Tech specs
I like thumbhole designs and this Target Lite incarnation, with its very open grip area and laminate wood construction, allows an ambidextrous and varied hold for all hunting positions. It has a nice ‘planted’ feel in the shoulder, which helps with good handling, while still keeping the weatherproof traits of a synthetic stock. At 5lb without a scope or moderator fitted, the rifle is a delight to handle. Despite quite a glossy lacquer finish and no chequering to the short fore-end with its slanted vent holes, the stock is a triumph.
That large thumbhole lends itself to a great hold, with or without gloves, and a cheekpiece to both sides makes the stock ambidextrous. You can further tune this stock for length of pull with additional spacers fitted between the soft, black rubber recoil pad and laminate.
The relatively new BX trigger is a far better proposition for precision than the older models. It has a lighter trigger pull of 2½lb to 3lb and the new polymer housing is harder-wearing, with far closer tolerances. The safety is a simple cross-bolt unit blocking the trigger blade, while the timeless 10-shot rotary magazine is reliable if looked after with regular stripping and cleaning.
Light and handy
Semi-automatic rimfires can be fickle in their ‘diet’, as some of the slower subsonic rounds can fail to cycle 100%. This was the case with the Eley and Norma subsonics that, despite their excellent accuracy, caused some jams. This was a shame as these two are my favourite bolt-action subs.
The best subsonic rounds were the Winchester 42gr Max, with five-shot 30-yard groups of 0.60in and a velocity of 1,063fps for 105ft/lb energy. Similarly accurate were the CCI Segmented Subsonics, with 0.65in
Manufacturer Model Type Overall length Barrel
Calibre Finish
Weight Stock Trigger Safety Scope mounts
Importer
groupings at 1,031fps for 94ft/lb. I tried some RWS HV for those that may want a high-velocity round and we had 1,104fps for 108ft/lb and consistent 0.60in groupings.
Trying some lead-free equivalents did not go so well — they functioned at 100%, but as with all the rimfire rifles I have tested, accuracy was erratic.
The CCI Copper lead-free, with its light 21gr, shot 1.25in groups at a whopping 1,661fps for 129ft/lb. Better were the RWS HV Green 24gr bullets at 1,498fps and 120ft/lb, with 1.15in groups.
I also tried some RWS semi-auto rounds designed specifically for semis, which have a solid round-nose head, so are not really meant for vermin. They shot lovely 0.65in groups at 1,027fps and 94ft/lb.
Having fitted a small Leupold compact 4x power scope and loaded the magazine with some Winchester 42gr Max rounds, I headed for the fields. It’s so light and handy that you hardly notice it. With an A-Tec Wave mod fitted, it was very quiet and I soon had five rabbits in the bag, all with head shots out to 55 yards.
A joy to shoot
I think this is the best incarnation of the Ruger 10/22 yet. Its really well-thought-out stock makes it a joy to shoot off a bench or in the field for casual plinking, target shooting or, for me, rabbits. Most 10/22 owners upgrade with the plethora of aftermarket goodies on offer, but I believe that this Target Lite model wants for nothing.