First Ruger 10/22

[Picher]

From my experiments in bedding the Ruger 10-22, I found that the best way for accuracy and longevity of the bedding is to free-float the barrel from near the receiver to the end of the forend. About an inch or so from the receiver toward the forend extends the bedding support of the receiver and provides needed support through lengthened support for the receiver and barrel, without negatively affecting barrel vibrations.

Support for the action is necessary around the action's rear and underneath the receiver's rear section to anchor the receiver in the stock.

 

[PO2Hammer]

Good accuracy, congrats on the new 10/22.
On mine the trigger was terrible. I installed a VQ hammer for $35 and it is great now.
Added the receiver sight, f/o front and a Hogue rubber coated youth stock.
Not quite as accurate as my CZ, but loads of fun.
I really like the rubber coated stock, very quiet and warm to the touch in winter.

 

[Armybrat]

Everyone should own a 10/22!

Bought one in 1968 for my firstborn son, then another in 1971 for boy #2.
Bought this one in 1977 - it is in my safe.

 

[DMW1116]

So since mine has a barrel band, is the action/receiver different from the ones that come from the factory without a barrel band? I’ve seen versions in the LGS with and without.

 

[LiveLife]

So since mine has a barrel band, is the action/receiver different from the ones that come from the factory without a barrel band?

No.

My 10/22 Collector #3 came without a barrel band but full size modular stock to receiver fit is much tighter than previous 10/22s with wooden stock. After adding about 1/8" thick plastic shim under the V block to free float the barrel, I added a strip of electrical tape to the back of receiver to make it tight with stock to not move the muzzle with trigger.

T/CR22 also did not come with a barrel band and factory Magpul stock did not require free floating the barrel (Removing the foregrip insert for bull barrel definitely free floats the barrel)

FYI, I did add enhanced V block from Tactical Solutions to improve V block engagement with bottom of barrel - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...22lr-on-the-cheap.898035/page-2#post-12174248

$19 - https://www.joeboboutfitters.com/Tactical-Solutions-10-22-V-Block-p/tacsol-xracc-vb.htm

 

[DMW1116]

Ah ok. So that means the action is held into the stock with a single screw?

I was going to ask about just getting the tactical stock from Shop Ruger and removing the bill barrel insert. That stock would hold tight with a single screw? I haven’t committed to any mods yet. I haven’t shot it enough to know what I want to do.

 

[LiveLife]

So that means the action is held into the stock with a single screw?

Yes. Like my 10/22 Collector #3 and other 10/22 models without barrel band, the receiver is held by the single hex bolt but tight fit with stock and/or "bedding" of receiver to the stock will prevent input on trigger moving muzzle to deviate POI from POA.

My Collector #3 stock fit with receiver was already fairly tight but when I added the plastic shim under the V block to free float the barrel (Which could cause "seesaw" effect with plastic shim under V block as the fulcrum), I was concerned about rear of receiver movement.

@Picher suggested "bedding" of receiver to stock to eliminate play of receiver and I was planning to apply aluminum tape to inside of stock but in a rush to go shooting, I tried applying strips of electrical tape to the rear portion of receiver and to my surprise, electrical tape secured the receiver to stock tight and reduced left/right/diagonal POI deviation from POA so I continued to use it.

It's cheap and easy. Try it and if your group size decreases/reduces flyers, why not?

But officially, proper bedding is the way to go, at least aluminum tape instead of electrical taper which can get soft and allow movement.

 

[DMW1116]

I did a little more shooting with the 10/22 today. I was able to confirm the CCI SV ammo was an accurate load for this rifle.

I was also able to add two more ammo types to the list of HV ammo that doesn’t work. Generally speaking these types of ammo have not worked well in this rifle, with group sizes running about 2” @ 50 yards.

One thing that is clear is I’ll need a better scope or I’ll have to add the planned Tech Sights. That is the cheaper option over a new scope and my original plan anyway.

The SV ammo shoots pretty good and the trigger is good enough that I was able to avoid any far off fliers today. I think the permanent sights are the next step then trigger upgrades if needed.

I shot it along side my Henry and Marlin 22s today. The Henry has the best trigger but it’s hampered by being the only one of the three with factory sights. I don’t think it’s overall as accurate either. When doing ammo testing it never shot a group like both the Marlin and Ruger can. The Marlin appears less picky about ammo for good accuracy. I still have some CCI green tag I could try but it’s just enough for a couple test groups. I also have some CCI Pistol Match that might be with a try. It shoots very well in my Victory pistol.

