So, just curious, what about this makes it better/more special than a regular 10/22?
It’s hard to tell from the website.
Gary’s submission is well-suited to and Appleseed event, where shooting is done primarily at 25 yards. It has click adjustable sights, the auto-bolt release, and the extended mag release. Those are the things that jump out at me as “must have” upgrades. The list below is and excerpt from the Appleseed Forum. It starts with why some of the other rifles aren’t the best choice, but also tells why Gary’s IS the best choice.
1. The custom stocks, bull barrels, VQ and Kidd parts, etc. are all easily available aftermarket parts but are not Ruger products. Ruger wants this to be a Ruger product that will sell many thousands. Some of those customs are at a price point that most 10/22 customers would not consider paying. The dedicated benchrest and bipod rifles are too single-purpose for most people.
2. As an Appleseed instructor I see dozens of shooters every month of all ages and sizes struggle with their ill-fitting 10/22s. The buttstock, being designed for using the Ruger OEM blade sight, is too low for peep sights and scopes. and we have to improvise cheek risers. The LOP is short for adults and long for children. When laying the rifle down, many beginners allow the muzzle to drop, causing scratches or worse to the crown and even possibly bore obstructions on a snowy or muddy day. This rifle solves all those problems.
3. The take-down sets with standard and bull barrels do not solve any of the above problems.
4. Gary’s submission included the auto bolt release.
Sorry for the delayed reply.
So, just curious, what about this makes it better/more special than a regular 10/22?
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It seems that the 10/22 models do not include click adjustable sights - the adjustable aperture (peep) type sights made by Tech Sights have several advantages.
The majority of models do not include sling attachment studs/swivels - the sling is used in some shooting positions to increase accuracy.
Ruger now includes an extended magazine release lever that increases efficiency - however many aftermarket levers that extend farther toward the trigger guard are available.
More details and pictures of the features are in this article I found; and there’s an Appleseed Project page with articles. . .
http://libertytrainingrifle.tumblr.com/
http://appleseedproject.blogspot.com/
Another thing is that releasing the bolt on the 10/22 from the locked open position requires an awkward motion to push up and backward on the bolt lock mechanism, so the auto-release feature would be an improvement.