Ruger 10/22 Target Review – The Ultimate .22LR Range Rifle

Ruger 10/22 Target Lite Review: Summary


RUGER 10/22 TARGET LITE
Reliability

Reliability

Despite the fact that it is a semiautomatic, the action of this rifle is very reliable.

Accuracy

Accuracy

As a cartridge, the classic rimfire .22LR can only be so accurate. However, this rifle will allow you to get the absolute max out of the round.

Ergonomics

Ergonomics

I love the stock of this rifle. It’s extremely comfortable.

looks

Looks

I think this is one of the sleekest looking rifles out there.

Customization

Customization

There are quite a few different things you can do to this rifle. The 10/22 has been around for a while, so there are plenty of options.

Bang for your Buck

Bang for your Buck

This rifle is pretty pricey for a .22LR, but it is an extremely high quality product.

We Like

  • Accuracy. Like we’ve said a few times, this rifle will allow you to get the most from .22LR. This is due to the ergonomics and excellent trigger.
  • Shootability. As with most .22LR rifles, this is extremely fun to shoot. The recoil is nonexistent, and it feels natural to aim and shoot.
  • Ergonomics. You will love the thumbhole stock.

We Don't Like

  • Price. Despite how high quality this rifle is, it is still a .22LR. Some people won’t like to pay this much for a .22LR rifle, and I can understand that. However, the Target Lite is a great rifle, and we feel that it’s worth that.

This is a reliable rifle that shoots accurately, but it is a little more expensive than most people would like to pay for a .22LR rifle.

Hello and welcome to my Ruger 10/22 Target review.

I recently bought a Ruger 10/22 Target to replace my classic Ruger 10/22 Carbine. My rifle in my bug out bag is a Ruger 10/22 Takedown. In case this doesn’t make things clear, I think the Ruger 10/22 is the single best rimfire rifle available. There are a couple different versions available, but in this article, we will be talking about the Target Lite.

Ruger 1022 Target - 1

I chose the Target Lite to replace my old Carbine because I primarily used that rifle as a range gun. That’s not to say I didn’t kill some varmints with it. I absolutely did that. However, my most common use for the gun was just plinking at the range. For this reason, I felt like the Target Lite would suit my needs best.

If you’re interested in learning more about this rifle, continue reading for our full review of Ruger 10/22 Target Lite.

What is the rifle for?

As the name might imply, this rifle is largely aimed at target shooting. However, its uses are certainly not limited to just that.

Ruger 1022 Target - 2

We’ve said it before, but .22LR is one of the most versatile rounds out there. It is inexpensive, pretty easy to find, easy to shoot, and is excellent for killing small animals.

This is a great rifle for teaching new shooters. Whenever I’m teaching someone how to shoot, .22LR is always my personal choice. My thought process is that the round is very quiet and doesn’t have much recoil, so it takes some of the fear factor out of shooting a gun. This allows the new shooter to focus on the fundamentals without being scared of the “pop.”

Ruger 1022 Target - 3

Another thing that I use this rifle for is killing varmints. We’ve mentioned it a few times, but this round is more than acceptable for killing pests off your property or farm. It is also great for racoon hunting, if you’re into that.

At the end of the day, this rifle is right at home on the range. It is extremely easy and comfortable to shoot, and it offers some great features that will approve your accuracy. More on that later!

Ruger 10/22 Target Review: Breakdown

The 10/22 Target Lite is a very sleek looking semiautomatic rifle that shoots .22LR. It has a 16.13 inch barrel and is 35.25 inches long overall. It weighs in at 5 pounds, and it has a 10 round magazine capacity.

Ruger 1022 Target - 4

One of the most unique features of the rifle is the stock. It is made from an extremely sleek looking laminate and has a unique wood look. The stock also has a thumbhole grip, which is very comfortable shooting. The rubber buttpad minimizes what little recoil the rifle has.

However, the pros of this rifle aren’t only just based on the cosmetics. It offers some excellent features that will improve your shooting. For starters, it has an excellent adjustable trigger and a cold hammer forged barrel within a sleeve. These two features alone make this twice as accurate as a regular .22LR rifle.

