The mini-rifle market is dominated by one make and model - the Ruger 10/22. The 10/22 is available in a variety of guises as standard: wood stock, synthetic stock and so on with a 10 round magazine and open sights.

However, these rifles are ripe for “development” and because of their popularity there's a vast array of components on the market to improve them; from replacement stocks, trigger and bolt kits, and extended magazine releases through to barrels. If you have very deep pockets you can build up a custom gun with very little of the original remaining!

The photo above is an example of a custom build. Whilst this rifle hasn’t had the ”extreme“ makeover that some indulge in, it sports a laminated stock, extended magazine release, titanium firing pin and custom bolt and a bull barrel. For a rifle like this you’re looking at an outlay of several hundred pounds, plus sights and extra magazines.

There are, of course, alternatives to the Ruger, but the limiting factor to most of these is the lack of availability of high capacity after market magazines. The majority of semi-auto rimfires come with a 10 round magazine as standard. Mini-rifle competitions have a high round count so larger magazines are an absolute must.

Apart from a rifle sight (red dot, or scope, even a laser for some) and magazines little else is required, apart from cleaning equipment. Some like to add a muzzle brake to the ‘business end’ of the barrel - you can see one on the rifle above. The idea of this is to dissipate the gases from firing, reducing muzzle flip, to get the sights back on target quickly in speed shooting events.