What is the fuss with the Ruger 10/22

[MarshallDodge]

The 10/22 is a very good rifle for $150. I have owned three and currently own two. I bought a standard model in the early 90's and thought it was a fun gun then I bought a nice used 77/22 and liked the trigger better on it. The 10/22 was sold because I never shot it anymore.
Now there are all kinds of trigger upgrades for the them as well as a huge aftermarket. The guy who bought it from me put a new trigger in it, thumbhole stock, and fluted match barrel. The gun shoots better than ever.

The one I bought my son a few years back was not as nice in the fit and finish department as the first one I bought and the trigger was worse. I took the trigger apart and polished everthing which helped a lot but I am going to get him a replacement someday.

My latest 10/22 purchase is the gun in my signature. I have not had a chance to shoot it but it will need a trigger job as well. That's the problem with most guns nowadays, the triggers are lawyer proof.

 

[redranger1]

i can sit in a lawn chair in the yard and blast walnuts outta the trees in the yard with my ruger. im practicing to be as good as grandpa who could empty a 1911 clip shooting seeds out of a sycamore tree and never miss a one.

 

[dfaugh]

With a 4x scope that I am soon purchasing, and some good ammo, I guarantee I will have dime size groupings

.

I'll put money on that-- consistant 10 shot group at 50 yards, that can be completely covered with a dime, by an OUT-OF-THE-BOX 10/22 (you get to count 3 tries out of 5)...Not saying it couldn't happen, but I've issued this challenge before, and no one has collected yet! Most (actually every one I've seen) just aren't that accurate without modifications.

They are neat for all the different modifications you can do, but if you just want a good shooter there are better, for less money (Marlin 60).

 

[pipboy]

its cheap its reliable its fun and relatively accurate what more do you want from a gun?

 

[Pilot]

I bought a 10/22 when Midway used to have the $99, 16 " bull barrel and Fajen stock deal. I replaced all the trigger parts with a Power Custom group, put in a extended mag release, bolt hold open and some other parts which I now forget, but all in all it was't too expensive, about $200 plus the cost of the rifle. A nice scope and the thing shoots great. Yes, dime size groups at 50 yards, the trigger is great and its fun too shoot. Two friends liked it so much they had me build the same rifle for them with the same parts.

 

[YodaVader]

I'll put money on that-- consistant 10 shot group at 50 yards, that can be completely covered with a dime, by an OUT-OF-THE-BOX 10/22 (you get to count 3 tries out of 5)...Not saying it couldn't happen, but I've issued this challenge before, and no one has collected yet! Most (actually every one I've seen) just aren't that accurate without modifications.

I would be totally amazed even with consistent 5 shot dime size 50 yard groups out of a stock sporter barrel 10/22!

The 10/22s I own were never that accurate in stock condition. I am sure there are some out there that might be above average. But even the gun rags whose articles read more like sales brochures never seem to have a 10/22 that shoots dime size groups - a 1.5" average is more common.

On my last 10/22 bought last year I added a stainless 16.5" VQ barrel ($150) and it does indeed shoot sub dime size groups at 50 yards.

 

[.38special]

I'll put money on that-- consistant 10 shot group at 50 yards, that can be completely covered with a dime, by an OUT-OF-THE-BOX 10/22 (you get to count 3 tries out of 5)...Not saying it couldn't happen, but I've issued this challenge before, and no one has collected yet! Most (actually every one I've seen) just aren't that accurate without modifications.

I dont think i could do it constantly, but I bet it could do it eventually. Definetly not with 10 rounds, maybe 5.

 

[.38special]

I'll put money on that-- consistant 10 shot group at 50 yards, that can be completely covered with a dime, by an OUT-OF-THE-BOX 10/22 (you get to count 3 tries out of 5)...Not saying it couldn't happen, but I've issued this challenge before, and no one has collected yet! Most (actually every one I've seen) just aren't that accurate without modifications.

I dont think i could do it constantly, but I bet it could do it eventually. Definetly not with 10 rounds, maybe 5.

