Building custom 10/22. Need advice please.

[Ironchef]

I'm abandoning my AR 22 because I don't want to spend a grand on a 22 that won't shoot any better and possibly not look better than a customized 10/22.

So with that criteria/idea, with the AR platform out, I've been spending the last hour or so reading up on some of the customization offerings for the 10/22 and it's quite a bit. I think it's safe to say there's an equal amount of 10/22 customizations as there are for the AR platform..so I'll need some advice, tips, tricks, suggestions, corrections, etc from YOU.

So far, I have it in my head that I can pick up a nice Green Mountain 20" .920 bull barrel for about $95, a hogue overmold stock for another $83 (or a fancy Yukon thumbhole stock for $132), possibly that $195 Volquartsen trigger guard 2000, and obviously some magazines for <$20. So far, without the receiver, that's putting me at a comfortable <$400 range.

Now...the receiver!! Where to get a used, or new 10/22 receiver? I've seen some replacement receivers from Volq and others for well over $200...but I'm going to try and keep this whole thing under $500...so I'd need a $100-$150 receiver, right?

Also, am I right in assuming the modular compatibility of parts in building this thing? Can I simply put the above mentioned parts together on a regular old ruger 10/22 receiver and expect it to fire nicely?

Optics will come when I can afford them, but I do want this receiver to have a rail if possible.

[nobs11]

Hard to find a $100-150 receiver. The custom ones are a lot more expensive than that. Your best bet would be to try to find a used 10/22 and replace parts in it. You might be able to sell the old stock and barrel for $50 to 75.

The parts critical to accuracy are the barrel and the trigger. Keep the trigger guard. GM and Volquartsen make good barrels.

Get a Power custom competition trigger kit and replace your stock trigger group parts.

A GM barrel is a good choice. You can use a standard receiver base or get a gunsmith to D/T the GM barrel for a Volquartsen cantilever base. That is a better option. Fits securely with no flex. I recommend Hi-desertdog.com. He just did mine.

Hogue stocks are good. You can find one for under $70.

Parts are compatible. The platform is very modular.

I think you are on the right track. It will shoot way better without any feeding problems compared to the expensive tacticool AR22, which in my opinion is a worthless POS that flings lead all over the target. A custom 10/22 under $500 is unrealistic. But it will be cheaper than the AR22.

Look for parts on rimfirecentral.com. You might even find a completed or semi-complete project and go from there. Good luck.

[hybridatsun350]

I would suggest finding an older, used 10/22 and using it as the base. That way you will have all the little parts that go into building a complete rifle. I built my custom 10/22 for about $500, but that's not including the original rifle which I've had forever. That $500 does, however, include optics. I went with a Mueller APV and the rifle shoots 1/2" groups at 50 yds. It's a blast to shoot, and you wont be disappointed with moving over to the Ruger platform.



The only fire-control part I changed was the hammer. Just changing that one part dropped my trigger pull weight to less than half of what it was, and eliminated almost all creep.

[Ironchef]

So the GM barrel, the Volq TG2000, and a used 10/22 receiver will work together. How bout a buffer? Is that part of the receiver or is that an extra parts kit? Or is something like the Volquartsen TG2000 have those parts? It seems the tg2000 is just the trigger assembly..and i'm sold on it because i hear it's the best way to get the rest of the gun to fire accurately compared to the stock trigger set. I haven't looked at a hornet trigger assembly, but I hear they're less expensive.

Thanks for the reply.

[nobs11]

So the GM barrel, the Volq TG2000, and a used 10/22 receiver will work together. How bout a buffer? Is that part of the receiver or is that an extra parts kit? Or is something like the Volquartsen TG2000 have those parts? It seems the tg2000 is just the trigger assembly..and i'm sold on it because i hear it's the best way to get the rest of the gun to fire accurately compared to the stock trigger set. I haven't looked at a hornet trigger assembly, but I hear they're less expensive.

Thanks for the reply.

