Magnum Research 10/22

[Quarryman]

Hi Folks...

I've been cruising the 10/22 market in preparation for buying a gun that will be used to shoot varmints and targets. I gather this Ruger model is pretty accurate right out of the box but it can be made "nicer" by replacing the trigger, sights, and so forth.

So... rather than buying and discarding half the rifle I'm looking at the Magnum Research product (10/22 in .22 LR with carbon barrel and Hogue stock). This model appears to take the 10/22 to the next level. Though it costs twice as much as a stock Ruger gun, its price is about half that of the boutique custom guns.

I'm not looking for a knock-around plinker; I want a rifle I can take some pride in. Any MR 10/22 owners here in the Forum? I'm looking for some experienced opinions on the benefit of this platform in terms of accuracy and "user-friendliness," plus any comments on dealing with MR sales & service.

TIA for your input...

 

[9x19]

IMO, the MR guns weren't anything special in terms of accuracy. Their composite barrel is OK, but they simply used stock Ruger trigger groups, so their triggers were run of the mill. The one I owned didn't shoot appreciably better than a factory 10/22 of the time

My advice, buy the 10/22 model you like then send the barrel, bolt and trigger group to Randy @ CPC for his tune-up... best $189 you'll ever spend, IMO. Randy pioneered many of the popular 10/22 modifications you read about others doing. He does terrific work.

http://ct-precision.com/

 

[Quarryman]

Buckeye, thanks for your advice. The tip on CPC is very helpful. But wait... let's pencil out the dollars for the basic platform:

Let's say a Ruger-made 10/22 target, .920 steel barrel (non-stainless) and standard Ruger features costs about $425 street price. Add a Hogue stock, $80. Picatinny rail, $40. The total is now $545, not including shipping.

The MR can be had for about $575, street. Includes the Hogue stock, the (much lighter) carbon barrel and the Pic rail. Plus, the MR has a proprietary receiver that's at least claimed to be more robust than the Ruger unit.

Both the MR and the Ruger would benefit from the CPC treatments, and both would require the Whistle Pig threaded barrel I want in the long run. To me it seems like the two are pretty comparable, with the edge going to the MR because I wouldn't have to order and add the stock and rail separately.

If I wanted a fine-tuned sporter model, I agree--the Ruger plus the CPC work would be the way to go. But with the .920 barrel and the Hogue, things get a little less clear. One temptation is to get the Ruger Tactical or Target and have CPC work on the barrel. I'll have to give that some thought. But since I want a suppressor eventually, and suppressors cost $500 (including Federal tax), it's important to keep the basic rifle's cost under control.

Thanks...

Alan

 

[9x19]

If you're going to replace the barrel and stock, why spend any extra for the 10/22T?

The MR receiver uses a Ruger bolt and Ruger trigger housing and fits in any 10/22 stock... except for the integral rail on top, where would the supposed extra robustness come from?

Your money, time and desires.... Have fun, there are tons of options.

 

[hutchman]

Quarryman, I built this 10/22 for $350 including the scope:

It can be done with judicious shopping. You may not like the style, but with another stock, it might be just what you are looking for.

 

[hpman66]

Quarryman, I built this 10/22 for $350 including the scope:

It can be done with judicious shopping. You may not like the style, but with another stock, it might be just what you are looking for.

What kind of groups does it get and at what distance? Just curious.

 

[hutchman]

It is long gone now......broken up into parts and used in other projects. But, it was a basically stock 10/22 with a Green Mountain Barrel. I smoothed up the action and bolt....and bedded the stock. It would shoot 1" at 50 yards most of the time if I was doing my job. Not super and maybe not much better than stock, but good enough for my first build. I was happy with it......

 

[Quarryman]

I'm losing track of who has responded to what, but thanks to everybody for your input.

There are still some unknowns in the equation. But I agree, it doesn't make much sense to buy a Ruger-made target model and replace the two components that Ruger is up-charging for.

As for the receiver, I'd hope that the aftermarket receivers have better tolerances and better metallurgy--but I can't be sure. It does seem like the NC-machined receiver from MR and others would be more precise than Ruger's mass-produced one. MR also pays some extra attention to the bolt.

Ultimately the receiver might be the tie-breaker here. Other than that I can get a vanilla Ruger and trick it out with a Whistle Pig and a Hogue for less than $500. The MR is pushing $600.

It's disappointing that MR uses the stock Ruger trigger. CPC gunsmithing sounds like a good and affordable solution for that.

Thanks,

Alan

 

[BlkHawk73]

If you want to have some pride in it, why not build it yourself? You can have it exactly as YOU wish and not simply as whatever the company makes available.

 

[GasGuzzler]

Street price for a standard carbine is $200. Shop on eBay for deals on bull barrel and needed stock upgrade, add a nice scope, fix all the minor issues yourself. You'll have $200+ of your $600 left to do whatever the gun tells you needs to be done from there. I'm not sure the make up of the receiver would affect accuracy until most of the rest of the gun were aftermarket. By the way, the stock pieces are worth something for resale too.

 

[9x19]

BTW, I've no experience with Whistle Pig, but the Tactical Soulutions tensioned barrels come threaded 1/2-28 and mine has been great.

This one has the bolt and trigger group re-done by Randy.

 

[Quarryman]

Hey... that's my rifle! Or at least it looks exactly like what I had in mind, 9 x 19. I like the conventional profile of the Hogue stock more than the laminated thumbhole types.

Whistle Pig is well-respected and the factory is nearby. I would probably lean toward their product.

But all options are open, and I appreciate everybody's suggestions. I'll scavenge ebay to see what's offered there. At the very least it's looking like I may be able to cut a few corners on cost and get what I really need rather than what I thought I might want.

Last question (for now): 9 x 19, what kind of scope are you using on your 10/22 in the photo? I'm thinking a simple fixed 4X should be sufficient. There are a million choices for rimfire rifles and here again, I don't want to break the bank.

Alan

 

[9x19]

That is my "long range" .22, and it wears a Nikon Pro-Staff 3x-9x 40mm Rimfire model scope.