Ruger American Gen II Predator .22 ARC

The Ruger American Gen II Predator is Ruger’s flagship bolt-action offering in 22 ARC – a cartridge purpose-built to extract long-range performance from a .224 bullet. With a 22" cold hammer-forged barrel, Burnt Bronze Cerakote finish, and AR-compatible PMAG feeding, this rifle targets predator hunters and varmint shooters who want genuine 700-yard capability without crossing into four-figure territory. At $629–689 street price, it’s the most discussed and field-tested Ruger Gen II 22 ARC configuration available today.

Quick Verdict

✓ Best for: Predator and varmint hunters needing maximum 22 ARC velocity
✓ Price: $629–$689 street
✓ Key strength: 22" CHF barrel delivering ~3,050 fps with 88gr ELD-M, PMAG compatibility
✗ Not ideal for: Extended bench sessions or shooters who want a sub-2 lb trigger out of the box

Real-World Performance

The Ruger American Gen II Predator 22 ARC delivers on its core promise: the 22" cold hammer-forged barrel with 1:7 twist wrings every bit of velocity from the cartridge, pushing Hornady 88gr ELD-M to approximately 3,050 fps – roughly 100 fps faster than the 20" Standard variant. That gap is meaningful past 500 yards, translating to a flatter trajectory and noticeably less wind drift. Documented accuracy with 88gr ELD-M runs 0.4–0.6 MOA, and the 75gr ELD-M comes in at 0.4–0.7 MOA – both well within varmint hunting requirements at 600–700 yards. The 1:7 twist stabilizes the heavier 88gr projectile perfectly, which is where 22 ARC separates itself from 22-250 Rem; the 88gr ELD-M’s G1 BC of approximately 0.480 drifts roughly 30% less than a 55gr 223 Rem at 500 yards. The factory trigger breaks at around 3.5 lbs – functional for field use but on the heavy side for precision varmint work. Adjust it down to 2.5 lbs before your first session and the rifle’s inherent accuracy becomes much easier to access consistently.

Applications & Use Cases

Predator calling is where the Ruger American Gen II Predator 22 ARC earns its name. The Burnt Bronze and green splatter stock blends naturally into grassland and brush, and the 22" barrel delivers decisive terminal performance on coyotes out to 400 yards with the 62gr ELD-VT at approximately 3,400 fps. The radial port muzzle brake is effective but genuinely loud in prone position on a call stand – a suppressor or hearing protection is not optional here. Prairie dog and varmint shooting at distance is arguably the rifle’s strongest application; the 88gr ELD-M at 3,050 fps produces approximately 1.0 MOA groups at 600 yards under field conditions, and the cartridge’s BC advantage over 22-250 Rem becomes increasingly significant past 400 yards. AR-15 companion use is a practical bonus – if you’re already running Magpul 10-round PMAGs in a 22 ARC AR, those same magazines drop straight into this rifle, simplifying your field kit. Suppressed varmint hunting is viable with the 5/8×24 threaded muzzle; remove the factory brake first, and the platform handles suppressor weight without balance issues at 6.7 lbs.

Ergonomics & Handling

The Ruger American Gen II Predator 22 ARC handles well in the field. The adjustable LOP and comb height mean most shooters can dial in a proper fit without aftermarket work – a genuine advantage over fixed-stock competitors at this price. At 6.7 lbs bare, it’s light enough for extended stand setups and comfortable to carry across open country. The 3-lug, 70-degree bolt lift cycles noticeably faster than a traditional 90-degree 2-lug design, which matters when a coyote is moving and a follow-up shot is needed. The 43.25" overall length is the one handling compromise – it’s longer than compact alternatives and can feel unwieldy in tight blinds or dense brush. The spiral-fluted medium barrel keeps weight reasonable while adding some stiffness, though it will heat during rapid-fire prairie dog sessions faster than the Prairie variant’s bull barrel.

Aftermarket & Upgrade Path

The Ruger American Gen II Predator 22 ARC sits on a platform with a practical upgrade path. Start with the trigger – the Ruger Marksman is adjustable down to approximately 2.5 lbs at no cost, which is the first thing to do before spending anything. For shooters who want a consistent sub-2 lb break, the TriggerTech Ruger American drop-in runs around $130 and is a meaningful improvement for precision varmint work. The 5/8×24 threaded muzzle accepts standard suppressors; the SilencerCo Omega 300 is a popular pairing for hearing-safe predator calling. Magazine compatibility is a genuine ecosystem advantage – standard Magpul 10-round PMAGs at $14 each work across both this rifle and any 22 ARC AR platform you’re running. A Harris S-BRM bipod at around $90 rounds out a capable prone varmint setup without overcomplicating the build.

