Is the Ruger 10/22 all it's cracked up to be?

[Grizzlypeg]

td0g, I have the A & B22s with 5-6 of the 10-round mags and 2x 25rnd. They all are interchangeable and work fine in Both rifles. For the 10s I un-wound the mag spring a bit to lighten the tension to make loading easier, still cycles just fine. And the 25 has a slide-button to simplify loading. I get MOA with the B and close with the A, after working the triggers to around 2#. The A won't cycle properly if I go lower, but the B is down to 1.4# right now, even with the Safety blade intact.

I have an A17 and I am very impressed with the accuracy at 100 yards. Shoots as well as my CZ Varmint. Also agree about the Butler Creek 25 rounders with the thumb slide. Excellent design.

I have a heavy bbl 10/22 and its a favorite of mine. Green Mountain barrel. I find that when I take it to the range to shoot groups, the first couple of shots are a little off, and then it tightens right up. Must be something to do with the barrel residue.

 

[trevj]

I've been known to slander the old 10/22, mostly because I considered the one I bought to be a $300 fixer-upper. Ate everything, but even scoped, couldn't reliably hit a pop can @ 50 yards. Trigger was a nightmare, QC issues, etc. I far prefer bolt guns, and everything they do right, right out of the box.

Having said that...

Owning/using almost nothing but for a decade...I now have a 10/22 clone in the safe, waiting for the snow/ice to disappear. (T/CR22) Other than how cheap the stock feels, the ergonomics of this MagPul stock are great, the gun is light, and after some TLC (=Flitz) and an MCARBO spring kit, I'm cautiously optimistic that I'll like shooting the thing. Looks/feels like an improved 10/22, look forward to the first ammo-testing day!

I have found that any of the larger cap mags I have spent money on, were mostly money I could have spent on more ammo, dating back to the tear drop shaped Mitchell 50 round mag (with which you really COULD "burn through ammo") in between getting the bleeding to stop on your knuckles because the winding key blew out again... When I was in the gopher patches in SE Ab/ SW Sk, my SOP was to carry three or four ten round mags and a pocket full of loose shells, and any time there was a pause, the mag got changed, and I topped off the one removed. Despite several desperate charges, they still never got me!

To make a Target gun out of one, you need to pay, or expect to pay, target gun prices. I liked my buddies (a gift from Santa, one year!) Target model, but I wouldn't want to carry it around all day, something I still do regularly with my beater truck gun.

My eyes are long past iron sights being a go-to thing, I would happily turn the sight base off the barrel. Other than that, the M-1 Carbine-ish stock, I would change to something slimmer and a little better looking, maybe, but overall, I have never regretted buying mine.

 

[Tinybear]

I have a savage A22 in a nice Boyd’s AT One stock. Shoots for me very well. Cleaning and maintenance is damn near as easy as the bolt guns and thus far superior to a 10/22 design. Overall it’s a fantastic rifle.

Recently I purchased my first 10/22. A Magpul back packer model (so I can go to rang via motorcycle). Love it and despite the Savage being “better” (accuracy, easy of maintenance, trigger, availability/legality of 25rnd mags ect.) I still prefer shooting the Ruger. It’s small and light and at 25 yards it’s fun to try shooting groups off hand. Something the long heavier savage doesn’t feel right doing. The savage is great for bench rest accuracy but for that I prefer my Mark II FV bolt action. I have actually contemplated selling my A22 but refrain as it was my first rifle purchase and again it shoots so well. Additionally the Ruger is more acceptant of crappy ammo.


Long story short. Measured by most metrics the 10/22 is not “all it’s cracked Up to be” when compared to its competitors. But in reality it is a great reliable little rifle. It’s infinitely upgradable to be what ever you wish. And most of all it’s just plain FUN.

 

[tacfoley]

Back a few years we picked up a Canadian Commemorative version from a US dealer in Oregon for beans - I mean something like 1/3rd MRSP. Seems he'd found it totally impossible to sell - our gain, for sure. It's just a dressed-up basic 10/22, and all the better for that. It has never missed any tin can or pop bottle since that very first shot. Here in UK, the 10/22 remains THE definitive rifle for the 1500 match, tricked out until maybe all that's left is an original screw. South Yorkshire Rimfire can make you a 10/22 that has not a single part from Ruger in it, and charge you $5000 for the privilege of ownership. Me, I like simple. It started out life as 'kinda M1 carbine' in .22cal for cheapness of shooting, and in my book, original is best. YMMV.

 

[enefgee]

No rifle is, or has ever been, what the 10/22 is cracked up to be. It's a very decent, affordable rifle, that shoots well given its cost.

 

[357Maximum]

Mimicking/Duplicating is the most sincerest form of flattery. There are more 1022 clones then any other 22 rifle. I've had factory receiver with aftermarket barrels shoot as good as entire aftermarket. I've also had some factory barrels shoot amazing well.

I've had a 1022 or multiple 1022 since 1976. I originally thought my walnut stock 1022 carbine was a piece of junk, feeding and accuracy issues. Then I quite using CIL ammo and switched to Win Super X. What a difference.

Most 22 rifles have ammo preferences, good glass and proper bags, rests are important . Shooter form and experience count. As well as the amount of shooting you do. If your consistent and shoot 5000 rounds per year you will shoot better then some who shoots 500

Leaning on the hood of your truck is not a great bench rest.

