Ruger American Rifle Generation II Prairie 22 ARC Bolt-Action Rifle

About this product

The Ruger American Rifle Generation II Prairie is a bolt-action rifle chambered in 22 ARC (Advanced Rifle Cartridge), built with an adjustable trigger, a durable synthetic stock, and a threaded barrel for anyone who wants to add a muzzle device. It's aimed at hunters and target shooters who want a lightweight, accurate bolt gun rather than a semi-automatic platform. As a Generation II American, it carries forward Ruger's reputation for a reliable, budget-friendly bolt action while adding refinements over the original American Rifle line.

What is it used for?

It's built for hunting varmints and small-to-medium game and for target shooting where the 22 ARC's flatter trajectory and modern bullet designs offer an edge over older, similarly-sized cartridges. The threaded barrel means it's ready to accept a muzzle brake or, where legal, a suppressor, without needing gunsmith work first. The synthetic stock keeps weight down and shrugs off weather better than a wood stock, which matters if you're hunting in the field rather than shooting exclusively from a bench.

How does the adjustable trigger work?

Ruger's Generation II American Rifle trigger lets you adjust pull weight within a factory-specified range, so you can set it lighter for a crisper, more precise break or heavier if you want more margin for field carry. It's a meaningful upgrade over a fixed-weight factory trigger because you can tune it to your own shooting style without buying an aftermarket trigger. Most shooters find the factory adjustment range wide enough that they never need to replace the trigger group entirely.

How does 22 ARC compare to other calibers this rifle is offered in?

22 ARC is a newer cartridge designed to push higher-B.C. bullets at flatter trajectories than older small-bore rounds, giving it an edge for longer-range varmint and target work when paired with the right optic and load. Ammunition and component availability for 22 ARC is newer to the market than long-established calibers, so check local stock before committing if you plan to shoot it often. If you want a more universally available cartridge in the same rifle platform, Ruger offers the American Rifle Generation II in other, more established chamberings as well.

What fits it?

The threaded barrel accepts standard muzzle devices sized to its thread pitch — confirm the exact thread specification with us before ordering a brake or suppressor mount. Ruger American Rifle magazines and stocks are specific to the platform and generation; Generation I American Rifle magazines are not guaranteed to fit the Generation II without confirming compatibility first. Standard scope bases and rings sized for the American Rifle's receiver pattern will mount an optic without needing custom work.

Does it work in California?

Yes, as a bolt-action rifle it ships to your licensed FFL, and California buyers complete the DROS and applicable waiting period at pickup. Confirm magazine capacity meets California's 10-round cap before taking delivery, and check our California gun laws page for any feature-based rules that could apply to the threaded barrel or stock configuration.

Is it worth $656?

For a bolt-action rifle with an adjustable trigger, a threaded barrel, and a newer, flatter-shooting cartridge option, $656 is competitive against other mid-tier bolt guns with similar features. If your priority is a well-established cartridge with wide ammunition availability rather than the newest option on the market, compare it against a more traditional chambering in the same American Rifle Generation II line, or look at a semi-automatic option like the Ruger Mini-14 Ranch Rifle if you want faster follow-up shots instead of bolt-action precision.