Pleased with new Ruger 10/22

[GunAdmirer]

I bought a new synthetic/stainless Ruger 10/22 last weekend from Academy. I've wanted one for several years. I got to shoot it this morning and was very pleased with it. No malfunctions and accuracy seems to be good. Looks like the kids and I are going to really enjoy it.

I compared it to my friend's 25 year old 10/22. They look almost identical. His also performed flawlessly.

The only thing I didn't like about it was the small front sight.

Questions?
Are the Butler Creek steel lips magazines good?

Who makes the best bulk pack .22 lr ammo? I've heard good things about Federal.

Any must have accessories?

 

[wally]

Questions?
Are the Butler Creek steel lips magazines good?

Who makes the best bulk pack .22 lr ammo? I've heard good things about Federal.

Butler creek are good, I've never had the need to spend more and I've been happy with all the inexpensive 10/22 mags since I put in the Volquarton "exact edge" extractor.

Federal Bulk Pack and Federal Champion are my best performing cheap .22LR ammo overall. Wal*Mart for the Bulk Pack, Academy for the Champion, about he same price but you get 50 more rounds with the bulk pack.

I don't like the plastic trigger, but my newest 10/22 "Tactical" didn't need the extractor change to work with the cheap $8 eagle 30 round mags (from CDNN).

--wally.

 

[tkopp]

Federal 525 round bulk packs are excellent. Never did have any real problems with .22 of any flavor though.

A common problem on new 10/22s is having the pins holding the firing group walk out on you. Not all the way, of course, but enough to cause the trigger to fail to reset. So if you have a problem early on, check the pin

Butler creek steel lip magazines are better than factory rotary drums. They fit better, eject better, feed better, and are more durable. Even if you only get a 10-rounder instead of a 25, it's an upgrade.

The must-have accessory is an extended mag release. Several 10/22 models come with one stock these days, making the magazine work a little like that on an AK, but without rocking in. It's a $3 part. You might also look into a sear that allows you to quick-release the bolt by tugging it back and letting go, though that one isn't as dire. If you decide you really enjoy plinking with it, consider a volquartsen trigger pull reduction kit. It's $90 though, and not necessary. Just a bit improvement.

The stock barrel's generally pretty accurate, if heavy. You can replace with a bull barrel, but no guarantees about any improvement in accuracy. You can also replace the stock to taste, but again; not really necessary unless you have something specific in mind for the rifle. It comes out of the box pretty handy and reasonably light. Keeping it that way is often a plus. I immediately hung $400 worth of plastic and steel off my new 10/22 receiver, and then realized I had a very expensive .22 with mediocre accuracy that looked kind of cool. I could have had an AR15 instead.

So, other than a mag release, butler creek steel lip mag, and maybe a trigger job, I'd say you're good to go. If you want a cooler-looking or more accurate rifle, there are plenty out there that come so equipped stock. You'll pay about the same as you would tinkering with the 10/22.