Ruger 10/22 Magnum Instruction Manual

							11
LOADING THE MAGAZINE
Use only clean .22 Winchester Magnum
Rimfire (.22WMR) ammunition manufac-
tured to U.S. Industry specifications, in
good condition. (See Notice and Warnings
in other sections of this manaual pertaining
to ammunition).
To load the magazine, press the rim of the
cartridge against the magazine rotor at the
widest section of the magazine throat until
the cartridge enters far enough to be
pushed to the rear end of the magazine.
Each succeeding cartridge is pressed
against the body of the top cartridge and
slid to the rear of the magazine until a max-
imum of nine (9) cartridges are in the mag-
azine.
NOTE: The 9-shot Ruger 77/22 Magnum magazine is the same as, and is inter-
changeable with, the 9-shot Ruger 10/22 Magnum magazine.
Loading
Magazine
Figure 3
WARNING:DO NOT ATTEMPT TO LOAD .22 SHORT, .22 LONG, 
.22 LONG RIFLE, .22 SHOT, OR ANY OTHER TYPE OF .22 
CALIBER CARTRIDGE (OTHER THAN THE .22 WMR) INTO THE
MAGAZINE OF THE 10/22
® MAGNUMRIFLE. THE USE OF OTHER
THAN .22 MAGNUM CARTRIDGES IN THE MAGAZINE CAN CAUSE POTEN-
TIALLY DANGEROUS JAMS AND MALFUNCTIONS RESULTING IN DAMAGE
TO THE FIREARM AND INJURY TO THE SHOOTER AND OTHER PERSONS.
TAKE CARE TO USE THE CORRECT CARTRIDGES. 
!
WARNING:SOME TYPES OF .22 MAGNUM CARTRIDGES HAVE 
BLUNT-NOSE OR SHARP-SHOULDER BULLETS WHICH CAN 
INTERFERE WITH SMOOTH AND RELIABLE FEEDING FROM
MAGAZINE TO CHAMBER. SUCH CARTRIDGES SHOULD NOTBE USED
BECAUSE THEY MAY DISCHARGE BEFORE BEING FULLY CHAMBERED
AND THEREBY POSSIBLY INJURE THE SHOOTER AND THOSE NEARBY.
THE SHOOTER MUST BE ALERT TO THIS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SIT-
UATION AND SHOULD AT ONCE DISCONTINUE THE USE OF ANY CAR-
TRIDGE WHICH APPEARS TO BE THE CAUSE OF FEEDING PROBLEMS OR
JAMMING. KEEP THE CHAMBER AND MAGAZINE CLEAN (SEE “CARE AND
CLEANING”, P. 21).
!  
						

							12
TO LOAD AND FIRE (WITH MAGAZINE)
Practice this important aspect of gun handling (with an unloaded rifle) until you
can perform each of the steps – described below – with skill and confidence. But
before you do anything with the rifle, please first read completely through this
manual.
1.Keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction. (See Rule 2, p. 31).
2. Pull the bolt handle rearward. Engage the bolt lock so that the bolt is held
open. Check the chamber to be certain it is empty. Engage the safety. (See
Figure 1, p. 6).
Figure 4.The safety should be “on” when
the magazine is being removed or inserted.
When the forward section of the magazine
latch is pushed in (pivoted upward), the
magazine is released. Depress the latch with
the thumb and at the same time grasp the
magazine between the thumb and forefinger
and draw it out of the gun.
Removing Magazine
(Safety “On”)
3. Remove the magazine by using thumb to depress magazine latch and at the
same time grasp the magazine between thumb and forefinger of the same
hand to draw it out of the magazine well. (See Figure 4, above).
4. Load the magazine by sliding up to nine (9) .22 WMR cartridges into the mag-
azine throat-opening. (See Figure 3, p. 11). The Ruger 10/22 Magnum is
designed to function properly only with standard Ruger 9-shot rotary maga-
zines loaded with .22 WMR magnum cartridges of the correct type. (See
“Ammunition Warning”, p. 10)
5. Insert magazine into the firearm, with bullet end of the cartridges toward the
muzzle. (Magazine cannot be seated if reversed).
6. Load a cartridge into the chamber by fully retracting the bolt handle, releasing
the bolt lock, and then releasing the bolt handle. Don’t touch the trigger.Do
not ‘ride’ the bolt handle as it moves forward. Do not apply force to the bolt
handle to chamber a cartridge. If a cartridge does not readily chamber, eject it
from the rifle, lock the bolt open, remove the magazine and see MALFUNC-
TION WARNING, p. 18.
WARNING:DO NOT TOUCH THE TRIGGER UNTIL YOU ARE 
ACTUALLY READY TO FIRE THE RIFLE.! 
						

