Ruger American Rimfire: Target vs. Standard. Or, something else?

[v35]

I wanted a more accurate .22lr bolt action rifle, and bought a Ruger American Rimfire Standard (this one). For reasons that I have yet to determine I have been disappointed in its accuracy. Although I still have lots of experimentation to do regarding ammunition and other factors, I can't seem to do any better than a few MOA at 50 yards. I'd like to be able to have some semblance of accuracy out to 100 yards. My S&W M&P15-22 is much more accurate. I don't know why.

I'm open to suggestions regarding its accuracy, but I've been wondering if a Ruger American Rimfire Target (this one) would do any better. I'm this close to buying one just to find out, but am I wasting my time?

What about a Marlin, or Savage? I don't know the first thing about either one.

Requirements: I am not considering anything other than bolt action. Lots of semi-autos out there that don't excite me.

Also: must have a threaded barrel, which limits my choices. I also know about the plethora of improvements I could make to the Ruger platform, but I don't want my $400 rifle to become a $4000 rifle by experimenting with those options. If I were to do that I might as well buy a $2000 Anshutz and be done with the whole idea.

 

[Mr. Hill]

Depends on what you want. If you want a threaded, suppressed target rifle, you may indeed have to spend a lot more than $500 on the rifle. Others will be able to make specific recommendations.

But you might want to figure out the accuracy with the one you just bought before jumping into another rifle.

 

[CraigC]

Your Ruger should do at least a half to three quarters of an inch at 50yds, even with cheap ammo. Could be the stock is making contact with the barrel. If you have eliminated all the usual suspects, it may need a trip back to the mother ship.

 

[v35]

Could be the stock is making contact with the barrel.

Could be, but I dismissed that possibility only by running a thin piece of paper between the barrel and stock. Visually, it looks OK, and much better than the Savage I was comparing it to at the shop. The Savage wasn't symmetrical, and that immediately turned me off.

I did better with just its iron sights. Putting on a scope made things worse, but thinking I did something wrong I had a gunsmith remove and re-mount it. It's all a mystery to me. Kind of frustrating and fascinating all at the same time, but that's part of the appeal.

Recently, I bought a one piece Picatinny mount, but I have yet to put it on.

 

[Demi-human]

Which Savage were you looking at? If it has a plastic stock on it, well, one is saving money...
I would try to have the rifle checked out by someone, maybe even the manufacturer, before I sent it away. Many things can be fix at home as well. Is the stock a good fit for you? Is it stiff enough to stay off the barrel in the bags? Have you checked the action screws for looseness and proper torque? How many types of ammunition have you tried? Rim fire actions are not the most stiff and one must be careful when torqueing down mounts. Even the rings, when mounting the scope. Loc-tite is a great product. Many of these adjustments can be made at the range so as to test between changes, making only one change at a time.

But if you just don't like it, I would suggest a second look at a wood stocked Savage. Perhaps the new synthetic stocked B-twenty two is more stiff. Though I have no idea...yet.
I like Savage.I own many. And I must admit, my son's Rascal is the most fun, and almost the most accurate. I have an FV that is quite durable and very squirrel eye capable.

My daughter and I have a pair of FV-SRs. These are threaded. Mine wears a Boyd's Varminter, is scoped and is the most accurate. I shoot a three quarters inch group at one hundred with Aguila Pistol Match, but usually hovers right at one M.O.A. with most anything else. Hers is specially painted with Royal Blue Plasti-Dip, a dusting of their pearl cover coat and a silver permanent marker to look like the stars at night. I cut two inches out of the stock, reattached the butt plate and sanded it back down to match. She says we are a pair. I love it.

I own a Remington five twenty seven that is very ho-hum. Jams occasionally and is a sort of accurate, two to three inches, with CCI Standards. It dislikes Mini-Mags.
I also have a Sixties vintage five seventy one Field master. I freely admit to loving this one. Very reasonably accurate. And a classy pump action. It loves crow hunting and I am immensely happy I didn't land on it instead of the Savage.

Even with all the previous promotion I still anticipate there being more accuracy to wring out of the Ruger. I wish you great luck in your journey.

