The Lite fantastic
Bruce Potts warms to this version of Ruger’s enduringly popular .22 rimfire
The Ruger 10/22 .22LR has to be the most widely used semi-automatic rimfire on the planet. It was the brainchild of Bill Ruger back in 1964 and its simple inertia type or blowback bolt operating system has proved reliable and long-lasting, spawning many variants over the years.
This Target Lite model is one of the better factory offerings. Many 10/22 owners modify their rifles with the numerous aftermarket products, but this new model needs no such embellishments. It wears a well-proportioned laminate thumbhole stock and, being ambidextrous, it is very userfriendly. I also like the target/varmint profile short-tensioned barrel to reduce weight. As it is threaded for a sound moderator, it would make a nice, compact vermin tool, too.
Add to this Ruger’s better BX trigger system with a lighter trigger pull, Ruger’s 10-shot rotary magazine and combination scope base, and the price of £830 does not seem unreasonable.
Hard-wearing
With the 10/22’s inertia system, the energy from the cartridge on firing operates the bolt system and this latest Target Lite was remarkably reliable for most of the rounds I tested. The extraction is via a single claw, with very positive ejection. Although the aluminium action is painted rather than blued, it is hard-wearing and has a good combined Weaver or 11mm dovetail mount.
Tensioned barrels — be they with carbon fibre wrap or, as here, aluminium sleeves
— have been a popular way of lightening a barrel, yet still maintaining a heavy profile 0.920in diameter, so that heat build-up is dispersed, rigidity maintained and accuracy enhanced. The lightening of the barrel allows you to make it a tad shorter. On this sort of rifle, designed primarily for vermin control, that is handy, so as not to increase the overall length too much. This is especially relevant when a moderator is fitted to the ½in UNEF finer-threaded muzzle. The aluminium alloy sleeve tensions at the muzzle end cap with six screws, maintaining even pressure for consistent accuracy.
Being a cold-hammer-forged carbon steel barrel with standard 1 in 16in right-hand rifling twist rate, it’s good for any normal .22 fodder, but not recommended for CCI Stingers. The actual barrel length is 16in, which means the Target Lite is a compact rimfire at only 35.25in long in total.