In the last two years I’ve gotten into 22 rifles. In the mid 70’s I bought a new Ruger 10/22. This was back when you could buy one new at Kmart for $69. Over the years I put a lot of rounds through it and then stuck it in the back of the safe and forgot it until a few months ago.
Two years ago I got into lever action rifles and vintage Winchester pumps and Remington bolt actions. I recently dug my old 10/22 out of the safe, took my $6 scope off of and added a red dot. That all it took to revive my love for this rifle.
I didn’t realize Rugers pattens had run out and several companies were making improved versions. In late November I was in a small local gun shop and they had several new Thompson Center TC/R22’s. One caught my eye, a performance center version with the carbon fiber barrel and Altamont laminate barracuda stock. The price was good and I walked out with it.
I finally got a scope, an inexpensive Athlon 3-12x40 and took it to the range. I shot 5 or 6 brands of ammo to see how they grouped. The only match ammo I had was some Federal March and the rest was Aguila, Federal and Winchester bulk from Walmart and a couple others.
I shot from a rest at 50 yards with calm winds initially but winds picked up after a couple of groups. The groups were 5 shots and to my surprise the Federal bulk outperformed the others by a good margin. I shot 4 groups of each and my best 2 with the Federal bulk we’re 3/8” Center to Center and the second a hair over 3/8”.
I’m quite pleased and actually surprised it shot that well and especially surprised I shot that well.
Several months ago I purchased a Ruger Precious 22 WMR. At 100 yds I’m shooting slightly better groups, very slightly, less than 1moa just as a comparison.
The Ruger has a really good trigger and the TC is better than my old 10/22 but could be improved. Although not a bad trigger I’m going to shoot it some more to see if it improves and if not get a trigger job. Even considering the trigger it’s one excellent rifle.
Targets are 5 shot groups at 3/8” or a hair over at 50 yards.
Thompson Center TC/R22 performance center
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