 

[giggitygiggity]

I was recently in the same boat as you. While the Ruger American Rimfire was very tempting, I went with a CZ455 Tacticool. They must have just imported a batch because they were no where to be found in stock. I'm sure the Ruger is good, but I have a CZ452 Varmint in .17HMR that I know is a high-quality tack driver.

Most people will like their Ruger American Rimfires, but you'll find some reviews about accuracy be so-so or the fit and finish not meeting expectations... Not sure whether there is merit to the complaints. However, you will have to search harder for a dissatisfied CZ452/453/455 owner. They are accurate rimfires that are built like well-crafted centerfires.

If it were me, I'd go with the CZ455 Tacticool, Ruger American Rimfire Target, and Savage Mk2 FVSR if you want a heavy barrel profile. If you want a lighter rifle, I'd go with the CZ455 American with threaded barrel and Ruger American Rimfire stainless.

 

[Jenrick]

Are you shooting a bag, bench, bipod? Also make sure you're using quality ammo. Order some Eley, RWS, or other known high quality match .22 ammo. If Tenex or even Club won't shoot close to a one hole group and you have the ability to do that, then the rifle just plain wont shoot.

-Jenrick

 

[ford8nr]

It seems odd the scope made it worse.
I have several peep sighted .22 rifles I can shoot as well as a scope sighted at 50yds. Putting a scope on them won't make them shoot worse though.
What type of scope are you using ? Ring type / height ?
Centerfire scopes have parallex set at 100yds. Are you sure your cheek weld is consistent ?

 

[v35]

While the Ruger American Rimfire was very tempting, I went with a CZ455 Tacticool. They must have just imported a batch because they were no where to be found in stock.

Thank you for that. I was considering the CZ455 a while ago but found none available, and basically forgot about it. With a number of CZ pistols I'm already sold on CZ products, and I know they make a fine rifle as well. You're right, if I buy another .22lr it will probably be that one.

But there is more to the story:

Also make sure you're using quality ammo. Order some Eley, RWS, or other known high quality match .22 ammo. If Tenex or even Club won't shoot close to a one hole group and you have the ability to do that, then the rifle just plain wont shoot.

You're on to something Jenrick. I had been changing too many criteria at once and I know that complicates things, but for the first time time I shot Remington Thunderbolts, not the most precise round ever made, and it made all the difference in the world.

Pictures tell the tale:



Remington Golden Bullet on the top, Remington Thunderbolt on the bottom. The GBs also jam frequently in my M&P 15-22 (all of them due to failure to extract), so I'm not buying any more of them. Also, many of the GB bullets were loose in the casing. I have some match grade ammunition including Eley and Norma Match-22 but have yet to try them. I didn't have much luck with Winchester bulk ammo either. I don't recall the exact type but it was a 333 round bulk white box (or maybe it was 555? I don't remember). I think anything will be better than Rem GB though. I suspect that is the majority of the problem.

I am inclined to think my problem as originally stated in this thread is 100% ammunition. I'm not one to bash any particular brand but Remington Golden Bullets were all over the place.

What type of scope are you using ? Ring type / height ?

The one I am using is a Leupold VX-3i, with Leupold QRW "Low" rings and Weaver base adapters. I also have an EGW one piece rail but didn't install it yet. I had some trouble mounting the scope, the subject of a different thread, which contributed to my difficulties. At this point I doubt anything wrong with the scope or how it's mounted.

Are you sure your cheek weld is consistent ?

Not at all I'm still getting used to it. While I'm trying to get things sorted out I'm seated at a solid bench but I don't have a solid support... yet another uncertainty.

At this point I have justification to blame inferior ammo, but any remaining problems are going to be operator-related. Maybe I could to better with a CZ, but at this point the Ruger is perfectly fine for my talent, or lack thereof Anyway, I've gone from being totally frustrated to being excited again. I'll probably get frustrated with something else tomorrow.

 

[Demi-human]

I think anything will be better than Rem GB though. I suspect that is the majority of the problem.

I have found this to be my experience as well. Unfortunately, Remington has had this problem with the golden bullets for the last three years of my knowledge. My MarkII Fv-sr will not group the Thunderbolts well either.
With the better bullets I am certain you will shoot smaller. The mystery part of rim fire, which brand is best.

