Ruger 10-22 vs American Rimfire

[Wolfman Zack]

Planning on picking up a new .22 soon.

If you had asked me a year or two ago I would have picked a 10-22 without a second thought, but with the scarcity and higher cost of ammo I don't know if I want to chew through 500 rounds in an afternoon like I used to when bulk pack .22 was $15 a brick.
Hopefully ammo availability is back on the upswing though.

Now I am torn between the 10-22 I always wanted, and the new Ruger American Rimfire that claims to offer a nicer stock and better trigger and accuracy.

I currently only own an antique Stevens 15A single shot .22, which is a good occasional plinker and squirrel gun, but isn't made for any sort of sustained target shooting.

I want to be able to use this rifle for everything from plinking and small game, to informal target legues in the winter, and something that I will take with me on camping trips ocationaly.

So which would you reccomend, the 10-22 or the American Rimfire????

 

[Jackal]

I recommend this one: http://www.ruger.com/products/102250thAnniversary/models.html

Best of both worlds.

 

[dvdcrr]

I like my Marlin 795 better than the ruger. The receiver is more slim, the ruger was designed to mimic the feel of the larger carbine and so is way too wide for a 22. The 795 has a last shot hold open feature, and at least for me the barrel contour is perfect, being a real tack driver.

 

[powwowell]

If you must choose between the two, go for the 10/22. From an accuracy point of view, it's not that far off from the American Rimfire.

If you can come up with a few more dollars, then get the CZ452, or the CZ455. One of these may just be your best value for an outstanding, accurate, .22lr.

 

[Wolfman Zack]

Thanks for the replies so far.

I handled that Ruger Aniversary 10-22 at a shop a few weeks back, and although I likes the peep sights it was overall too tacticool for my taste.
I am fine with synthetic stocks and that sort of thing, but a flash supressor on a .22, really???

Handled the marlins as well, and they just don't appeal to me.

CZ is another good option, but they are out of my price range.


Has anybody shot the American rimfire side by side with a stock 10-22 to compare the real world accuracy???
Seems that the American rimfire might be easier to shoot well with it's adjustable accu-trigger, but I haven't got to shoot one yet.

 

[Doc7]

The designer of that model 10/22, a member of THR who posted at length about the rifle when he proposed it, included the flash suppressor as a means of protecting the barrel crown for new shooters at Appleseed events learning the prone position where they tend to dig the muzzle into the ground.

 

[mac66]

And of course the muzzle protector on the contest winning rifle can be replaced with a thread protector if desired.

From an accuracy standpoint, the barrels on both rifles are made the exact same way i.e., hammer forged and with the same exact steel.

The only difference is the trigger which as noted is adjustable and lighter. That makes a difference to some people.

 

[HJ857]

I don't have a lot of time on a 10/22 but even with that limited use, the American is a much nicer rifle.

As far as accuracy, the one I've shot is I think, pretty basic and certainly not a bull barrel version. The American kicks the crap of that 10/22.

Beside the adjustable trigger the American rimfire also uses the same V-block mount that the bigger brothers use. I had one of the early .308 models (which I did not like), the American seems to mount at a different, higher, angle than my .308 did and that increases the free float aspect a notable amount. My .308 needed to have the forend sanded down to keep it off the barrel, the new rimfire is nowhere near that tight to the stock.

I also really like the iron sights on the rimfire, they are nice. Also the bluing on this rifle is great.

When I bought the rifle I had no intention of putting a dime's worth of accessories on it, but it's so pretty, that it begs for a wood stock. So I have a nutmeg laminate from Boyds on it now and I like it a lot better. The Boyds uses the same V-blocks and it drops right in, no fitting needed. Not leaving well enough alone, it also now has a decent Bushnell 3x9 scope on it.

Shooting two inch steel chicken targets, with decent Eley ammo, at 100 meters is simply too easy. With that ammo I can get groups routinely 5/16" to 1/2" at 50 yards and in the 1 1/2" range at 100 yards as long as the wind is consistent. I don't know if MOA is possible no matter what, but I'm really pleased with 1.5"

The 25 round Butler Creek mags work just fine in the rifle but look ridiculous.

