10/22 Accuracy: better without the barrel band?

S

Smaug

New member
I was looking at 10/22s on Ruger's site, and I noticed some models don't have the barrel band.

Other times, I've read about free-floating barrels being more accurate.

It seems like this would make the 10/22 more accurate in the higher end models that don't have the barrel band.

I'm not 100% sure what free floating barrels refer to, so please educate me. I thought it referred to the barrel not being attached to the stock in any way after it leaves the receiver.
 
I too have read the postings about removing the barrel band for accuracy but that wasn't the case for my factory stock/stainless 10/22. I tightened mine down and it is very accurate for small game hunting, plinking, and 50 yards target practice. Always on target or within .5" of my POA (more likely due to the cheap ammo I feed it and my shooting skills).

It may make a difference if you shoot $7/box 22LR target ammo but for me it's about shooting the cheapest .22LR ammo I can find locally.
 
Most times removing the band, floating the bbl and getting the action supported so the gun does not rock like a see saw will get the 10/22 shooting much better.
A lot of people think when they buy a new bull/target bbl and stock they have done something special when all they have really done is what I stated above. I've built a few 10/22s using all factory bbls and stocks and all were capable of .500" or less groups at 50 yards.

I've seen stock 10/22s out shoot rifles with Lilja and other high dollar bbls. Not always but enough to know you don't always need to spend a bunch of money on aftermarket parts.
 
Some people have ground out the inside top round of the band, so it doesn't touch the barrel. Others have left it off and sanded down/refinished the stock to eliminate the cut.

I like the factory Deluxe stock and elected to keep it when I installed a Shilen heavy barrel, opening the barrel channel to fit the barrel.

My accurizing method is to glassbed the receiver and rear of the trigger guard and install a pressure pad in the barrel channel. That seems to work best for me. JP
 
Mine doesnt have a barrel band becouse its in a tapco stock. I havent ever shot it for groups but it is pretty accurate. Never had a problem hitting what I was shooting at.
 
I wondered about this before so tried it with and then without. Have to admit that I did not see a difference with mine but feel I'd rather not have on there, like my others. Try it for yourself and see what you get. .... ;)


Be Safe !!!
 
If I were buying a new Ruger 10/22, I would buy one without the barrel band. I have read the same thing, but I don't have any direct experience to say one way or the other. Mine is the deluxe model without the barrel band.
 
I have one with a band, a carbine and iron sights and one without, a target rifle scoped. Both shoot to point of aim and make one hole groups at 25 yards almost that close at 50 but I can shoot better at 100 yards with the target rifle, (I blame the match barrel and scope for that). Band doesn't seem to make a bit of difference in my guns and I keep the band tight.
 
its a 22 for christs sake

A free floating barrel is always more accurate on hunting rifles, but there is a lot more motion involved in higher caliber rifles and they have a much longer usable distence. At the distence your 10-22 is going to be accurate the small amount of improvement you may get by a glass bedding or free floating the barrel wont even be registerable on your target paper. I have a cheep 10-22 that shoots the heads off of grouse all fall long. Its the ammo that makes a 10-22 accurate not the design. Try the CCI mini mag or stinger ammo, sight yout rifle to it and dont use anything else, you will be able to drive nails at 50 yards.
 
I doubt that this band, which is on the Carbines is really stressingn your barrel. that is why i suggested shooting it with and without. Sounds like you wuld prefer a Sporter stock. Now, I once cut that front portion of the stock, reshaped it and refinished the entire stock. It really didn't look all that bad. So if it really bothers you, get a sporter stock or cut your Carbine. Just a suggestion. ..... ;)


Be Safe !!!
 
I once cut that front portion of the stock, reshaped it and refinished the entire stock. It really didn't look all that bad.
Click to expand...
I've done this a few times. Cut off, reshape, use a little stain and TruOil and they look pretty good.
 
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