 

[horseman2]

Won one once and not impressed so sold it in the first week without firing a shot.
Thought the more deluxe grade were more to my liking.
Bought one advertised as walnut but registration showed otherwise.
Eventually bought on with a walnut stock, at traded parts around until not know which was which.
Reworked the trigger until it double tapped so took that one apart.
Bought a Timney for one which is used for Speed Steel. Tried a McGowan Match barrel but returned to the factory for reliability.
After winning a Dlask Match barrel, put the KIDD trigger kit in an adjusted with the lightest spring. Added a compensator from Dlask and use this rifle for 100 Metre Rimfire SA Class.
There is more info on the internet for 10/22's than I will ever digest.

 

[OkayShooter]

I had a few 10/22s.. Honestly the older one are better. I currently got one of those 1022 Target lite and barrel is crooked, no surprise there, just like my Last 22/45 with a crooked rail and sights. I remembered when the 1022 take down were coming into Canada with crooked sights, fix was to weld the dovetail and re cut it..

I couldn't recommend a new Ruger Product, and their warranty center is a joke. QC seems to be non existent and sad, because HOW do you mess up making the same gun you been making for 50+ years?

They are Jeeps, meh stock, but you need to modify it to be anything decent.

 

[stuckon308]

I had a few 10/22s.. Honestly the older one are better. I currently got one of those 1022 Target lite and barrel is crooked, no surprise there, just like my Last 22/45 with a crooked rail and sights. I remembered when the 1022 take down were coming into Canada with crooked sights, fix was to weld the dovetail and re cut it..

I couldn't recommend a new Ruger Product, and their warranty center is a joke. QC seems to be non existent and sad, because HOW do you mess up making the same gun you been making for 50+ years?

They are Jeeps, meh stock, but you need to modify it to be anything decent.

I bought one of those "target lite" versions as well. Put a cabelas scope on it and it was capable of doing 1/2" groups at 50 yards. Very impressed with it. Sold it to a friend.

 

[Big Bad]

I will say that they are good rifles at the ranges most people will be shooting a .22 LR at, ie, 20 to 50 metres. Their actions are known to be reliable and because of their popularity parts are easily obtained (I think Ruger got over their strange reluctance to sell new firing pins?). Anyone wanting significantly more accuracy will be paying a lot more $$ and certainly not buying a semi-auto.

 

[CZ Shooter]

While far from perfect the 10/22 is (at least in my experience) a reliable platform.
Reliability should always be #1 aspect to be considered, when buying a firearm.

 

[OkayShooter]

I bought one of those "target lite" versions as well. Put a cabelas scope on it and it was capable of doing 1/2" groups at 50 yards. Very impressed with it. Sold it to a friend.

I didn't see that sort of accuracy with mine. The 100m challenge, someone with a stock 1022 with a 4x scope. Shot a better group, than mine with a lighter trigger and higher mag scope.

 

[DMS1]

I didn't see that sort of accuracy with mine. The 100m challenge, someone with a stock 1022 with a 4x scope. Shot a better group, than mine with a lighter trigger and higher mag scope.

How many brands of ammo did you try? Any high end stuff? With my Target Lite, I went through more than a dozen, even tried Tenex at $26 for 50 rounds. In the end for mine I found aguila suppressor and Eley Force semi auto (black cases black bullets) both within 1/2" @ 50 yards. I sold the gun and built a custom 10/22, and both of those loads are in the running for best in the new gun as well.

check the depth of the chamber on the bolt, mine was .043" almost at match spec. also if your firing pin is flopping around, that is know to cause fliers. Google firing pin fix on rimfire central. My groups were factory bolt, but your firing pin could have a looser fit in the channel.

 

[dan belisle]

I've had four. All fun to play with, but they all went down the road eventually. Didn't find any of them especially accurate. - dan

 

[Pushtone]

Basically, until you anchor down the rear of the receiver it's not going to impress unless your shooting pop cans at 25yards.

If you want good consistancy at 50 and 100 yards bed the first two inches of the barrel and use gunsmithers.com button bedding to anchor down the rear of the receiver.

My 18" carbine is sub MOA at 50 and 1.3 to 2 MOA at 100yards. That's under 1/2" at 50 yards and 1.3" to 2" at 100 yards. It shows its limitation at 200 yards with a 10-12" group. My CZ457 gets 6-8" groups at 200. BTW: All with CCI SV. MiniMags are going to be less accurate.

The Competition model with the two take down screws might, shoot well without bedding. Maybe, but bedding will make it even bedder.
So pay for the Competition model or get a cheap one and bed it with epoxy puddy. A 10/22 is a great rifle to practice bedding on.

 

[OkayShooter]

How many brands of ammo did you try? Any high end stuff? With my Target Lite, I went through more than a dozen, even tried Tenex at $26 for 50 rounds. In the end for mine I found aguila suppressor and Eley Force semi auto (black cases black bullets) both within 1/2" @ 50 yards. I sold the gun and built a custom 10/22, and both of those loads are in the running for best in the new gun as well.

check the depth of the chamber on the bolt, mine was .043" almost at match spec. also if your firing pin is flopping around, that is know to cause fliers. Google firing pin fix on rimfire central. My groups were factory bolt, but your firing pin could have a looser fit in the channel.

LAPUA. But like I said it got a pooched barrel. When I got it the barrel was touching the left hand side of the stock. But I dont want to deal with snap shots. As I havent had any luck with them. Had warranty issue with another ruger product. When someone praises that the best 1911 gun smith works there tells you he fixed your gun good enough, but the front sight still canted. They was going to send me a 3rd and was like no thanks.

Crooked scope base, get a gun with a crooked front sight, what #3 gonna have?

I'll replace the barrel maybe. Ill keep it for a plinker, but far from a tac driver.