RUGER 10/22 SEMI-AUTO RIFLE
Training at only R1.80 a round
SINCE its first appearance 57 years ago, the affordable Ruger 10/22 rifle has been a favourite among shooters. Through the years, very little has changed, apart from Ruger producing different variants: the Carbine, Compact, Take-down, Tactical and Competition models come to mind. The semi-auto, chambered in .22lr, uses a blow-back operating system and comes with a standard 10-shot detachable rotary magazine. The bolt is held in the forward position by a spring. On ignition the pressure produced by the expanding gasses pushes back the bolt, ejecting the spent case in the process. The return spring then pushes the bolt forward which strips a fresh cartridge from the magazine and feeds it into the chamber. The test rifle (Model 1151) has a black synthetic stock that is heat-stabilized, glass-filled and with integral polymer trigger housing. Chequering on the pistol-grip and fore-end ensures a good grip even in wet conditions. Ruger claims the stock is impact and abrasion-resistant and can withstand the harshest elements.
The standard, flush-mounted 10-round rotary magazine separates the cartridges, providing reliable feeding (15 and 25-round non-rotary mags are also available). The prominent magazine release-lever in front of the trigger guard will be familiar to those familiar with the R4 (Galil/ak platform) and is easy to operate.
The 18.5-inch cold hammer-forged alloy-steel barrel has a 1:16 twist and is locked into the receiver by a two-screw V-block system. It has a satin-black finish. The front of the trigger guard houses a push-button, cross-bolt safety. If you are right-handed, simply disengage the safety with your forefinger before reaching for the trigger.
The front sight has a gold bead and the rear sight is adjustable for height and windage. The receiver is drilled and tapped for scope mounts. The rifle weighs 4.4lbs (2kg) and overall length is only 37 inches.
The question arises, why invest in a semi-auto .22? Though an old design, the 10/22 has several advantages: in addition to cheap plinking, it can be used as a replacement training tool for Ar-type rifles. Its cocking lever on the right is similar to those of AK-47 designs which include the Galil, R4, etc. Likewise magazine changes: the release paddle is between the trigger guard and magazine, and of course, the trigger can be used in the same semi-automatic fashion.
The test rifle was fitted with a Weaver mount and a red dot scope. The mount also accommodates scopes but does not take Picatinny rings as its cross-slots are too narrow – something easily fixed by a gunsmith.
The rifle’s owner had mounted a bracket on the fore-end for a torch which can be switched on/off with the support
2| The pistol grip has, like the foreend, rough chequering, making for good purchase even with gloves or in the wet.
3| The synthetic recoil pad is not the most comfortable, but the rough texture does the job. 5| Bracket with the Jetbeam torch. The torch is switched on with the thumb of the hand holding the fore-end.
6| The Weaver mount allows for red dot sights and scopes. Replacing it with a Picatinny rail will increase the options that can be attached.
7| The flush-fit 10-round rotary magazine ships with the rifle. It keeps cartridges apart for increased reliability.
8| Apart from the rotary magazine (on the right), 15-round banana shaped mags and 2 x 25-round magazines are available as aftermarket accessories.
ing hand. He chose a Jetbeam BC20 GT, weighing only 134g, which produces a blinding 1 080 lumens. You can thumb-operate its rear-mounted on/off switch without changing your grip on the fore-end.
started out with the red dot (a reasonably priced Bushnell TRS-25) and although my cheek-weld was not perfect, I managed to put 15 shots in about an A5-sized target at 20m in a few seconds. A simple home-made cheek raiser should ensure a consistent hold with every shot.
Having an array of magazines available makes it possible to train for various scenarios. The standard 10-shot rotary magazine is fine for precision work and fits flush with the rifle’s underside, whereas shooting the longer banana-shaped 15-shot mag from the prone position requires slightly higher elevation of the rifle. In addition, a BX-25 x2 magazine is available, comprising two magazines produced as one unit holding 50 rounds. You simply finish the first 25 rounds, swap the magazine around and fire the next 25 rounds. The operation of the internals is the same as for the 15-round magazine, being basically two 25-round polymer magazines fused together, with the same 30 degree lips and springs.
The training options for various sport shooting scenarios which include mag changes are endless, and of course cheap. This is a definite advantage when preparing for sport shooting activities like Mini Gun (3-Gun) or various other disciplines.
If you own a semi-auto centre-fire rifle for sport shooting, the 10/22 makes sense as a training tool and is accurate enough to double for long-range precision work. On the range I zeroed the rifle at 25m (with a Swarovski Z3 scope mounted) and proceeded to shoot 3-shot groups, the largest measuring 10mm centre-to-centre (c-c) and, after settling down, I managed 3 shots in 3.95mm c-c. I was using very old Swartklip standard velocity ammo. The results were good enough for me not to bother with other brands.
I then fired three shots at 75m for 22.9mm c-c. At 100m, with the wind picking up, I managed three shots in 37.6mm c-c. Firing at 100m as fast as I could get the cross-hair on the target (easy with a recoilless semi-auto) I got three shots into 48.7mm c-c. Hitting a round steel gong 50mm in diameter at 100m was a formality.
To end off, I shot a 25m Postal Target of the National Hunting and Shooting Association. This entails 5 shots at five different targets, with the X-zone 10mm in diameter. I managed 3 Xs and 2 cut-x scores. This is exceptional for a semiauto with ammunition that was manufactured decades ago.
The above test was done with the standard stock, which is small enough for the daintiest of shooters. For those with bigger frames, after-market stocks are available, for example from Magpul.
To add a bit of flavour to our range time we fitted a home-made rifle sling to the 10/22, to exercise transitions between rifle and pistol. The drill is simple: use the rifle for the initial targets, alternating between shoulders, then let it hang on the sling while pulling a pistol and continuing to engage more targets. The possibilities for this ‘tactical’ type training are endless, but most importantly, it improves shooting skills, trains your brain to solve problems on the run and is a lot of fun.
Budget .22lr ammo sells for about R90 per 50. That’s R1.80 per round. A quick internet search revealed that small rifle primers will set you back R1.36 per primer. Add brass, bullets, powder and the time to reload and suddenly a .22lr makes a lot of sense.
Ruger estimates it has sold 7 million 10/22s and currently lists more than 72 variants. After spending time with the little .22 I can understand why. Our thanks go to Jaco Erasmus for the loan of his rifle.