Greetings all, and thanks for the warm welcome in the new members thread. I joined because I promised my grandsons that I'd teach them to shoot, and my preliminary research indicates a 10-22 would be an ideal platform for them to learn on. I'm leaning toward a takedown model, but have a question regarding the two barrel types I've run across. One is a fairly standard looking 18.5" Bbl, the other is threaded with a suppressor and is 16.6".
1. Does the suppressor do anything besides "look cool"?
2. What's the advantage to a threaded barrel?
3. Will the extra 2" of barrel give us a significant enough boost in accuracy and velocity that we should forgo the threaded/suppressor barrel?
And finally, I've never owned a rifle chambered in 22LR, but I've read enough to realize these can be picky about ammo. Which commonly available brands should I stay away from - and which can I be reasonably assured will go bang every time?
Thanks, I apologize in advance if I'm asking questions that get answered every time someone new joins the forum, and thanks in advance for your insight.
I can't answer your questions as I just purchased a 10/22 takedown about a week ago. I haven't gotten to the range yet but I'm certainly looking forward to shooting this very cool rifle. I got the model without the suppressor and threaded barrel . . . didn't really see the need for them as it will be pretty much a range gun and plinker for me. Greetings and enjoy your new Ruger 10/22.
Welcome!! 10/22's are a blast to shoot, beginner or not.
I'm just curious as to why your looking at the take down model? I personally like less moving parts, so unless you will be utilizing the take down feature I would also consider a target 10/22.
As far as the barrels go I am no expert but From my experience +/- 2" on a 22 is not going to make a huge difference. And I would not bother with a suppressor unless you are trying to achieve making the gun quieter.
Ammo can be a little different from gun to gun it's kind of trial and error to see what works best for you. But most will tell you to stay away from Winchester bulk and thunderbolt... Cci and federal are a good starting point.
With respect, I must offer a differing opinion on the ideal firearm for beginning shooters. The 10/22 is a good platform and a fun rifle to shoot - I have one and, in fact, call it my "fun gun". However, since it's a semi-automatic, a good many shooters, including yours truly, have a tendency to just keep pulling the trigger until the magazine is empty; a practice which does not necessarily contribute to good aim and wastes ammo.
For beginners, I'd recommend a single shot, bolt action rifle with which to learn proper firearm safety, good aiming habits and, above all, patience. I don't know if Ruger makes a rifle like that, or one with a single shot adapter, but Savage and CZ both have units with the adapter.
Choice of ammo will be a matter of trial and error. There are no set rules on which ammo will be more accurate in a given rifle. Some ammos are more conducive to plinking while others are better for bench rest target shooting; some good for longer distances, others more at home at limited ranges. Some folks get half inch groups with low end bulk ammo yet won't get on the paper with high end target stuff. You just have to try different ones until you get a consistent winner. Good Luck!
Welcome BrotherNov, The flash suppressor actually has no real function on a .22 it will help to reduce muzzle flash a bit but to notice it you would have to be shooting in the dark. One of the reasons that it was made available on that model is to allow attachment of an actual suppressor, most folks call them a silencer. But to get one you have to file an application and pay a tax I believe it is around $200. So if you have no need for one you can save the money and just keep it stock or go with the other model. I doubt that you would notice a discernible difference in accuracy between the two barrels.
Have a great time with the grandsons and drill safety into their heads.
The 10/22 is a great little rifle. Just wondering if you have considered the Ruger American Rimfire in compact length. It is the same size as the 10/22 and uses 10/22 magazines, but is a bolt action rather than semi-auto. Might teach them to be more ammo frugal as they are learning. Just a suggestion.
Thanks for all your thoughts, very helpful. I have considered smaller guns, especially since my youngest is only 8 yo, but thought the 10-22 was a good enough fit across each of their body sizes and it's something they won't grow out of.
