Ruger 10-22 Disappointment

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Plan2Live

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In the fall of 2010, after hearing about the wonderful reputation it enjoyed, I bought my youngest son a Ruger 10-22. Just the standard rifle with the blued barrel and walnut stock. We were immediately disappointed with the factory “iron” sights. Not wanting to go with aftermarket peep sights we opted to attach the factory provided Weaver style scope mount that attaches to the top of the receiver in the pre-tapped mounting holes with the factory screws. I bought a Nikon 3X9 scope and mounted the scope on the Weaver mount with the Nikon provided bases. We headed back out to the range and started zeroing in the scope. At first everything was moving nice and linear. As we were getting close to dialed in, the adjustments started getting non-linear or even moving the point of impact in the opposite direction. A lengthy inspection turned up that the mounting screws for the factory provided Weaver mount were loosening up. Off to the hardware store to buy and apply some Lock-tite. Next range session we got everything dialed in and it became a tack driver.

We don’t get to shoot that often so it was several weeks, maybe a month or two before we went out again. At first everything was just fine then the point of aim started drifting. I tried making some tweaks that again became non-linear and erratic and low and behold, the Nikon mounting bases were walking forward on the Weaver rail. I pulled out the tools, readjusted the bases and cranked down as hard as I dared on the four lock screws. We got the 10-22 dialed back in and had a rather boring but satisfying session of putting round after round into a dime sized hole.

About two months later we went out again. I checked all the lock screws and started shooting. And once again the bases started walking forward after about 100 rounds. Keep in mind that the screws are tight but it still will not grip the groves in the Weaver mount and walks forward. Gave up, went back home. :banghead:

I took the scope off the bases and started looking everything over. I determined there was a lock screw or mounting screw on the front base that could be screwed straight down towards the receiver. Rather than go out and buy Weaver style bases I simply lined this screw up with a slot in the Weaver mount and snugged it against the Weaver mount. My goal was to determine if this would prevent the bases from walking forward and if so, then I might invest in a true Weaver base for the Nikon. We went out, dialed it back in and after about 150 rounds the point of aim started drifting again. I started examining everything and checking for tightness to no avail. I took a firm one handed grip on the scope and wiggled left to right. I had movement. In fact, the entire receiver was wiggling around in the stock. I took out a large screwdriver and found that the main screw securing the receiver to the stock was less than finger tight. I cranked that down and had to readjust the point of aim which was now way off. Just about the time we got it dialed in we ran out of ammo and went home frustrated.

For a rifle with such a wonderful reputation this one sure seems to be a piece of crap. :cuss:
 
Sounds like to me you are blaming the rifle for things not it's fault. I have never put scope mounts on a rifle without loc-tite, most instructions advised doing so. It has been quite a few years since Ruger used a 22 groove mount with their guns because of the walking issue, whoever sold you the rifle should have suggested a Weaver style scope mount.

As for the action screw loosening...that is just standard maintenance.
 
Must be the bone crushing recoil loosening everything up.:D

On a more serious note, I always put a dab of blue loctite on my scope mounts and haven't had any problems. If the action screw keeps loosening then a little on that screw might be a good idea.
Good luck and hope it works out for you
 
I use a weaver base lock-tited down and ole standard weaver ringers. Have those on ever rifle i own but my ruger rifle . Never had any walking,any problems. I TQ mt base to 25inch lbs and rigns to 15inch lbs. Stock is just good snug tight. Play with to to see if it helps or hurts groups size and use something like cci mini mags or stardard atleast for sighting in. Get a tq setting screw driver as they do help.
 
Always check the action screw before you start shooting. If your groups start to wander, check it again. First thing to check.

Get a different base, if this one isn't working. My 10/22 is quite old, and I have one of the original bases on it, with Leupold Rifleman vertical split rings on it. It has never wandered since the day I mounted it. YMMV.
 
I was going to post, but 451 Detonics said everything I would have.

Your rifle isn't a piece of junk, you're expecting it to function without care or any intervention on your part.
 
I don't like the way the 10/22 is bedded in the stock. I don't like the soft receiver aluminum that strips way too easy. The trigger is awful. I don't like the design of the bolt which should have the firing pin confined in its channel, ensuring all movement is forward and never slightly upward. The extractors need an upgrade. Other than that its a decent rifle.
 
Don't blame the gun. anyone who says 10/22's are crap are liars. My fathers has shot over a 5,000 round s without cleaning with no jams and still accurately and it was a plain jane model. so please never blame a gun for your own:confused:
Next time title your thread appropriately and we wont have a problem.
 
A lengthy inspection turned up that the mounting screws for the factory provided Weaver mount were loosening up. Off to the hardware store to buy and apply some Lock-tite.
Click to expand...