 

[ironworkerwill]

Deleted

 

[SKILCZ]

I was recently in the same boat as you. While the Ruger American Rimfire was very tempting, I went with a CZ455 Tacticool. They must have just imported a batch because they were no where to be found in stock. I'm sure the Ruger is good, but I have a CZ452 Varmint in .17HMR that I know is a high-quality tack driver.

Most people will like their Ruger American Rimfires, but you'll find some reviews about accuracy be so-so or the fit and finish not meeting expectations... Not sure whether there is merit to the complaints. However, you will have to search harder for a dissatisfied CZ452/453/455 owner. They are accurate rimfires that are built like well-crafted centerfires.

If it were me, I'd go with the CZ455 Tacticool, Ruger American Rimfire Target, and Savage Mk2 FVSR if you want a heavy barrel profile. If you want a lighter rifle, I'd go with the CZ455 American with threaded barrel and Ruger American Rimfire stainless.

+1 for the CZ rimfire rifles. Also, if you want a more compact and lighter one, the new CZ 455 scout comes with a threaded barrel (the older 452 scout did not). The LOP is shorter, but it's a blast to shoot and great for kids. Plus, you can swap out the stock for the larger full-sized stock.

 

[Olympus]

The CZ would be my choice over the Marlin, Savage, or Ruger. I currently have a Ruger American Predator in 22WMR and it's great knock-around rifle and since it's threaded, I use it for my suppressor. But I've tried an assortment of different ammo also and found it's accuracy to be just mediocre. Not bad, but not really anything to brag about either. I've owned CZ 455s and Savages and found the Savages to be cheap feeling and rougher finished. The CZs have all been good shooters and are more finely finished. I'm currently back on the fence about a CZ 455 American in either 22LR or 17HMR.

 

[Captcurt]

I got rid of all of my accurate 22's for some stupid reason or another. Had some really nice ones like a Winchester 52B Sporter, a CZ 452 and a Marlin 2000. All three shot better than I could. This last year I have been on a hunt for replacements and to this day have had no luck. I bought a Zastava CZ99, an American with a woodstock, a Ruger 10/22. None of them shoot to suit. It isn't the ammo either. I have several brands including match ammo. I guess it is time to try the CZ455 and see if they are anything like the 452's. Or I could sell all of the culls and buy an Anschutz.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

CZ gets my vote for a sporter weight gun.

 

[Ray Bob]

I found my Ruger American 22 to be very sensitive to the torque setting on the aluminum bedding block. The Ruger recommended setting really is the best for accuracy. You (I) can't do it by feel. Mine prefers CCI Std Velocity and the subsonic segmented 40gr for hunting. High velocity ammo shoots ok for shooting cans.

 

[fpgt72]

Here is another vote for CZ. And I would do the savage over a ruger any day of the week and twice on sunday. The american is built to a price point and it shows...look at real world reviews, on both the ruger and the savage...see what comes out on top.

You can play a game of musical ammo and you MIGHT find something the ruger likes....or you might spend days and $$$ and find it likes nothing.

My 452 likes about everything, run a magazine or two in it between changes of ammo and things start to look good again. I have yet to find anything that is not a pop can killer at 100....even the most cheap 22 stuff. And that is the point right....to hit what you want to hit.

I admit I am pretty biased against ruger products....I have only found one in my experience to be worth anything...an old Mk2 pistol....every other ruger I have owned has been just OK at best.

Try a CZ, they really are a best bang for the buck...you will be happy and wonder why you wasted you time on the....thing....you have now.

 

[v35]

Please don't get me wrong, I am not bashing the Ruger at all. It's my first bolt action rifle and I never intended it to compete with others out of its league. In fact now that I determined my problems are 100% ammo-related the rifle is everything I expected it to be.

It's just surprising to find out it is as sensitive to ammo as my M&P 15-22. For example, whereas the M&P eats Federal Automatch reliably, the Ruger chokes on it. No matter how hard or fast I pull on the bolt, practically every other Automatch round fails to extract, and practically every other round fails to feed. It's essentially an unusable round for that rifle. Yet it loves Remington Thunderbolt, another bulk ammo product commonly bashed on this forum and others.

I was under the impression any bolt action rifle would feed and extract anything without complaint. Go figure. Live and learn, but that's why I bought the rifle – to learn.

