Monday, March 18, 2019

Monday Shoot - Ruger Rimfire Roustabout




"LSP, what are you up to tomorrow?" asked the text, followed by one simple answer, "Shooting, join in." And that's what happened, CC drove over from the Metrosprawl, we loaded up the rig with guns and headed to the range. 




I wanted to test out not one, not two but three Ruger rimfires, an American .17 HMR, .22 LR, and the country's favorite semi, a 10/22. But first off we shot off a box of skeet, smoking the biodegradable orange adversaries in good order with a CZ Bobwhite SxS 20. What a great little gun, bang on.


A Gang of Three

Then it was down to serious business with the Rugers, while CC plinked away. I hadn't shot the .17 in ages and, please don't laugh, wanted to see if the dirt cheap, made in China, Simmons 4x scope I'd bought this morning from Walmart actually worked. It boldly advertised itself as ".22 MAGNUM," so perhaps it would.


That's Weird, it Works

And it did, amazingly, right out of the box with minimal adjustment, sending the tiny high velocity rounds into a small silhouette with miraculous $26 precision. Well done, Ruger and Chicom Simmons, you shoot like a laser. I was taken aback.


Best Ruger American .22 LR Group 

Next up, I checked the zero on another Ruger American, a .22 I'd unscientifically sighted in last week at around 50 yards. After a bit of adjustment, it was well in the zone and the same went for the 10/22, which shot as it should given iron sights and LSPvision. So well done, Rugers, you work, but which one's best?


Note Expensive Scope

The American .17 was easily the most accurate, cheap optic regardless, and its .22 twin wasn't far off either, which you'd expect from these rifles because their "Patented Power Bedding® integral bedding block system positively locates the receiver and free-floats the barrel for outstanding accuracy." 


CC

At least that's the marketing and sure enough, the aluminium blocks which the American's receiver screws into seem to do the trick. The barrel's crowned too and comes with an adjustable trigger, 3-5 pounds, which doesn't hurt. 


Proper Little Blaster

Then there's the 10/22, which has been around since 1964 and's still going strong. Why? Because it's an excellent rifle, reliable, accurate, and a lot of semi-auto fun. It's also around $60 cheaper than the American rimfires.


Yet Another Ruger

So I'd say they're all good depending on what you're after. For rounds in the same hole accuracy at an affordable price, the .17 does the trick, provided there's no wind to blow the little bullet off course. 


Random LSP With Shotgun

For a less accurate but cheap to shoot all day alternative, either the 10/22 or the American .22 are more than good and inexpensive to boot. One's semi, the other's bolt, the American's perhaps more advanced but the 10/22 can get a lot of rounds off quickly. Your call.

Needless to say, I like them all, buy one of each if you're into shooting the lowly .22 and its faster cousin, the .17.


Texas

The shoot finished with a good old blast off against the enemy. Soda cans, range debris, steel plates and silhouettes all met their match as the afternoon lengthened into evening under the Texan sky, and that was that. Big fun and always good to get out and shoot.

Gun rights,

LSP 

8 comments:

Brig said...

Sounds like a very good day!

LL said...

None of that sounds very progressive. And you weren't joined by Bobby O'Rorque, the famous Texan. However maybe he'd have ended up crying for mommy (who apparently voted for a Republican once and sent junior into a mini-apology tour) in the face of such Second Amendment behavior. I can't figure out whether Texas is pro-gun or anti-gun these days but your blog leads me to the opinion that there are still people who practice with firearms despite the opinions of your famous (above mentioned) leader.

I can only hope that your day of shooting was topped off with a Karen's Burrito or perhaps a fried pie?

Jim said...

I like the 10/.22 and have had one for 40 years now. I need to get it out and play with it again, hopefully the next time I work the range. We were so busy the last time that I didn't get to do any shooting myself.

LindaG said...

A fun day. Thanks for all the info and the great shot of the real Texas. :)

LSP said...

It really was, Brig. Been shooting more lately and liking it!

LSP said...

Texas is a weird mix, LL, it has to be said. On the one hand you've got Austin. Then, on the other, you've got the Compounds. Well, I know which one's best.

But no Karen's or pies till Easter!

LSP said...

I like those little guns, Jim. Proper little blasters.

LSP said...

Linda, it's good to get out! I think I'd find it difficult living in the 'sprawl.