Hello to all;
I was cruising my local Tractor Supply recently for some items when I stumbled across a display of Air Rifles which happened to include a RUGER 10/22 Repeater Co2 air rifle .177 caliber; I had read some articles about this Rifle, Made by UMAREX a German Company with offices in the US; it is a basic copy of the RUGER 10/22 .22 caliber Rim fire Rifle (externally). I assume Ruger USA contracted with Umarex to license their name.
I picked up the box looking for a price; it had a sticker stating $ 49.95!! What?? I asked a store clerk to verify and he did, this is NIB!! So out the store it went with me!! I have seen these advertised on the net at $119 - $129??
While This Air Rifle is the “Spitting image” of the Ruger 10/22 .22 cal. Rim fire Rifle, externally (as intended) it of course is dramatically different internally!! Specs on this rifle are as follows:
Cal. 177 10 shot magazine repeater, OAL 34”, 4.5 lbs, barrel length 18 inches, push type safety, front site Gold Bead, rear sight adjustable for elevation only,( DOES LOOK LIKE REAR SIGHT BASE IS IN A DOVETAIL SLOT BUT IT IS PLASTIC AND I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND TRYING TO MOVE IT LATERALLY WITH A PUNCH)!! Trigger pull DA, 9.15 lbs., SA, cock first, pull 3.15 lbs. OAL weight 4.5 lbs. It utilizes 2- CO2 -12 gm cartridges. It comes with attachments for a sling, and has a detachable clip, housing a 10 round magazine. Also drilled and tapped for scope mount base. (*NOTE rifle must be un-cocked to remove/replace magazine clip.) One further note regarding the 10 RD magazine, WHEN LOADING THE PELLETS I USED A PELLET SEATING DEVICE TO SEAT PELLETS IN MAGAZINE before INSTALLING in clip!
Installing the co2 cartridges is a bit atypical, in that the co2 cartridges are installed in the butt end of the rifle. Looking at the rear butt plate of the rifle one can see a small spring loaded cylindrical plug with a slot in the center, using a fingernail, dime or such, the plug must be pushed in and rotated 90 degrees to the left and then the butt plate is removed exposing the hex tool used to unscrew the Co2 cartridge securing device, thus exposing the tunnel for the co2 cartridges. The first co2 cartridge is installed small neck down, 2nd small neck up, then install and tighten the securing device. Sounds complicated but as they say; practice makes perfect. Before installing the co2 cartridges I cleaned the bore with my PATCH WORM cleaning kit (I personally like this Kit). Three patches and it was clean!!
The Ruger 10/22 .177 is advertised at 700 FPS!! In fact it is marked as such on the factory box in big Red Letters!! However if one reads the small stuff below that, it qualifies that, with “Alloy Pellets!!! At any rate I ran chronograph numbers using Crosman 7.9 gr. PMHP. Felt these would provide actual real numbers, and I had a bunch on hand!! I shot 45 shots over the chrono with a high of 628 fps and a low on shot number 45 of 490 fps. This gave an avg. of 559 fps. 5.5 ft. lbs.over 45 shots. Not bad in my opinion.
Accuracy will be tested at 10 and 20 YDS from a bench rest using the same Crosman 7.9 gr. PMHP and 8.1gr.Vogel Match Pellets. I had installed an old Tasco RF3-7X20x ¾’’ Scope, using a Weaver scope mount and I inch rings. I had previously machined some Delrin split ring ID reducers so I could use 1 inch rings on ¾ inch scopes, used this set up on several rifles previously, works well, and should be a perfect combo for the Ruger 10/22. I have had this scope since the early 80s; it also has an OVAL sight picture. All testing utilized single action: cocking first!!
After adjusting and sighting in, scope on 4x, I shot 10 shots using the cock first scenario, first with Crosman 7.9 gr.PMHP, 10 shot groups measured .460” c-c, wow that was impressive!! Next the Vogel MATCH 8.1 gr.10 shot group measured .350” c-c!! Dang; this thing can shoot!!! I admit I was thoroughly surprised!!!
Now the real proof of the pudding; will try the same test at 20 yds!! We shall see?? After getting set up at the bench, scope on 7x, I started with the Vogel wadcutters; shooting 10 rounds I got a 9 shot group of 1.390”c-c with one called flyer. Not to surprised that the groups opened up; this is a match type flat nose pellet intended for 10 m shooting, it’s ok for plinking at this distance!!
The Crosman PMHP delivered a 1.0” c-c, 10 shot group and is the pellet of choice for this particular Rifle, which is great, a readily available low cost pellet that can be found at most Wal-Mart stores!!!
Well I must say at $49.95 this turned out to be a really good buy and, based on my experience, I for one can certainly recommend it to others!!
Garey