I'm pretty much convinced my next acquisition will be a CZ 455 Varmint, which has a heavy 20" barrel, and alleged out of the box accuracy that everyone seems to rave about. Not much more money than a Ruger Rimfire Target, which for my needs and wants at this point is probably not worth considering. Unfortunately it's not threaded, so I may have to forfeit that desire.

Next question: does the Varmint's longer barrel suggest greater accuracy than say, the CZ American Suppressor-Ready with a 16" barrel? I'm anticipating a lot of "not necessarily" answers, but that's OK.

 

[fpgt72]

IMHO it you want something that will really punch above its weight try the savage. For some reason they just seem really very well done.

I think it was on here....or perhaps on the rimfire forum....I don't remember but someone started talking about the super cheapie mosberg 22....just a tick over $100 and the fun he was having with it.

Made me go buy one....yes it is all that guys fault I am weak.

anyhoo..... started playing with that thing....I want to say plinkster 704 or some such thing. and boy is that gun built to a price point....but the point is I was just shocked at how well that gun ran and shot. Same ammo right next to my 10/22 that I have started to try to make into something that will at least work and put a hole in the same climate zone I am in....played with 3-4 different ammo flavors and in that rifle that cost a benji it shot better groups and ran better then the 10-22 I have started to toss money at.

Point of that story is don't buy a brand name....check around, and if you do I would bet you will find most people sing the praises of the savage....and they are inexpensive....we all know what we can get out of CZ, you yourself know. But just because it says brand X on the side does not mean a darn thing.

To tell the truth, if my kid was looking for his first autoloading rimfire that cheap, and inexpensive mosberg would be hard to look past....and they are cheap....but I was amazed at just how well it worked....perhaps I got a good one, and a bad brand x...don't know....but I do know I had more fun playing with that super cheapo gun then I have had in a long time....makes me want to try out the other super cheapo 22's.

 

[v35]

IMHO it you want something that will really punch above its weight try the savage. For some reason they just seem really very well done.

I will certainly consider Savage. The only complaint I have about Savage is that I can find very few models locally available, and their website is maddeningly short on specific details that would help my decision. Thanks for the recommendation.

I still think I'm destined to get a CZ anyway one of these days, so I'm thinking why not now. Otherwise I'll always be wondering if they're as good as everyone says.

The Ruger is fine for what it is, and I'll always have the option of upgraded barrels, stocks, triggers, you name it – I'm thinking of this post: https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/my-new-custom-ruger-10-22-takedown.823854/ That's a nice rifle, but it hardly resembles the Ruger it once was – and probably cost about as much as the Anshutz I mentioned earlier

 

[Demi-human]

By the time you 'Volquartsen' a Ruger you will be over what a nice CZ would be. But it would be unique to you.

I would own a CZ by now but the first Savage sold me. For the difference between them, I probably couldn't shoot it better.

If you would like a CZ, get one. Life is too short for uniteresting rifles.

 

[pintler]

"The Ruger is fine for what it is, and I'll always have the option of upgraded barrels, stocks, triggers, you name it"

That's sure true of the 10/22, but at least to my knowledge the bolt action Ruger American Rimfire doesn't yet enjoy that kind of aftermarket support.

 

[v35]

In the end I chose "something else"




Very happy with it. I was immediately shooting 1/2" groups at 50 yards with cheap ammo (Thunderbolts – coincidentally it did not feed Federal Automatch reliably either).

If you would like a CZ, get one. Life is too short for uniteresting rifles.

Couldn't agree more.

I will probably buy a 10/22 eventually, but CZ sure makes a fine rifle.

 

[Demi-human]

That is one nice looking rifle! Most definitely a step or so above a Ruger American.
I like that it was immediately minute of angle. I find this to mostly be the case, with rimfires. The really good ones start out that way. Yes, one can make a group smaller with match and premium ammunition. But all that goes a lot further with a well made rifle.

 

[v35]

For reasons that I have yet to determine I have been disappointed in its accuracy.

In addition to ammo / scope / shooter / whatever uncertainties may have contributed to the Ruger's inaccuracy, I found another reason: for the first time I put a torque screwdriver on the Ruger's action screws. I set the torque to 20 in·lb and guess what: both screws rotated easily, meaning they were torqued to a lot less than 20 in·lb.

The rifle's manual specifies 35 in·lb

So that ain't right. I have yet to determine if the correct action screw torque will make a difference.