Practice with scope - 10/22 - First Time

Well, my advice is to enjoy it like it is. I've started down the rabbit hole of trying to make mine really accurate at 50 yards (1/2" groups) and I'm now setting at about $950 over the last year and it really doesn't shoot much better than it did when I started. Tempted to put it back to factory and sell off the bits that I've bought for it.

Floating the barrel won't make any difference with that rifle. Removing the barrel band MIGHT help some.

As they come from the factory around 1" groups at 50 yards is typically as good as you can expect even with good ammo. Around 2" with cheap bulk 22 ammo.

If you want to start modifying for better accuracy you don't have to spend a ton of money. I have spent $100 or less for a much better barrel. The trigger either needs some work by a gunsmith or a replacement trigger. I have one that was worked over by a smith and have the Ruger BX target trigger in a couple of others. Cost varies, but the BX triggers run about $90. I paid the smith $25 who did the work on mine. That is around $200 in modifications if you ever want to go this way.

I prefer to replace the stock. I just don't like how the standard stock fits, but it isn't a requirement. Of course a little more magnification helps. I have a fixed 6X on my most accurate 10/22 and shoot it out to 250 yards. I have a 1-4X on another. To me the much better accuracy potential is well worth an extra $200-$300 in modifications.

Did this last week, 5 shots. I never measured the group, but about 1/2 the size of a dime at 50 yards.



Steel plate at 250

Seems by your comments that you do not shoot a lot but if you continue to shoot and practice you will get better. Shooting is a skill that diminishes quickly if you don't do it frequently. As has been suggested also changing the barrel and the trigger will help tremendously.

If you want more accuracy while using that original stock I would suggest removing the barrel band and fully float the barrel . I have done it on many 10/22s and never once did free-floating Not help . Lighter trigger springs are cheap and make a difference also . Good luck and have fun .

Dale Alan said:

Lighter trigger springs are cheap and make a difference also .

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And in my experience, lighter trigger springs are relatively easy to install in a 10-22.

.308 Norma said:

And in my experience, lighter trigger springs are relatively easy to install in a 10-22.

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Sometimes all you need to do is polish the parts of the trigger assembly. I've done it before and there is plenty of information on how to do it too. Makes a noticeable difference.

film495 said:

I was surprised how challenging it is to hold on target, and could not really do it well off hand -

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You are having just as much trouble with iron sights. The scope just enables you to see how wobbly you are. A 10/22, as it comes out of it's box, is never going to be a super accurate rifle. It is meant for fun and cheap ammo.

It sounds like you are having fun so keep after it. I looked at one of those Ruger rifles just this last Saturday. It looks like it would be a fun gun but I decided to pass on it.

A fun .22 will do a whole lot in the fun category for not a whole lot of money. Serious .22 accuracy - to purchase that 1/4” group at 50 yards usually costs serious money unless one gets lucky. It reads to me that you have already conquered the fun category which is your goal - you are there. The excitement of contacting a target with your rifle at 100 yards will be priceless - my prediction is that you will be successful.

If you decide to float the barrel keep in mind that the 10-22 has only one screw holding it in the stock. The barrel band and a recess that catches at the back of the stock is all that holds the action in place.

I would not float the barrel. The first thing I would do would be to glass bed the rear of the receiver to the ridge milled into the stock so that its a solid fit at that point. I have seen those that were not a close fit and you could flex the rear of the receiver down. Make that solid first.

Then I would sand the barrel channel enough to remove and finish and I would glass bed the barrel to the stock. You can reinstall the barrel band if you want or just cut off the front of the stock, reshape and refinish. A 10/22 can be made a little more accurate but like others have said this is really a simple, reliable gun made for field use. At least thats my take on them. I have other 22s that will shoot 5/8" groups at 50 yards if grouping is what I am after.

You may get your very best accuracy by trying several brands of ammo until you find one or two that shoots the best in your gun. 22s are really picky. And don't believe the lie that you never have to clean 22 guns. Thats wrong. The wax on the bullets builds up in the barrel and the powder gets all through the action. I brush out barrels after a couple hundred rounds and do a complete disassembly and cleaning every 500 rounds.