First Gun 10/22 Takedown: Tips?
 

I bought my first gun yesterday, a 10/22 takedown. I want to ask for ANY tips you have regarding anything on .22 rifles or guns specifically.

Unfortunately my dad hates firearms so I won't get this talk from him.

Here's what I do know. Don't dry fire rimfire guns, it'll damage the hammer. Other than that, what ammo should I buy (CCI looks like a favorite here), how should I maintain the gun, what upgrades should I get etc.

Also keep the tips CA legal. This state's gun laws suck. I should really say I paid for a 10/22 takedown but it's sitting in a gun shop for 10 days......

Canyon- first, welcome to the Forum- we're glad you found your way here.

The 10-22 is sort of the Barbie Doll of 22 rifles. The price of a Barbie is quite reasonable. But then you need Barbie clothes, Barbie's car, Barbie's Dream House, and....... well, you get the idea. Good rifle- has more accessories that a Harley Dealership.

CCI makes a very decent 22 cartridge. There are better. Known as Match grade ammo, you will pay a LOT more.

Cleaning and maintenance- first, read the manual. If you do not HAVE the manual, go to the Ruger website and download it. Second, do not over clean it. .22 rimfire IS somewhat dirty, and you will need to clean powder residue from the action- the barrel- not so much.

Dry firing MANY .22s will damage the firing pin or mouth of the chamber. Remember that a .22 is NOT a toy- it has enough power to inflict a fatal wound, and CAN drive a bullet about a mile and a half. Know your target, what is beyond, and keep your bloody finger OUTSIDE the trigger guard until you are ready to shoot.

http://thefiringline.com/Misc/safetyrules.html

As you get some specific questions, come on back. DO spend some time reading thru threads that have already been posted on that topic.

I can't buy the BX-25 magazine but I was wondering if there were similarly styled magazines that were limited to ten rounds. I asked because I'm not terribly thrilled with the rectangular rotary magazine, it fits nice and flush but I'm not too pleased with the sharp corners when reloading.

If I remember correctly, JonM, one of our venerated moderators, just bought the exact same gun. He has some hands on experience with this gun and again...IIRC, he really liked it. If he doesn't show up in this thread, try to PM him and I'm sure he'd be more than willing to give you his 2 cents...:cool:

Congratulations on the new rifle! Enjoy it safely. Don't take a bunch of people with you the first time you take it plinking, take one or two level-headed, calm friends. Go ahead and use some earplugs and safety glasses, stuff rarely happens when you are ready for it. Those splat-marked targets are worth it.

It is my understanding that CA limits magazine capacity, not quantity; buy several of the ten round mags and look for some kind of mag loader to make it easier to seat the round in the mag without hurting your thumb.

http://www.tech-sights.com/
An option if you don't like your iron sights.

my 10/22TD likes the cci blazer. my best tip for the takedown is to properly adjust the barrel nut. i adjusted mine by twisting it all the way in then putting the barrel in. twist the nut out until it wont go anymore. take the barrel off give it three or four clicks of twist out then try to reassemble. it shouldnt mate up with the receiver. twist the nut inwards one click at a time until it locks in place tightly.

there is only one speed loader device the butler creek loader. it sorta works. altho it has dented some rounds so badly i had to take apart my bx25s to get the bullets out.

after properly adjusting the barrel nut/ spacer mine returns to zero after multiple sessions of disassembly.

best group shot with mine was with cci blazer 1.5 inches 4 shots 100yds.

you can safely dry fire 10/22s and most ruger 22's that are in stock configuration using stock barrels. some aftermarket barrels will be damaged by dry firing.

Don't shoot CCIs 10/22's will shoot anything you put in them good, so you might as well shoot the cheap stuff.

I appreciate the advice with the basic questions! I'm glad to hear the gun isn't damaged with dry firing. As of now I'm concentrating so hard on shooting I don't count the rounds and end up dry firing after the 10th shot.

Another noob question I have is, why do some guns bolt remain back after the final round in a magazine and some don't? Are there reasons you'd want one or the other?

Some remain open because its a feature designed into them to aid in loading fresh ammunition. Volquartsen makes a bolt hold open lever that allows you to lock the bolt back then then just pull the charging handle to release. Not really neccessary but its damn convinient and doesnt cost much for the part.

The takedown already comes with an extended mag release . You dont really need anything but extra mags and ammo with the takedown model. Its a steller firearm.

new rimfire 10-22
 

Do not dry fire a rimfire or any rifle or hand gun for that matter.BUY SNAP CAPS, THEY MAKE THEM FOR ALL CALIBERS:) Cliff