Ruger 10/22 or Smith and Wesson M&P 15-22 for rimfire matches?

[terrehautian]

I had decided to get a rimfire match gun for next year besides trying it with my P22. Had pretty much decided on a 15-22, but after shooting a Ruger 10/22 this past weekend, which one is better? I can get magazines for around 16 for both (non factory brands). The difference is about 200 in price for the guns. I like the look of the 15-22, but the 10/22 caught my attention due to it being 200 cheaper. I figure I could be in a 10/22 for about 100-200 less then a 15-22 once I get a red dot and four 25 capacity magazines (or two 25 round and one 50 round drum magazine).

This would be for rimfire matches and range fun.

 

[stack23]

10/22 gets my vote, the custom possibilities are endless

 

[Malard]

10/22 gets my vote, the custom possibilities are endless

Same here, id love to have the Troy Industries kit!

 

[terrehautian]

After looking up accessories (stocks, barrels, optics, etc.), finding out how much the gun would cost me through a friends business, and then pricing everything together in my head. I would be in a 10/22 for roughly 550 for four magazines, red dot optic, and gun. Compared to the 15-22, I would be near 700-750 for the same type of set up on the 15-22.

 

[teddy12b]

What type of match are you talking about shooting? That's will make the deal final.

The 10-22 will have all kinds of accessories out there to accurize the gun. The 15-22 was built from the ground up to accept and reliably function with high cap magazines. I have a 10-22 that I was going to leave alone, and today you wouldn't be able to tell what model it was when I bought it. The 10-22 will cost you more than you think. It's very rare to find one that's been left alone for more than a few months and there are a couple of parts you should change at a bare minimum to get the rifle functioning as it should have from the factory. I could have bought a 15-22 for what I've got in my 10-22 easily, but keep in mind it was little things here and there over the years.

If you're going to be looking for benchrest accuracy the vote for the 10-22. If you're looking for reliable high cap run and gun then the 15-22 hands down.

 

[scottka]

I've got both and I enjoy them, so I'm not much help there, but I would rethink the "nonfactory mags." I've had better luck with the Ruger BX-25s than I have with some of my cheaper ones.

 

[cjbecker]

Wants the reasoning for an autoloader?

 

[DialTone301]

I shoot the 15-22 and my daughter shoots a custom 10/22 in Steel Challenge and Rimfire Madness.

For Steel Challenge I think either gun works great....use what you feel most comfortable with. For Rimfire Madness I think the 15-22 has an edge in mag changes....at least for me. I know 10/22's usually win both events but I feel more comfortable with the 15-22.

 

[lucky4034]

I own both... I love both.

If you have an AR-15, then get the 15-22 as its a nice trainer. Other than that, the 10/22 does everything just as well. And if you tune it, it will do everything better for 1/2 the price.

Start throwing on aftermarket accessories and you can make a 10/22 anything you want....

Again, I own both and I love both... but if I could only have 1... it would be my 10/22.



(actually I think everyone should own a 10/22 )

 

[indybuell]

I'd do the 10/22. If you're doing matches that require mag changes, stick with the Ruger BX25 Mags. I have found that the other mags have a tendency to fail on me. Plus, if its good enough for James Yaeger, its good enough for me.

 

[tradertator]

Your going to be fine either way. These are my 2 all time favorite semi automatic 22s I've owned, and I've had a lot over the years. I might give a slight edge to the S&W if you already own an AR-15. That way, as you play with the 22, you can consider it training for its bigger brother. Plus it uses a lot of AR-15 parts, so you can dress it up however you want.

 

[terrehautian]

Do not own an AR yet.

 

[badmac183]

10/22

 

[Bcampbell]

TERREHAUTIAN, remember when I loaned you the M&P for the rimfire madness? Well what did I keep in my possession? "the 10/22"

The M&P is a great piece for .22 comps but the 10/22 we have is half the weight which means quicker to get moving and easier to stop on targets.

Both reliable guns but the 10/22 gets my vote for steel shooting and
Rimfire madness.

Brian

 

[terrehautian]

Yep, I remember, and was pretty much sold on a 15-22 until I actually fired the 10/22. The cost is a big thing to me, I can have as much as a stock 15-22 runs into a 10/22.

 

[lucky4034]

Yep, I remember, and was pretty much sold on a 15-22 until I actually fired the 10/22. The cost is a big thing to me, I can have as much as a stock 15-22 runs into a 10/22.

If cost is important, then go with the 10/22. Out of the box, they perform pretty equally. Once you polish up the trigger on the 10/22 (and I did my own trigger job for free) and IMO its better.... won't cost you a dime more.


**or you can buy a couple drop in Volquartsen parts for relatively inexpensive and have superior rifle for still under the cost of a 15-22. Again... the 15-22 shines as a trainer for an AR-15. Other than that, the difference in performance out of the box is negligible. A carbine model 10/22 is also very light and IMO ideal for a steel challenge.

 

[87gsxr711]

What about a Remington 597

If cost is reallya concern maybe you should consider a Remington 597. They are on sale right now at Palmetto State Armory for $119. There is an entire forum dedicated to the 597 at rimfirecentral. Most 597 owners ay it is better out of the box than the 10/22 and the $100 you save could go a long way towards the magazines and red dot. I was trying to decide between the 10/22 and 597 recently. I went with the Remington. Just throwing out options.

 

[terrehautian]

I remember at the July rimfire match at Riley, there were basically three rifles I seen. 15-22, 10/22, and one 597. While it might an issue with cleaning it, but the guy had many issues with the 597.

 

[cjbecker]

Why not use a marlin 39a?

 

[patience0830]

Why not use a marlin 39a?

Price and it takes more time to throw the lever.

10/22 for my money. BX25's are the mag of choice for anything with a mag change. Primary Weapons Systems makes an extended mag release that is ambidextrous and user friendly. Power Custom or Volquartsen trigger parts are nice, though just a better hammer makes a big difference. If you want to make it better over time, there is no better platform to start from than the 10/22. Be careful tho', they can become quite the addiction.


Hi. My name is Rick and I'm a rimfire-aholic.