When I began scanning the Ruger Firearms website to see what I wanted, my intentions were to find a deer rifle. When I came across the Ruger American Gen 2, that’s where I spent most of my time. It’s a bolt action rifle, offered in multiple calibers and three color configurations. I chose the Gray Splatter (aka, Standard). The other two colors include Ranch, which is a flat dark earth splatter, and the Predator, which is a green splatter.
Once the rifle came in, I picked it up at the licensed FFL dealer and got prepped to go to the range. I mounted the ATN X-Sight 5 on the Picatinny rail of the Ruger. The ATN X-Sight 5 is a digital optic and just like all other optics, it needed to be zeroed. But zeroed with what? My ammo included Fiocchi Hyperformance 95 grains (MSRP $39.99), Remington Core-Lokt 85 grain HPs (MSRP $51.99), Winchester Deer Season XP 95 grains (MSRP $35.99) and Hornady Superformance 95 grains (MSRP $36.99). After testing each one with a full mag (which is three shots), I chose to go with the Hornady Superformance. Using the One Shot Zero function on the ATN, the rifle was sighted in in no time.
I don’t waste anytime once the work is over, because the fun begins! I know my intention for this one was to use it for a deer rifle, but deer season is still a few months away and my friend has a problem. He likes feeding deer on his property year-round; it’s understandable and to be expected to have more than just deer enjoying the provisions. In this case though, the species enjoying the provisions entirely are wild hogs. That’s a big problem if you’re trying to feed the deer.
It just so happens that I love hunting, so I offered to help. I attached a rifle sling to my Ruger American Gen 2, so I have free hands in case I need to use carry gun, a Ruger LC9 9mm pistol. I have had some close calls on my way into the stand, so I always carry. These hogs are tricky and not very punctual. In fact, I think there is such a thing as a hog time zone, and we aren’t privy to it.
I trekked to the stand, attached my rifle to the rope I used to pull it up, making sure the chamber was empty and the three-position safety was locked on safe. Then I made the climb and hoisted up my rifle. Before getting myself comfortable, I set my pistol down, powered on my ATN X-Sight 5, inserted the mag, and ran the bolt to advance one of the Hornady Superformance 95 grain bullets into the chamber. The trick is to be ready for most anything.
Once I sat down in my chair, I unloaded all my goodies: ATN Odin LT Thermal Monocular Yote Drag, camouflage gloves, mosquito net, Thermacel, extra ammo and a bottle of water.
While resting the Ruger American’s forend on the window of the stand, I made sure my digital optic was in focus and reminded myself of the functions of each button (it’s amazing what you forget when the pressure is on). I repeated in my mind a few times, “Don’t forget to press record.”
There’s a possibility my goodies and I could be sitting in this dark little box and see absolutely nothing, but to me every moment is worth it. I got to watch squirrels chase each other ’round and ’round the trees … whether they’re being friendly or territorial, I know not, but they’re still fun to watch. Then there were the birds – cardinals, blue jays, crows, doves and all those small ones in the mix. I don’t just enjoy bird watching, they’re also a tell-tale sign of something bigger than them on the way in.
Bye-bye birdies and hello … deer. A young buck approached the watering hole. It was interesting watching him put his nose under water and come up chewing. He ate for about 15 minutes, then he slowly disappeared into the tree line.
Inside the stand, I enjoyed a tree frog palooza. I didn’t get distracted by the tree frogs for long because I knew the only alarm I may have to notify me of the hogs’ entrance would be birds and squirrels dashing to get away. The sun began to sink, and it was time to attach my ATN IR Light to prepare for the night hunt.
As I was attaching the IR light, several hogs began to file in – a few average-sized ones and some piglets. I switched the X-Sight to night vision, but it’s wasn’t dark enough to need the IR light yet. I pressed record, (already celebrating a victory) and entered another crucial moment that begged for a quick decision: Which one should I take?
I locked onto the biggest one, whether it was a boar or sow, I couldn’t tell for the mass of smaller pigs surrounding it. They pushed and shoved one another in the race to fill their bellies the most, and it was hard to find a good shot placement in all the shuffling. Finally, a good presentation occurred, so I pushed the safety forward on my Ruger American Gen 2, placed the ATN’s green dot on the hog’s head, asked for a little help from above and squeezed the trigger. Before knowing for sure if it was a good shot, I went ahead and ran the bolt to load another round into the chamber, (that’s part of the being ready for most anything I spoke on earlier). The hog was down. While acknowledging the help and being thankful for a perfect shot, one of the other young hogs came back. I did what I told Jimmy I would do, and took that one, too.
The Ruger American Gen 2, ATN X-Sight 5 and Hornady Bullets have been great tools to help a friend with his problem. To date, I have taken five hogs with this very rifle, including two with one shot. Confidence in a rifle comes through success, and I am highly confident that this rifle will not let me down.
This Ruger American Gen 2’s MSRP is $729. Learn more about the great line of hunting rifles from Ruger.
I am a wife and a mother who loves the outdoors, I also review and test airguns and shooting products for various manufacturers. As Airgun Angie, I get to spend a fair amount of time outdoors hunting and shooting! I love what I do, I get the opportunity to test many different types of shooting and hunting gear. My current adventures can be found on https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC764VE4T-i2XihiyISmkJKA You can also follow me on Facebook, @leadlife17 "Airgun Angie." View all posts by Angie Perry
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