Ruger 10/22 Advice

[HoosierQ]

Spent a very long time considering all the options and am fixing to purchase a 10/22 here in the next few days.

I am fine with the plain-Jane carbine. I am very tall and that after-market "recoil pad" that fits the curved butt adds almost an inch and a half to length of pull. Plus that'll work nice with the Tech Sights I'm gonna put on there. May go with the stainless or blue synthetic too.

Also, gotta a couple of the European styles on the rach which are kinda neat.

Here's the question. Got a buddy says the barrel band messes up accuracy. I am gonna plink. If I can hit a raccoon-sized target at 50 yards consistantly I'll be happy...don't need a real tack driver here.

Anybody got any thoughts about which 10/22 works best for low maintenance fun shooting? Do the stainless models offer anything beyond rust resistance? Any downside there?

 

[fishshocker]

All the 10/22 models are low maintenance, fun, and will hit a raccon at 50 yards. Yes the banded ones are less accurate, mostly due to the cheap barrel more so than the band. Rimfires aren't picky about having stuff touch the barrel like centerfires. Stainless - Yes, rust resistance is the only advantage and no disadvantages except higher price. They are all good to go in my opinion, if not wanting a tack driver just buy the one that looks better to you.

 

[ZGunner]

I have a Carbine with the barrel band. Never had any issues with accuracy within your normal .22 plinking range (5-50 yards or so). I've never cleaned it so I couldn't help ya there, but I can say I've had about 2000 rounds of various cheap Walmart ammo through it and have never had any sort of issue. I think any 10/22 would meet your needs, just find one you like and have fun!

 

[fishshocker]

For better accuracy in any of them at 50 yards stick with standard velocity ammo. Mine love cci standard and cci green tag standard. But for hitting soup cans any cheapo bulk pack works. But never hurts to see what the gun will do on paper with better ammo.

 

[mac66]

All Ruger 10/22s are about the same. The barrel band thing is cosmetic, though some claim taking them off increases accuracy. Others claim the barrel band reduces barrel harmonics which increases accuracy. I don't see any difference with the band off or on in the 4 10/22s I own.

In terms of the "cheap barrel". All 10/22 barrels are made from the same barrel blanks whether they are basic carbines, rifles or target models. Once they are hammer forged they are then cut to length and machined into the proper configuration.

Personally I would go with what ever is cheapest and spend the money you save on ammo, magazines, and a sling. Fit it out then take it to an Appleseed to get the most out of it and have a lot of fun.

 

[Yo Mama]

Improve accuracy? Well the 10/22 has a nice gift to get you started. Ruger provides the mount, you just need the rings and scope.

 

[HoosierQ]

Thanks guys. This is just the stuff I needed. Basically then, I am gonna go shopping for one and grab which ever one strikes my fancy.

 

[Magoo]

Basically then, I am gonna go shopping for one and grab which ever one strikes my fancy.

Perfect .

As to the barrel band- it's certainly easy to remove to test and see if your's shoots better without it. If it does, and enough to matter to you, there are plenty of ways to either retain the look of the band yet "float" it, or just leave it off and choosing to modify the stock for asthetics or not.

 

[Red Cent]

Fishshocker, the barrel itself is not bad. It is the generous chamber and headspace that allows any and all ammo to be fired by the 10-22. Take a little off the face of the barrel, rechamber, correct headspace, recrown, float the barrel and you will cut your groups in half.

 

[greyling22]

mine was fine for years. Coke can at 50 yards easy. Then I pulled the barrel band and my groups went down from 3-4" at 50 to 2" at 50. So I took a dremel with a sanding wheel to it and relieved the inside of the barrel band so it didn't touch the barrel when mounted. I get my cosmetics and my accuracy. wheeee!