Bro, the Ruger American rimfire comes in either a standard or compact sizes, it also comes with a straight (for iron sights) or a raised stock module (for scope use) it has fiber optic sights and an adjustable trigger (like a savage accutrigger) that is easily set. I bought one a few months ago, and it's a tack-driver. I fit it with a Nikon BDC 150 3x9 rimfire scope. It's calibrated out to 150 yds. I love it. And your kids won't go through as much impossible to find .22 LR ammo. They also come chambered for .17HRM or .22 magnum.
I'd proably go for the Tatical Target model over a take down model. It has a short 16" bull barrel, and comes with a bipod and Hogue Overmolded stock. Ruger Model # 1230. Ruger® 10/22® Tactical Autoloading Rifle Models
The target models are suppose to have a little better trigger than the standard models. They also have a tighter chamber so your not suppose to shoot CCI Stingers. CCI Stinger style 22 ammo has a short bullet and a longer brass case but the over all length is the same as a regular 22. Most guns are ok to shoot them in because they have a loose or standard chamber, but a target barrel has much tighter chamber tollerances.
Magnum Research makes a 10/22 with a carbon fiber .920 barrel. I haven't shot one, or done much looking in to them, but they are pretty light weight and seem well made.
Love my 1022 DSP with AL bull barrel more than any other rifle I ever had or shot...
However...I am old school...
Wood stock, bolt action... tube, mag or single... no autos...
Regardless of the type of gun... hand them ONE bullet at a time... discipline first... easily said but hard to stick with and it does take a while to do a thorough job of teaching kids discipline, safety, marksmanship... then go up to an auto...
Still have the first firearm I ever shot...it was handed down from paw paw...a pre-war stevens tube feed 22...first shot it in 1962... I lived with my grand parents and worked in the family store... always asking paw paw to let me shoot the 22... it's 44" long... he made me wait until I was as tall as the gun... cb shorts... a box of 50 loaded one bullet at a time...thru the tube... that is ten times better way to learn than ripping thru a 10 rd magazine
Let me throw in one more recommendation for a bolt action. I didn't mention it earlier don't know why but it didn't pop into my head till afterward. The Ruger American I think would be a very good choice. For the price I think it is a great value.
The first gun I shot was my Dad's bolt action .22 with a 10 round tube. Just working the bolt made me think between each round. As for outgrowing it, I wish I had that old rifle. The first time I shot it was 50 years ago.
The Ruger 10/22 is a good rifle and can be modified for different purposes. Your initial purpose is to teach basic marksmanship to children. Stick with the basics in a new or used rifle. What is your experience with firearms, do you have any formal or military training?
The four rules apply to every firearm; rifle, pistol or shotgun. Know and understand them before touching a firearm.
All guns are always loaded.
Never point the gun at anything you are not willing to destroy.
Keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are on target (and you have made the decision to shoot).
Be sure of your target and what is beyond it.
The 10/22 may be used as a single shot. Obtain several factory original ten shot magazines. Load one .22lr cartridge in each magazine. Insert magazine into rifle. Pull charging handle to rear then release. Do not "ride" the charging handle.
You may consider a BB gun or pellet gun to begin instruction. Effective range is much shorter but basics are exactly the same. If they can shoot groups of 1/4" at fifteen or twenty five feet they are doing good. The NRA or ISRA in your area may have basic classes or clinics in your area.
You mentioned that one of your grandsons is eight. You may want to obtain a spare stock from E Bay or other source so you can cut it down to fit a small person. Shoulder a rifle that fits you. Now tape a three or four inch block of wood to the end of the stock and shoulder it again. See what I mean.
Having a flash suppressor on a 10/22 does serve a purpose beyond looking tacticool. New and inexperienced shooters, especially young children, have a tendency of sticking the muzzle in the dirt. The flash suppressor helps protect the crown from damage.
Hey Guys, new to the forum..planning on buying my first 10/22. Did plenty of research on the gun itself just can't decide on what model to settle with? Any insight? Looking for small game and target use mostly
BrotherNov, Buying a "first gun" for a kid is similar to buying a "first bicycle" ... you don't what to overwhem them with mechanical function or size. As an example ... you would not buy a 10 speed 26" bicycle for an 8 year old .... just too big and too mechanical whereas a 20" single speed bike would be a much wiser buy.
