Ruger 10/22 trouble

[jmacpolo]

I bought mt 12 year old son a 10/22 last summer and I can't get it to shoot better than 5 inch groups at 50 yds. I have tightened the action screw, mounted two different scopes, and tried every type of ammo I could get my hands on. Any ideas?

Thanks for the help,
John

 

[Dmitri Popov]

Hmmm...
How's your barrel look? Crown OK?
Even if your barrel was bent, if the crown is good, you should still be able to group ok.
So definately check that, because the factory may have screwed up.

 

[Picher]

It seems like a barrel problem to me. Before replacing the barrel, check the barrel mounting bolts to see if they're tight. If they are and you can't see any bad spots in a clean barrel, you may want to send the rifle back to Ruger for repair.

Other things to check:

Loosen the stock/action bolt and see how the action fits in the stock by moving the barrel side to side. If it's really loose, try using strips of electrical tape on each side of the receiver to make it fit tighter. I did this as a test on a friend's rifle and he started winning plinker benchrest matches with his and wouldn't let me glassbed it.

Check the mount base screws. It doesn't hurt to use Locktite both on the screw threads and under the base.

If all that is okay, consider removing the barrel and using high-strength Loctite/Permatex Sleeve Retainer/Stud and Bearing Mount to stabilize the barrel in the receiver. It makes a significant difference, but won't make a bad barrel better. (Consider getting an after-market Green Mtn., or other good barrel before Loctiting it in.) If you Locktite a barrel in, it can still be removed by heating the receiver to about 250*f and the Locktite will melt. That shouldn't hurt the metal, but might singe receiver paint if a torch is used.

Good luck!

 

[[email protected]]

How familiar are you with scope shooting? It is not as simple as just looking through the tube and pulling the trigger? Your eye needs to be in the exact same place with every shot, especially if the scopes are not set for 50 yard Parralex (which most are not)

Also, the factory triggers on 10/22s are pretty bad.

Since this is your first post, I need to ask how much experience you have with rifle shooting and such?

 

[hardluk1]

Guess the barrel never shot well even when brand new?? What ammo do you shot?? What scope is it thats on the rifle. Some cheapies are junk right out of the box. Have you double checked all maounts and screws for tightness. If you still own decent eyes try the stock sights at 15 yards on a 6" high vis-target with some kind of 1" high contrast color for aiming. Use some cci standard loads or mini mags ammo. Maybe your scope and not the rifle. If it shoots a nice ragged hole its the scope. If the scope is the problems ,thats an eassy fix.

You can, if still shooting like poop contact rugers CS and talk it out. They will send a return shipping label if needed to send your rifle back . Add a letter to the rifle explaneing the issues you still have along with what you have done. They will make it right .

Barrel torque is only 10 inch lbs and reciever is no more than 10 ft lbs for most Just besure useing a bore light the barrel looks clean and bore free.. If it ever shot better it might have leaded up. Don't expect 1" groups at 50 yards but it could happen with all the right stuff.

 

[bracer]

What brand of scope do you have ? Does it have an adjustable front lens AO so that you can set the scope for the distance you are shooting? None AO big game scopes may be set between 100 to 150 yards while most rimfire scopes are set at 50 yards. What model 10-22 do you have ? To get better accuracy from my model 10-22 T I glassbedded the action and tuned up the trigger.

 

[RetroMan]

I'd suggest trying at least half a dozen different brands of similar ammo before doing anything else.

In other words, don't compare high velocity ammo to another brand's standard velocity.

Try using the iron sights to take the 'scope out of the equation. As previously stated if the groups tighten up its the scope &/or scope mounts.

Also, insure you're not getting a black ring around the target picture when sighting.

Put your cheek weld in the same place every time you pull the trigger and use a sandbag rest.

If you really want to learn how to shoot a 10/22 get thee to an Appleseed. If you take their advice you'll be putting every round into a 1 inch square at 25 meters which translates into 4MOA accuracy. (You're currently getting about 10 MOA) I haven't seen a 10.22 which cannot do this with a little tweaking in the field.

 

[greyling22]

take off the barrel band.

 

[fpgt72]

First question we need to ask was it new when you bought it. I have seen some pretty wild things done to rifles.....if not new then who knows what has been done to the rifle....and if something is out of wack all the advice and training will do you no good.

For some reason everyone thinks they are a gunsmith when it comes to the 10/22...I guess because they make so many bits to bolt to the thing. It could have been someones lab rat that went very wrong.

If you have the ability lock the thing in a shooting vice and see how it does....even with the worst ammo you should get better groups if everything is in working order.

 

[jmacpolo]

Wow! Thanks for all of the replies. I will try to answer all questions. I am 52 and have been shooting/reloading all of my life. I bought the gun new. We tried the factory sights first with the same results. It is wearing a Weaver 4X rim fire scope. Before that we tried a Hawk 2x7 adjustable AO. I have tried 15 different .22 brands of ammo. I have not tried any target stuff because he can't afford to buy that on a regular basis. I am not looking for target quality groups, just enough for plinking/small game hunting will do. I did tighten up the screw on the bottom , it was sloppy loose.

Thank you,
John

 

[mshootnit]

I would just pick up another 22 for 90 bucks on gun broker. then stash the 10/22 in a safe area until he is old enough to try and fix it himself.

 

[fpgt72]

The rifle was bought new it needs to go back to Ruger. I know it is your sons rifle so it is likely very special in his eyes and he may not want it to go....I can understand that. If he does not want to let it go see if you can pick up another used rifle at a range somewhere...there you will have the chance to try the rifle out....also around here (I live in the boonies) many of the county gun shops will let you try the rifle out back and see if you like it.

I bought my son his first rifle used....it is pretty worn out but that is the one he wanted...he is a little like his old man loves the vintage stuff. It does not shoot that well, so he uses the other rifles that I have but that .22 is his and he does not want any changes done to it.

 

[T Bran]

John as this is a new rifle call Ruger and explain the problem. Given the chance to make it right they will help you out. Most likely they will have you send it in for warranty on their dime.
As posted above include a note to the tech as to the nature of your problem just as you explained it here.
LUCK
Troy

 

[hardluk1]

Send back to ruger on there dollar. Sounds like you covered all the issues first. No need for more advise. Junk guns happen now and then.

fpgt72. Lock it in a gun vise!!! Now who sounds like a ginsmith.