My 10/22 Shoots One Ragged Hole with Factory Barrel

[weblance]

I took my 10/22 to the range today to sight in a scope I just mounted. This is a 2011 vintage Ruger Charger that I assembled into a Carbine. I bought a used barrel from a member at RimfireCentral, and a birch Sporter Deluxe stock off of Ebay. I sent the barrel to Jim Pixley to be threaded, front sight remounted, and muzzle re-crowned. At 25 yards, with just my left forearm rested against the rail at the range, it shoots one ragged hole, with my suppressor attached(SilencerCo SS Sparrow) It does this with all 3 ammo types I took today, Federal bulk, Blazer bulk, and CCI Standard Velocity. I was shocked. The gun is completely stock, with the exception of the barrel re-crown. I didnt shoot the barrel before sending it to the machinist. I dont know how accurate it was in stock form. It is a recent barrel with all the bad lathe rings, and matt finish.

I have had a 10/22 since 1986. I sold that first one and bought a stainless 10/22 when they came out. I still have it. I think that was around 1991. I haven't shot it in years, but don't really remember it being inaccurate. Why do people knock the 10/22 as being inaccurate? The one I shot today sure isn't. Did I just get lucky, or did the re-crown make the difference?

Jim Pixley-JP Grips and Machine​

 

[DaveyMG]

Last 10/22 I put together was one from the early 90s. Dad bought it for me, slightly used, as a Christmas present. Killed many a paper plate with it in bone stock configuration, then after becoming a machinist I decided to play around with it. I kept the factory wood stock, barrel clamp and all. I made my own SS charging handle and titanium extension on the mag release button, cut the bolt face to reduce headspace (.042" deep rim) cut breech face of barrel down by .004" to further reduce chamber headspace, shortened barrel to 16.025" step crowned, and threaded. I installed an A2 flash hider (just for looks) and also jeweled the bolt (first timer attempt, also just for looks) and polished the hammer to drop the trigger pull to exactly 18oz. I put on a 3-9x40 scope (don't remember brand, had RMEF stenciled on it, won it in a raffle) and after shooting 10 rds to season the freshly cleaned gun, shooting seated, with sandbags, Federal Bulk ammo, 1" hole with 25 rounds at 50yds, waiting about 15 seconds between each shot. If I shot quicker, accuracy suffered but I can't be sure to attribute that to barrel heating up or operator error. YMMV.
Only took it to the range once before selling it to fund the next project.





Sorry for the thread jack and picture bomb, just trying to reiterate your solid results.

 

[rszwieg]

Some 10/22s aren't very accurate but most are more accurate than the shooter.

I went through three before I found one with the accuracy I wanted. The others were OK. The one in my case now shoots one ragged hole at 35 yards and I won't part with it. It's literally taken a truckload of small game and varmints.

If you want a target rifle buy one. If you want a dependable auto you can do worse than a 10/22.

 

[jmr40]

Some of the older versions I have are OK, but nothing to write home about. The newest rifles made within the last 5-6 years seem much more accurate than the older ones I have.

Good ammo @ 50 yards, about 1/2"-3/4", I didn't get an exact measurement.

 

[itsa pain]

Last 10/22 I put together was one from the early 90s. Dad bought it for me, slightly used, as a Christmas present. Killed many a paper plate with it in bone stock configuration, then after becoming a machinist I decided to play around with it. I kept the factory wood stock, barrel clamp and all. I made my own SS charging handle and titanium extension on the mag release button, cut the bolt face to reduce headspace (.042" deep rim) cut breech face of barrel down by .004" to further reduce chamber headspace, shortened barrel to 16.025" step crowned, and threaded. I installed an A2 flash hider (just for looks) and also jeweled the bolt (first timer attempt, also just for looks) and polished the hammer to drop the trigger pull to exactly 18oz. I put on a 3-9x40 scope (don't remember brand, had RMEF stenciled on it, won it in a raffle) and after shooting 10 rds to season the freshly cleaned gun, shooting seated, with sandbags, Federal Bulk ammo, 1" hole with 25 rounds at 50yds, waiting about 15 seconds between each shot. If I shot quicker, accuracy suffered but I can't be sure to attribute that to barrel heating up or operator error. YMMV.
Only took it to the range once before selling it to fund the next project.





Sorry for the thread jack and picture bomb, just trying to reiterate your solid results.

very nice work on your gun. I doubt a 22 could heat up a barrel

 

[bdbecker]

My brother is lucky enough to have one of those factory "match grade" rugers. Its a little frustrating when he busts that thing out and throws out a group as good as (sometimes better than) the target rifle I put together. I've only seen one 10/22 that didn't shoot worth a darn out of the box, generally they do pretty well if you take the time to find the ammo they like.

 

[Trent]

I've got one of the target 10/22's with the hammer forged barrel. Those things are amazingly accurate. Great to teach kids on, because you know "it's not the gun"... and can coach accordingly.

 

[Steve in PA]

Shot this 10-round group at 50 yards a few range trips ago.

I was using Remington Golden Bullet fired from my 10/22 which has a Butler Creek heavy barrel. I'd love to see what it could do with target grade ammo!

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I often hear my .22 is this accurate or that accurate with no real meaning to what was said...Shoot a green USBR target at 50, score it properly, and then compare your scores with the competition....The first time one shoots one of these targets is usually a humbling experience.

 

[MCgunner]

That's a good shootin' 10/22. Mine shoots just under an inch at 50...but with cheater ammo. CCI Minimag is about 1.5". I've been loading Eley Match in it lately to hunt squirrels. It's expensive, but gives a little extra margin on tree rats. I just mounted the scope on it. My eyes are getting too bad to use the iron sights.

I have other, more inherently accurate rimfires, both Remingtons, but I like that little stainless 10/22. I am kind of a Ruger fanboy, though. Sad thing is, my Mk 2 (which I also squirrel hunt with) shoots about as good with CCI mini mag or Federal bulk pack as the 10/22 does with Eley or RWS. I haven't tried the expensive stuff in the Mark 2, no real need, plenty accurate enough with the cheap stuff.

 

[danez71]

From the OP

Why do people knock the 10/22 as being inaccurate?

Answer: More than likely because they own something other than a 10/22.