Recently a Ruger 10/22 CRR-BBZ 16-1/8" standard barrel, grey laminated stock.
http://www.ruger-firearms...rear...=1212&return=Y
First Impression: Nice looking, handy size and light weight (4 lb 9 oz according to my scale). Magazine release is easy and intuitive. The new design is superior and easier to use to previous versions. Bolt Lock back and release are less intuitive and requires two hands. The sights are minimal but good with some adjustment. For me to achieve a good sight picture I must slide the stock higher on my cheek and the heel of the butt plate edge rises above my shoulder. The short length-of-pull (12-3/4") is probably the main reason for this.
First test firing, 25 feet, indoors, sitting position.
Federal Bulk value pack ammo - 1,179 fps average. Standard of Deviation of 19.28. Fed and ejected flawlessly. There was one squib that exited the barrel and was recovered on the ground ~ ten feet ahead of the firing line. I have fired thousands of these rounds and this is the first that didn't fire normally.. The as shipped sight setting has POI 2" high and ½" left of POA. Group size ~1"
Federal Auto Match - 1,196 fps average 15.62 SD. Fed and ejected flawlessly. Accuracy similar and POI nearly identical to the Federal Bulk ammo.
Winchester XPERT. 1251 fps Avgerage with 30.34 SD. Accuracy and POI nearly identical to the Federal Bulk and Auto-Match ammo. I did have one "Stove-Pipe with this ammo.
Federal Champion: 1195 fps Average with a 9.43 SD. I had adjusted the sights at this point so the rifle is now printing slightly higher than POA and centered. This ammo produced the best groups with multiple 3 shot groups with all shots touching. The ammo fed and ejected flawlessly.
Other observations.
The brass remains very hot once fired. I don't recall ever having brass be too hot to hold after ejecting.
I'll give the fit and finish a solid 'B+" taking price into account. Though not blued in the traditional way and many of the parts are plastic, the rifle does look good and feel like a good quality firearm.
The trigger is heavy, especially later in the shooting session.
Compared to the Marlin 700PSS Papoose it feels more substantial and the quality seems slightly better including the aesthetics. The Marlin has a superior Bolt Lock as it stays back on the last shot and is easier and more intuitive to use. The Marlin Papoose also shoots is slightly more accurate and less finicky about ammo. The Marlin's trigger is less heavy too. The cheek weld on the Marlin using the stock sights feels more natural and the Marlin is more than a pound lighter. The Ruger will fire without the magazine and the latest version of the Marlin Papoose will not without depressing a tab inside the mag-well. Except for the cheek-weld the Ruger feels more natural and comfortable to shoot. I like the flush magazine better than the Marlin's though pouches for Marlin's magazines are easier to find and superior to what I've seen available (as of now) for the Ruger. The Ruger has a MANY more accessories, customizations and magazines available. Price wise these models are about the same.
This was my first trip out with the Ruger. I will mount a scope on it and do further ammo testing at longer ranges. So far I'd rate it a good buy and I like it. I'm not an auto-loader enthusiast but this one will likely stay in my collection. I would say it is worth the extra money compared to the discount store versions.
http://www.ruger-firearms...rear...=1212&return=Y
First Impression: Nice looking, handy size and light weight (4 lb 9 oz according to my scale). Magazine release is easy and intuitive. The new design is superior and easier to use to previous versions. Bolt Lock back and release are less intuitive and requires two hands. The sights are minimal but good with some adjustment. For me to achieve a good sight picture I must slide the stock higher on my cheek and the heel of the butt plate edge rises above my shoulder. The short length-of-pull (12-3/4") is probably the main reason for this.
First test firing, 25 feet, indoors, sitting position.
Federal Bulk value pack ammo - 1,179 fps average. Standard of Deviation of 19.28. Fed and ejected flawlessly. There was one squib that exited the barrel and was recovered on the ground ~ ten feet ahead of the firing line. I have fired thousands of these rounds and this is the first that didn't fire normally.. The as shipped sight setting has POI 2" high and ½" left of POA. Group size ~1"
Federal Auto Match - 1,196 fps average 15.62 SD. Fed and ejected flawlessly. Accuracy similar and POI nearly identical to the Federal Bulk ammo.
Winchester XPERT. 1251 fps Avgerage with 30.34 SD. Accuracy and POI nearly identical to the Federal Bulk and Auto-Match ammo. I did have one "Stove-Pipe with this ammo.
Federal Champion: 1195 fps Average with a 9.43 SD. I had adjusted the sights at this point so the rifle is now printing slightly higher than POA and centered. This ammo produced the best groups with multiple 3 shot groups with all shots touching. The ammo fed and ejected flawlessly.
Other observations.
The brass remains very hot once fired. I don't recall ever having brass be too hot to hold after ejecting.
I'll give the fit and finish a solid 'B+" taking price into account. Though not blued in the traditional way and many of the parts are plastic, the rifle does look good and feel like a good quality firearm.
The trigger is heavy, especially later in the shooting session.
Compared to the Marlin 700PSS Papoose it feels more substantial and the quality seems slightly better including the aesthetics. The Marlin has a superior Bolt Lock as it stays back on the last shot and is easier and more intuitive to use. The Marlin Papoose also shoots is slightly more accurate and less finicky about ammo. The Marlin's trigger is less heavy too. The cheek weld on the Marlin using the stock sights feels more natural and the Marlin is more than a pound lighter. The Ruger will fire without the magazine and the latest version of the Marlin Papoose will not without depressing a tab inside the mag-well. Except for the cheek-weld the Ruger feels more natural and comfortable to shoot. I like the flush magazine better than the Marlin's though pouches for Marlin's magazines are easier to find and superior to what I've seen available (as of now) for the Ruger. The Ruger has a MANY more accessories, customizations and magazines available. Price wise these models are about the same.
This was my first trip out with the Ruger. I will mount a scope on it and do further ammo testing at longer ranges. So far I'd rate it a good buy and I like it. I'm not an auto-loader enthusiast but this one will likely stay in my collection. I would say it is worth the extra money compared to the discount store versions.