							13
!WARNING – FIRING
The bolt automatically opens
and shuts quickly while firing.
Keep face and hands away
from it. Hot brass and powder
gas are ejected quickly and
can burn you. The rifle should
be fired from the right shoul-
der. Always wear shooting
glasses and hearing protec-
tors.
BOLT OPENS FAST–
HOT BRASS EJECTED
7. The rifle is now fully loaded. If the rifle is not to be fired immediately, the safe-
ty should remain “ON”(See Figure 1, p. 6). When the safety is moved to the
“off” position, the rifle will fire each time the trigger is pulled until all the car-
tridges in the magazine, and the one in the chamber, have been fired. Firing
will automatically reload and recock the rifle.Note that every time the trigger
is pulled, if a cartridge is in the chamber, the rifle will fire – be careful!
8.Immediately following the firing of a shot, and if a subsequent shot is not to
be fired at once, put the safety “ON” while the rifle is still pointing in a safe
direction down range.The safety should be moved to the “on” position as soon
as firing is completed, and it should be “on” at all times except when the rifle
is on target and being fired. 
9. The bolt does not remain open after the last shot has been fired, nor does the
bolt automatically lock open when the magazine is empty. When firing is com-
pleted, manually retract the bolt, lock it open, and visually check the chamber
to be sure it is empty. If the bolt is shut, the shooter should always assume
that there is a cartridge in the chamber. Don’t rely on your memory to know if
a gun or magazine is loaded. Visually inspect the magazine and the chamber.
NOTE: To avoid possibly dangerous malfunctions, never fire more than 50
shots without scrupulously cleaning the chamber. See “Care and Cleaning”,
pp. 21 - 22.  
						

							If dropped or struck
with the safety “off”,
the rifle may fire.
Keep chamber empty
unless actually firing!
Never rest a loaded
rifle against any object
(wall, fence, vehicle,
tree, etc.) because the
rifle can be jarred or
fall with sufficient
force to discharge.
Keep safety “on”
unless actually firing!
ANY GUN
MAY FIRE IF
DROPPED
So that the rifle can be used as a single loader, it
will fire whether or not a magazine is in the gun,
if a cartridge is chambered. Removing magazine
does not unload rifle or prevent the rifle from
being fired. When there is a cartridge in the
chamber and the safety is “off” (“fire” position),
the cartridge will discharge if the trigger is pulled.
To unload, first remove magazine, then pull bolt
to rear, eject chambered cartridge, and visually
inspect chamber. The safety should always in the
“on” (safe) position when loading or unloading
the rifle.Keep safety “on”.
GUN WILL FIRE WITH
MAGAZINE OUT
14
SAFETY IN “OFF” (FIRE) POSITION
!WARNING – HANDLING
TO LOAD AND FIRE (WITHOUT MAGAZINE)
The rifle can be used as a single shot rifle in the absence of a magazine or for
safety or training purposes. To do so, follow steps 1 & 2, p. 12. Then load a car-
tridge fully into the chamber, and follow steps 6 and 7, pp. 12 & 13, disregarding
the magazine. Engage the safety between shots.
!WARNING – UNLOADING 
						

