[rainman33]

Time to purchase a rimfire and get the kids shooting fundamentals down.
Other than the obvious between the two, e.g. rate of fire, action, etc., what are the pros and cons of the 10/22 vs American Rimfire?

 

[newglocker10mm]

I personally prefer the American. The bolt action will slow a beginning shooter down, a good thing when teaching/learning fundamentals. And with the bolt action, you as the teacher/instructor can control when the firearm is loaded.

 

[mac66]

If you buy the bolt action now, you will want the 10/22 in the future. If you buy the 10/22 now you will have it forever and can change it to suit your needs in the future.

I used to be all about bolt actions and single shots for kids until I started teaching them in the Appleseed program. Now, I've found the 10/22 to be the best "forever" gun out there.

 

[Maxw]

I have several 10/22s, I had an American, I have three grand kids

 

[GWG19]

Want to slow the kid down while learning to shoot, single load the magazine. Or sit beside the kid and coach them. Kids big and small need a little blasting time. Nothing more fun than chasing a can with a 22 or busting a bunch of clay pigeons fast.
My nephew would pick a semi auto over a bolt gun any day.
Brings back a memory of a friend of mine from Louisiana, he called cutting loose with his 10/22 a Cajun Surprise.

 

[Wishoot]

Started my girls on a 10/22 loading a single round at a time. Once they had the fundamentals down, I let them shoot full mags.

Seeing them smile after putting a ragged hole in the target was priceless.

FWIW, I learned on a single shot bolt-action when I was a little kid. It made no difference to me what type of firearm I was using. I still had fun at the range.

 

[PattonWasRight]

To me, there isn't even a question

Bolt action ... the slower pace simply provides more time to think about what they're doing, and focus on the fundamentals

We can say they can do the same thing with a 10-22, but they/you won't

Kids are already too wired for instant gratification ... slowing down will be good for their minds

 

[hardluk1]

rainman 33 I would buy a bolt action rifle . They tend to be more accurate and a bolt rifle will be used for a life time , or two . The 10/22 is fun but lacks accuracy with out upgrading it $$$.

I have 2 girls and two grade kids , all learned to shoot with the same rifle I learned with , remington 511 P but I have a savage BV and we have a couple 10/22 customs too that they have shoot a lot . Both 10/22 are sub moa with better ammo but at a price far higher than our bolt rifles and no more accurate . When I asked my girls what .22lr they wanted it was a bolt rifle for both and when there kids were old enough they also wanted bolt rifles . Ours are savages rifles .

Other than a scope at some point most bolt rifle need nothing to improve them . Savage and cz trigger stock can be tuned down to 1lb and then Its a matter of finding the ammo fit likes in a dollar range you can live with for shooting tiny little groups . Oh Long barrels are quieter than shorter barrel so maybe a cx ultra lux or trainer with standard velocity ammo would make for a better choice . Our old remmy has a 25" barrel and with cci CB Long or cci Quiet ammo you can hear the firing pin "click " and a soft "putt" exits the barrel . Good for critter control under 25 yards . Not that accurate but good enough for small critters out to 25 yards .

 

[PattonWasRight]

^^^ Yeah, I forget the model name by CZ makes a bolt action that is a freakin sniper rifle, with great irons, pre-drilled, for around $300ish IIRC. Full, adult size.

 

[AerynSun2]

Time to purchase a rimfire and get the kids shooting fundamentals down.
Other than the obvious between the two, e.g. rate of fire, action, etc., what are the pros and cons of the 10/22 vs American Rimfire?

I'd go with the American for the safety aspect.

And, If I were to go that way I would probably go with the iron sites and add a scope later.

Also, I would keep the rifle thread the barrel add a suppressor, bipod, upgrade trigger and make a very accurate sniper rifle for the Zombie Apocolipse.

https://ruger.com/products/americanRimfireTarget/models.html

 

[cyphertext]

If you buy the bolt action now, you will want the 10/22 in the future. If you buy the 10/22 now you will have it forever and can change it to suit your needs in the future.

I used to be all about bolt actions and single shots for kids until I started teaching them in the Appleseed program. Now, I've found the 10/22 to be the best "forever" gun out there.

