I'm wanting to buy one of these for less expensive practice and besides I need a good accurate .22.

I like heavy barrel rifles and have been looking at some of the 10/22s with them.

Would it be better for me to purchase a baseline ruger 10/22 and begin to replace parts or would I be better off buying one with the heavier barrel and start shooting?

Thanks

Brett (Mac)

Depends ... if you like to start shooting, buy one that has some goodies added.

If you like to dick with your stuff ... buy a good used one (new ones ain't worth crap) & dicker away

I've got the standard 10/22 and have seen no reason to upgrade it with anything but the Tech Sights (TSR200), but this is only do to the type of shooting I'm doing with it.

IMHO this is a call you're going to have to make yourself. Good luck & good shooting!

I've had the 10/22T for many years. It has the heavy spiral barrel and a laminated stock, and it has a better trigger than a regular 10/22. I put a Tasco Target/Varmint 6-24 power variable on it (for 65 bucks new) and it shoots darn good! Straight out of the box. I experimented with different ammo. and found that it likes the Federal Auto-Match best. I buy it at Wal-Mart for about 15 bucks for 325 rounds. So I've got a really accurate heavy barrel 10/22 that shoots tiny groups and the whole package cost me about 400 bucks. I'm satisfied, and I'd recommend it to others.

Hmm, not suggesting anything but gee whiz, here's a really nice T model for a really decent price. Already has scope rings, plus an aftermarket stock available so you can start shooting and start dinking around with it right away...

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbth..._Ruger_10_22T_blued_finish_b#Post4636966

Jim you're making me sick. I'd love to be able to buy it. That's exactly what I want.

My computer crashed the other day and I just took it in today and it's gonna cost me $284 to fix it.

There goes my 10/22 fund thanks guys for the replys. I think i'm gonna buy a heavy/taget model and start shooting. When I get the funds back.

Brett (Mac)

Before buying a heavy target model, consider how you will use it. If you want to hunt and plink, the target models aren't much fun to carry. If you shoot mostly targets or small varmints from a rest, they work fine.

Thanks doubletap, I'm looking for something that resembles my vanguard vamrmint special and I think the target model would be best.

Mostly it will be used for practice <100yds and targets of opportunity.

Brett (Mac)

I'm in the same boat. It is pretty hard to find an exceptionally shooting all stock factory standard 10-22. Mine shoots pretty good with a rear peep too. Shoots even better with a scope, but I need an open sighted rifle for some shoots. My scoped rifle puts them in the same hole at 50 yds, the 10-22 only shoots like this: (Keep in mind it is all factory with only a little trigger tuning), it will shoot 3/8" groups at 50 yds with a scope on it:

Though I have one for sale, you should compare the 20" heavy barrel model to their "tactical" model with a 16" heavy barrel in a Hogue stock.

The 20" barrel is indeed noticeably heavier out front. It holds very well for off hand shooting (I won a 200 yard silhouette match with mine) but it is really front heavy for carrying around. Off of bags or other rest, of course, it's just great, and if that's what you like then that's good. The reason mine is for sale is that I bought a 16" model and actually prefer it since my shooting is more carrying around and plinking.

Thanks for the info Jim, when I go to buy one I will take a look at both. It will mostly be used for target practice and I want a gun that I can modify my self without taking it to a gunsmith, just cause.

BSA and Joe, thanks for the input. I have a couple .22LRs with open sights that I can use however I don't have a sigle scoped .22LR rifle. I'm drawn to the heavier barrels since they more resemble my .223.

Thanks again guys, all good info.

Brett (Mac)

Jim in Idaho,
You make a very good argument for having at least two 10/22's. I'm planning to put a target grade, sporter contour barrel on one for carrying, hunting, and plinking.

I have several 10-22's for the reason you and Jim state.
They are just fun to upgrade as $$$ comes along.
First, fix the trigger, then the sky is the limit.

Have fun with a 10-22 when you get it.

I have a Jim Clark built 10-22 with a 20" fluted bull bbl.
It is very accurate with Wolfe MT ammo.
Not too heavy to use for hunting but a better target rifle.

Coach

I have been very satisfied with this older 10/22 with the laminated Mannlicher stock. Accurate, light weight, reliable.

I have the blue/walnut stained hardwood version of that gun. It is the most accurate factory barrel I have seen in years. I did a trigger job and called it good.

If you're interested in learning about 10-22's, go to Rimfirecentral.com and search for whatever aspect of the 10-22 you need to know. That Forum is a gold mine for 10-22 information.

Brett (Mac) [/quote]

If you're interested in learning about 10-22's, go to Rimfirecentral.com and search for whatever aspect of the 10-22 you need to know. That Forum is a gold mine for 10-22 information. [/quote]

That is where I learned to do the trigger. Yes indeed, a wealth of info for all things rimfire.

I had my 1022T's barrel cut back to 16.5" and added a leupold 6x36 with an M1 turret. Great summer time front seat gun. Lost count how many rabbits I whacked last summer with that setup. CCI velocitors shoot extremely well in that rifle

The heavy barrel 10/22s are not that heavy. I use mine for hunting with no problem.

Thanks guys. I'll check out rimfirecentral.

Nice mannlicher stock btw.

Brett (Mac)

I like to play with mine just a bit. There were some cheap boyd stocks on e-bay for a while. I still have 2 of the 3 I bought. You want heavy get the bull barrel. You want the look without the weight, tactical solutions barrels may fit you better. Prices do keep creeping up on these rifles though. I picked up 2 a year ago for $140 each and they were in great condition. Got ready to pull them apart and noticed one with a metal butt plate. Ran the number and it was a second year production. I'm leaving that one stock. Picked up #7 today. She was rough, but for $90 what can you say.

Top one is now finished and looks better. Has a lot of green in it.

The heavy barrel 10/22's shoot so much better than the factory skinny tubes. If you want an accurate 10/22, you have to go with a target tube.

I've had two target barrels on my 10/22. First was a low dollar one, I believe it was a green mountain. Accuracy wasn't nearly what I expected, and lots of ammo would fail to fire due to not fully seating in the chamber. The barrel was sent back to Brownells, and I ordered a Clark ss. I'd wanted the shorter barrel, but all they had in stock was the 21" tube. With the right ammo and me doing my part the gun will shot 1/2" 10 shot groups at 50 yds. Also the Clark functions very reliably with both target ammo and bulk plinker ammo. I will be cutting the tube to 16 1/2" to make it handier, and am thinking I'll fit the stub to a MKII pistol.

The upside of 10/22's is no special tools are required nor skills, so don't be afeared to swap parts. It seems like the sporting goods stores often have 10/22's on special, and you can get a couple bucks for the factory stock and barrel. I'd say that route is dollars ahead of the factory target model, with perhaps a higher quality barrel.

Appreciate the info 'Lott. I'll take a look. I work a little bit at a pawn shop, maybe I can catch one coming through there on the cheap.

Brett (Mac)

I bought a rugular 10/22 and put a Whistle Pig (aluminum with a stainless insert) bull barrel on it. It's extremely accurate and actually weighs a little less than a bone stock model.

It's funny when I hand it to someone who's never seen it before. When I let go of it the rifle usually raises in the air because they're expecting it to be much heavier than it is.



Terry

Yankee Artifacts have a few 10-22s. Worth looking at.
Allan
http://www.yankeeartifacts.com/22%20Rifles.htm