I haven’t taken it apart yet so some of the internal references aren’t familiar to me.

 

[DMW1116]

I have some 10-shot groups with some CCI SV and Norma TAC Target ammo in the 10/22. The CCI SC is a clear winner though the Norma TAC is close enough I’d use it and locally it is cheaper. If the flier shots are disregarded the groups are about 0.8” and 1.2” for the CCI & Norma respectively.

The fliers have me considering the trigger upgrade instead of the sights first. This target backing was well used. I used it for my Marlin and Henry again today, as well as some 50 yard shots with my Blackhawk. Boy those were humbling.

 

[DMW1116]

I’m surprised by how much I like this 10/22. I have not compared them directly but the accuracy may be better than my Marlin 60. It is comparable to my Henry too.

However that is only with its favorite ammo. The Marlin shoots pretty much everything the same, about 2.25” - 2.5” at 100 yards. The Henry also shoots about the same with a larger variety of ammo. With any high velocity ammo the 10/22 shoots about 2” at 50 yards. I haven’t found any HV it likes accuracy wise.

On the other hand, it has been 100% reliable with three different magazines through all the shooting so far. It’s quite surprising. Percentage wise, it’s even more reliable than my Henry at this point. The Henry has way more rounds through it, so it’s not really fair. Every once in a while the Henry will nose up a round from the magazine into the top of the receiver, resulting in a failure to feed. This has happened maybe 5 times but it’s more than zero.

 

[LiveLife]

accuracy ... However that is only with its favorite ammo. high velocity ammo the 10/22 shoots about 2” at 50 yards. I haven’t found any HV it likes accuracy wise.

That's been my experience as well with 10/22 factory barrel preferring CCI SV/Blazer 40 gr LRN over anything else accuracy wise but consistently produced 1/2"-3/4" groups at 50 yards and Aguila 40 gr LRN/CPRN 3/4"-1" groups (But not 36/38 gr as they produce 1"+ groups) all boxed and not loose bulk (As Aguila comes both boxed/loose bulk and Blazer 38 gr comes loose bulk and 40 gr boxed).

My theory is perhaps the longer bullet base of 40 gr bullets with longer bearing surface to engage the rifling is contributing to greater accuracy/smaller groups over 36/38 gr bullets with Lead bullets producing slightly smaller groups with less flyers than copper plated bullets.

As to Norma Tac-22, since it comes lubed, I found group size to decrease as the barrel "seasons" from the lube and groups went from larger 1"+ scatter to sub 1" then sub 1/2" in the span of 10 groups so take that into consideration (Many "match" 22LR comes lubed and requires barrel "seasoning" to optimize accuracy ) - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...t-shipped-pricing.902560/page-5#post-12304852

BTW, as to the group size, it maybe due to heavier trigger pull due to being new. My factory 10/22 trigger was heavy 7.5 lbs out of the box and definitely affected group size in the way of trigger input of pull/push on muzzle. After 4000 rounds, trigger pull reduced to 4.5 lbs but trigger input still showed on target. After $43 Volquartsen trigger kit, trigger pull reduced to 2.5 lbs and group size got smaller, consistently regardless what brand/weight/lots of ammunition I used.

And there were occasional flyers I swore were not induced by trigger pull/push (I shoot from a lead sled). When THR/RFC members suggested that I have CPC rework my bolt to capture firing pin/square the bolt face or replace with CNC match bolt, flyers almost went away.

And if you clean your bore with solvent before range session, I found it takes several hundred rounds for my factory barrel to settle down to produce more consistent groups so I stopped cleaning my barrel and only dry patch between range sessions (I do Hoppes #9 solvent bore brush every 2000 rounds but only 3 passes from receiver to muzzle one way). Despite the lack of cleaning, rifling is pristine and I do not get leading regardless of 30+ brands/weights/lots of ammunition.

Bore picture was taken at 4600 round count after 2 bore brushings/dry patchings - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...22lr-on-the-cheap.898035/page-2#post-12175261

 

[Gun-Reck]

I posted a while back about choosing between a 10/22 and a Savage MkII for supplementing my centerfire rifles. I ended up with a 10/22 in stainless steel. Don’t think I won’t snag a MkII if given the chance, especially a lefty one.