 

[Cee Zee]

My question would be which 10/22 are you looking at? There are several and they have different strengths and weaknesses. I'm not going to mention another brand of rifle even though I think you could spend your money better but it's never a totally clear cut choice. In this situation I'd probably go with the 10/22 because you can improve it substantially if you want to put more money in it.

 

[bannockburn]

I have been more than satisfied with the accuracy of my 10/22. On the other hand I have always wanted a nice bolt action .22 and I think the Ruger American Standard would fill the bill quite nicely.

 

[dvdcrr]

That is a sweet looking American.

 

[powwowell]

If the trigger on the 10/22 is a concern (and they have been on every 10/22 that I've owned), replace the stock hammer with a Volquartsen Target Hammer. It doesn't get much better than this!

Choose a 10/22 model that you like. There are many. Don't be afraid of a used one.

There was a ton of accuracy difference between my ex-Ruger American and my CZ Trainer. My 10/22 Wallyworld Special is equal to the ex-Ruger American. The Wallyworld Special is stock, except for the Volquartsen hammer. I did like the ex-Ruger American's trigger, after removing the spring and adjusting screw. I could never get the accuracy out of it that I wanted. Maybe I got a bad one?

The best rifle for the money is the Marlin 60. Whatever configuration you choose, they will be accurate with the right ammo. Once again, a used one, in good shape, will do the job. In fact I now have 2 Marlin 60's, 1 Marlin .22 Mag, 1 Ruger 10/22 and 1 CZ Trainer. The CZ Trainer is the most accurate, with the Marlins next in line. The semis are more fun to shoot, but with the scarcity of .22 ammo the CZ is more practical. And, I have more of a chance to hit what I'm shooting at.

 

[wally]

but a flash supressor on a .22, really???

Its really just a thread protector so you can add a suppressor somewhere down the road.

 

[Carolina Kalash]

I don't have a lot of time on a 10/22 but even with that limited use, the American is a much nicer rifle.

As far as accuracy, the one I've shot is I think, pretty basic and certainly not a bull barrel version. The American kicks the crap of that 10/22.

Beside the adjustable trigger the American rimfire also uses the same V-block mount that the bigger brothers use. I had one of the early .308 models (which I did not like), the American seems to mount at a different, higher, angle than my .308 did and that increases the free float aspect a notable amount. My .308 needed to have the forend sanded down to keep it off the barrel, the new rimfire is nowhere near that tight to the stock.

I also really like the iron sights on the rimfire, they are nice. Also the bluing on this rifle is great.

When I bought the rifle I had no intention of putting a dime's worth of accessories on it, but it's so pretty, that it begs for a wood stock. So I have a nutmeg laminate from Boyds on it now and I like it a lot better. The Boyds uses the same V-blocks and it drops right in, no fitting needed. Not leaving well enough alone, it also now has a decent Bushnell 3x9 scope on it.

Shooting two inch steel chicken targets, with decent Eley ammo, at 100 meters is simply too easy. With that ammo I can get groups routinely 5/16" to 1/2" at 50 yards and in the 1 1/2" range at 100 yards as long as the wind is consistent. I don't know if MOA is possible no matter what, but I'm really pleased with 1.5"

The 25 round Butler Creek mags work just fine in the rifle but look ridiculous.

Didn't know they had wood stocks for the Ruger American, that looks NICE!!! I wouldn't mind having one in .308 or .223 for a target/varmint rifle.

 

[earlthegoat2]

Any Ruger claiming to have a nicer trigger is rich statement indeed!

 

[danez71]

Planning on picking up a new .22 soon.

If you had asked me a year or two ago I would have picked a 10-22 without a second thought, but with the scarcity and higher cost of ammo I don't know if I want to chew through 500 rounds in an afternoon like I used to when bulk pack .22 was $15 a brick.
Hopefully ammo availability is back on the upswing though.

Now I am torn between the 10-22 I always wanted, and the new Ruger American Rimfire that claims to offer a nicer stock and better trigger and accuracy.

I currently only own an antique Stevens 15A single shot .22, which is a good occasional plinker and squirrel gun, but isn't made for any sort of sustained target shooting.

