Author Topic: Opinions Please...Most Dependable Semi-Auto 22 Rifle (Read 4852 times)

SD Handgunner · « **Reply #30 on:** May 10, 2009, 04:52:45 PM »

I've had a few Ruger 10-22's over the years and they never did impress me much. Also had a couple Marlin Model 60's and they too didn't impress me all that much. Mostly been a Bolt Action Rifle fanatic.

Recently that has all changed. At our Indoor Shooting Range every winter we have bench rest competitions. After a few guys started showing up with Custom Ruger 10-22's I started changing my mind about them.

I recently picked up a used Ruger 10-22 (standard carbine) for $100.00. I bought this Ruger with a project in mind.

Above is a photo of the finished product. In addition to highly modifying the TAPCO T-6 Stock to better suit what I wanted I also did the following:

Totally polished all mating surfaces inside the trigger group. I also installed a Wolff Gunsprings reduced power Trigger & Sear Springs. The trigger pull ended up super crisp and smooth but a bit heavier than I wanted.

Shortened and recrowned the Factory Barrel to 17" (removing the front sight in the process). The barrel is also free floated inside of the DPMS Free Float Tube I fashioned onto the Tapco T-6 Stock.

I also did the Auto Bolt Conversion so now to let the bolt forward when it is locked back all that is needed is to pull back on the charging handle and let it go forward.

I used a Weigand Scope Base, Yankee Hill Machine 1/2" Scope Risers and Weaver 1" High Quad Lock 4x4 Scope Rings to get the scope the same height above the buttstock as my Bushmaster AR-15.

Also installed a Tuffer Buffer Recoil Buffer to complete the modifications so far.

So far I have only shot Remington BULK Hollow Points and Remington Sub Sonic Hollow Points through this 10-22. While dependibility is not 100% it is close to 99% only having had a couple of malfunctions so far.

Accuracy with the shortened, free floated factory barrel is much better than I was hoping for. Just this afternoon my nephew was smacking gophers with the above 10-22 all the way out to almost 100 yards.

Above is a photo of my Custom Ruger 10-22 and my Bushmaster AR-15 .223. No they are not identical. No they do not weigh the same, but the feel is very similar. They also also the same basic size and shape is what I was after when I started this project.

I am totally pleased with my 10-22 and the biggest cost I had over the factory rifle was the Tapco T-6 Stock, DPMS Free Float Tube, the Tuffer Buffers and the Wolff Gunsprings Spring Kit. The other items I purchased to complete this gun were the scope mounts that I would have had to buy for any gun.

Larry

SD Handgunner · « **Reply #31 on:** May 12, 2009, 09:29:03 AM »

Below is a new photo of the Tactical Ruger 10-22 since I finished the free float tube.

I did the following since I first posted about this project. I had my machinist buddy bore out the rear piece of the Free Float Tube (the part that screws onto the AR-15 and holds the barrel on) so it's inside diameter is the same size as the rest of the Free Float Tube (eliminating the threads on the inside and the holes for the gas tube to pass through).

It fit perfectly, after I cut a slot out of the bottom of this rear piece to slip over and around the Tapco Forend by the take down screw. I think it turned out OK and looks a little better than in the previous photo.

I also installed a Wolff Gunsprings Rifle Tune Up Kit which included a Reduced Power Trigger & Sear Springs. I also put in a Tuffer Buffer, and swapped out Scope Rings with a set of Weaver 1" High Extension Quad Lock 4x4 Scope Rings.

I will more than likely add some type of extended magazine release at some point, and will chamfer the rear face of the bolt also. Some of these projects are never really done. I haven't decided if I am going to put a flash hider on it or not as yet.

Larry

nw_hunter · « **Reply #32 on:** May 26, 2009, 02:38:43 PM »

Quote from: Cookiemann on April 05, 2009, 01:18:14 AM

I have a Marlin 60, and as others have stated, its picky on ammo and sometimes jams. I would like to pick up another rifle in semi-auto and invite any comments or opinions as to which one is the most dependable. I realize that the most accurate may not be the most dependable and all that. But, I need a place to start and figured you all would'nt mind offering some advice. Thanks, in advance, to all who post on this thread.

cookiemann

I've owned quite a few semi-auto's and to prevent jamming, cleaning is essential

Finding the right ammo is important also. I think my Marlin 60's are more finicky than the 10/22's.

My Grandson has an Austrian Voere semi, that is less particular, and is a tack driver as well. I just don't like a darn clip hanging under a gun. Another plus for the 10/22 with factory clip!

My go to ammo for all my rifles is the Federal 22 AutoMatch. Been hard to find lately, but Walmart does carry it, at most stores. Cost more than most bulk ammo, but imop is worth it.