							15
TO UNLOAD RIFLE AND MAGAZINE
(Rifle Must Be Kept Pointed In A Safe Direction)
Unload the rifle immediately when you are finished shooting!
NOTE:This sequence must be followed exactly as spelled out. Failure to do so
can result in the rifle’s chamber becoming unintentionally loaded with a car-
tridge!
1. Keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction at all times and keep fingers out-
side the trigger guard, away from the trigger at all times during unloading. If
the rifle is cocked, move the safety to the “on” position.
2. Remove the magazine. Rememberthat even though the magazine has been
removed, a cartridge remaining in the chamber can still be fired!
3. Retract the bolt to its open position and lock it there. This should eject any
cartridge in the chamber, but...
4.Always visually double check the chamber to be certain it is empty.
5. The only “safe” rifle is one in which the bolt is open and the chamber and
magazine are empty.
1
24
3
Safety ON
CORRECT UNLOADING SEQUENCE 
						

							16
6. Cartridges can be removed from the magazine by simply pushing them lightly
downward and forward with the thumb, forefinger, or the rubber eraser end of
a pencil against the rim of the top cartridge. Do not use a loaded cartridge as a
‘tool’ to strip cartridges from the magazine.
7. If desired, the bolt can be left in the open position, being held there by the bolt
lock. If it is desired to close the bolt, again look to be certain the chamber is
empty. Put the safety “on”, retract the bolt to its rearmost position, release the
bolt lock and let the bolt snap forward. Keep your fingers out of the receiver!
8.With the muzzle pointed in a safe direction,push the safety to the “off” posi-
tion and pull the trigger to decock it. The rifle can be “dry fired” for practice as
long as it is empty and pointed in a safe direction.
9. Push empty (unloaded) magazine into the rifle until the catch locks it in place.
TO EXTRACT AND EJECT
ACHAMBERED CARTRIDGE
When the rifle is fired, the same gas pressure which drives the bullet forward also
acts through the cartridge case to push the bolt to the rear. That action causes
extraction and ejection of the fired cartridge case. But, when the bolt is operated
by hand, there can be a failure to extract the cartridge from the chamber, or a
failure to eject the cartridge clear of the rifle. These failures usually are the result
of the bolt not being pulled rearward vigorously, coupled with an accumulation
of bullet lubricant in the chamber. From the foregoing it is clear that the gun
user must:
1.Always visually check the chamber after opening the bolt to eject a chambered
cartridge.If the bolt is not vigorously retracted when being operated by hand,
the extracted cartridge can be ‘ejected’ into the magazine area, instead of out-
side the rifle.
2. Thor
oughly clean the chamber and the extractor as often as necessaryto pre-
vent the accumulation of grease and dirt.
3. If an empty magazine is in the rifle when the bolt is being hand retracted to
extract a cartridge, the cartridge may drop on top of the magazine. Then when
the bolt goes forward, the cartridge will be chambered again! Always remove
the magazine before clearing the chamber, and visually ensure that no car-
tridges remain in the gun.
TO CLEAR A MALFUNCTION (“JAM”)
Any autoloading firearm may occasionally malfunction. If it does:
1.Be certain the muzzle is pointed in a safe direction and the safety is “on”.
2. If possible, first remove the magazine. It may be necessary to manually remove
a jammed cartridge which has only partially been stripped from the magazine.  
						