I want to be able to use this rifle for everything from plinking and small game, to informal target legues in the winter, and something that I will take with me on camping trips ocationaly.

So which would you reccomend, the 10-22 or the American Rimfire????

When I read the1st bold part I think "Get the 10/22... its hat you always wanted"

When I read the 2nd bold part, I think the RAR is a better fit.

Personally, you can have fun with both so buy the one that will make you happy.. even if its not the right choice on paper.

Has anybody shot the American rimfire side by side with a stock 10-22 to compare the real world accuracy???
Seems that the American rimfire might be easier to shoot well with it's adjustable accu-trigger, but I haven't got to shoot one yet.

I have. 3 10/22s (both metal and plastic trigger groups) and 1 RAR.

From an accuracy standpoint, the barrels on both rifles are made the exact same way i.e., hammer forged and with the same exact steel.

The only difference is the trigger which as noted is adjustable and lighter. That makes a difference to some people.

I'd say that's a fair real world assessment.

 

[helitack32f1]

I d go with the RAR. Mostly because I think the 10/22 is over rated. I have heard rumors of amazing acccuracy from the RAR and that is something that is not even rumored about a 10/22. The rar feels like a really good gun and everyone that I have talked to has lots of good things to say about it. I wish I had waited another year before buying my latest .22, I would certainly have gotten the Ruger American Rimfire. Probably will eventually get one anyway.

 

[MCgunner]

EVERYone NEEDS a 10/22. JMHO, though. I already had a very accurate nice old Remington bolt gun when I got my 10/22, but I shoot the 10/22 all the time even if the Remington shoots rings around it for accuracy. Love that 10/22, great little gun.

 

[MCgunner]

Any Ruger claiming to have a nicer trigger is rich statement indeed!

My 10/22 has an awesome trigger. Of course, Volquartsen made it, but that's an advantage of the 10/22, affordable goodies on the aftermarket.

 

[Skylerbone]

If the two Rugers are the only choices, I'd choose the 10/22 and a few select parts to improve the trigger pull.

If it were me on a budget, a new Marlin Model 60DLX or Marlin bolt action.

Real world, I'm buying nothing but CZs going forward.

 

[MCgunner]

If it were me on a budget, a new Marlin Model 60DLX or Marlin bolt action.

Is there an aftermaket solution for the crappy trigger on the Marlin? This is why I prefer the 10/22. I also like the rotary magazine.

 

[Glockula]

A Henry H001 lever gun is within you budget and would seem a good fit here. They are easily scoped and mine holds 2 inches at 100 yards. You can rip them out pretty quickly with lever gun too. My $.02.

 

[jmorris]

I have more than a half a dozen 10/22's not a bad choice and they are kind of the "Smallblock Chevy" of the 22 world. There is not much you can't do to one.

That said think I might pick me up a CZ, never really been happy with the 77/22 and they don't seem too expensive.

http://sportingarms.com/results.asp..._descr=&max_price=&quick_submit=FIND+FIREARMS

 

[KSCCHTrainer]

Thanks for the replies so far.

I handled that Ruger Aniversary 10-22 at a shop a few weeks back, and although I likes the peep sights it was overall too tacticool for my taste.
I am fine with synthetic stocks and that sort of thing, but a flash supressor on a .22, really???

Handled the marlins as well, and they just don't appeal to me.

CZ is another good option, but they are out of my price range.

I have a 10/22 "Takedown Tactical" model and the flash hider actually serves another purpose though I'm sure it came about more by accident than intension when they added it. I've found that it actually reduces the perceived (maybe even actual) noise signature. With it on, I can shoot outdoors without ear plugs, but with a thread protector in place of the flash hider, the report is noticeably louder. With the flash hider on and Eley's subsonic ammo, it's almost as good as having a suppressor on it. Much to my surprise, the Eley subsonic stuff actually cycles the 10/22's action reliably (at least in my rifle).

Jim

 

[Cee Zee]

but I shoot the 10/22 all the time even if the Remington shoots rings around it for accuracy

I gotta ask why do you shoot the 10/22 over the Remington?