If you buy the 10/22 and they enjoy shooting, at some point they will also want a bolt action!

I have both, enjoy shooting both. My RAR is more accurate than my 10/22. When bouncing tin cans around, the semi auto is fun. When competing for accuracy with my son, the RAR is more fun. When we go hunting small game, the 10/22s aren't even a thought. Different tools, different jobs.

A 10/22, or other semi auto, makes it easier to qualify for rifleman at Appleseed. However, a bolt action would reinforce the skills that Appleseed teaches since inexperienced shooters probably could not operate the bolt without looking at it and breaking their shooting position.

 

[cyphertext]

And, If I were to go that way I would probably go with the iron sites and add a scope later.

Stock irons on the Ruger American Rimfire suck... they are the same setup as the Ruger 10/22. If you are going to use iron sights, you will probably want to upgrade to a click repeatable peep sight set up.

 

[Lois]

I would go with a bolt action rifle if you want to lay a foundation for marksmanship and establish safe gun handling in a youngster. As mentioned above the CZ Trainer has wonderful iron sights, a good trigger, a tight bore and resulting inherent accuracy.

I look at the semi auto rifles chasing cans as introducing the "toy" aspect of shooting and maybe that's not the initial message we want to teach beginners. I agree with the post about the Appleseed course is a lot easier to run with a semi auto because of the pace of firing.

Apologies for not addressing the specific question of this post; I would not chose either due to personal preferences.

 

[rainman33]

Great replies, guys. Keep them coming.
Most of this thread has summed up most of my thoughts, but also given me a few things to consider.
Couple additional questions:
Any concerns about long term function of 10/22s action.... meaning decades? I'd like this to be something I can pass down to children/grandchildren.

Which is better for hunting? A more well rounded rifle, i.e. one that is a jack of all trades and functions better in more roles is a concern for long term ownership.

Lastly, I wanted to do an apples to apples comparison, but if I go bolt action, 17HMR is tempting.

Thanks

 

[cyphertext]

I got my Ruger 10/22 when I was 12. I'm 47 now... so, it will last. Plus parts are readily available, so no worries there.

For hunting, I prefer my American over my 10/22. It is more accurate than my 10/22, but my 10/22 has seen time in the woods too! My Savage .17HMR is also a great little bolt gun. Why limit yourself to just one?

 

[rainman33]

Why limit yourself to just one?

Never! Just need a starting point.

 

[Lil]

Like several others here, I'm a fan of 'slow and steady' with a bolt action. Can always get a semi-auto at a later date given their relatively modest prices.

On the subject of long-term function...nothing wrong with an older gun that has already stood the test of time. We have a 75+ year-old Winchester 72A (tube-fed bolt) that's a hit with the kids. They get a kick out of shooting such an old and accurate gun. It's a light gun, too.

I'm not wild about a box mag dangling from the bottom of a receiver for a couple reasons, one being capacity if wanting 'small protrusion' (constantly re-loading during range sessions), the other being ease of handling, esp if hunting. Sure, not a big deal but I like the cleaner look and handling of a tube-fed and no loose mags to pocket or keep track of.

 

[StuntPilot]

I own a Ruger American Rimfire compact and a 10/22 takedown. Both are great guns, and you can't go wrong buying either. I like the bolt action just for the simplicity.

They can share the 10/22 magazines, so if you end up eventually buying both it is a cost saver on the mags at least.

 

[G20pewpew]

I have both and use them gopher hunting. Better in different situations. The 10/22 is great for staying on target. The stock on the American is nicer and it has a cool front fiber optic sight. Better barrel on the American also. It’s a bit more accurate out of the box. And it doesn’t launch shells down my dashboard when shooting gophers from the car lol. The mags are interchangeable between the two.

 

[mrasgt]

OK. I get the bolt guys, I get the 10/22 guys, and I agree. But, there is another train of thought. I've got a Smith and Wesson 15-22 and I love it. Highly accessorizing available,
an absolute blast to work on and to shoot. With proper training, the kids can grow into it and
will have a great .22 for life.