I’ve really just begun getting used to it and took it out for its second range trip. I also bought a couple Ruger factory 25 round magazines. I gathered an assortment of my available 22 ammo and decided to see what it likes. On its first trip I fitted up a Simmons 4x scope on the provided scope rail and roughly zeroed it.

After shooting 5 shot groups of 5 different ammo types, I think we have a winner.
View attachment 1147347

I’m going to call that flier an issue with the nut behind the trigger.

In order from worst to best I tried Blazer, Automatch, Aguila SE SV, Norma Target (1080 fps), and CCI SV. Only the Blazer group was unacceptably large.
View attachment 1147348

That’s ok though. I use it for my SW22 pistol. The only thing I didn’t try that I have in hand is Aguila SE HV. It shoots best from my Henry and Marlin 60 (Oak Leaf). I was aiming at the orange dot, and by the end I had the scope basically zeroed, though each ammo type will require slight adjustment.

One thing I’m quite impressed by is the reliability so far. I’ve only put about 100 rounds or less through it but it hasn’t jammed yet. The original 10 round and both 25 round magazines worked every time. I have some Federal bulk and Remington Thunderbolt but I kinda have them for specific purposes, so don’t know if I’ll use them in this gun.

Eventually I plan to add some sort of aperture sights to trim up the profile and allow me to practice with iron sights to mimic my 20” AR. This scope will probably go back on my Oak Leaf Marlin 60.

Volquartsen has a bolt hold-open that releases with a tug.

And the Tech-Sights TSR-100 (leaf) aperture sight.

​

 

[DMW1116]

“since it comes lubed”. Boy does it ever. That’s the biggest gripe I have with the Norma. If it were less slimy I’d be more inclined to load it to full capacity in the magazines.

I had not considered the lube and need to season the barrel for the Norma. I only have 25 rounds of it left of the 100 I bought for testing in various guns. It isn’t terribly useful in any of my 22s except my Henry. It doesn’t cycle reliably in any of my semiautomatic 22s.

The difference between the Norma and the CCI is less than might be evident in the photos above. With 5 shot groups they were basically the same during initial testing.


Ok, the CCI clearly does better with the eyeball test, but measuring the groups and including the flyer on the CCI, they’re much closer than they look.

 

[DMW1116]

Volquartsen has a bolt hold-open that releases with a tug.

And the Tech-Sights TSR-200 aperture sight is outstanding, though I drill them out to 5/32," so they are comparable to the M1 rifle.

View attachment 1153617​

Which ones are the TSR 200? Is that the one with elevation adjustment in both front and back? I’m intrigued by the L shaped rear leaf but I think I want the option of fine tuning elevation with the rear sight after adjusting the front for coarse elevation.

I’ve used Tech Sights on a Marlin 60 and they were nice but the Marlin had a wonky dovetail rail. To zero them I had to move almost all the way left. I took them off and reinstalled the factory sights with a little shimming to keep them in place. They’d move sideways with finger pressure without the shim. I need to repaint the front sight, but other than that I plan to leave it alone.

 

[DMW1116]

@LiveLife is it possible Ruger designs or somehow tunes their barrels for the CCI SV? Can a barrel maker do that in the first place?

 

[Gun-Reck]

Which ones are the TSR 200? Is that the one with elevation adjustment in both front and back? I’m intrigued by the L shaped rear leaf but I think I want the option of fine tuning elevation with the rear sight after adjusting the front for coarse elevation.

I’ve used Tech Sights on a Marlin 60 and they were nice but the Marlin had a wonky dovetail rail. To zero them I had to move almost all the way left. I took them off and reinstalled the factory sights with a little shimming to keep them in place. They’d move sideways with finger pressure without the shim. I need to repaint the front sight, but other than that I plan to leave it alone.

100 series - leaf
200 series - turret

 

[Hikingman]

Interesting, earlier today at a friend's house- I held a Takedown 10/22 stainless model that's ready for that first trip to the range.

 

[LiveLife]

@LiveLife is it possible Ruger designs or somehow tunes their barrels for the CCI SV? Can a barrel maker do that in the first place?

