Ruger 10/22 what to look out for

[Smallholder]

Plenty of people use 10/22s for gallery rifle comps around the country and are often used out to 50m. There's a huge range of rifles and plenty are accurate, mine will match my bolt action at 50m and plenty of others at our club can do as well.

However, I've seen some poor examples, even from new, where the general fit is poor and the action moves too much in the stock. The basic trigger isn't great but some people work on the and improve them, others make matters worse! I would certainly check how well the stock fits the action before buying.

You can easily change parts, so if subs will not cycle you can change the bolt spring. Having said that it may just need running in, I've never had a problem with mine and most other people I know don't.

As for cleaning, it will depend on the ammo. I use SK and it leaves a waxy mess on the receiver so does need some cleaning. Don't over lube the bolt though as that can just pick up more dirt.

 

[grandad of the woods]

Plenty of people use 10/22s for gallery rifle comps around the country and are often used out to 50m. There's a huge range of rifles and plenty are accurate, mine will match my bolt action at 50m and plenty of others at our club can do as well.

However, I've seen some poor examples, even from new, where the general fit is poor and the action moves too much in the stock. The basic trigger isn't great but some people work on the and improve them, others make matters worse! I would certainly check how well the stock fits the action before buying.

You can easily change parts, so if subs will not cycle you can change the bolt spring. Having said that it may just need running in, I've never had a problem with mine and most other people I know don't.

As for cleaning, it will depend on the ammo. I use SK and it leaves a waxy mess on the receiver so does need some cleaning. Don't over lube the bolt though as that can just pick up more dirt.

So when looking at a potential rifle are you saying looking gaps around the action were sits in the stock or see if there is any play

 

[Smallholder]

So when looking at a potential rifle are you saying looking gaps around the action were sits in the stock or see if there is any play

Yes. The stock is held on by a single bolt. The trigger unit is held on to the receiver by two pins that are only held in place by the stock cut out. Ideally you want a nicely fitting stock that doesn't have too much gap otherwise things can wobble.

Things can be packed out of course, it will depend on the cost of the gun and choice available.

 

[hybridfiat]

Yes. The stock is held on by a single bolt. The trigger unit is held on to the receiver by two pins that are only held in place by the stock cut out. Ideally you want a nicely fitting stock that doesn't have too much gap otherwise things can wobble.

Things can be packed out of course, it will depend on the cost of the gun and choice available.

The Ruger 10/22 meets certain expectations. As long as we realise that, happiness will follow.
My favourite plinker and short range rabbit rifle.

 

[Koenig]

The Ruger 10/22 meets certain expectations. As long as we realise that, happiness will follow.
My favourite plinker and short range rabbit rifle.

Seems I must have gotten a good one, as it shoots well and doesn’t jam if you stick with CCI ammo. A good squirt of CLP on the block (especially in wet conditions) and all has been well for the ten years I’ve had it. With a Hawke bespoke .22LR scope (I forget the exact model) that has dedicated drop on the reticle it’ll hit rabbit sized targets out to 70/75m all day long.

 

[hybridfiat]

Seems I must have gotten a good one, as it shoots well and doesn’t jam if you stick with CCI ammo. A good squirt of CLP on the block (especially in wet conditions) and all has been well for the ten years I’ve had it. With a Hawke bespoke .22LR scope (I forget the exact model) that has dedicated drop on the reticle it’ll hit rabbit sized targets out to 70/75m all day long.

I've had a few over the years and never had one that jammed. Maybe mine were the exception?

 

[enfieldspares]

Given the nonsense that is believed about "deadly assault weapons" I would in fact be reluctant to purchase any self-loading rifle (of which thanks to Thatcher all that we can do so are .22LR) or self-loading shotgun where the magazines cannot be permanently restricted (such as one with a fixed tube magazine). Why?

If in some future time s2 is abolished and those shotguns that presently remain s2 become classed as s1 then what of those shotguns presently classed as s1? In 1988 (referring back to Thatcher's ban on self-loading rifles) when multi-shot s2 shotguns were moved to s1 those shotguns at that time on s1 were moved to s5...that was self-loading and pump action shotguns with under 24" barrels.

So from my sad experience of how the Firearms Act and the Home Office civil servants responsible work I fear this again. The raising of a class of weapon from a lower category to a more restricted category has seen in the UK that this means that weapons already in that more restricted category get moved "up" to, often, s5.

 

[Druid]

Given the nonsense that is believed about "deadly assault weapons" I would in fact be reluctant to purchase any self-loading rifle (of which thanks to Thatcher all that we can do so are .22LR) or self-loading shotgun where the magazines cannot be permanently restricted (such as one with a fixed tube magazine). Why?

If in some future time s2 is abolished and those shotguns that presently remain s2 become classed as s1 then what of those shotguns presently classed as s1? In 1988 (referring back to Thatcher's ban on self-loading rifles) when multi-shot s2 shotguns were moved to s1 those shotguns at that time on s1 were moved to s5...that was self-loading and pump action shotguns with under 24" barrels.

