Ruger American Gen II in .400 Legend: A Straight-Wall Hammer Built for the Deer Woods
- Jared Sturtevant
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
Straight-wall cartridges continue to gain ground across the Midwest, and for good reason. They offer legal compliance, impressive terminal performance, and manageable recoil—all without sacrificing ethical range on whitetail. Ruger’s American Gen II chambered in .400 Legend checks every one of those boxes, and after time behind the rifle, it’s clear Ruger built this platform with real hunters in mind.
In the video review below, Jared from Mud Lake Ranch puts the Ruger American Gen II .400 Legend through its paces, breaking down what matters most: accuracy, handling, recoil, and real-world usability in the deer woods.
Built on a Proven Platform
The Ruger American Gen II builds on everything hunters liked about the original American while tightening up the details. The rifle features a free-floating cold hammer-forged alloy steel barrel, Ruger’s reliable Power Bedding system, and a smooth three-lug bolt that cycles confidently—even with gloves on during cold November sits.
The Gen II stock feels like a real upgrade. It’s more rigid, better balanced, and includes textured grip surfaces that actually matter when conditions turn wet, muddy, or cold. The rifle shoulders naturally and carries well, whether you’re still-hunting timber or climbing into a box blind before daylight.
Why .400 Legend Makes Sense
The .400 Legend was designed specifically to maximize performance in straight-wall-only states, and it does exactly that. Pushing a .40-caliber bullet at velocities that deliver excellent energy retention, it hits hard without the excessive recoil of larger straight-wall cartridges.
In practical terms, that means:
Clean, ethical kills on whitetail
Manageable recoil for follow-up shots
Effective range that comfortably stretches past typical straight-wall distances
As Jared points out in the video, recoil is surprisingly mild for the amount of downrange authority the cartridge delivers. It’s a rifle you can confidently hand to younger or recoil-sensitive shooters without sacrificing terminal performance.
Accuracy Where It Counts
Accuracy is where the Ruger American Gen II really shines. Out of the box, the rifle shows consistent grouping with factory .400 Legend ammunition, easily staying within ethical hunting accuracy standards. For a straight-wall deer rifle, that’s exactly what you want—predictable performance at the distances that matter most.
The adjustable Ruger Marksman trigger breaks cleanly and helps wring out every bit of accuracy the rifle has to offer. It’s light enough for precision, but still safe for field use.
Field-Ready and No-Nonsense
This rifle isn’t trying to be flashy—it’s trying to work. The detachable magazine feeds reliably, the bolt throw is smooth, and the overall weight makes it easy to carry all day without fatigue. Whether you’re hunting from a stand, blind, or on foot, the Ruger American Gen II feels purpose-built for Midwest whitetail seasons.
Watch the Full Video Review
If you want to see the Ruger American Gen II .400 Legend in action, check out Jared’s full video review on the Mud Lake Ranch YouTube channel. He walks through the rifle in detail, demonstrates range results, and gives honest feedback from a hunter’s perspective.
🎥 Video Review: Ruger American Gen II in .400 Legend – Mud Lake Ranch
Final Thoughts
The Ruger American Gen II chambered in .400 Legend is exactly what a modern straight-wall hunting rifle should be: reliable, accurate, affordable, and effective. For hunters looking to maximize performance while staying legal in straight-wall states, this rifle deserves a serious look.
If you’re preparing for the upcoming deer season and want a setup that simply works when the moment counts, the Ruger American Gen II .400 Legend delivers.
Stay tuned to Mud Lake Ranch for more real-world hunting reviews, gear tests, and field-proven insights.
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