New - Ruger 10/22 Target 20" Stainless Heavy Barrel

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Nikuser

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Hi all,

My first 22LR purchase is the Ruger 10/22 Target 20" Stainless Heavy Barrel.

Ruger10-22-grey.jpg


I got it new as a trade in for my first hunting rifle, a Weatherby Vanguard 2 with a terrible scope. Turns out I have no time to hunt and prefer recreational shooting, so it had to go. I have to mention, I wasn't certain it was a good trade, because I'm not a fan of the semi-auto rifles. I like the precision side of shooting, but I'm impressed with its performance.

It's a heavy bastard for sure. There won't be many freehand shots taken. From the bench, off of my cheap Amazon bipod and no rear bag, it shoots surprisingly well (with the right ammo).

Here are some todays targets.

Not great, actually pretty terrible but to be expected. 50m with CCI Sub-sonic. 10 rounds each.
20181221-153105.jpg


Bottom three groups are a LITTLE better, but not much. 50m with CCI Mini Mag High Velocity CPRN.
The top three groups are ELEY Sport. The first group of that (top left) wasn't zeroed for it, the following two were. Much better results.
20181221-153116.jpg


and finally the all ELEY Sport groups. I definitely pulled a couple. I've only been shooting since mid 2017 and I'm looking forward to pushing this rifle to it's max capability (as well as mine).
20181221-153130.jpg


Plans for the future

1. Fix the lack of auto bolt release.
2. I will likely change the trigger group. Either the Volquartsen TG2000 or the Timney 10/22 trigger.
3. I'm ok with the stock, but it needs a bit of cheek rise. I'll DIY something for that.

The optics I have now is the Nikon Prostaff 5 - 3.5-14x50 Nikoplex. It's a bit much for the 22LR but it's what I already had. For now it's mounted on the stock aluminum rail and Leupold Rifleman rings. The issue I'm having at my club is the range is only 25m (side note, I also shoot 9mm there). I can't get it to focus at that distance. The targets from above are from another club in the area. however, i don't want to spend 25$ every time I shoot there.

That being said,

4. I'll need to find a rimfire scope to better suit my needs.
5. try other types of Match ammo.


Questions:
Is it worth free floating the barrel and bedding it?
Any recommendations on scopes?
How bad is the included rail? Worth upgrading with the new scope?



Thanks for letting me vent here.

M.
 
What do you want to accomplish from this rifle? Group sizes are starting to settle down. For 50m on a new rifle, that’s not horrible, especially with stock barrel and trigger.

I don’t have enough experience in switching out mounts to know what a new rail “might” get you, especially on a rimfire, but don’t underestimate the scope. Lots of guys putting Sightron, Vortex Vipers, Swaro, S&B, etc. it all depends on what you want and how much you want to spend to get it. Just make sure you get a scope that has a very low parallax setting. A scope I’m looking at for mine, budget and performance in mind, is the Vortex Diamondback Tactical FFP.
 
You should add a recoil buffer to your list of improvements. I did the mod, switched back and can notice the difference.
 
Nice rifle, congrats!

On the scope, you need a scope with an Adjustable Objective. For 22's, I like the Bushnell Banner 4-12x40AO. I want the AO feature on the scope because almost all shooting with a 22LR is done inside of 50m, and the parallax on a regular scope is set for 100m.

Ammo... Try different Standard Velocity & Target ammo, find the ones your rifle likes.

Trigger, you can improve the trigger with aftermarket parts.

Enjoy!

Cheers
Jay
 
Leupold vx2 4-12 EFR windplex reticle on a dlask 30 moa base for me with the same rifle. Opted for a Kidd single stage trigger. Addresses the auto bolt release and you gain a ton of confidence squeezing that compared the the ruger target trigger. Crisp clean and easy to install. Definately go for a buffer. I went with dlask and have no complaints.
 
JasC said:
You should add a recoil buffer to your list of improvements. I did the mod, switched back and can notice the difference.
Click to expand...

