Thread: 22 Semi Auto

Originally Posted by MB

So what about those flash factory 10/22 models, the "Competition" and "Target" models? Are they good?

I have had a couple of 10/22's over the years, and tuned a few for cobbers. Of those none shot exceptionally well, or badly for that matter. The reason they never stuck with me was the fat stock, in my hand they just don't carry well.

When I started doing a bit of 22 competion shooting at gongs my bolt guns were the first cab off the rank as the semi's I had weren't suitable. i soon found that being 60ish I couldn't keep up with the young guys moving on stages, so I started looking out for a semi to speed things up a triffle.

After a bit of research I started keeping an eye out for a Ruger 10-22 HB (Heavy Barrel) and one soon fell into my hands via the forum. I changed the stock to a cheap Magpul so as to get a cheek-piece I could adjust, and installed a Kidd single stage trigger (the slightly cheaper one). The rifle with stock Ruger hammer forged barrel looked like it was going to shoot well so I bedded it into the magpul stock. Its now the single most accurate 22 I've ever owned, and there have been a bunch of them over the last 10 years - several flavours of Annie's and CZ's, a Winchester M52, and others including a Kidd.

The rifle shoots consistent groups of 0.6" at 50M with a good batch of ammo. I know others will chip in and say their "xxxx shot a 3/8 group at x but I dare them to post a 6x5 target (5 or 6 groups in a row on the same page at 50Y/50M).


I don't doubt that the Ruger Competition models can be gotten to shoot very well, but they may need the same tinkering with action screw torques, bedding etc as a standard heavy barrel (which will be a lot less $$) to get to shoot.