sights on a new ruger 10/22

[Omni04]

ok, as a very new shooter i was wondering about the sights on my fresh-from-the-box ruger 10/22... i havn't even fired it yet (still looking for a shooting rangte) but i was wondering if it was accurate, or if i had to do anything to it first.

i wanted to figure this out before i went shooting, because if i am missing the target i wouldn't want to think it is the 10/22's fault. so i guess i am just wondering if i need to ajust the rear sight at all before it is decently accurate. thank you!

 

[George S.]

The chances are that the factory sights will be off some. The only real adjustment provided on the sight is for elevation. You can tap the sight base left or right with a hammer and brass drift for windage, but it's not an accurate method.

You've probably noticed that the two screws used to adjust elevation are very tiny. Take a small screwdriver with you to the range to make any adjustments. Shoot from a rest of some sort to keep the rifle steady while you determine what changes are needed in the sight. Use the same ammo for sighting in. You might want to shoot a couple of mags worth first to get used to how the rifle operates and to practice mag loading.

I shoot 5-round groups at 50 yards to sight in. Have a spotting scope with you or a pair of binoculars to see where the rounds are hitting the target. A buddy acting as a spotter will be a big help to tell you where the shot hit so you can make adjustments accordingly.

A lot of 10/22 shooters will eventually modifiy their rifles by changiong barrels, adding a scope, trigger improvements, and custom stocks and you can build a very accurate rifle with aftermarket parts.

The Rimfire Central Forum ( www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/ has some great information on the 10/22 and there are 4 separate section devoted to the 10/22 alone.

 

[Red_SC]

It should be accurate, but it may need to be sighted in. That is, it will put the bullets close together (if you can ), but the bullets may not be hitting the center of the target. Your instruction booklet should have instructions on how to adjust the sights. If you're missing the whole target, just keep moving closer until you are actually hitting it. Get it sighted in at that range, then move back farther and repeat.

A 10-22 is a great way to learn how to shoot well. Just remember to take your time on every single shot and get each one perfect. It's fun to blaze away sometimes and just burn up some ammo, but if you want to learn to shoot well, make sure most of your practice is very slow, deliberate fire. But have fun, too! BTW, I love my 10-22.

 

[Omni04]

ok, when ya put it that way it makes it sound like even a newbie can sight a 10/22

i have allready practiced loading the magazine, unloading the magazine, chambering rounds, un chambering rounds.... and so on. so at least im familiar with it.

here is another question i was wondering, and i hate starting a whole new thread for it. it comes with a standard 10 round magazine, but can i buy bigger ones? i live in kuntucky so our gun laws are very loose. im not even sure what i am looking for when i go to wal-mart, will they sell bigger magazines? if so how much would they run, and are there certain "types" i need to look for? thanks!

 

[Omni04]

oh, also, does anybody know about how much pressure a factory 10/22's trigger is? (im not sure if im wording the question right) but i heard 2.5-3 pounds is a good sensitivity, should i invest in a trigger job?

 

[Edward429451]

Not yet on the trigger job. Invest in ammo to get the basics down first. I must respectfully disagree with the poster who said get a scope and learn the irons later. Thats cheating and leaves you handicapped if your scope breaks. Learn the irons first and graduate to a scope later on and you'll never find yourself wnating for a sighting device no matter what happens. Don't get a car before you learn to walk. JMO.

The Ruger irons are ok. They take longer to use than iron peep sights but will get the job done as is.

 

[MrMurphy]

I agree with edward. I learned on irons and stuck with them. I can do very good work with a scope (on an appropriate rifle with good loads, 1/2 to 3/4" groups on a very good day at 100 yards) but I've also hit a truck sized target at 950 yards with iron sights on a Lee-Enfield.

 

[Dave R]

Can you get bigger (higher capacity) mags for the 10/22? Yes, but they are quite expensive.

Here's a legal history lesson for you.

Clinton passed the Assault Weapons Ban in 19??. It made production of any magazine that held more than 10 rounds illegal. Existing 10+ round mags were "grandfathered" in--you can still sell those. But no one can legally make any new ones.

So...since the supply is fixed and the demand increases...the price goes up. So you can find those "pre-ban" 10/22 mags that hold 20 and 30 rounds, but they are expensive. Anyone know the going rate these days? $50? $100?

The good news is, in September the Assault Weapons Ban will "sunset". That is, it'll expire automatically. So, for at least September through the election in November, and for some time after that, it will be legal to manufacture mags that hold more than 10 rounds.

Let's hope they make a lot of 'em and sell 'em cheap.

After the election, who knows what may happen? My bet is, if Kerry wins and the Dems take over either the House or the Senate, there will be a new, more stringent "assault weapons ban".

Let's make sure that does't happen.