I've seen that mentioned, but what good does it do? Does it help with consistent accuracy? Only thing I could find was it quiets down the bolt when shooting suppressed. Not a concern in Canada.

MBROBERTS said:
Leupold vx2 4-12 EFR windplex reticle on a dlask 30 moa base for me with the same rifle. Opted for a Kidd single stage trigger. Addresses the auto bolt release and you gain a ton of confidence squeezing that compared the the ruger target trigger. Crisp clean and easy to install. Definately go for a buffer. I went with dlask and have no complaints.
Click to expand...

Kidd, noted. I like how the kids do right in. I may also have the receiver drilled to pass a cleaning rod. Thoughts?
I'll have a look for that vx2. However, Leupold has the VX Freedom 4x12 and the Freedom Rimfire 3x9 models. I'd like more than 9x but hope to spend less than 300$ for the new scope. I may consider the EE listings.


Jay said:
Nice rifle, congrats!

On the scope, you need a scope with an Adjustable Objective. For 22's, I like the Bushnell Banner 4-12x40AO. I want the AO feature on the scope because almost all shooting with a 22LR is done inside of 50m, and the parallax on a regular scope is set for 100m.

Ammo... Try different Standard Velocity & Target ammo, find the ones your rifle likes.

Trigger, you can improve the trigger with aftermarket parts.

Enjoy!

Cheers
Jay
Click to expand...

My scope has a paralax/side focus adjustment from 50m to infinity... But at 25m and high magnification, it's like I'm shooting without my glasses on. Totally blurry.

45CAT said:
Best trigger
1. Kidd
2. Volquartsen
3. Timney
I’ve got all three and really notice the difference but the best costs 400$.
Click to expand...

Ouch! I did notice that price tag. My club has the timney kit and is likely to get a Boxing Day discount. It's roughly 320$ right now.
 
Need the EFR on the AO goes right down to 25 yards on the Leupold so makes it a great option for the rimfires. Don't bother getting anything but adjustable objective and specifically with the extended focal range.
 
I've shot considerably better groups with open sights on my Diana 45 .177 at 50 yards...and the rifle is approaching 20 years of age...
There are FAR more accurate .22's out there....
 
MBROBERTS said:
Need the EFR on the AO goes right down to 25 yards on the Leupold so makes it a great option for the rimfires. Don't bother getting anything but adjustable objective and specifically with the extended focal range.
Click to expand...

Noted. I quickly realized that was the issue with mine. I had hoped it would be a good choice, since I already had it, but I was mistaken.

Just noticed there's a Bushnell Prime Rifle Scope 4-12x40mm Multi-X Reticle Matte RP4124BS3 at Bullseye London for 310$ and it has a side focus down to 15y.

Might be a contender.

Look into the Diamondback also.
 
Not sure if you've read it elsewhere by now or not but playing with the torque on the action screw can really change the consistancy of the rifle.
 
Nikuser said:
I've seen that mentioned, but what good does it do? Does it help with consistent accuracy? Only thing I could find was it quiets down the bolt when shooting suppressed. Not a concern in Canada.
Click to expand...
Metal on metal contact causes more vibrations/harmonics than hitting metal on rubber/plastic sorts of material. Won't be an issue if you're at a long break between each shot.

I bought the same gun, the upgrade bug hit me.... there's volquartsen trigger parts in the gun, auto release, buffer, magpul stock on it now, and a green mountain fluted barrel under the Xmas tree for me.
 
Nikuser said:
I've seen that mentioned, but what good does it do? Does it help with consistent accuracy? Only thing I could find was it quiets down the bolt when shooting suppressed. Not a concern in Canada.



Kidd, noted. I like how the kids do right in. I may also have the receiver drilled to pass a cleaning rod. Thoughts?
I'll have a look for that vx2. However, Leupold has the VX Freedom 4x12 and the Freedom Rimfire 3x9 models. I'd like more than 9x but hope to spend less than 300$ for the new scope. I may consider the EE listings.




