I finally got a chance to take my newly face lifted Ruger 10/22 (Project 10/22) down to the outdoor range for some serious sighting in. Previously, I got a chance to put the 200 rounds that the new trigger group requires for break in through it, but it needed some room to stretch it’s legs a bit, and to give the new glass a proper work out.
50 Yards
I started on the 50 yard line as the Nikon scope is set up to be sighted at 50. I was using Federal Game-Shok 38gr hollow points. These are what I plan on using for squirrel hunting, and .22 is still cheap enough to use the “good stuff” on occasion. I was happy to be on paper with my first shots. I mounted the scope so I was a bit nervous! It was printing perfectly on elevation and needed 12 “clicks” to the right to put it dead on. It was shooting nice .75″ 3 shot groups at 50 yards. The bi-pod gave me a nice solid rest and I didn’t feel the need to lock the rifle down on the Lead Sled.
100 Yards
By the time I was getting ready to shoot the 100 yard line the wind had picked up pretty wickedly and was gusting from left to right across the firing line. I put a few rounds down range and was happy with the 2″ groups it was putting out. Hopefully I can get out there on a calm day and give the long range potential of this scope a proper work out.
Final Thoughts
I am in love with how this project turned out. The new trigger group and bolt handle have smoothed out this action better than I even imagined. I had another 10/22 at the range with me and the difference in trigger pull and what I can only describe as “overall smoothness” is noticeable. The Nikon scope is amazing! Prior to this, this rifle wore a Wal-Mart special that was accurate enough but lacked the crystal clear view of the new scope. Future mods might include a new barrel as this one has to have something like 12,000 rounds down the pipe. I might also put one of those plastic buffers in and see if they live up to the hype.
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Good info on the scope – always like good groupings!
Congrats on a sponsor
Nice looking 10/22 you have Mike! I enjoy shooting mine a lot. My son does also. Congrats on the sponsor also! Way to go!!
Beautiful rifle. I’m getting ready to buy my 3rd 10/22 (the new takedown model) if it’s still legal when I get to the store! My daughter loves it when we go out shooting ours together.
Thanks Andrew. I’m in the market for another myself. I re-built this one to fix the stuff I had did to it as a kid. Now I find myself yearning for something with a nice wood stock and open sights.
If you need additional goals, a great one is to attend an Appleseed Project and score rifleman! Make sure you get the sling before you go, however! You won’t regret it! (Buy a couples slings on their web store to save on shipping).