Ruger 10/22 as a Newbie Rifle?

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Flyer91

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Hello folks,

I am new to the forum and to firearms in general. Just passed my non-restricted PAL course and mailed in my papers. The waiting game starts! :rolleyes:

I have shot shotguns, .308, .22 rifles before with my brother and friends. Based on my little research, a .22 seems ideal to start with for target practice, learning more about firearms and sport etiquette in general.

A rifle that came up frequently in my gun chats was the subject Ruger 10/22. What are your thoughts about it? Would a bolt action alternative be more practical as a start? Is there any legal restrictions since last May 2020 bill changes on this specific rifle type?

My intention is to have a second hand one for now.

Thanks for your generous time giving me your two cents.
 
Welcome to the forum.

The Ruger 10/22 is the perfect 'starter' rifle. My first rifle was a second hand 10/22. I still have it. It has been configured as benchrest rifle, silhouette rifle, hunting sporter and most recently as my Mapleseed designated rifle. I have swapped stocks and barrels and triggers and sight systems. The rifle shot fine with the stock parts, and better with (most) aftermarket parts.

The little Ruger rifle is comfortable and cheap to shoot and accurate enough for most folks. They are mostly reliable and require only occasional cleaning to keep shooting.

I have bolt action rimfire rifles but shoot the 10/22 more. The ammo is inexpensive enough to enjoy blazing away. My more expensive German benchrest rifles are more accurate, but no more fun. They make me concentrate to enjoy them, wheras the Ruger 10/22 is just fun to plink away with.

Good luck.
 
The 10/22 is a good choice. Many may advise a bolt action or a lever action for a first rifle, for reasons that include 1) the reliability of semi-autos can depend on ammunition, so they're more complicated to operate, 2) a manual action can encourage careful, deliberate shooting with correct sight picture, stance, trigger control, etc.

However, I don't think a 10/22 is so complicated that it's an issue for most newbies. Just be aware that you might have to try different ammo brands or loads for the gun to cycle reliably. CCI mini mags seem to be universally well liked by 10/22s from what I've heard.

I don't think you can go wrong with a 10/22 to start your collection, and it would be a good choice if it's the only 22 rifle you ever own.
 
I was new to the community last year too. My personal advice:

A centrefire also works for a beginner. I started with a bolt action .308 Win and then a semi auto 5.56 NATO. I got my Ruger 10/22 semi auto as the third rifle but didn't have a chance to shoot it.

I have realized that the most important thing is how you will use the rifle. For example, what's the distance your range have? If you want to shoot beyond 200 yards, a 9mm or .22LR is not the best option to begin, even though ace shooters use .22LR to challenge very long range. If your range only has 100 yards, then .22LR is definitely great. Therotically, a beginner will of course start with 50 yards or 100 yards, but my first experience was with ORA 300 yard practice.

Budget is another factor, especially when you need to keep a happy wife to avoid sleeping on the lawn. Ruger 10/22 is the first choice if you don't want to spend a lot. The gun is well made, easy to alter and 5,000 CCI ammunition only cost about $500. On the other hand, richer people can start with Ruger 10/22 or a more expensive rifle.

You need to accept the fact that you won't stop with a Ruger 10/22, so prepare to at least double your budget. The merit is rifles are fixed assets which you can resell and get cash from.

Also, Ruger 10/22 semi auto is not necessarily the safest for a beginner, because the factory one does not have Last Round Bolt Hold Open function, thus you need to take greater care to make sure the rifle is safe after shooting. Practice PROVE, do not skip looking at and touching the chamber. This applies to all rifles, and touch the chamber with something because the it is hot. A bolt action is easier to handle.

Before you buy, just shop around and sometimes patiently wait for a deal. I got mine, the weaver scope and hard case combo, for only $349.99 on sale.
 
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A 10/22 is a good rifle but do not buy a Ruger. Rugers are a very poor value and have the accuracy of a department store pellet gun.

A Dlask 10/22 is a little more money but is a way better value.
 
Yeah that's why I was thinking of a bolt action alternative to learn those basics, but I think my next rifle can be a bolt action then. Thanks for your input!
 
These are great questions to answer first before making a decision. As for the wife, I don't have to worry about that for now as she is non-existant haha! I think my range is about 300 yds.

One of the big factors for choosing .22 caliber is the ammo price which is affordable for many.

Good point about PROVE practice for the semi-auto feature. Thanks for pointing that!

Thanks tulazhen
 
I took my son out for the first time this year with an old cooey ace. Bought him and he really enjoyed it. Then I let him try my 10/22 that I’ve had for over 25 yrs and I couldn’t get the grin off his face. Its a good size and weight. You can blow through a lot of ammo fast if you wish. I think I’ll be shopping for one for him near his birthday.
 
If you have never seen a mishap on a firing line by a new shooter, than the Ruger 10/22 sounds okay. If you have witnessed one, you will understand why a new shooter needs to learn good handling skills - finger not on trigger, ever, except when intending to shoot, for example. I was started, my wife started, our kids started and our grandkids all started with bolt action 22's - most, but not all, were single shots. I trust all of them now with semi-auto - but each had to earn that - did not come "naturally"...
 
As Potashminer opined, youth need lots of training to overcome natural exuberance which can lead to a little carelessness. Semi auto requires a little more attention to detail for everyone's safety.
 
I would definitely buy a 22 rifle as your first firearm. I bought a Ruger 10/22 and it was fun. Now that the 25 round magazines have been mostly prohibited (other than using relatively expensive adapters and other rifles mags); I wish I now had a different 22 semi auto.

Have fun!
 
I don't know about the rest of you , but I have owned 5 or 6 10-22's and never had one that was as reliable as my tube fed Marlin.
For a new shooter a bolt gun is best, the Ruger American is an excellent rifle for the cost.
 
the Ruger 10/22 is a perfect starter rifle, you will burn through more ammo than a bolt gun, but 22lr is quite cheap so you probably won't care. as others have stated there are advantages to a bolt gun and I will add that if you see yourself getting into hunting deer / moose and such a bolt 22 will help you develop proper fundamentals for when you move up to a centre fire cartridge. That said there are several 22's in my safe and the Ruger is the one myself and my 11 year old enjoy the most for plinking. If you decide to go the bolt gun route I would suggest as an affordable option the Savage Mark II. Have fun and welcome to the sport!
 
A Savage Mark II would be my choice with the iron sights and black plastic stock- very light and fun to shoot - I have one and love it - also had custom rifles that cost 15 times more but I really appreciate the simplicity of the Mark II as for the 10/22 you will spend more than you spent on the rifle trying to make it better
 
I did get a 10/22. Did two mods. Built up rear sides of receiver with aluminum tape until snug tight squeeze fit into the wood inletting, (rear of receiver can not slop back and forth) with barrel centered in the barrel channel by several wraps of electrician vinyl tape. Then installed a Fire Sight set - aperture rear and fluorescent front. Perfect for old guy like me, for learning to use aperture sights.
 
I started on old 60s lakefield mk2 bolt action .22 when I was 6 with open sights, and shot the back out of shotgun shells in a pit. I'd deffinitely get an ultra-cheap bolt action .22 and level up whenever you feel confident enough in your abilities and/or can afford it.
 
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