A few things are common and shared in America. Things like a junk drawer in your kitchen filled with random items. A collection of never-to-seen again loose change in your car’s middle console. And a Ruger 10/22 rifle in your gun safe or closet. Ruger estimates it has sold over 7 million of these classic rifles during its almost 50-year production. It is undoubtedly one of the most enjoyable semi-auto 22 rifles ever made. Ruger has launched another version of this classic plinker—the Ruger 10/22 Carbon Fiber.

The Classic 10/22 Gets a Makeover

 This new rifle has earned the distinction of being the lightest 10/22 in the Ruger line. Weighing in at a mere 3.5 lbs., this rifle sports a 16.1″ cold hammer-forged tensioned barrel with a carbon fiber sleeve. In addition to the reduction in weight, the stainless steel tensioned barrel is more rigid, reducing vibration, and is threaded 1/2 “-28 for the addition of muzzle devices.

 The tough but lightweight Magpul MOE X-22 stock is painted black and features a textured splatter paint for an improved grip in even the worst weather conditions while complementing the rifle’s aesthetics. The stock features M-LOK attachment slots at the 6 o’clock position and integral sling loops for use with locking sling swivels. The length of pull is 13.5″.

Ruger BX-Trigger

 Adding to the custom feel of this new model, this 10/22 sports a genuine Ruger BX-Trigger with an approximate pull weight of 2.75 lbs. and a crisp, clean break. The trigger also has a very short and clean reset, improving its overall performance.

As we would expect, the Carbon Fiber has the legendary Ruger action. This design ensures consistent, reliable performance unmatched in the 22 world. It uses the standard detachable 10-round rotary magazine and supports all the after-market mags. The rifle includes a nice extended magazine release to provide smooth, no-fuss removal of flush-mounted magazines. The receiver comes with a factory-installed one-piece aluminum scope rail. I’m a big fan of this because you will obviously want to mount an optic.

Ruger 10/22 Carbon Fiber On The Range

On the range, the Ruger 10/22 Carbon Fiber shined. It is hard to relate just how lit this rifle is. It weighs less than a small bag of flour, which makes it easy for anyone to run. The texture of the stock allowed me to make a good purchase on the gun without it being uncomfortable. For testing, I mounted a Vortex Viper HD 5-25. While some may think this is a lot of glass for a 22 rifle, I wanted to really dig down on accuracy. I also attached a Nosler SR 22Ti suppressor and a Magpul bipod to finish it off. Ammo-wise, I shot a mix of CCI 40gr subsonic and Eley 40gr Match EPS.

Once I was zeroed, I shot five groups of three rounds at 25 yards. My best group was with the Match EPS ammo, which came in at one inch. This is a fantastic performance for this rifle. A quick side note on accuracy for those who may have been expecting 1/8th-inch groups or the like: This is a target-style rifle, and one-inch groups are the top end of performance here. Many confuse target rifles with match rifles, which can give us sub-MOA groups.

Easy Mag Changes

The gun ran without any hiccups or issues, as is common with all 10/22s. The extended mag release was a nice addition, allowing me to change mags without moving the gun around. I also shot a spectrum of other targets from 15 yards out to 100 yards, and the Ruger 10/22 Carbon Fiber never wavered.

The inclusion of a suppressor during testing only helped to increase the grin on my face. I have long been a fan of the 10/22, and the Carbon Fiber has become one of my favorites. While testing was formal and incorporated standard grid targets for data collection, I also had some fun. I happened to have several clay pigeons and aluminum cans that I felt were necessary for “testing.” The truth is, they are just fun to shoot.  

Ruger 10/22 Carbon Fiber – Tested

Ruger has done a great job giving us multiple versions of the classic 10/22. From the old-school classic to break-down versions, there is something for everyone. The new lightweight Ruger 10/22 Carbon Fiber is an excellent addition to the family. If you are one of the few on Earth who doesn’t yet own a 10/22, the Ruger 10/22 Carbon Fiber is a great place to start.

For more information, visit:https://ruger.com/index.html

Ruger 10/22 Carbon Fiber Specs