If you were to design your own rifle, you would want a compact, rugged and handy hunting gun that can be easily carried throughout the day. A rifle that gives you the quick next shot that can be so critical. One that is a reliable, easy-to-use companion in the field or on the practice range. If that sounds like the rifle you'd design...we've already done it for you! Quite simply, the Ruger Model 96s are designed to deliver the best performance ever obtained in compact lever action sporters. The high level of dependability and performance is largely the result of the 96's many unique design features. The enclosed action, for example, is superior to open-topped designs, as it helps protect the shooter and guard the action against the entry of dust, rain, or snow. It also permits a low, centrally mounted scope for comfortable, accurate shooting. The patented Ruger scope-mounting system is manufactured integrally with the steel receiver of the 96/44 to allow solid mounting of today's most advanced optical sights. The 96 models feature a standard tip-off scope mount base. The 17 HRM and .22 caliber operates identically to the larger .44 and is built on the same scale, with the same sleek profile, to the same big-game rifle standards. The mild recoil and low intensity report of the 17 HRM and .22 make practice shooting and hunting a genuine pleasure. • Short-throw lever (only 54 degrees) operates with a flick of the wrist for fast repeat shots when needed. • Unique, removable rotary magazine offers superior reliability - with no exposed magazine to dent and no uncomfortable protrusions at the rifle's balance point. • Carbine-length barrel and sleek stock allow fast handling in rugged terrain.