Yep , I always use Loc-tite on any scope base , no matter what type of gun , 22 rifle , centerfire rifle or target handguns. Nothing as frustrating as a scope base coming loose in the middle of a range session. But in all honesty can you say this was the fault of the rifle being a 10/22? A friend of mine decided not to use Loc-tite on his Rem Model 700 .22-250 and had a loose base first time out. Not any fault of the rifle.

In fact, the entire receiver was wiggling around in the stock. I took out a large screwdriver and found that the main screw securing the receiver to the stock was less than finger tight.
Click to expand...

The screws on on my wood Beeman air rifle stock also come loose. Wood stocks can take on or lose moisture. I had a Sako Finnfire where the stock screws became so tight I could barely loosen them. The "battering" of the bolt against the barrel creates enough vibration to loosen things up. I can understand your frustration but at least you know to check the mounting screw.


Still not sure as to what base you have. My newer 10/22 came with a Weaver style base that could be used with a dovetail ring or Weaver cross slot. If you do not have the Weaver style cross slot ring that might be the way to go.

We got the 10-22 dialed back in and had a rather boring but satisfying session of putting round after round into a dime sized hole.
Click to expand...

Next range session we got everything dialed in and it became a tack driver.
Click to expand...

At least the rifle is a shooter once you get your scope base issues solved.
 
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Operator error along with poor mounting technique. I use Burris signature zee rings with a slotted base and Mueller 4-14 apv scope never had any problems with mounting system, I do recheck stock screw on occasion they will be loose from factory on some, found that to be true with various brands.
 
I don't like the idea of locktite on the action screw, but I also like to tinker with my 10/22. If that screw is the problem, get a torque driver and properly set it.
 
10/22s have plenty of faults, but all the problems you describe are with the scope mounts and rings. You put those on and would have had the same problems with any other rifle.
 
Can't see how you are blaming the rifle either. You stated in your post it is a tack driver when you've done the setup correctly. Fix your scope problems or stick with the iron sights.
 
Operator error along with poor mounting technique. I use Burris signature zee rings with a slotted base and Mueller 4-14 apv scope never had any problems with mounting system, I do recheck stock screw on occasion they will be loose from factory on some, found that to be true with various brands.
 
I had a similar problem with a scope walking or moving in the rings. I used a lil double sided tape. Put the tape in the ring halves. Tightened everything down ,& loctited everything. No more probs

665M.JPG
 
I think the op gets it or at least should. I love my free 10/22 all weather model. I've already looked at a new thumb hole stock and barrel. First thing I read was don't use the stock mount rail. I have yet to mount a scope but I don't have an issue with my sights as the op described. I agree they aren't the best but I'm going to keep them for awhile. I say don't hate the rifle it's been around forever and a very good one. It's not popular for nothing. Do what's been suggested and take it out for another run.
 
I like the 10/22, but it's the most overrated .22 rimfire ever made. Reliable enough, and decently accurate, but nothing to write home about.
Every one of my old Mossberg, Winchester, Marlin, Savage, and Remington rimfires will outshoot my 10/22s by a good margin.
In order to get the 10/22 to run with any of the others, I'd have to spend more money than the gun cost for barrel, trigger, and bedding upgrades.

The 10/22 is a good, fun rimfire, but it's not a great one.
You'd be better off buying your son a Marlin 795 or 60 if you want an accurate, reliable .22 for hunting. They're also lighter and better balanced, and the stock isn't so fat.

Yes, I have a love/hate relationship with the 10/22.
I love it because it's a Ruger.
I hate it because it isn't what it should be, for the current price.
 
I like the 10/22, but it's the most overrated .22 rimfire ever made. Reliable enough, and decently accurate, but nothing to write home about.
Every one of my old Mossberg, Winchester, Marlin, Savage, and Remington rimfires will outshoot my 10/22s by a good margin.
In order to get the 10/22 to run with any of the others, I'd have to spend more money than the gun cost for barrel, trigger, and bedding upgrades.

The 10/22 is a good, fun rimfire, but it's not a great one.
You'd be better off buying your son a Marlin 795 or 60 if you want an accurate, reliable .22 for hunting. They're also lighter and better balanced, and the stock isn't so fat.

Yes, I have a love/hate relationship with the 10/22.
I love it because it's a Ruger.
I hate it because it isn't what it should be, for the current price.
Click to expand...

10/22 is just as good for hunting as any other, I respect your opinion but I feel it's way far from accurate representation of the rifle in discussion.I would of never known of the 10/22 if it wasn't for my uncle I hunted 100s of small game without scope. Sure it isn't sniper rifle quality, but I find it a really excellent rimfire. Mine is accurate with stock sights maybe its just me:what:
 
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