Thread: Which model of the 10 /22 ?

I shoot plenty of rabbits with my 10/22 but at quite close range so I wonder if you are better off with your more heavy hitters. I know the ammo is more expensive but if $ for ammo doesn't worry you then don't go for the .22 as you will find it a bit under powered and you can't get them at a very long range. Over where you shoot in Central Otago I would have thought you would want to shoot across those gullies and the .22 just hasn't got the legs although ok for close rapid shots. Anyway my 10/22 seems to like the 42gr Winchester subsonics. Good luck with your purchase @viper

@7mm Rem Mag thanks for your thoughts. Over here in Central isn't all big gully,s . There is some very tight shooting among lupin's , matagouri and brair . It's more of a case of right tool for the right job.
Yes ammo price bothers me, I can chew a 500 round brick in two weeks without trying , it get's very bloody expensive.
Hence a .22 is the go to gun for me when I can . The 17HMR and .222 are used on specific areas where I am over the effective range of the 22.

We are Wednesday today and I have done two spotlight sessions ( Monday / Tuesday ) and am just under 100 rabbits, One farmer brought me $200 worth of .22 and 17HMR ammo two weeks ago, it's nearly all gone .
The reality is shooting costs and high volume shooting costs a lot even with small calibre rifles.

Originally Posted by planenutz

Clean? Clean?!?!? I clean my 10/22's about once every 1,000 rounds. Any more than that is a waste of time.

Yes they are easy to strip and clean. Most dont bother cleaning them, but thats your choice. You can strip the action out and clean it like a bolt action without removing the action from the stock. We sell the Toz semi autos.

I like the ruger design, but over the years the quality has not been kept consistant, There have been good ones, (most of the earlier ones) then production standards slipped around the early 90s as they tried to do things cheaper. Since then I believe they have lifted their game again, but I admit I have not really have a lot to do with them for a while.

Are you sure you want a 10/22 Viper? Good little carbine design but you will have to deal with the accuracy limitation, and sooner or later everyone starts to want accuracy.

Have had 5-6 10/22s (old and new) and have bench tested others. Result is clear - its the least accurate model stock of any standard barrel make/model of rimfire I've owned/tested - and that's over 100. The older ones were more likely to produce a better shooter as Ruger outsourced their barrels for a time (so my gunsmith mate - also a rimfire hobbyist tells me) - and you got occasional examples with Shilen barrels etc. But from my off the bench records the best 10/22 recorded 1.04" for a set of 4 x five shot groups at 50m. Most were round 1.5", and that's bad. Occasional good groups mean nothing. Principal causes of inaccuracy we found were loose barrel connection, sloppy chambers, and bad rifling. In slug test 22 projectiles were pushed down barrel - they were tight then almost dropped out of barrel due to inconsistent rifling. Path to improvement is trigger work then new barrel and Kidd/Volquartsen parts etc - prepare to spend alot.

The little Marlins are also a basic entry level semiauto - but the difference is accuracy. Of maybe 15 marlins I've owned the wee 60s and 795/995 etc were all very sharp shooters. To my huge surprise the two most accurate (standard barrel sporter) shooters off the bench at 50m are model 60 Marlins. One in my closet averaged 0.29" for four consecutive 5 shot groups at 50m, and the other averaged 0.39". That's extremely accurate - and the fruit of this is field accuracy. They will bowl bunnies consistently and accurately to 100m, whereas 10/22 accuracy is more for 60m shooting. We sold all the rugers and went to ther Marlins - solely for field performance.

In one 22 semiauto comparison write-up I did few years back I had a new Toz 99 semi and a new Model 60 given to me by marketers for test, and compared them to a Ruger 10/22 and a model 795 Marlin. Thorough test with up to 15 types of ammo first to determine what they shot best with, then tested side by side at 50m. Results very clear. Toz 99 least accurate, Ruger second worst (and this was the best Ruger I've tested) - and the two marlins well ahead in class of their own. I remember it was a relief coming back to the little 795 after shooting the other two. 795 was sub half inch at best and averaged round 0.6" for group sets at 50. Much greater consistency and accuracy. My own model 60 then shot 0.29" average at 50m - almost match rifle class. Oddly enough the marlins were also the most reliable over the ammo tests - though they generally prefer all things CCI.

So the question mate is what do you really want? If its out to 100m accuracy then don't get a stock Ruger. You can spend more for a heavy barrel T10/22, or buy something someone else has modified up as we did. But for alot less dollars (a Mcarbo trigger kit for about $50) a mint Marlin 60 or model 7000, or 795 will give you much greater shooting consistency. Keep them clean, run them near dry and with right ammos and they are little precision shooters to 100m.

The euros can be nice but if used heavily you will soon run into the issue of parts supply - bits are often very costly if available at all. Of the available stock semiautos I'd suggest Marlins. Basic little entry level 22s but with very good barrels. There was a model 60DLX with a good Jap Vixen scope on it recently on trademe for $500 - crazy price. That model was the nicest semi sporter I've come across and very accurate. Might poss still be available. That's the kind of setup I'd be suggesting.