My scope has a paralax/side focus adjustment from 50m to infinity... But at 25m and high magnification, it's like I'm shooting without my glasses on. Totally blurry.



Ouch! I did notice that price tag. My club has the timney kit and is likely to get a Boxing Day discount. It's roughly 320$ right now.
Click to expand...


If you are thinking of paying that much go a little extra & get the Kidd two stage. You won't regret buying the Kidd.
 
Thanks for all the support guys.

Next up, I'll have to choose a more appropriate scope. I'll pay close attention to the side focus parallax numbers this time.

I've narrowed the trigger choice down to the the Kidd or Volquartsen and the bolt buffer for the near future.

After that, and if I can find it at a reasonable price, I'll try the FAT wrench.

Bedding or a new stock will not be for right now and I'll only consider it if I run out of things to do to it.

Thanks!



Then, .
 
I checked your scope (Nikon Prostaff 5 - 3.5-14x50 Nikoplex) and that is a good choice for general shooting.
For target shooting you may want more power but learn what you can from this one while saving coin for what you may consider better.
If it is blurry, read the instructions in regards to adjusting your diopter . . . the cross hairs should be sharp and black.
Now read the instructions as they apply to the side focus.
The buffer replacement is a good start. The clang and crash of the factory pin is disturbing and not conducive to confident shooting.
You tube is your friend when learning more about your rifle.
I started with a Timney trigger replacement but it was still over three pounds which I now have down to 3 lbs.
Then I bought a Kidd trigger upgrade but still had a 3 lb. trigger. With the spring kit, the spring they rate a 1 3/4 lb. is giving me 2.5.
As to ammo, the best to date is Federal Match 922A. Five 5-shot groups average 1.1" at 100 yards with a 36 power Weaver.
Neither rifle appears impressed with Eley match grades. That is in the chamber but your target grade rifle may be better than the rifle chambers.
As to drilling a hole in the back of the action for cleaning, I shown a light down the bore from the muzzle and guesstimated where to drill a 1/4" hole. Works for me.
Keep in mind the nuances with the 10/22 are addictive . . .
With the BDC reticle you can sight in at 50 yards and see where the other circles take you as you increase the distance or sight in at 100 and test out and beyond 100. Keep in mind every ammo is different so you may just be hearing the bang and wasting ammo until you have established what it really likes.
 
Last edited:
Unfortunately factory Rugers have crappy accuracy. There will be a few modifications in your future before you will be able to achieve tight groups.

One possible option to improve the trigger is the Kidd trigger kit. It’s cheaper than the complete trigger pack and still produces an awesome trigger pull. I have had one for >10k rounds without an issue. Trigger breaks consistently at 2.5lbs every time.

You also will likely require a different barrel before you get good accuracy. This is unfortunate having to buy a barrel for a new gun. The Ruger barrels are total garbage. I would recommend the Kidd Ultralight barrel. It’s awesome. Top notch accuracy and very lightweight. Best upgrade you can get period.
 
Nikuser said:
I've seen that mentioned, but what good does it do? Does it help with consistent accuracy? Only thing I could find was it quiets down the bolt when shooting suppressed. Not a concern in Canada.
Click to expand...

It protects your receiver. Receiver is aluminium, stock bolt and bolt buffer is hardened steel. Some people reported an oval shaped bolt buffer holes on the receiver after several hundred rounds.

Other CGN'ers claimed they used 1/4" delrin or nylon rod and DIY'ed a solution. I just bought the Tuffer Buffer off ebay.
 
awesomealvin said:
It protects your receiver. Receiver is aluminium, stock bolt and bolt buffer is hardened steel. Some people reported an oval shaped bolt buffer holes on the receiver after several hundred rounds.

Other CGN'ers claimed they used 1/4" delrin or nylon rod and DIY'ed a solution. I just bought the Tuffer Buffer off ebay.
Click to expand...

Interesting! I have seen a YouTube video on how to mod a delrin plumbing bolt to fit as a buffer. But I will look into the Tuffer Buffer.
 
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