							17
If so, use extreme care. Lock the bolt open with the bolt stop before attempt-
ing to clear the jam. Drawing the bolt fully to the rear may bring the jammed
cartridge along. Keep your face away from the ejection port during this opera-
tion.When attempting to clear a jam, use only wood ‘tools’ so that a cartridge
will not be ignited if you strike a primer, and so that the chamber and maga-
zine will not be damaged. A 3/16” wood dowel rod with a point on one end is
useful.
3. Visually check to make sure all cartridge have been removed from the rifle.
Safely dispose of any cartridges involved in a malfunction incident. Do not use
damaged ammunition in any firearm.
TO MINIMIZE MALFUNCTIONS (“JAMS”)
Most malfunctions are caused by improper or damaged magazines, incorrect
ammunition, or poor maintenance. RUGER®MODEL 10/22®MAGNUM
chambers must be scrupulously cleaned at least every 50 shots (see “Care
and Cleaning”, pp. 21 - 22).
1. If it appears that the gun and magazine are not at fault and that the jam was
caused by the type of cartridge being used, then try another type.
2. If changing to another type or brand of cartridges does not at once eliminate
malfunctioning, then the following steps should be taken:
a. Make certain the gun and the magazine are unloaded and that the safety
is “on”. Remember, the magazine should be removed first, then check the
chamber and be certain it and the magazine-well are clear of cartridges.
b. Thoroughly clean the magazine and bolt mechanism, paying particular
attention to removing accumulated grease. Use a bristle brush and solvent
to remove grease and fouling from the bolt face, the extractor, the chamber,
and the feed ramp. (See the “Care and Cleaning” section of this manual for
detailed cleaning instructions).
c. Check to see that the magazine spring tension is adequate.
d. Check the magazine lips to be certain they are free of nicks and burrs and
are not deformed.
e. Remove excess oil and solvent from all cleaned components, load the
magazine, and try the firearm again. As always, proceed slowly. Be certain
bystanders are not close and that you are wearing eye and hearing protec-
tion and that your face is a safe distance from the rifle so that any discharge
resulting from a jammed cartridge will not injure anyone.
If the above procedures do not result in a smooth and reliably functioning
firearm, don’t use the gun. The rifle can be returned directly to our Newport,
New Hampshire Product Service Department for repair. See the Service and Parts
Policy section (p. 24) of this manual for packing and shipping information.
Another precaution:When using any firearm chambered for rimfire cartridges,
form the habit of examining fired cartridge cases. If they have bulged heads or
frequently show splits on any part of the case, the rifle or pistol should be
returned to the factory for inspection. 
						

							Always unload a firearm
before cleaning, lubrication,
disassembly or assembly.
UNLOAD BEFORE CLEAN-
ING
The .22 Magnum rimfire cartridge fires when the
firing pin impacts the relatively soft cartridge case
rim, and also can be “discharged” before it is cham-
bered if its rim receives a sharp blow. If a cartridge
hangs up, jams, or binds when being chambered or
when being fed from the magazine into the cham-
ber, do not attempt to force it into the chamber by
pushing or striking the bolt.Any jam or feeding
problem is a signal to immediately stop  using the
gun until it can be determined what is wrong. Most
failures of a cartridge to feed or to chamber are
caused by a damaged magazine, improper gun han-
dling, or defective ammunition. Whatever the
cause, rimfire cartridge jams can result in the
potentially dangerous situation of a cartridge dis-
charging before it is chambered. If this occurs, the
cartridge case will rupture and fragments will fly
out of the gun with sufficient force to cause injury.
Always wear shooting glasses and hearing protec-
tors! Keep face away from chamber!
STRIKING RIM
CAN BURST CARTRIDGE
18
!WARNING – MALFUNCTIONS
!WARNING – DISASSEMBLY
TO DISASSEMBLE
Make Sure Rifle is Unloaded Prior To Disassembly!
1.KEEP THE RIFLE POINTING IN A SAFE DIRECTION! REMOVE THE MAGA-
ZINE, OPEN THE BOLT AND VISUALLY MAKE CERTAIN THERE IS NO CAR-
TRIDGE IN THE CHAMBER. Then allow the bolt to close. The rear sight leaf
should be down, and the hammer should be cocked.
1
24
3
Safety ON  
						

