Recommendation for a specific Ruger 10/22 model?

[Wernher von Browning]

Howdy, all.

I'm looking at taking part in Appleseed.

Kicking the tires on an appropriate gun, what is the group wisdom on a specific model Ruger 10/22 to get?

My thinking was a 20 or 22 inch barrel, but not necessarily the "Target" model. Reason: with the spiral forging on the Target barrel, it's harder to attach an aftermarket sight like the Tech Sights (I'm told they're epoxied on for the spiral target barrel). I'm told the 20 or 22 inch barrels won't yield any extra velocity (the tiny .22 charge is long burnt up by the time the bullet gets that far) but I figure it will provide a slightly better sight radius. And it will be closer to the configuration of my normal guns.

Am I off base there?

(I like traditional wood stocks too).

So... any thoughts on a specific Ruger 10/22 model and retailer?

Thanks.

[pennys dad]

an off the shelf 10/22 whatever they have, will do just fine.

[Eljay]

I like the sporter model. Nice wood stock, has the front sight dovetail. The barrel is 19" which is plenty, really.

[Wernher von Browning]

I like the sporter model. Nice wood stock, has the front sight dovetail. The barrel is 19" which is plenty, really.

Thanks. I am leaning toward that one as well. At first all the Ruger 10/22 models seem bewildering, but after a while it starts to make sense and you realize there aren't that many choices after all.

I picked up a carbine with a plastic stock at a store the other day, and I have to say, it felt pretty toylike. Very light. (Maybe I shouldn'ta started with milsurps when I started this hobby...)

I have it narrowed to the sporter model, or the #1159.

http://www.ruger.com/products/1022Sporter/models.html

or

http://www.ruger.com/products/1022DE/specSheets/1159.html

I also looked at the option of getting a .22 upper for my AR-15 build, but those are more expensive and the reports indicate not as accurate as a plain ol' 10/22 -- at least in the price range I would consider.

[Eljay]

I'm sure you would be happy with either of those models. Note that they will still be pretty light, which isn't a bad thing shooting all day in a variety of awkward positions. The wood models feel a little more substantial but it's going to be a bit toylike if you're used to a Garand or 1903.

Speaking of awkward, I find that ARs are a little awkward with a sling in some of the positions. It's not a big deal but I think the 10/22 might be a little more straightforward, and it's nice to have in any case.

[balddragn]

My wife did it with a 16" Ruger 10-22 Jr. So as long as you've set it up well, sling swivels, better than stock sights, and a nice M1 web sling, then I havn't found a Ruger yet that won't get you through an Appleseed.

[ccandgc]

Yup, my daughter used the compact 10/22. I put some $$$ into it, and it performs well all day long.

[Francis Marion]

Howdy, all.

I'm looking at taking part in Appleseed.

Kicking the tires on an appropriate gun, what is the group wisdom on a specific model Ruger 10/22 to get?

My thinking was a 20 or 22 inch barrel, but not necessarily the "Target" model. Reason: with the spiral forging on the Target barrel, it's harder to attach an aftermarket sight like the Tech Sights (I'm told they're epoxied on for the spiral target barrel). I'm told the 20 or 22 inch barrels won't yield any extra velocity (the tiny .22 charge is long burnt up by the time the bullet gets that far) but I figure it will provide a slightly better sight radius. And it will be closer to the configuration of my normal guns.

Am I off base there?

(I like traditional wood stocks too).

So... any thoughts on a specific Ruger 10/22 model and retailer?

Thanks.

Long/large diameter target barrel:
Appleseed lasts a weekend; you're rifle lasts your lifetime; get a rifle to serve the purposes you specify for its service life. You know best what that is.

So what's a suitable rifle for AS? Any 10-22, from plain barrel to high grade custom configuration, will do fine provided that it:
1) has provision to attach target grade sights (or optic), such as Tech Sights, Williams, etc, and is outfitted with those sights (optic).
2) has 1 1/4 inch bottom (not side) mount sling swivels, and a simple, cotton M1 Garand sling.
3) functions reliably... i.e., don't shoot the rifle for the first time at the Appleseed and expect it to function. It may or may not right out of the box. Troubleshoot, prove and sight in prior to the event.

Better equipment should bring a better result on paper than entry grade equipment all other things being equal, but the Appleseed 4-minute of angle standards of performance are within the perfomance potential of a standard grade, decently sighted rifle.

Note also that equipment is no subsitute for technique; better gear, used improperly, prints just as large as a plain rifle. Which brings up the real benefit of Appleed-

The most important take away from Appleseed isn't which hardware set you end up with: rather, it's the practical knowledge to hit what you are shooting at.

The software is more important than the hardware. So good skill, listen up, and enjoy the weekend. Good moxy to strive to learn how to use your rifle. That's a life time pursuit in which you apply and perfect what you learn from Appleseed and other sources of instruction.