Ruger 1022 Target - 5

Another huge pro of this rifle is that it’s a very reliable rifle. While many people feel that semiautomatic isn’t as reliable as bolt action, with advances in technology, this difference is smaller than ever. The action of this rifle is extremely smooth, and it will always work.

Ruger 10/22 Target Safety and Reliability

The Target Lite is a very safe rifle. It has a positive cross bolt safety that is engaged with a push button. It’s really easy to use, and it makes it very easy for the shooter to understand.

Ruger 1022 Target - 6

In terms of reliability, it doesn’t get much better than the Ruger 10/22. The Target Lite is no different. It will last for years and years to come. I know this firsthand, because like I said, I had an older Ruger 10/22 for about a decade. This rifle lasted me for thousands of rounds, and I have no doubt that the Target Lite will be the same.

Long story short, Ruger has been making the 10/22 for over 50 years. If they weren’t reliable, this wouldn’t be the case. You can always trust rifles that have been around for decades!

Ruger 10/22 Target Review: Comfort and Shootability

This is where the Ruger 10/22 Target Lite really shines. It is one of the most comfortable rifles I’ve ever owned. Compared to the Ruger 10/22 Carbine, it is a night and day difference.

The comfort comes primarily from the stock, like we’ve already talked about. As we said before, the thumbhole in the stock leading to the grip is one of the most natural grips that I’ve ever felt. The rest of the stock matches this. It has a comfortable rubber buttpad, and the stock is fashioned in a way that fits your hand and shoulder perfectly. It’s difficult to explain, but it’s a natural fit.

The shootability is excellent as well. The primary reason for this is Ruger’s BX-Trigger. This is an excellent adjustable trigger. It has an extremely light pull and a very quick, positive reset. As far as factory triggers go, it doesn’t get much better than the BX-Trigger.

Ruger 1022 Target - 7

This combination of comfort and shootability leads directly into how accurate this rifle is. Like we mentioned before, this is quite a bit more accurate than its competition. The accuracy in the grip and the adjustable trigger go a long way in improving this.

Accessories and Upgrades

One more pro of this rifle is that there are plenty of upgrades you can easily do.

For starters, the rifle comes with a scope base adapter, and comes with two different types of scope mounts (Weaver-style and .22 tip-off). For this rifle, I love the Vortex Diamondback rimfire scope.

VORTEX OPTICS - DIAMONDBACK 2-7X35MM RIMFIRE SCOPE V-PLEX RETICLE

VORTEX OPTICS - DIAMONDBACK 2-7X35MM RIMFIRE SCOPE V-PLEX RETICLE

Another obvious should be a sling. I like the way a classic leather sling pairs with the wood stock, but any sling will work. This will also help your accuracy.

SINCLAIR MANUFACTURING - MONTANA SLING

SINCLAIR MANUFACTURING - MONTANA SLING

For those longer days at the range, you’re probably going to want some more magazines. There are a few options available. You can get another 10 round magazine or try out a larger 50 round magazine if you’re feeling a little extra oomph

RUGER - RUGER 10/22 MAGAZINE 22LR

RUGER - RUGER 10/22 MAGAZINE 22LR

RUGER - RUGER 10/22 50RD MAGAZINE 22LR

RUGER - RUGER 10/22 50RD MAGAZINE 22LR

If you’re looking to do some more competitive shooting with the rifle, you could upgrade the bolt assembly and barrel, but we would leave the stock trigger. It’s that good.

VOLQUARTSEN - RUGER 10/22 COMPETITION BOLT ASSEMBLY

VOLQUARTSEN - RUGER 1022 COMPETITION BOLT ASSEMBLY

E.R. SHAW - RUGER 10/22 TARGET BARRELS

RUGER® 10/22® TARGET BARRELS

Conclusion

After reading my Ruger 10/22 Target review, you will probably notice that it is an excellent rifle for a number of uses. It is a reliable rifle that shoots accurately, but it is a little more expensive than most people would like to pay for a .22LR rifle.

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