							19
2. Loosen the barrel band screw (B-69) and remove the barrel band (L06801). 
3. Loosen (don’t remove) the front mounting screw (J04701).
4. Position the safety so an equal amount of the button is exposed on each side. If
the safety is not in the middle when the barrel-receiver assembly is lifted out
of the stock, the stock will be damaged.
5. Swing the barrel-receiver assembly upward away from the forearm of the
stock. Be careful the two receiver cross pins (B-5) and bolt stop pin (B-46) do
not fall out.
6. Remove the trigger guard by simply drifting out the two receiver pins. It is
recommended that the components of the trigger guard assembly not be disas-
sembled from the trigger guard.
This is the extent of disassembly required for routine inspection, cleaning and
lubrication.
If it is desired to thoroughly clean the inside of the receiver by removing the
bolt, be aware that although removing and installing the bolt (along with the
bolt handle-recoil spring assembly) is simple, it must be done correctly.
7. To remove the bolt:
a. Position the rifle upside down so the bolt is fully accessible.
b. Drift out the bolt stop pin, located at the rear of the receiver.
c. Pull the bolt handle fully to the rear of the receiver with the left hand,
and while it is in that position, using the right hand, lift up the front of the
bolt until it is disengaged from the bolt handle.
d. Remove the bolt handle assembly through the ejection port.
e. Lift bolt out of receiver. If it does not come out readily, turn the rifle over
and the bolt will drop out of the receiver. 
						

							20
REASSEMBLYAgain, Be Sure Rifle is Unloaded!
1. Reassembly of bolt into receiver:
a. To reassemble bolt handle and bolt in the receiver, position the rear end
(cone pointed) of the recoil spring guide rod in the mating recess near the
rear right side of the receiver. The recoil spring must be flat against the side
and “bottom” of the receiver.
b. Maintain the guide rod in its proper position by keeping pressure on the
bolt handle with the left forefinger and thumb. At the same time, use the
flat side of the screwdriver blade to compress the recoil spring by drawing it
against that area of the bolt handle near to the spring. In accomplishing this
spring compression it is necessary to maintain the same pressure on the
screwdriver with the right hand as that being maintained (rearward and
inward) on the bolt handle with the left hand.
c. When the spring is fully compressed, maintain it in that position with the
left hand and with the right hand lay the recessed section of the top of the
bolt on the section of the bolt handle that mates with it. Press down on the
bolt until a ‘click’ is heard. At this point allow the bolt handle (with bolt
attached) to move forward slowly.
d. Cycle the bolt handle a few times to be certain the components are cor-
rectly assembled.
2. Reassembly of rifle:
a. Install bolt stop pin and then lay the trigger guard in place and install the
two receiver pins.
b. Assemble the barrel-receiver to the stock by following, in reverse order,
steps 1 through 5 under the “Disassembly” instructions on pages 18 & 19.
Guns should not be stored loaded or cocked!
MAGAZINE INSPECTION AND CARE
Check the magazine frequently. The rotor must move freely and have adequate
tension so that each cartridge is quickly raised to the feeding position. At the
time of manufacture, proper rotor tension is set by rotating the magazine cap
nut until the r
otorstops turning. Then the nut is turned an additional 1 1/4
turns beyond the ‘stop’ position.
To test the rotor tension, load one cartridge into the magazine and then firmly
press against the side of the cartridge case. Remove your finger quickly. The car-
tridge should instantly and fully move in to the feeding position. If it does not,
the magazine should be cleaned. If cleaning does not restore proper rotor ten-
sion, do not use the magazine.(NOTE: After testing, remove the test cartridge).
When cleaning is necessary, use a solvent that will not rust the metal compo-
nents or adversely affect the plastic magazine box. After the magazine has been
soaked in solvent to loosen foreign matter, be certain to shake it vigorously (with
the loading opening away from you) to remove solvent or residue from within
the magazine.
After cleaning, always check to be certain that rotor movement and tension are
correct, and that no solvent or debris remain. Do not disassemble the magazine. 
2. Using a cleaning rod, run a solvent-wetted patch through the bore several