Ruger 10/22: Banned, Discontinued, or Still the Best .22 Rifle

If you’ve spent any time around a shooting range or a gun shop counter, you’ve likely heard the Ruger 10/22 mentioned as the go-to .22 rifle. It’s been around since 1964, and it’s earned a reputation as the most popular semi-automatic .22 Long Rifle in the world — but that reputation also comes with a cloud of confusion.

Introduced: 1964 ·
Caliber: .22 Long Rifle ·
Standard Capacity: 10 rounds ·
Total Produced: Over 6 million

A quick glance at the key specs gives you the baseline story before we dive deeper.

Is the Ruger 10/22 on the banned list?

No — the Ruger 10/22 is not on any Canadian banned list that went into effect in March 2025. An Instagram post from a Canadian source (community report) clarified that the 10/22 was not classified as a prohibited firearm in the recent measures. That leaves a lot of shooters relieved, but it’s worth understanding why people got confused in the first place.

What is the Canada March 2025 ban?

Canada’s revised firearms regulations in March 2025 primarily tightened rules around what they classify as “restricted” or “prohibited” devices — think certain high-capacity magazines or specific firearm types. The standard Ruger 10/22, with its 10-round rotary magazine, isn’t on that list.

Which guns are banned in Canada?

The ban specifically targets certain handguns, some rifles with “military-style” features, and magazine capacity limits. A 10/22 with a standard 10-round rotary magazine is not affected. Some confusion comes from the fact that Canadian Gun Nutz (shooting community forum) is a place where people discuss 10/22 options — and some discuss magazine restrictions that apply to other platforms, not the 10/22 itself.

Canadian firearm laws are specific, and confusion spreads fast online. The Ruger 10/22 isn’t a “banned” model — but certain accessories like high-capacity magazines might be. That’s the real distinction.

Did Ruger discontinue the 10/22?

Partially — but not entirely. Ruger made some changes to the 10/22 lineup, and that’s where the “discontinued” rumor started.

Why are some models discontinued?

Ruger Boise Gun Club (independent firearms reference) notes that the 10/22 has seen model discontinuations in some specific variants. The 22 Charger, for instance, was a pistol version that Ruger stopped making in certain markets in 2023. Some Takedown models also saw production changes.

Which 10/22 models are still in production?

The standard carbine, the Tactical, the Competition, the Target, and most wood-stock versions are still in production. Ruger continues to make the 10/22 line broadly available. The “discontinued” rumor likely comes from the fact that some specific variants (like the 22 Charger) were removed from certain catalogs. But the core 10/22 is still very much alive.

How far can a Ruger 10/22 shoot accurately?

The short answer: 50 to 150 yards, depending on your expectations and ammunition. The longer answer involves a few factors.

Effective range of .22 LR

A standard .22 Long Rifle round from a 10/22 carbine typically produces groups around 1.5 to 2 inches at 50 yards (Boise Gun Club reference). That makes it fine for plinking and small game. With match-grade ammunition and a better barrel (like on the 10/22 Target or Competition models), you can push that to sub-1-inch at 50 yards. For hunting, most people keep it within 150 yards, and for casual target shooting, 100 yards is a comfortable limit.

Factors affecting accuracy

• Ammunition: High-velocity vs. standard .22 LR — different ammo types can shift your zero.
• Barrel: Target and heavy barrels reduce vibration, improving consistency.
• Trigger: A good aftermarket trigger (like the Ruger BX trigger or a Volquartsen) can dramatically improve shot quality.
• Optic: A quality magnified scope lets you get the most out of the rifle.

Which Ruger 10/22 is most accurate?

If you’re chasing groups, the Competition model is the one to beat. But there’s nuance.

Target models

The 10/22 Competition (Boise Gun Club) comes with a factory heavy barrel, a match-grade chamber, and a target stock. The 10/22 Target adds a different stock but the same barrel. Those are the models Ruger markets as “accuracy-focused.”

Upgraded barrels and triggers

Both the standard carbine and the Competition benefit from aftermarket upgrades. Many people swap in a Volquartsen or KIDD barrel (community report) to go from 2-inch to sub-1-inch groups. The Competition model, though, saves you the cost of the barrel.

The Competition model costs about as much as a standard carbine plus a good aftermarket barrel. For the same price, you get a factory-corrected gun that doesn’t need your input. For the same money, you can also do a custom build with a KIDD barrel and a BX trigger. The choice depends on whether you want factory precision or a project.

Is the Ruger 10/22 used in war?

No — not as a standard combat weapon. But the confusion has a root.

Military use of .22 LR rifles

The U.S. military has used .22 LR rifles for training, survival, and competition — not for combat. The Ruger 10/22 is sometimes used in a training role because it teaches fundamentals with low cost. It’s also used by some units (video evidence) for familiarization shooting. But that’s not “war” in the sense of front-line deployment.

Historical contexts: survival rifles, training

The 10/22’s compact design and reliability have made it a popular survival rifle for decades. Its role in training environments further cements its reputation as a practical tool rather than a combat weapon.

“The Ruger 10/22 is one of the most well-known survival rifles on the market because it can be broken down and stored easily.”

Boise Gun Club (independent firearms reference)

“With the right barrel and ammunition, the 10/22 is capable of groups that would embarrass many larger-caliber rifles.”

YouTube (precision shooter community)

Summary

For a Canadian shooter, the implication is clear: the Ruger 10/22 is not banned, not completely discontinued, and not a military rifle. For the average buyer, the choice is between buying a standard carbine and upgrading it yourself or picking the factory Competition model that gets you there with less effort. For the target shooter, the Competition model is the simplest path to accuracy. For the survivalist, the Takedown version remains the most portable. Either way, the 10/22 is still the benchmark.