Perfect Target/Squirrel rifle. Just about a volquartson but half the price.

I thought I had reviewed this gun years ago, but apparently I didn’t. First, I want to say it’s my number one go to 22lr for squirrel hunting. I bought it for light weight and accuracy - and that’s basically what I got. If you are not aware, this gun is essentially a 10/22. It even comes with a Ruger rotary magazine and all of the aftermarket components made for a 10/22 that I have purchased and installed for it worked. I have no idea what, if any, arrangement this MN company has with Ruger. Now the bad news. For the price I expected this gun to have an upgraded trigger assembly - maybe even a Volquartzen. But, it came with the same polymer trigger assembly that Ruger uses in their stock 10/22. And that trigger sucks big time. So, what you get with this rifle is a light weight carbon barrel with a steel liner, a nice rubber Hogue stock, a receiver that has never failed to feed, fire or eject and a beautiful scope base built right into the receiver. But, if you really want this gun to shoot you either have to purchase a drop-in Volquartzen trigger assembly or rebuild an existing trigger assembly with Voltquartzen components. I’m using that company as an example - there may be others that are just as good. I happened to have an older stock metal Ruger 10/22 trigger assembly laying around so I purchased and rebuilt it with all the necessary Volquartzen components. And I really don’t know if you would have the same results rebuilding one of the polymer trigger assemblies. But, mine came out great. My gun likes bulk Remington Golden ammo and shoots it just about as well as it does the higher priced CCI. Shooting from a benchrest at 50 yards it keeps most rounds in a quarter size group - with an occasional flyer. I have to give this rifle a 4 star because of my surprise and disappointment in the trigger. Once that was fixed I had the absolute best 22lr a man could ask for a take into the woods and carry around all day. I mean the thing weighs nothing. I mounted a Leupold 2x7x28 on it and have dropped squirrels from distances you simply would not believe.

I am very impressed with this rifle so far. Lightweight, fun to shoot, and accurate even in my hands. Feeds cheap Federal rounds just fine, I have not tried anything else yet. It is based on the Ruger 10/22, so the Ruger 25 round mag works on it. I put an inexpensive Simmons scope on, which serves for my level of shooting. I am sure that the rifle can do much better than me. The only downside is putting the Ruger designed bolt back in, but it is minor complaint and a couple of cleanings taught me what to watch out for. It is still much easier than cleaning the Ruger 22/45 pistol.

Excellent service and pricing from Bud's as usual, and this gun is fantastic. Super light and very accurate. Well worth the money. The only problem is that now my many other target 10/22s aren't that fun or cool anymore. If I had started with this 10/22, there are several other target models that I would not have purchased. But this gun and you won't be sorry. Good job, Magnum Research.

I had a chance to put 500 rounds through this gun, most functioned well. I was using some aftermarket high capacity magazines, with varied success. It amazed me the amount of heat that is dissipated, even when rapidly firing 50 rounds! I have yet to shoot it as a "target rifle", so I can't remark about the accuracy yet, however there were 3 pumpkins that did not survive the onslought! My10 year old (and his dad) were impressed! I would like to see on in a nice wood stock ....