The Ruger American Rimfire is a .17 HMR bolt-action rifle with an 18-inch cold hammer-forged steel barrel, synthetic black stock, and tang safety. It holds 9+1 rounds with one magazine included. Overall length is 35.75 inches, weight is 5.3 lbs. Factory-installed fiber optic front sight with adjustable rear sight. 
 

Key Specifications 

• Brand: Ruger 
• Model: American Rimfire 
• Caliber: .17 HMR 
• Action Type: Bolt Action 
• Barrel Length: 18 inches 
• Overall Length (OAL): 35.75 inches 
• Capacity: 9+1 rounds (includes one magazine) 
• Weight: 5.3 lbs 
• Stock Material: Synthetic Black 
• Safety Type: Tang safety 
   

Detailed Features 

The cold hammer-forged steel barrel gives consistent accuracy over the barrel's service life and is a step up from button-rifled alternatives at this price point. The fiber optic front sight picks up quickly, and the adjustable rear sight lets you dial in for different distances. 
 
At 5.3 lbs the rifle is light enough to carry through a field session without fatigue. The synthetic stock handles weather without warping. The tang safety is in a natural thumb position. The bolt action operates smoothly, and the detachable magazine makes reloading straightforward. 
 

Usage Scenarios 

For small game hunting the .17 HMR caliber delivers flat trajectory and adequate energy at typical field distances for rabbits and squirrels. At the range the bolt-action platform and adjustable sights support accurate target work and competitive rimfire shooting. New shooters learning bolt-action fundamentals will find the trigger and controls approachable.

The Ruger American Rimfire in .17 HMR gets generally positive feedback across the rimfire community, with a few specific notes on where owners would like to see improvement.

Accuracy is the consistent positive. Owners report tight groups at rimfire distances and appreciate the .17 HMR caliber's flat trajectory for hunting applications. The lightweight design at 5.3 lbs is frequently cited as a practical advantage for field carry, and the adjustable trigger gets positive marks from owners who set it to their preferred pull weight. Reliability and value relative to price are recurring endorsements.

Stock feel is the most common criticism -- some owners describe the synthetic stock as adequate but plain, and a few have upgraded aftermarket. Occasional mentions of feeding or ejection inconsistencies appear in a subset of owner reviews, though these are not widespread. The rifle is often recommended by experienced shooters as a solid entry point for both rimfire hunting and target shooting.