I am not certain but various accuracy testing using different brand rifles/barrels produced smaller groups with CCI SV on par with many match ammo so I think it's consistency of CCI SV rather than Ruger "tuning" the barrel to CCI SV. Who knows, perhaps Ruger used CCI SV on their factory barrel development and found the harmonics/accuracy node at factory taper/length.

I use CCI SV as reference baseline (Known velocity) for chrono testing my centerfire loads and noticed muzzle velocities were very consistent. I also noticed during PCC load testing that loads with more consistent muzzle velocities tend to produce less vertical dispersion (from bullet drop) and produced smaller groups.

 

[Gun-Reck]

Which ones are the TSR 200? Is that the one with elevation adjustment in both front and back? I’m intrigued by the L shaped rear leaf but I think I want the option of fine tuning elevation with the rear sight after adjusting the front for coarse elevation.

I’ve used Tech Sights on a Marlin 60 and they were nice but the Marlin had a wonky dovetail rail. To zero them I had to move almost all the way left. I took them off and reinstalled the factory sights with a little shimming to keep them in place. They’d move sideways with finger pressure without the shim. I need to repaint the front sight, but other than that I plan to leave it alone.

Note:

Checked the freezer:
10/22's - TSR-100 (leaf)
RAR's - MKT-200 (turret - drilled to 3/32")

 

[TonyAngel]

If you want to squeeze the most consistency out of a 10/22, I'd worry about the barrel last. Ruger actually makes some decent barrels if you got one of the cold hammer forged ones.

The first thing I'd do drill out the hole for the mounting screw and use a helicoil to go up a size. Then I'd pillar bed it. I'd also bed the receiver. I milled a nice size groove across the back my receiver and then bedded it. Now, when I drop the receiver into the stock, it locks up tight. 10 in/lbs on the screw with the barrel totally free floated.

 

[DMW1116]

For the time being the accuracy is sufficient for my purposes. I appear to throw those fliers with rifles in general. A couple of rifles go low and left once per group.

I received and installed the 200 series Tech Sights. Here they are installed and ready for sighting in tomorrow.


FYI the factory front sight is really in there. I had to whale on the punch pretty good to get it out.

 

[Hookeye]

My ol lady's 50tth anniv black/lam does pretty decent w just a Volq hammer and CCI Blazer.

Have owned others that weren't as good with more experimentation and mods.

Did have a good old Fingergroove way back.

 

[Plano11]

Honestly I love you guys, there always something new to learn. Guess I should also pick up a Ruger 10/22.

 

[Bartojc]

And there were occasional flyers I swore were not induced by trigger pull/push (I shoot from a lead sled). When THR/RFC members suggested that I have CPC rework my bolt to capture firing pin/square the bolt face or replace with CNC match bolt, flyers almost went away.

For this reason on a recent build I started with a bolt with a pinned firing pin, squared face, and radiused to start with. In my case I bought a Kidd because I was starting from scratch but CPC does great work for reasonable money. So far in my limited testing I’d say all the reports are true it is better than stock. How much depends on what you are looking for. In my testing I haven’t had flyers where it wasn’t the fault of the guy running the rifle. Rimfire is a weird world, and consistency of ammo is king. CCI so seems to be a decent compromise between cost and consistency, at least in 50 years testing that I have done.
Jeff

 

[LiveLife]

Guess I should also pick up a Ruger 10/22.

Don't you know? ... We are a bunch of enablers.

In my testing I haven’t had flyers where it wasn’t the fault of the guy running the rifle. Rimfire is a weird world, and consistency of ammo is king. CCI so seems to be a decent compromise between cost and consistency, at least in 50 years testing that I have done

Yes, and 10/22 is highly ammunition selective with factory barrel. I found it either shoots tight groups or scatter pattern at 50 yards.

Contrary to some reporting new lots of CCI SV is not as good as old lots of years past, from my limited testing, new lots are producing tighter groups.

And new lots of CCI SV even reliably cycled the slide of Advantage Arms 22LR kit for my Gen3 Glock 22 while Norma Tac-22 would not cycle the slide.

It will be interesting as Vista Outdoor is splitting into two publicly traded companies with Ammunition companies (Alliant, CCI, Federal, Speer, etc.) parting from Sporting Goods companies (Bell, Fox, Bushnell, etc.) with promise of better focus on company operations - https://www.outdoorsportswire.com/v...to-two-independent-publicly-traded-companies/