So from my sad experience of how the Firearms Act and the Home Office civil servants responsible work I fear this again. The raising of a class of weapon from a lower category to a more restricted category has seen in the UK that this means that weapons already in that more restricted category get moved "up" to, often, s5.

I agree that it’s likely that we will see more restrictions, I thought the same before buying a S&W 15/22.
But that was about 10 years ago, still got it, glad I got it, shot it a lot and enjoy it.
A bit like pistols. I’m glad I shot a lot of them before I couldn’t anymore.
Get a semi auto if you want one, don’t fret about the future, enjoy while you can.

 

[Rake Aboot]

Given the nonsense that is believed about "deadly assault weapons" I would in fact be reluctant to purchase any self-loading rifle (of which thanks to Thatcher all that we can do so are .22LR) or self-loading shotgun where the magazines cannot be permanently restricted (such as one with a fixed tube magazine). Why?

If in some future time s2 is abolished and those shotguns that presently remain s2 become classed as s1 then what of those shotguns presently classed as s1? In 1988 (referring back to Thatcher's ban on self-loading rifles) when multi-shot s2 shotguns were moved to s1 those shotguns at that time on s1 were moved to s5...that was self-loading and pump action shotguns with under 24" barrels.

So from my sad experience of how the Firearms Act and the Home Office civil servants responsible work I fear this again. The raising of a class of weapon from a lower category to a more restricted category has seen in the UK that this means that weapons already in that more restricted category get moved "up" to, often, s5.

I haven’t seen anything about reclassifying S2 shotguns

Changing their controls to fall in line with S1 yes but not reclassifying

Both should not be allowed to happen anyway

 

[enfieldspares]

Changing their controls to fall in line with S1 yes...

And what is that? If but not reclassifying?

 

[Kalahari]

I have a sneaky suspicion that @Muir would suggest a 500 series CZ!!

David

 

[Rake Aboot]

And what is that? If but not reclassifying?

It’s making the controls on S2 the same or similar to those for S1

 

[Tarquin]

Back to the 10/22. Given that it was a $50 dollar truck gun for slotting squirrels etc when they came out assuming amazing accuracy out the box would be folly.
I have owned one from new that I bought with my pistol compo so 30 something years old.
I have shot a massive amount of rounds through it. Quite possibly 50k or more. I got into 3 gun steels shooting events and was getting through 500 rounds of 22 over a weekend.
The only thing I did to it from new was replace the extractor with a Volquartsen match type. The standard extractor often doesnt! The next thing was a trigger kit.
Then I replaced the original barrel with a match type. Still in the original standard stock.
I dont shoot it that much now but still shoots into about 3 moa at 110 yards. I use SK semi auto rifle.
I have 7 original magazines and I cant remember the last time I cleaned them. I have never taken them apart. A blast of brake cleaner about every 5 years.
You can pick the guns up at auction for about £35 then fettle it.

 

[Freeforester]

Ruger 10/22 what to look out for​

A skip - you’ll probably not be able to fill it with holes, so just fill it with the shooting iron

 

[Robinson]

I see the 10/22 get a lot of negative press accuracy wise. Maybe I was lucky, but mine, bought in the eighties, will with the right ammo shoot within an inch at 50 meters all day, if I do my part. And for me that's accurate enough for small game at such distances. And in addition it's a fun plinking rifle, much more fun for plinking than a bolt rifle. But I must confess that I had a gunsmith I new then to look in to the terrible trigger pull to see if he could improve it, and that he did...

 

[Smellydog]

I see the 10/22 get a lot of negative press accuracy wise. Maybe I was lucky, but mine, bought in the eighties, will with the right ammo shoot within an inch at 50 meters all day, if I do my part. And for me that's accurate enough for small game at such distances. And in addition it's a fun plinking rifle, much more fun for plinking than a bolt rifle. But I must confess that I had a gunsmith I new then to look in to the terrible trigger pull to see if he could improve it, and that he did...

Have admit, I had one from the eighties and it shot very well indeed. And the trigger stoned up well.
A later one though was pants!
I also shot a friend's bought new around 2000 and that was awful!

Just keep away.
I'd rather have a krico, Marlin or Savage than a 1022.

 

[enfieldspares]

If the lad was set on a Ruger 10/22 then see if the firm Rimfire Magic still operates. But do expect to pay more than £100!

Homepage - Rimfire Magic

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www.rimfiremagic.co.uk

 

[Reddish]

I much prefer the older models with the alloy trigger group, barrel band etc.However I will say that the models made over recent years generally have much tighter fitting barrels,I have removed many for threading and quite often you have to drive the receiver off the barrel with a thick nylon rod as its a very tight press fit between barrel and receiver.Which should in theory aid accuracy.They are made as a closer range hunting and pest control rifle and for those purposes they are very satisfactory.

 

[GrahamK998]

I've run many, they are a great rifle for the price so long as you are aware of their foibles.
Top tip, and contrary to popular belief, don't be shy of cleaning it, as the majority of issues encountered are due to fowling within the action (breech/bolt face and extractors).

 

[Rake Aboot]

Mine has a heavy barrel , match trigger and laminate thumbhole stock. They can certainly be a handy tool.