Opinions on Ruger 10/22 Heavy Barrel

karolko · #1 10-01-2012

Hello Everyone,

I was wondering what you all had to say about the Ruger 10/22 Heavy Barrel. Is it that much better than a regular Ruger 10/22? Is it worth the extra money?

I would like to get my old man semi 22 for christmas and he has really taken a liking to the regular ruger 10/22 that i own, so i was aiming to stay on that route.

Any opinions would be nice.

Also, where to find them. Bass Pro shops doesn't have them in stock.

Adrian

dieselboy20 · #2 10-01-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by karolko

Hello Everyone,

I was wondering what you all had to say about the Ruger 10/22 Heavy Barrel. Is it that much better than a regular Ruger 10/22? Is it worth the extra money?

I would like to get my old man semi 22 for christmas and he has really taken a liking to the regular ruger 10/22 that i own, so i was aiming to stay on that route.

Any opinions would be nice.

Also, where to find them. Bass Pro shops doesn't have them in stock.

Adrian

I bought a heavy barrel 10/22 a couple years ago, I like the looks of it and what not compared to the regular barrel but I am not entirely sure its worth the extra money or not. Its just a .22 not a 22-250, I really screwed up when I didn't buy a heavy barrel for that calibre haha. Unless your emptying your banana clip all at one time the 10/22 doesn't get that hot and I know a lot of people that have fired a lot of rounds through a regular barrel ruger and the guns all perform just fine. Almost any hunting shop will have them, they aren't rare guns by any means. Remington makes a model 597 semi auto in a heavy barrel thats quite a bit cheaper, not sure how it performs compared to the 10/22

Mickey · #3 10-01-2012

I like mine, but ultimately it all comes down to personal preference.

Being out smashing gophers for a long afternoon would get tiring if you didnt have a shooting stick with you that is for sure.

elkhunter11 · #4 10-01-2012

The 10/22 Target models that I fired were more accurate than the standard 10/22s that myself and friends owned. Every one of my own 10/22s ended up with an aftermarket heavy barrel. I currently own a heavy barreled Volquartsen , and I like the balance with the heavier barrel.

aulrich · #5 10-01-2012

I like mine, it is heavy after a day of walking for gophers and I still put in a VQ trigger.

Mine is plenty accurate for me, and noticeably more accurate that the factory standards I have shot.

Did I mention that it was heavy

HunterDave · #6 10-01-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by karolko

......he has really taken a liking to the regular ruger 10/22 that i own, so i was aiming to stay on that route.

Then that's the route that you should go then.

Get him what he already likes. I'm sure that he'd appreciate it a lot!

V-Diddy · #7 10-01-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by karolko

Hello Everyone,

I was wondering what you all had to say about the Ruger 10/22 Heavy Barrel. Is it that much better than a regular Ruger 10/22? Is it worth the extra money?

I would like to get my old man semi 22 for christmas and he has really taken a liking to the regular ruger 10/22 that i own, so i was aiming to stay on that route.

Any opinions would be nice.

Also, where to find them. Bass Pro shops doesn't have them in stock.

Adrian

10/22 target model will have a better trigger and barrel right from the factory. I had a regular 10/22 and hated the trigger on it until I dropped a target hammer in. I was planning to keep customizing it, but then a really good deal came up on the target model, so I bought it and love shooting it. It is a bit heavier though. Having said that, I agree with the post above... Buy him what he already likes, or give him yours and you try the target 10/22 for yourself.

Ceilidh69 · #8 10-01-2012

I like mine but since I got a .17 HMR it gets quite a bit less use.

score · #9 10-02-2012

I also looked at and thought about the target .22's but decided that the .22's we have are sufficient. To me, .22's are fun guns to just play with and have fun. I don't think you will get alot better performance, but probably some. They sell all types and configurations and colors of the Rugers. I would get him one that you think he would like best and put the other $ into a 204R, 17's, 222,223,22-250, etc., etc.. But, that's just the way I see it. You have to go with what you and your Dad want. Performance - not so much I think, but looks wise maybe a heavy barrel model may appeal to you. As was said, you will probably get a better trigger. Most rimfires are not all that expensive. The new Marlins are nice, as are the Savages. There are alot of nice rimfires of all kinds. If set on a Ruger, there are many options as well. If not in a rush, take some time to look over all of the brands. Just my opinion. Most rimfires are like I said, relatively cheap. I will always buy more. Fun to own and shoot, and ammo is nothing. Good luck. I'm sure that your Dad will like and appreciate what you decide to get him.

elkhunter11 · #10 10-02-2012

Quote:

I also looked at and thought about the target .22's but decided that the .22's we have are sufficient. To me, .22's are fun guns to just play with and have fun. I don't think you will get alot better performance, but probably some.

Sure the 22lr is fun, but the simple truth is that out to 100 yards or so, a high quality 22lr using decent ammunition is quite capable of outshooting many centerfires. Part of the fun that I get out of my 22lr rifles is doing just that at the local range.

score · #11 10-02-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

Sure the 22lr is fun, but the simple truth is that out to 100 yards or so, a high quality 22lr using decent ammunition is quite capable of outshooting many centerfires. Part of the fun that I get out of my 22lr rifles is doing just that at the local range.

Hey elk. I agree with you 100%. If a guy wants to do that and get the set up, etc. that's very true. I have thought about it with the .22 but opted for the 17 HMR, etc. for more precision shooting. I do think that the actual difference is small for the average guy unless he were to take it serious like it appears you have. The OP's ? didn't give me the impression that that is what he really wanted and I was pointing out that "regular" .22's can give quite good performance and his options are vast.

karolko · #12 10-14-2012

Hey Guys,

I finally got back onto the site as i am currently working in the bush.

Thanks for the replies, It appears that it might jsut be better to start with a regular 10/22 and upgrade it from there.

Most guys seem to say an aftermarkket barrel on trigger are the common upgrades.

Would you say that putting in a nice aftermarket trigger into a regular ruger would help it out substaintially?

I am quite happy with my regular one as it stands, and these are going to be used 99% on gohpers.

Most of you guys seem to comment on the wieght of the thing, so it might just be better to keep the regular...

Thanks for the advice guys, if there is anymore, please post.

Adrian

philthygeezer · #13 10-14-2012

After a few years I think the VQ muzzle weighted barrel is a wonderful thing. Perhaps even better would be a tapered non fluted 22-24" factory contour target barrel.

Lugging around a heavy barrel that doesn't add functionality is maybe not worth it. A longer factory contour target barrel moves the muzzle blast away, hangs a bit better with the weight out front and gives you a tighter chamber.