Newbie gun question: Ruger 10/22

[bryanthompson]

I want to start target shooting, and the Ruger 10/22 seems like a pretty good choice for a beginner. With all of the accessories, I think it'd be a good one to learn with.

Since I plan on doing a lot of research, buying a new stock, new barrel, probably different trigger weight, scope, etc., can I get away with buying the cheapie 10/22 from walmart and then putting on the new accessories as I get them? Or would it be better to buy a decent set-up for $400 and building up from there?

I realize that I will probably spend more money by buying the cheap one first and building it up, but my question is regarding quality more than anything. Will the gun suffer in the end if I go this route?

[FrayAdjacent911]

Bryan,

What I did when I got a 10/22 was pretty simple. I bought a plain jane stainless 10/22 from Walmart for less than $200.

I found a Ruger stock for the heavy barrelled 10/22 on Ebay for like $30, so that was a great deal.

The barrel was swapped with an Adams&Bennett from Midway (www.midwayusa.com) at a cost of right about $100.

The hammer was swapped out for a Volquartsen (~$30), which sweetened up the trigger pull very nicely.

I used the base that came with the rifle, and bought some Leupold rings and a Simmons 3-9x40 scope from WalMart (about $20 for the rings, $50 for the scope).

It would shoot dime size groups at 50 yards with ease.

[928ram]

Myself, I'd just p/u the basic 10/22 form wally-world or wherever and work from there. (I prefer blued) There are so many parts available to mod these things that you can build for looks as well as improved accuracy. Out of the box, 10/22s are fine plinkers, get used to using it and decide what you want it to do better before buying tons of parts.

[HardDrive]

I know its a much more expensive proposition, but maybe save up for a nice .223 of some kind?

The lack of recoil makes .22 fun to shoot, but I get bored after a while.....

Or how about this little puppy.......

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barrett_M82A2

[Teutonics]

Buy basic and build up. You're going to be replacing all of the parts (barrel, stock, hammer, etc.) except the receiver anyway, and the receiver and internals (bolt, trigger assembly, etc.) are all the same. Why pay extra for parts you aren't even going to use?

[bryanthompson]

Thanks guys, that answers all of my questions I wasn't sure if building from a cheap base was any different than building from an expensive one, but it sounds like that's the way to go.

[TerryBPP]

I have a Ruger 22 pistol and love it. Very accurate and very quite.

[id10t]

GO with the basic 10/22. Add on or replace when it limits you.

[targa911S]

while we are on the subject...I just a few minutes ago bought a 1951 Winchester mdl. 94 30-30. It's sweet. It will look great in the case next to my Lefever 12 ga SXS. Great way to start the weekend. Of course I had to give up one of my 1903 Colt autos. But it was a sweet deal.

[Rot 911]

One nice thing about a Ruger of any type is that it tends to hold its value.

[Tishabet]

Terry, I've got a Ruger Mk II that I'm super happy with, I would recommend them to anyone.

[tabs]

Why waste your time with a Ruger 10/22...I bought one for about $110 when a local discounter went outa biz....SO CA boyz remember GEMCO....out of the box it's a great plinker...not especially accurate but if you should run over it with your car...your not gona cry over it...

Your gona be puttin abut $600 into this thing....and it will have ZERO resale....Yeah Yeah I know you'll get a coupla hundred outa it....

The point is why not start with something better to begin with....For accuracy in 22 LR.....in the $600 range...you can buy a mint condition Winchester model 75....it was Winchesters midline 22 BOLT ACTION Target gun which came with Target sights allready installed...instead of cutting a dime at 50 yards it will do that at 100 yards or better....

With the Winchester you not only have a good shooting gun you have a collectable gun as well that will appreciate slowly...Or if U don't like a Bolt Action you can buy a Winchester Model 94 22XRT Lever Action...for the 300 to 400 range...again collectable... if your lucky U might even find a Remington model 37 for $600 ..which was the Winchester model 52s competitior..Tack Drivers all. Remington and Stevens both made great 22 LR target guns...as well as semi autos for plinking...

I can't really think of one 22 semi auto rifle that is super accurate...

Anyway if you want a cheap 22 Auto pistol thats a tack driver....the Ruger Mark 1, 2, or 3s with the 5 7/8 inch Bull Barrel is the ticket...for $250 to $300 you can buy one that New in the Box condition..

Check out the Gun List it's a great place to buy and sell...

Do U boyz really want to know what I picked up recently?

I found a nice little M1 Garand National Match..Type II.. circa 1963...thats Springfield Arsenal in Mass and not the Armory in Ill....that looks like it hasn't been fired...that was langushing in a local gun store... and ....

I bought a JH Rector Half Stocked 38 Caliber, Heavy Barreled Percussion Rifle with the orginal False muzzle and Bullet Starter...15 lb rifle..yep Muzzleloading...circa 1860....I called up the guy who is writing a book on the NY Target gun makers of the 19th century....he had never seen a JH Rector False Muzzle before and wants pictures for his book.... I found this little gem at an auction in Ohio.

I just have a feeling that these 19th Century American Target guns are VERY underpriced and in the next 5 to 10 years are going to come into their own...think of it they are legitimate pieces of American History.....made by American craftsmen....each one is literally a piece of art...one aside here... these gun makers RIFLED THEIR OWN BARRELS..often using very crude tools and yet they achieved accuracy that is comparable to what modern guns can achieve...

[techweenie]

I'm pretty happy with my Ruger Mini 14 -- de-ranchified with a plastic folding stock. .223 at least makes you feel like you're shooting something.