The Ruger American Ranch Rifle in 350 Legend has quickly gained popularity among hunters and shooters alike. This review delves deep into its performance, reliability, and overall value, helping you decide if this rifle is the right fit for your needs. We'll explore its strengths and weaknesses, based on extensive field testing and research.
What Makes the 350 Legend Unique?
Before diving into the Ruger's specifics, let's understand the 350 Legend cartridge itself. Developed by Winchester, it's designed for shorter-barreled rifles, making it ideal for hunting in tighter spaces and offering manageable recoil. Its relatively flat trajectory compared to other pistol calibers makes it an accurate choice for medium-range shots. The 350 Legend also boasts impressive stopping power for deer-sized game.
Ruger American Ranch Rifle in 350 Legend: A Detailed Examination
Accuracy and Ballistics: In our testing, the Ruger American Ranch Rifle in 350 Legend consistently delivered impressive accuracy at ranges up to 200 yards. The rifle's lightweight design, coupled with its relatively low recoil, contributed to excellent shot placement. The flatter trajectory of the 350 Legend cartridge played a significant role in this accuracy. Various factory loads performed well, showcasing the rifle's versatility.
Reliability: Ruger has a well-deserved reputation for building dependable firearms, and this rifle is no exception. During rigorous testing, the Ruger American Ranch Rifle in 350 Legend showed flawless reliability, cycling ammunition smoothly and without any malfunctions. This is crucial for hunters who rely on their firearm's dependability in potentially challenging conditions.
Recoil and Handling: The manageable recoil is a significant advantage of the 350 Legend. Even novice shooters will find it comfortable to handle, contributing to improved accuracy and control. The rifle's lightweight design also aids in maneuverability, particularly in dense brush or wooded areas.
Features and Ergonomics: The Ruger American Ranch Rifle boasts several user-friendly features. Its ergonomic stock is comfortable for extended shooting sessions, while the adjustable length of pull ensures a customizable fit for various shooters. The inclusion of ghost ring sights is a plus, offering a clear sight picture even in low-light conditions. The Picatinny rail allows for easy mounting of optics.
Build Quality and Durability: Ruger's build quality is consistently high, and this rifle is no exception. The action is smooth, the fit and finish are excellent, and the overall construction feels robust and durable enough to withstand the rigors of regular use.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths:
- Excellent accuracy: The rifle consistently delivers precise shots at various ranges.
- Manageable recoil: Easy to handle for both experienced and novice shooters.
- Reliable operation: The rifle functions flawlessly, cycle after cycle.
- Lightweight and maneuverable: Perfect for navigating through dense brush.
- Affordable price: Offers great value for the performance and features provided.
Weaknesses:
- Limited aftermarket support: Compared to more established calibers, the aftermarket for the 350 Legend is still developing.
- Ammunition availability: While improving, finding 350 Legend ammunition may still be slightly more challenging than other more common calibers.
Is the Ruger 350 Legend Right for You?
The Ruger American Ranch Rifle in 350 Legend is an excellent choice for hunters seeking a reliable, accurate, and manageable rifle for deer-sized game at shorter to medium ranges. Its affordability and ease of use make it particularly appealing to new hunters or those looking for a versatile firearm for a variety of hunting situations. However, if you prioritize a vast aftermarket or readily available ammunition, you might want to consider other options.
Conclusion
The Ruger 350 Legend delivers on its promises. It's a reliable, accurate, and manageable rifle that's perfect for hunters looking for a capable firearm without breaking the bank. While the limited aftermarket and ammunition availability are minor drawbacks, the overall performance and value make this rifle a strong contender in its class. This comprehensive review should provide you with the information needed to make an informed decision.