I still have this for sale if interested.

Semi auto Marlin 795
comes with a BackCountry 4x32 Scope
Threaded for Suppressor
2 x 10 shot magazines
only fired about 200 rounds (yep, 4 boxes)

$350 for rifle package, + freight
DPT suppressor can go with it for extra $70




hunty
6.5x55AI

The Marlins are great, no doubt about it as long as you don't mind a mag hanging down (as opposed to a "fat grip" with Ruger's wider mag).

For volume shooting I don't think you can beat a 10/22, and since you're a lefty, one of these on it would be a great addition . . . . https://www.tandemkross.com/Advantag...022_p_216.html

Cheers

Originally Posted by mudgripz

Are you sure you want a 10/22 Viper? Good little carbine design but you will have to deal with the accuracy limitation, and sooner or later everyone starts to want accuracy.

Have had 5-6 10/22s (old and new) and have bench tested others. Result is clear - its the least accurate model stock of any standard barrel make/model of rimfire I've owned/tested - and that's over 100. The older ones were more likely to produce a better shooter as Ruger outsourced their barrels for a time (so my gunsmith mate - also a rimfire hobbyist tells me) - and you got occasional examples with Shilen barrels etc. But from my off the bench records the best 10/22 recorded 1.04" for a set of 4 x five shot groups at 50m. Most were round 1.5", and that's bad. Occasional good groups mean nothing. Principal causes of inaccuracy we found were loose barrel connection, sloppy chambers, and bad rifling. In slug test 22 projectiles were pushed down barrel - they were tight then almost dropped out of barrel due to inconsistent rifling. Path to improvement is trigger work then new barrel and Kidd/Volquartsen parts etc - prepare to spend alot.

The little Marlins are also a basic entry level semiauto - but the difference is accuracy. Of maybe 15 marlins I've owned the wee 60s and 795/995 etc were all very sharp shooters. To my huge surprise the two most accurate (standard barrel sporter) shooters off the bench at 50m are model 60 Marlins. One in my closet averaged 0.29" for four consecutive 5 shot groups at 50m, and the other averaged 0.39". That's extremely accurate - and the fruit of this is field accuracy. They will bowl bunnies consistently and accurately to 100m, whereas 10/22 accuracy is more for 60m shooting. We sold all the rugers and went to ther Marlins - solely for field performance.

In one 22 semiauto comparison write-up I did few years back I had a new Toz 99 semi and a new Model 60 given to me by marketers for test, and compared them to a Ruger 10/22 and a model 795 Marlin. Thorough test with up to 15 types of ammo first to determine what they shot best with, then tested side by side at 50m. Results very clear. Toz 99 least accurate, Ruger second worst (and this was the best Ruger I've tested) - and the two marlins well ahead in class of their own. I remember it was a relief coming back to the little 795 after shooting the other two. 795 was sub half inch at best and averaged round 0.6" for group sets at 50. Much greater consistency and accuracy. My own model 60 then shot 0.29" average at 50m - almost match rifle class. Oddly enough the marlins were also the most reliable over the ammo tests - though they generally prefer all things CCI.

So the question mate is what do you really want? If its out to 100m accuracy then don't get a stock Ruger. You can spend more for a heavy barrel T10/22, or buy something someone else has modified up as we did. But for alot less dollars (a Mcarbo trigger kit for about $50) a mint Marlin 60 or model 7000, or 795 will give you much greater shooting consistency. Keep them clean, run them near dry and with right ammos and they are little precision shooters to 100m.

The euros can be nice but if used heavily you will soon run into the issue of parts supply - bits are often very costly if available at all. Of the available stock semiautos I'd suggest Marlins. Basic little entry level 22s but with very good barrels. There was a model 60DLX with a good Jap Vixen scope on it recently on trademe for $500 - crazy price. That model was the nicest semi sporter I've come across and very accurate. Might poss still be available. That's the kind of setup I'd be suggesting.

@mudgripz
hey mate, I was wondering when you would pop up. No discussion would be complete on Rimfires without the "guru" having some input.
As always your thoughts, observations and opinions make for interesting reading.

There's no doubt the Marlins seem inherently more accurate out of the box.
However I do high volume shooting and a gunsmith has raised the point that the Marlin triggers can give problems with a lot of use and barrels can become loose.
He can also tweak the Ruger for me to attain better accuracy. At least 1 inch at 50 mtrs so it should in theory still get out on a rabbit at 100 ok.

Must admitt it's becoming a tough decision . I could go heavy barrel 10 /22 but do I want to be lugging the extra weight around.

Thanks again for the input.