Nothing more frustrating than needing a backup shot, and having it jam

Swampman · « **Reply #33 on:** May 26, 2009, 02:53:50 PM »

I've never seen a Ruger 10-22 jam.

mechanic · « **Reply #34 on:** May 26, 2009, 03:57:45 PM »

Ditto the Ruger. Also ditto the nylon 66 Rem. if you can find one. I traded mine, like an idiot.

slim rem 7 · « **Reply #35 on:** May 31, 2009, 01:26:47 PM »

the a marlin just doesn t like dirty bulk ammo.. it will finally clog the action up.. cci ammo solves the problem completely.. velocitor

slim rem 7 · « **Reply #36 on:** May 31, 2009, 01:35:37 PM »

i cant see my post on modify to straiten them up.....
its a bit frustrating.. any way marlins don t like dirty rem bulk an velocitors will work in them until the cows come hme. slim
got no idea what this looks like

Ahshucks · « **Reply #37 on:** July 01, 2009, 06:13:40 PM »

Here's one you guys just have to see!

http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=287970

Drilling Man · « **Reply #38 on:** July 02, 2009, 05:03:13 AM »

No matter how you dress a "beached whale", it will still be a beached whale in your hand when you carry it!

DM

slim rem 7 · « **Reply #39 on:** July 02, 2009, 08:52:42 AM »

cookieman.. use cci ammo in your marlin..mine never gunks up since i quit using rem bulk..
itsw like any nsemi auto the action has to remain clean .. mine is a sure thing with cci ..good luck slim

bckskin2 · « **Reply #40 on:** July 04, 2009, 07:01:35 AM »

I bought a 10/22 with thoughts of adding all kind of after market "STUFF". I did add a good scope & bought a hi-cap mag. Unyil it got broke in the hi-cap didn't want to feed with over 5 rounds. I still don't like it for prone shooting. Most of the time I just keep a spare Ruger mag.
My only complaint is I don't get to shoot it as much as I would like.
Mine doesn't feel like a beached whale, but my other guns are a British Enfield, a Turk mauser, a CVA mountain rifle, & an Ithica 51. So the 10/22 is one of the litest guns I own.
I still like to get the kid's Savage single shot and some CB or shorts too.
Jerry

drdougrx · « **Reply #41 on:** July 04, 2009, 04:54:37 PM »

Just bought a special run 10/22, the Altemonte model. It's got a 20" standard taper baeeal and a french walnut stock w rollover cheekpiece, fancy checkering and a schnaubel forend...and its shoots pretty well though I need have the trigger worked on. It's very classic looking adult sized rifle.

nw_hunter · « **Reply #42 on:** July 05, 2009, 03:50:38 PM »

Quote from: Drilling Man on July 02, 2009, 05:03:13 AM

No matter how you dress a "beached whale", it will still be a beached whale in your hand when you carry it!

DM

I have held some 10/22 conversions put together by a gunsmith in Roseburg, Oregon, and believe me, if you close your eyes you wouldn't have a clue what make of gun you were holding, and the term beached whale wouldn't come to mind. What Scott Gobel does with the 10/22 is a work of art, and they shoot as good as they look, or he won't let it leave his shop.

Drilling Man · « **Reply #43 on:** July 05, 2009, 05:31:37 PM »

You just can't get by that "beached whale clip", no matter what you do to the stock!

DM

Keith L · « **Reply #44 on:** July 05, 2009, 07:03:14 PM »

Everyone has a right to an opinion, even if it is wrong.

dorothy daily · « **Reply #45 on:** July 05, 2009, 07:34:04 PM »

63 winchester. dad bought new around 1950. i carried it at 10 in woods by myself and he used until his eyes got so he could not shoot i continuted to use until 1985 when he died and another of his children claimed. that gun was NEVER CLEANED in all those years and never once malfunctioned. it was wiped with an oily rag on outside and that was the extend of maintenance.was accurate and had an excellant trigger.i bought one at auction of a neighbor that is just as good. i now have the eye problem and cannot shoot with iron sights. shoot 10/22 and 597 both scoped and triggers replaced and are accurate. would like a late 63 with groove receiver but just do not want to spend a thousand plus for one.

Sourdough · « **Reply #46 on:** July 05, 2009, 08:07:23 PM »

The Remington Nylon 66 is the best gun ever made, period.

I received a Remington Nylon 66 back in 1962, from my Grandfather. I used and abused that little gun for years. It never was cleaned, other than wiping off dirt and mud from the outside with my hand. When I left for the Air Force in 1968, it was left at my Grandparents house. My Grandfather used it for four years to shoot squirrels and varmints in the yard. When he died in 1972 I retrieved it and brought it to Alaska. During one of my many moves around the early 90s the stock was broken. In 1996 I stripped it down to just the metal parts, cleaned them, and returned them to Remington. This was the first time the gun had ever been cleaned to my knowledge since it was purchased in 1962.