 

[.38special]

I'll put money on that-- consistant 10 shot group at 50 yards, that can be completely covered with a dime, by an OUT-OF-THE-BOX 10/22 (you get to count 3 tries out of 5)...Not saying it couldn't happen, but I've issued this challenge before, and no one has collected yet! Most (actually every one I've seen) just aren't that accurate without modifications.

I dont think i could do it constantly, but I bet it could do it eventually. Definetly not with 10 rounds, maybe 5.

 

[cslinger]

The biggest limiting factor that I have found for me personally is the relatively horrible trigger on the stock guns. My stock gun vs. my built gun is night and day different but the trigger makes the most difference to me.

Chris

 

[MCgunner]

What's wrong with inch and a half groups at 50 with a stock .22 autoloader? It ain't an olympic rifle, ya know. Want one holers? Buy an Anshutz.

You can find bolt guns that shoot dime groups at 50 for relatively affordable prices, but the 10/22 is as accurate as about any auto loading plinker I've ever fired and if you don't go nuts with aftermarket stuff, it's affordable, reliable, and well built. A also like its looks.

 

[MCgunner]

The biggest limiting factor that I have found for me personally is the relatively horrible trigger on the stock guns. My stock gun vs. my built gun is night and day different but the trigger makes the most difference to me.

A trigger snob? (said jokingly). I don't get all wound up in triggers, can shoot about anything pretty decent. But, I don't shoot competition. That's where the nice trigger is appropriate. The 10-22 is as good as my other .22s. Well, my Remington is a little crisper, but the pull weight is up there around 7 lbs. It's an old M512. Poppin' tin cans or swinging targets with the .22, I'm not bothered by the trigger. If I wanted it to shoot match competition and I was a serious match shooter, I'd get an aftermarket trigger. I can't do that for that old Remington. I've yet to find the plinker that is any better than the 10-22. I did buy mine used, though. Perhaps a previous owner put an aftermarket trigger in it, but I don't think so. If he did, he wasted his money. LOL!

 

[Bridger]

Well, I just bought one after avoiding it for a while. Got it as a loaner/plinker rifle, but damn is it fun! It seems to shoot about 1-2" off the rest at 50 yards, and not much worse from prone, which is about as good as I can shoot I think. I have no doubts that it would be better with a better trigger group, but I'm very satisfied how it shoots with the stock iron sights even.

I plan on putting some aperture sights on it soon, replace the trigger stuff for a better pull, and I'd consider a new barrel but those all seem to be meant for scopes and not iron-sight shooters.

Anyone know of any good heavy target barrels that are set up for iron sight use?

 

[JohnKSa]

Bridger,

If you find one, post it here. I've had zero luck looking for a 10/22 HB with iron sights...

Closest I could come was the 10/22 Deluxe with the 20" (22"?) barrel. I put a Williams Receiver sight on it and was pleased with the results. Traded it away and kind of wish I hadn't...

I've been able to get stock 10/22 rifles to shoot well with this approach.

1. Remove the barrel band. (This is probably optional--I just hate barrel bands.)
2. Put a small self-adhesive felt pad in the barrel channel at the tip of the forend. If you leave the barrel band in place, you might want to put a thin felt strip on the inside of the barrel band as well.
3. Put a small amount of bedding in the stock at the rear of the receiver channel to hold the receiver firmly in place. (This step can be eliminated if you leave the barrel band on.)

 

[foghornl]

The Ruger 10/22 is the "Small Block Chevy Engine" of the rimfire rifle world.

You can run it 'box stock', or customize it until you find yourself in the poorhouse...and anywhere in between.

 

[hksw]

What's wrong with inch and a half groups at 50 with a stock .22 autoloader?

Nothing at all. But, once you get a taste of what the 10/22 CAN do with the proper mods, you will think 1½" is huge.

That goes for the trigger too. All of the 10/22 triggers that I've measured out of the box that were mine were all between 6 - 6¾ lb. When I first got a 10/22, it didn't seem too bad. Fast forward to now, when I switch between target (2 oz - 2 lb) and sporter-type rifles at the range, the heavier (anything over 3 lb) triggers seem incredibly heavy.

