I own a number of good-quality .22 rifles. Most of these are Ruger 10/22 variants. Above all else, the Ruger is reliable, and its ruggedness is proven. Plus, its modular construction allows the shooter to customize the rifle almost infinitely. I ended up with a custom rifle that started out as a Ruger 10/22, and in the end, the only Ruger part left was the receiver!
Ruger offers a number of excellent choices for all-around use. A specialty model I recently gave a thorough workout is the Carbon Fiber Takedown. This is a takedown rifle featuring a carbon-fiber barrel and the MagPul X-22 Backpacker stock.
The lifeblood of the rifle is the proven 10/22 action. This action has been running steadily since 1964 without a stutter. Millions are in use. The action was designed for ease of manufacture, and that same design allows for a great deal of modularity and modification.
The 10/22 fills many roles. The rifle is excellent for marksmanship training for shooters of any age, but especially for young people. The semi-automatic action allows concentration on trigger control, sight picture, and recoil management. The 10/22 is also an ideal small-game rifle. With precision upgrades, the Ruger rifle becomes a tack driver for those seeking the highest degree of accuracy. The 10/22 is also a fine tactical trainer.
Another role that may be filled by the latest Ruger is that of a backpacker’s rifle. Named the Carbon Fiber Takedown by Ruger, I have referred to the rifle as the “Backpacker’s Rifle,” and the name fits. That is also what MagPul calls the rifle’s versatile stock.
Details
With millions of rifles manufactured, the 10/22 action is an excellent basis for the supporting structure of the backpacker’s dream rifle. A light, handy rifle is invaluable for living off the land and for “just in case” situations in the outdoors.
I hefted the rifle after unboxing it, and my first impression was its light weight. At just 3.9 pounds unloaded, the Carbon Fiber Takedown is an excellent choice anywhere a lightweight and durable rifle is needed. A combination of anodized aluminum, stainless steel, and composite materials makes the rifle highly resistant to the elements.
While this takedown rifle may be ideal for backpacking, it is far from specialized. With the proper optics, it is also a fine small-game rifle.
Let’s look at the takedown procedure first. It isn’t complicated at all. Lock the bolt to the rear. A hold-open lever in the trigger guard is manipulated to secure the bolt open. A takedown plunger in the bottom of the stock is then twisted to release the barrel assembly. Next, the muzzle butts into a mortise in the stock, and the forend neatly clips into the pistol grip.
When you wish to remove the barrel and forend assembly from its resting place in the stock, press the two forend plungers inward. It is a neat trick—fast and positive in operation.
The stock has a feature I find especially appealing, whether for a day at the range or for a walk in the forest. A hinged compartment in the stock holds three Ruger 10-round magazines. The stock is designed to offer an excellent firing position with its grip angle. The speckled finish is attractive and even a bit lighthearted.
More Improvements
A few years ago, Ruger introduced the BX-22 trigger. This trigger system is designed to provide a crisper, cleaner let-off. The trigger is an excellent aftermarket option, breaking at 3.5 pounds. The Ruger Carbon Fiber Takedown rifle is supplied with this trigger factory-installed. I like the BX-22 very much, and it certainly adds to the rifle’s accuracy potential.
The magazine latch is a modified quick-release type, making handling easier.
The barrel is just over 16 inches long—classic carbine length. The muzzle is threaded for suppressor use. Ruger has attempted to create bull-barrel accuracy without the weight of a heavy steel barrel by using a tension-sleeved carbon-fiber barrel. In my testing, they achieved that goal.
The outer carbon-fiber sleeve encloses a thin stainless-steel barrel. If it matters—and I fire my .22s a lot for the sheer joy of it—this barrel does not seem to heat up much during heavy use.
Mounting optics has never been easier. The rifle features a rail for mounting a traditional scope or tube-style red dot. A base on the barrel also accepts a number of red-dot sights. If you mount a pistol-style red dot sight, it sits high enough to provide a good sight picture. I confirmed this by using several modern, high-quality sights.
I first established the rifle’s reliability and accuracy potential with a red-dot sight. Then I thought of the old saying: “Beware the man with only one gun; he probably knows how to use it.” That will probably never be me.
Still, I wondered: Is the Carbon Fiber Takedown rifle as accurate as my small-game rifle? Could my backpacker rifle double as a small-game rifle?
Most Ruger 10/22 rifles will produce two-inch to two-and-a-half-inch five-shot groups at 50 yards. Add a custom bull barrel, a custom stock, and a Timney trigger, and you may shrink three shots into one inch. Ammunition quality also plays an important role in achieving this level of accuracy.
I mounted the Vortex Crossfire II 2-7x32mm Rimfire scope (see specifications below). With the Plex reticle and Vortex’s clear-coated glass, I believed I would have an advantage over the previously tested 3 MOA red dot.
The red dot is excellent for defensive use and most trail or hiking situations. It allows for both-eyes-open shooting and rapid target engagement. However, a quality scope like the Vortex Crossfire lets you realize the rifle’s full precision potential.
From a solid bench rest, I carefully worked the BX-22 trigger. I used a Birchwood Casey rifle rest and took every possible precaution to maximize accuracy.
Using Federal bulk ammunition from a 325-round box, I fired two groups averaging about two inches for three shots. With Federal Hunter Match ammunition, two groups measured under two inches. I generally prefer CCI Mini-Mag for most hunting applications, and this load ran neck-and-neck with the Hunter Match in accuracy. The Hunter Match load, however, is more likely to expand properly at longer hunting ranges. It took a dial caliper to give the Hunter Match load a slight edge.
The heavy barrel, good trigger, and excellent optics combined to provide impressive accuracy. The Backpacker’s Rifle will hunt and perform virtually any other task you would ask of a .22 rifle.
Plus—and this is important to many of us—the rifle has plenty of bling. It is a very good-looking rifle. I recommend the Carbon Fiber Takedown rifle to anyone seeking a versatile rifle capable of filling a number of roles well.
Note
During testing, I mounted the Dead Air MASK sound suppressor. This is a well-designed unit that consistently provides excellent results. I enjoyed this setup a great deal. Hearing protection is important, and the MASK performed very well.
Ruger 10/22 Carbon Fiber Takedown Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 10-round standard/X magazines, with up to 25-round magazines available |
| Caliber | .22 Long Rifle |
| Stock | White Speckle MagPul X-22 Backpacker |
| Barrel | Stainless steel tensioned with carbon fiber |
| Weight | 3.9 pounds |
| Barrel Length | 16.1 inches |
| Length of Pull | 13.5 inches |
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