppressor.
  • Training and Skill Development: Excellent for teaching firearm safety, trigger control, breath control, and sight picture to new shooters.

The "Compact" Advantage: Maneuverability and Portability

The "Compact" designation of the Ruger American Rimfire rifle is a deliberate design choice that offers significant functional advantages. With an overall length of 35.75 inches and weighing just 5.30 pounds, this rifle is exceptionally nimble and easy to handle:

• Enhanced Maneuverability: Its shorter barrel (18 inches) and overall compact footprint make it highly maneuverable in tight spaces, dense brush, or when moving through wooded areas, which is a considerable benefit for small game hunters.
• Reduced Weight: The lighter weight minimizes fatigue during long treks in the field or extended periods of carrying at the range. It's easy for shooters of all sizes to manage comfortably.
• Ideal for Smaller Shooters: The adjustable stock, combined with the compact dimensions, makes this rifle particularly well-suited for youth, women, or anyone with a smaller stature, ensuring a proper and comfortable fit that promotes better shooting form and safety.
• Ease of Transport and Storage: Its reduced size makes the rifle easier to transport in vehicles, ATVs, or backpacks, and more convenient to store in gun safes or cabinets.

Beyond the Rifle: Commitment to Responsible Ownership

Owning a firearm is a serious responsibility, and Ruger designs its firearms with safety and reliability paramount. When you choose the Ruger American Rimfire Compact, you're investing in a product from a manufacturer with a long-standing reputation for quality and dedication to the shooting sports community. Responsible ownership includes understanding local laws, safe storage practices, and continuous training. This rifle serves as an excellent platform to learn and practice these vital aspects of firearm ownership.

Whether you're looking for a dependable rifle for backyard plinking, a precise tool for target shooting, a reliable companion for small game hunting, or the perfect firearm to introduce a new generation to the shooting sports, the Ruger American Rimfire Compact 22 LR rifle (Model 8306) delivers on all fronts. Its blend of innovative features, adaptable design, and the inherent advantages of the .22 LR caliber make it an outstanding value and a highly recommended option for any discerning shooter.

Specification	Detail	Benefit
Brand	Ruger	Renowned for quality and reliability
Model	American Rimfire Compact (8306)	Designed for adaptability and ease of use
Caliber	.22 LR	Affordable, low recoil, versatile
Capacity	10+1 rounds	Ample capacity for various shooting activities
Barrel Length	18 inches	Compact maneuverability, good velocity
Barrel Finish	Satin Blued	Durable and aesthetically pleasing
Barrel Material	Cold Hammer Forged Steel	Exceptional accuracy and longevity
Muzzle	Thread Protector (1/2"x28)	Suppressor and muzzle device ready
Twist Rate	1:16" RH	Optimal stabilization for .22 LR bullets
Receiver	Satin Blued Drilled & Tapped Steel	Robust, ready for optics
Stock Material	Black Synthetic	All-weather durability and light weight
Stock Description	Adjustable with 2 LOP Modules	Customizable fit for diverse shooters
Length of Pull	12.50 inches (adjustable)	Accommodates smaller-framed individuals
Action	Bolt	Simple, reliable, and inherently accurate
Trigger	Ruger Marksman Adjustable	User-tunable for crisp, personalized pull
Safety	Tang Safety	Intuitive, positive, and easy to operate
Sights	Fiber Optic Front / Adj. Rear	High visibility, immediate use, backup
Overall Length (OAL)	35.75 inches	Excellent maneuverability and transportability
Weight	5.30 lbs	Lightweight for comfortable carrying
Hand	Right Hand	Ergonomically designed for right-handed shooters
UPC	736676083060	Unique product identifier