I went through the same situation with my kids and now my grand kids. Although I'm very fond of 10/22s, I firmly believe it's the wrong "first gun" ... even if you start them at age 16. My recommendation would be a single shot bolt action rifle such as a "Crickett" youth model. Here's a link: Crickett Firearms - My First Rifle - Youth Model 22 Rifles - Proudly Made In The USA These are short, light weight, 22 rifles that can be fired with 22 Shorts to start with and transition to 22 LRs as experience dictates. With some good guidance and safety precautions, an 8 year old can learn to shoot them quite well. A Crickett will maintain good value so when your son outgrows it, there is always a good market for other parents in the same boat.
I agree with Iowegan. A person of any age who is learning about firearms for the first time should not begin with a semi-automatic of any kind. There is too much to think about, too much happens unseen by the user, and it's too easy for something to go wrong.
When I was like twelve years old, I got my first gun for Christmas . . . A really nice Mossberg bolt-action .22 rifle. I made all the proper appreciative noises, but what I had really hoped for was a semi-auto. Dad knew this, and after all the immediate excitement was over he quite simply said that he knew it was not the type of rifle I wanted, he was Santa and had made an executive decision in the matter. I was disappointed at the time, but in retrospect I know he was right. I still have the rifle and wouldn't get rid of it for anything.
When my first grandson got to be old enough, I shopped around and found a really nice older bolt-action 581 Remington .22 and gave it to him for Christmas, along with a nice little 4X scope for he and his dad to install. He shot the dickens out of that little gun, and a few years later when he was like fifteen his dad finally gave him the 10/22 he aspired to. He ran thru a couple hundred rounds the first week and then settled down to more mature shooting. It's all good.
Hey thanks guys..great point. Maybe my first post was vague Im not buying my first firearm. I'm buying my first ruger 10/22 rifle. I own several others fire arms including a bolt action rifle that I actually learned with as well. I was simply looking for insight about the various 10/22 models offered ie: target,takedown,anniversary...
First of all what kind of a shooter are you? Trained by military, NRA junior rifle club, Hunter safety course,trained by your dad or grandfather, or by Bubba? Please pick up an NRA marksman ship training manual and read up on the proper training course, Teach them PROPER shooting etiquette and safe gun handling how to get a correct sight picture, proper trigger squeeze.
If there is a NRA Junior rifle club, 4-H shooting sports club, Boy Scout troop, Cub Scout den that teaches marksmanship?... check in to taking them for proper training, you won't regret it.
As for a first rifle a single shot bolt action is good. Ammo, Remington, Federal, Ely standard velocity works good both inside and outside ranges and for informal plinking.
After they have some basic training then work up to the 10-22. I started off my four children that way since my wife and I are both NRA rifle, shotgun and pistol instructors. they did well as did the other 100 or so 4H club kids from 6 to 18 did. We started them off at 6 or 7 years and up to 10 with the Daisy supplied training BB guns indoors at the local National Guard Armory, using paper stuffed cardboard boxes for backstops.
Ah, I see what happened. Lurks revived a thread dormant since July, and some of us responded to BrotherNov's original questions. Lurks, you would have avoided that by starting a new thread. I take it this is a rifle for you, not for teaching young'uns.
It's hard to recommend a particular model when we're not clear on how you want to shoot it. Also, there isn't a whole lot of difference between many models other than cosmetics - except the target and LVT, which have different barrels from the carbine, 50th, and sporter. If you plan to use a scope you might want one without sights. If you'll be carrying it in rough conditions the flash hider on the Tactical and 50th does a great job of protecting the crown as you hike and climb. Also, for harsh conditions the plastic stock will be more durable.
When you say "target" does that mean from a bench or position shooting? If you want to use factory sights, the aperture sight on the 50th is pretty good - much better than the old blade sight. If you plan to add an upgraded, aftermarket iron sight set, you'll want the basic carbine or sporter to minimize overall cost.
FiremanBob great info..thanks for your educated advice!! You the Man! Oh n ill make a new thread next posting to prevent any other mix ups! Thanks to everyone else who responded as well
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