 

[sturmruger]

My gun

I bought my first 10/22 when I was only 12 it has close to 120K rounds through it now and has no mods of any kinds. I have a son on the way and it will be his first gun.

Of all the guns I have if I had to pick one to go out in the woods with it would be my squirrel gun. It is a mostly stock 10/22 with Power Custom trigger parts. I am using a crappy butler creek stock, and cheap BSA scope, but I can shoot 10 rounds in dime at 25 yards all day long. I don't shoot at paper very often I mostly shoot squirrels, rabbits and the occasional barn swallows. I have more fun with my 10/22s then any other gun I own there are two reasons for that one they are cheap to shoot a lot, and two I understand and can completely disassemble one.

Go over to www.rimfirecentral.com and browse for a while. There are some people that are seriously addicted to modding 22s. One retired guy spent close to 200 hours making a thumbhole stock!

 

[waterhouse]

What is the reason that they are so much preferred to any other .22 rifle?

They are reliable, fairly accurate, completely accesorizable (I'm pretty sure that isn't a word) semi autos that can be purchased for low cost, and until very recently could be found at just about any Wal Mart.

I prefer other makes and models, but their low initial cost, widespread availability, and the fact that you can upgrade over time probably explain why there are so many out there.

 

[Impala]

haha accessorizable, I use that term a lot.
especially when talking about remington 700s, AR-15s, and AK's
Anyways, I have a 10/22 and it is really a great gun, it's the best $200 I've ever spent, I bought it from Wal-Mart as soon as I turned 18. In 4 years I've put about 5000 rounds through it with only 2 jams (these were the easily cleared stovepipe type jams). To me it's one of the best guns ever made and is extremely versatile with thousands of accessories available for it. The secret to longevity and good functioning with this rifle is to avoid the higher powered .22LR ammo variety (CCI stingers and maxi-mags) and to clean it well after every shooting session. If you are considering the purchase of one of these guns I reccomend the K10/22DSP model with the monte carlo stock and stainless barrel
(4 years later and mine is still firing like the first day I bought it and I'm sure it will continue serving me for many years to come.)

 

[Picher]

Don't have much use for a barrel-banded Ruger, but I like my "improved" Ruger Deluxe 10-22. A friend has a stock 10-22T that, after some fine-tuning of the Ruger parts, has made several 1/4" groups (center to center) at 50 yards. Though my rifle has a Shilen barrel, his rifle shoots just as well.

We're competition benchrest shooters and use match ammo most of the time, but have had some batches of Winchester Dynapoint that shot like crazy for cheap stuff.

It's amazing what a decent trigger, a good bedding job (including a pressure pad in the forend), and tighter headspace will do for a 10-22. Mine has repeatable accuracy/zero when cleaned and put back together. A hole in the rear of the receiver makes cleaning from the breech a snap.

As a gunsmith, I'm very impressed with the quality of the metals and the long life of a 10-22. Everyone should own at least one accurized 10-22. I don't mean a rifle with all kinds of after-market stuff jammed in without knowledge of how to do it right.

Are there other quality semi-autos? You bet. That's no reason bash a fine rifle like the Ruger. Try a really good one and you'll be hooked.

Picher

PS: The way people trash talk around here, I swear that some gun companies hire people to bash the competition. You are in one of the best times in the history of shooting...wonderful guns, outstanding ammo, unbelievable technical achievements. Enjoy it! It wasn't always like this, and it may not be for long. Applaud the good things and save your digs for the really bad stuff that sometimes comes along.

 

[Heavy Barrel]

With Wolfe ammo this one will shoot consistant .335 five shot groups at 50yds,and that is not BS!

 

[Mad Bodhi]

My bone stock stainless 10/22T topped with a Redfield will make one ragged hole all day long.

 

[ghost squire]

Whatever... at 3 feet? All I'm saying is that at 50 yards the Ruger I shot couldn't pattern that well.

 

[JohnKSa]

I guarantee I will have dime size groupings

DOES NOT EQUAL

consistant 10 shot group at 50 yards, that can be completely covered with a dime

Come on now everybody calm down--it's not like this is some CRITICAL topic like caliber choice or plastic vs steel...