Remington replaced the stock no questions asked. I did request a Black Stock to replace the Brown one it originally had.

When my oldest son turned 10 I let him start using it. He and I shot it till he was 18 and left for the Navy.

When my youngest son Skyler turned 10 I let him start shooting it. Sky and his buddy Eric got some reloading tubes to speed up loading. No idea how many bricks of ammo those boys shot up out at the range. Sky and Eric often had timed competition to see who could empty it the fastest. When the gun misfired it was not the guns fault, in every case it was faulty ammo.

I feel the Nylon 66 is the best and most reliable gun ever made. Wish I had bought a few more.

I removed that little 66 from the vault earlier tonight and will take it to the range tomorrow morning. I use it for early practice to get into shape for hunting season. That light little gun is good to work on form. If you do anything wrong it will show up and be noticeable using this light weight gun.

Drilling Man · « **Reply #47 on:** July 06, 2009, 03:30:54 AM »

Quote from: Keith L on July 05, 2009, 07:03:14 PM

Everyone has a right to an opinion, even if it is wrong.

If you are aiming that at me, i'd be happy to line up several of my 22's, with a tape across them, and YOU tell me the 10/22 isn't "fat through the middle" compared to the others...

It's the clip that makes them fat, (wide) and there's no getting around that...

DM

Keith L · « **Reply #48 on:** July 06, 2009, 04:02:43 AM »

While it is wider than other clip fed semis it doesn't stick out and get caught on things like some of the others. I have a couple of bolt .22s that have a clip that sticks out and is even wider than my 10/22s.

Like I said, you have a right to your opinion. I don't find the way either of my 10-22s carry to be a problem. So I think your characterization of them as a "beached whale" to be incorrect.

Drilling Man · « **Reply #49 on:** July 06, 2009, 04:26:44 AM »

I guess you forgot about the tube feed guns??

10/22's are bloated clip fed guns, and a tape measure will show you how much more bloated they are. This isn't an opinion, it's a fact... Get yourself a tape measure and check it out for yourself.

Compare it to a Browning semi auto? Or an nylon 66?? There are many 22's that are "skinny" when compared to the 10/22, and all of them carry MUCH better in the field.

DM

Keith L · « **Reply #50 on:** July 06, 2009, 05:25:16 AM »

"and all of them carry MUCH better in the field"

That my friend is your opinion.

bckskin2 · « **Reply #51 on:** July 07, 2009, 07:52:39 AM »

Pekin Gun in Pekin, Il has a Nylon 66. I didn't notice the price. If any one is interest they have always been great to deal with.
Jerry

saltydog · « **Reply #52 on:** July 12, 2009, 12:17:36 PM »

My some 20 year old Remington Speedmaster 552 BDL is my most reliable and accurate semiauto 22 LR - http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/rimfire_rifles/model_552_speedmaster.asp It will work in the wind whie the 10-22's will often fail to extract cleanly depending on the direction of the wind. It is also built on a larger frame and is more comfortable for the larger frame shooter than my 10-22's but noy by much. My Magnum Research 22 Mag is also reliable, accurate and with Vmax 30's packs a heck of a punch.

mannyrock · « **Reply #53 on:** July 13, 2009, 06:17:59 PM »

The Ruger 10/22 and the Remington Nylon 66 are both reliable to the extreme. So take your pick. But, the 10/22 scopes out much better, and has tons of aftermarket options, including replacement barrels and triggers. Aside from 1960s nostalgia, the 10/22 just makes better sense (and is far more versatile) than the Nylon 66.

Best Regards,

Mannyrock

nw_hunter · « **Reply #54 on:** July 15, 2009, 04:06:08 PM »

Quote from: Drilling Man on July 06, 2009, 04:26:44 AM

I guess you forgot about the tube feed guns??

10/22's are bloated clip fed guns, and a tape measure will show you how much more bloated they are. This isn't an opinion, it's a fact... Get yourself a tape measure and check it out for yourself.

Compare it to a Browning semi auto? Or an nylon 66?? There are many 22's that are "skinny" when compared to the 10/22, and all of them carry MUCH better in the field.

DM

I never noticed the problem of carrying them in the field.
Heck! I carry a big old 62 cal smoothbore rifle in the field without any problem, and I have never seen a 22 rifle that would make anyone break a sweat.

Different strokes for different folks! Some folks just don't like the 10/22 and others do.
They sure do sell a BUNCH of them, and the versatility of them is unequaled in the rim fire category!

I like to think of them as a GREAT WHITE, instead of a BEACHED WHALE.

Also!.......Sticking to the thread. They are very reliable.

BAGTIC · « **Reply #55 on:** July 19, 2009, 01:24:55 PM »

I especially like the sights on the M66. Most practical factory sights on any 22 in ages. They are easily adjustable and repeatedly so.