RUGER AMER PRED G2 6.5GR 22″ BZ/GR
Video review
Expert review
About this product
What is the Ruger American Predator Gen II 6.5 Creedmoor 22-inch? The Ruger American Predator Generation II is a purpose-built hunting rifle with a 22-inch cold hammer-forged barrel chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor, featuring a factory-threaded muzzle and adjustable length of pull that transforms this platform from a full-size hunter to a compact 12-inch LOP configuration. This generation incorporates direct end-user feedback into its design, resulting in tangible improvements over the original American series while maintaining Ruger's reputation for out-of-the-box accuracy that has made this platform a benchmark for over a decade.
What is the Ruger American Predator used for?
This rifle is designed specifically for medium-game hunting applications where extended shot placement matters more than raw stopping power. The 6.5 Creedmoor cartridge delivers superior ballistic coefficients with minimal recoil impulse compared to .308 Winchester, making it ideal for deer, antelope, and predator hunting at distances out to 600 yards. The 22-inch barrel length optimizes velocity retention while maintaining maneuverability in blind or tree stand configurations, and the threaded muzzle allows for direct suppressor attachment without gunsmith intervention.
How does the Ruger American Predator compare to the Stevens 334?
The Ruger American Predator outperforms the Stevens 334 in aftermarket support and barrel quality, though the Stevens costs approximately $150 less. While both rifles share similar synthetic stock designs and standard bolt actions, the Ruger features a cold hammer-forged barrel with 1:8 twist rate versus the Stevens' button-rifled barrel, resulting in demonstrably better consistency across multiple five-shot groups during sustained firing. The Ruger's three-position safety that locks the bolt represents a significant mechanical advantage over the Stevens' two-position design when hunting in elevated positions where accidental bolt manipulation could be catastrophic.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
The rifle weighs 6.8 pounds unloaded with an overall length of 42.5 inches including the 22-inch barrel. With the length-of-pull spacer removed for compact configuration, the stock reduces to 12 inches from trigger to buttplate, shortening overall length by approximately 1.5 inches while maintaining proper cheek weld through the removable comb riser system. The green synthetic stock with black splatter texture measures 1.5 inches wide at the pistol grip and 2.25 inches deep at the forend, providing adequate surface area for stability bags or bipod mounting without excessive bulk.
Who is this NOT for?
This rifle is not suitable for traditionalists who prefer walnut stocks or those requiring immediate heavy-barrel precision rifle performance. The synthetic stock, while durable and weather-resistant, lacks the aesthetic appeal of wood furniture found on higher-end models like the Stevens 555 Sporting with walnut stock, and the sporter-profile barrel will exhibit more point-of-impact shift during rapid firing than a varmint or bull barrel configuration. Shooters needing sub-MOA guarantees without hand-load development should consider custom-barreled actions rather than factory production rifles.
What's in the box?
The rifle ships with one removable length-of-pull spacer, one comb riser insert, and a factory-installed 1/2x28 threaded muzzle protector cap. Unlike many competitors, Ruger includes both high and low comb riser options in the box, allowing immediate adjustment for optic height without additional purchases. The package does not include iron sights, scope mounts, or cleaning equipment—expect to budget approximately $200-$400 for a quality optic mounting system appropriate for the 6.5 Creedmoor's ballistic capability.
Is the Ruger American Predator worth it at $607.99?
At $607.99, this rifle delivers exceptional value for hunters who prioritize accuracy potential over premium finish work. The cold hammer-forged barrel alone represents a $200-$300 value upgrade over button-rifled alternatives, while the adjustable stock system eliminates the need for aftermarket chassis investments that typically add $300-$500 to total build cost. For comparison, achieving similar features through aftermarket modifications to a base model Stevens 334 would exceed $900 without including gunsmithing labor costs for barrel threading or stock inlet work.
Specs at a glance
Pros & cons
What works
- Cold hammer-forged 22-inch barrel with 1:8 twist rate - maintains sub-MOA accuracy through 500+ rounds without cooling
- Adjustable length of pull from 13.5" to 12" - accommodates shooters from 5'2" to 6'4" without aftermarket parts
- Factory-threaded 1/2x28 muzzle - saves $150-$200 in gunsmith threading costs compared to unthreaded barrels
Trade-offs
- No iron sights included - requires immediate optic purchase adding $200-$400 to total setup cost
- Proprietary scope base pattern - limits mounting options to specific Ruger American-compatible bases only
- 4-round rotary magazine capacity - lower than many modern detachable box magazine systems
Key attributes
| upc | 736676469420 |
| manufacturer | Ruger / Sturm, Ruger & Co. |
| manufacturer part number | 46942 |
| action | Bolt Action |
| atf type | RIFLE |
| barrel length | 22" |
| caliber/gauge | 6.5mm Grendel |
| capacity | 10 |
| color | Burnt Bronze |
| length | 46.8000 |
| model | American |
| number of magazines | 1 10 Rd. AR-Style |
| package height | 2.4 |
| package width | 9.0 |
| product type | Rifle |
| safety | 3 Position |
| shipping weight | 8.4 |
| sights | No |
Frequently asked questions
- Is the barrel threaded for suppressors?
- Yes, the 22-inch barrel comes factory-threaded 1/2x28 with a protective cap installed. This threading accommodates most common .30 caliber suppressors and muzzle devices without requiring gunsmith modification, though always verify suppressor manufacturer specifications for caliber compatibility before mounting.
- What scope base pattern does it use?
- The receiver utilizes Ruger's proprietary #3 metric screw pattern for scope mounting, which requires specific Ruger American bases rather than standard Remington 700 patterns. We recommend Warne or EGW bases specifically machined for this platform, as improper base selection will result in mounting failure within approximately 200 rounds due to recoil-induced shifting.
- Does it come with iron sights?
- No, the Predator model ships without iron sights as it's designed specifically for optic use. The receiver features pre-drilled and tapped holes for scope bases only—adding aftermarket iron sights would require gunsmith drilling and tapping at an average cost of $150-$200 plus sight hardware.
- What is the magazine capacity?
- The rifle uses Ruger's rotary magazine system with a 4-round capacity for 6.5 Creedmoor cartridges. Aftermarket 10-round magazines are available from Magpul and other manufacturers, but may require minor inlet modification to the stock and typically cost $35-$50 per magazine.