Just one other thing to think about is with an inaccurate .22 and the lack of power sometimes you can average 3 shots to 1 rabbit so your .222 or 17 HMR could work out to be no more expensive to run and also if you are used to using those calibre then you will be so disappointed with the power of the .22

Originally Posted by 7mm Rem Mag

Just one other thing to think about is with an inaccurate .22 and the lack of power sometimes you can average 3 shots to 1 rabbit so your .222 or 17 HMR could work out to be no more expensive to run and also if you are used to using those calibre then you will be so disappointed with the power of the .22

With nearly 5000 rabbits shot in just over two years I think I know more about the abilities and killing power of a .22 than most shooters.
If you take three shots to kill a Rabbit I suggest you may not be in the right game

Originally Posted by Tentman

The Marlins are great, no doubt about it as long as you don't mind a mag hanging down (as opposed to a "fat grip" with Ruger's wider mag).

For volume shooting I don't think you can beat a 10/22, and since you're a lefty, one of these on it would be a great addition . . . . https://www.tandemkross.com/Advantag...022_p_216.html

Cheers

@Tentman that's getting tricky @timattalon do the Russians do a decent 22 magnum? maybe import one of the biathlon types?

7mm's point is a good one. If you're going to use a 22 for volume shooting including 100m stuff, then its gotta be an accurate rifle. Most rugers aren't which is why we dropped them. The exception was the little Ruger model 96 lever action 22 - alot more accurate (my 13 yr old could put 10 shots in a one inch black dot) and no real weaknesses. A little sleeper - absolute gem of a 22.

We used the wee marlins heavily for several years (over 1000 bunnies a night at times) and never had trigger wear issues or barrel loosening. What I valued was their sharpshooting accuracy - hate missing!! Any rimfire I keep has to pop sub half inch repeatably at 50m. Its about one shot kills, not filling the air with lead as some tend to.

Yes we tried a 10/22 with heavy Green Mountain barrel and lots of Volquartsen parts - was a fine shooter but only bit of ruger left from memory was trigger blade. Young fella liked it but also sold it on - found it a bit front heavy and weighty to carry round hills. If you've got a gunsmith (Gundoc?) who's had experience accurizing Rugers without replacing most of the rifle then it could be a plan. Yes the Ruger flush mag is useful though frankly I never noticed mag issues with the M75 or tubed M60. Tube mag 60 less convenient if you need to use suppressor.

Originally Posted by mudgripz

7mm's point is a good one. If you're going to use a 22 for volume shooting including 100m stuff, then its gotta be an accurate rifle. Most rugers aren't which is why we dropped them. The exception was the little Ruger model 96 lever action 22 - alot more accurate (my 13 yr old could put 10 shots in a one inch black dot) and no real weaknesses. A little sleeper - absolute gem of a 22.

We used the wee marlins heavily for several years (over 1000 bunnies a night at times) and never had trigger wear issues or barrel loosening. What I valued was their sharpshooting accuracy - hate missing!! Any rimfire I keep has to pop sub half inch repeatably at 50m. Its about one shot kills, not filling the air with lead as some tend to.

Yes we tried a 10/22 with heavy Green Mountain barrel and lots of Volquartsen parts - was a fine shooter but only bit of ruger left from memory was trigger blade. Young fella liked it but also sold it on - found it a bit front heavy and weighty to carry round hills. If you've got a gunsmith (Gundoc?) who's had experience accurizing Rugers without replacing most of the rifle then it could be a plan. Yes the Ruger flush mag is useful though frankly I never noticed mag issues with the M75 or tubed M60. Tube mag 60 less convenient if you need to use suppressor.

He, he. Mate with the 10/22 in our crew was a frustrated with his semi shooting from the truck. By the time he got within his accuracy range everything had been cleaned up with the JW15's and Marlins. If we did let him have a go there were so many misses.

A late mate of mine did rabbits on a very large high country Marlborough station for 5 years and accounted for approx 50000 during those years. He used a 10/22 mostly and his back up was a Krico semi and a Marlin 22mag for longer stuff. To him it was a tool that was reliable enough for the task.

I still own a older model 10/22 which must be 30 + years old, shoots well but certainly no tack driver but more than adequate for rabbits out to 80 yards +. I have shot a lot of pests while night shooting over the 31 years doing pest control and never ever felt I needed a better rifle. I did use Marlins, Browning, Norinco, Krico's, during those years as well but always had a 10/22 which was my preferred rifle. For your type of shooting a 10/22 that can do around an inch at 50 yards will be fine. Cleaning is easy, I cleaned mine about every 5000 rounds which was reasonably often, especially when I shot 500 rounds a night ( the thumb gets a bit sore loading the rotory mag when using those volumes) Function was fine using sub sonic and most the time it was the 40 gr Winchester that we used as it killed well and shot pretty good and was quite clean burning. Good luck Viper sounds like you are up to your neck in rabbits down there, the virus has left you a few.

@Mooseman, you pretty much echoed two guys who told me about the rugers from their shooting in the 70's-80's.
One guy shot goats (amongst other things)with subsonics and a silencer when he was culling/pest board work-2 shots to the neck and go to the next, the other dude shot a power of rabbits when he was in Kaikoura. It was the reliability especially the rotary mag and acceptable accuracy that were the main factors.
Sounds like nowadays this isn't the case without spending coin