Pros & Cons

Strengths:
✓ 22" CHF barrel produces ~3,050 fps with 88gr ELD-M – maximum velocity in the Ruger Gen II lineup
✓ 0.4–0.6 MOA accuracy with Hornady 88gr ELD-M – best-documented Ruger Gen II 22 ARC variant
✓ PMAG compatibility – shares magazines with 22 ARC AR-15 platforms
✓ 3-lug 70-degree bolt – faster cycling than standard 2-lug 90-degree designs
✓ Adjustable LOP and comb – proper fit without aftermarket stock work
✓ Burnt Bronze Cerakote – corrosion-resistant finish suited to field conditions
✓ Threaded 5/8×24 – suppressor-ready from the factory
✓ $629–689 street price – competitive value for CHF barrel and Cerakote finish

Limitations:
✗ Factory trigger at ~3.5 lbs – needs adjustment before precision varmint use
✗ Radial port brake is loud – especially problematic in prone calling setups
✗ 43.25" OAL – longer than compact alternatives; awkward in tight spaces
✗ Medium barrel heats during extended rapid-fire sessions vs Prairie’s bull barrel
✗ Not the best bench precision option in the Gen II lineup – Prairie bull barrel is more consistent under heat
✗ 10-round magazine limit – adequate for hunting, limiting for volume varmint shooting

Competitors & Alternatives

The Ruger American Gen II Standard 22 ARC is the most direct comparison – same price, same action, but 2" shorter barrel costs you approximately 100 fps with 88gr ELD-M. Choose the Predator if range matters; choose the Standard if you want a more compact package. The Savage 110 Core Predator 22 ARC offers the AccuTrigger adjustable to 1.5 lbs out of the box – a real advantage for precision-focused shooters – and a stainless barrel, but it costs $50–$70 more and lacks PMAG compatibility. The Howa 1500 Mini Action 22 ARC has an excellent HACT 2-stage trigger and solid build quality, but at $799–849 it’s $150+ more than the Ruger with no meaningful accuracy advantage documented in the field.

Who Should Buy This

The Ruger American Gen II Predator 22 ARC is the right choice for predator and varmint hunters who want maximum 22 ARC velocity from a bolt gun, particularly those already running 22 ARC ARs who want PMAG commonality across platforms. It’s also well-suited to coyote callers who want a purpose-built aesthetic that blends into grassland environments. Look elsewhere if you need a compact rifle for tight terrain – the Ranch variant is significantly shorter. If a match-grade trigger out of the box is non-negotiable, the Savage 110 Core Predator 22 ARC and its AccuTrigger is worth the extra $50–70.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does the Ruger American Gen II Predator accept standard AR-15 PMAGs?
A: Yes – it uses the Grendel-pattern PMAG. Standard Magpul 10-round PMAGs work directly.

Q: What is the effective varmint range with 22 ARC from the 22" barrel?
A: 700–800 yards with quality optics and 88gr ELD-M; 600 yards is a practical field maximum for most shooters.

Q: How does the 22" barrel compare to the 20" Standard variant?
A: Approximately 100 fps faster with 88gr ELD-M – meaningful past 500 yards for trajectory and wind drift.

Q: Can the factory trigger be adjusted without gunsmithing?
A: Yes – the Ruger Marksman adjusts down to approximately 2.5 lbs with a simple screw adjustment; no tools or gunsmith required.

Q: Is the factory muzzle brake suppressor-compatible?
A: The barrel is threaded 5/8×24, but remove the factory radial port brake before attaching a suppressor.

Q: How does 22 ARC compare to 22-250 Rem at long range?
A: The 88gr ELD-M’s higher BC gives 22 ARC roughly 30% less wind drift than 55gr 22-250 Rem at 500 yards, with better retained energy at distance.

Final Verdict

The Ruger American Gen II Predator 22 ARC is the most practical bolt-action entry point into the 22 ARC cartridge for predator and varmint hunters. The 22" CHF barrel, PMAG compatibility, and Burnt Bronze Cerakote deliver genuine field value at $629–689 – adjust the trigger before you go out, and this rifle is ready to reach past 700 yards on varmints without apology.

The Ruger American Gen II Predator 22 ARC hits a practical sweet spot: maximum cartridge velocity, proven PMAG compatibility, and a purpose-built predator aesthetic at an entry-mid price. It’s not perfect – the factory trigger needs attention and the brake is loud – but no competing bolt-action 22 ARC at this price point offers more usable performance in the field. If 22 ARC is your cartridge and predator hunting is your game, this is the Ruger to buy.