In my opinion, the most cost effective way is to get a complete used 10/22 and replace trigger group parts with the Power custom kit. I am very happy with mine. Trigger pull is very light and crisp. I haven't measured it but I like it. The buffer goes in the back of the receiver. The used 10/22 will come with one. You can replace it with a plastic one that is supposed to reduce receiver stress, but that is not a necessity. Volquartsen parts are good, but they cost a ton. There are options. But yes, to answer your question, those parts will work together.

[ocabj]

My 10/22 sports a 20" Volquartsen SS match barrel in a B&C Anschutz style stock.

I would personally get either the 16" Volquartsen THM tension barrel, or a Lilja match barrel.

As far as the trigger, either just get the Volquartsen hammer or the Kidd trigger (http://www.coolguyguns.com/Jan05Ruger1022products2.htm).

[Bowser]

Buy used 10/22

- vq extractor
- auto bolt release
- bull bbl
- bull bbl stock
- vq trigger set

[Ironchef]

Good, good, good. Excellent information. I'll look into different trigger/hammer components. A good 10/22 with some of these things for sale in CG market place for 220 I'm looking at now to start with..can get barrel and stock and call it a day I suppose.

[X-NewYawker]

Buy used 10/22

- vq extractor
- auto bolt release
- bull bbl
- bull bbl stock
- vq trigger set

Pretty much it -- I have built a dozen custom 10-22s and this is as good a formula as any. Just get a used 10-22 and toss ALL the other parts. That's what I did with these four guns:

[Ironchef]

Pretty much it -- I have built a dozen custom 10-22s and this is as good a formula as any. Just get a used 10-22 and toss ALL the other parts. That's what I did with these four guns:

Very handsome builds there xnewyawker! I see you have that yukon stock i was looking at, and those other carlson something ones...very nice!

Now I just gotta sell my AR lower! lol

[SigShooter]

Yes, you are correct in your assumption of the modular compatibility of the mighty Ruger 10/22. I like to think of them as the Civic's of the rifle world. Everybody and their mother makes aftermarket parts for them and (for the most part) they all fit.

Your best bet is to find a new 10/22 on sale at Big5 or similar. They usually run about $225 or so and you are already starting off with a shoot-able gun. Then, as you replace parts you can sell of the old ones recouping some of your initial investment.

As for the trigger group, no need in buying a Volq or PC group w/housing. You can easily replace all the internals you want with either manufacturer's parts for a lot cheaper. Their trigger housing is no better than Ruger's.

I won't go as far as saying "stay away from Hogue"... but a buddy of mine had terrible luck with their stocks. The receiver/barrel sat so crooked in the Hogue stocks that he ran out of windage on his scope trying to compensate. The Boyd's or Revolution stocks are great for the money and can sometimes be found on Ebay for <$100. That same buddy picked up three for ~$85 each.

Green Mountain barrels are great! You definitely can't go wrong with them. In fact, when I get home I'll take a look at what I have... I may have a spare that you can have. A few years back I took advantage of their "Factory seconds sale" and have not used all of them. I'll get back to ya on that.

Also, if you have not done so, I believe it is a federal crime to build a custom rimfire rifle without first heading to rimfirecentral.com

[cleanguy46]

Heres my revamped 10/22T. Green Mountain barrel made a vast improvement in accuracy. It's cheaper then an AR-15 build but depending what you want to do will run you a pretty penny, but you will save greatly in ammo costs! Good luck in your quest.

[Ironchef]

Thanks SigShooter and Cleanguy. I have looked at the boyd's stocks too and wouldn't mind one of them...but if i'm going non-standard (monte carlo style), i am liking the yukon style thumbhole stock.

I have another question regarding bull barrels, receiver strength, and bedding into a stock....With a 20" BBL .920 in a stock receiver...is there any reason to believe there will be undue stress on the receiver? If so, is bedding the bbl into the stock wise? I'm imagining that with a decent stock, bedding it won't throw off much accuracy...and in the end, I don't need 1/2" groups at 50 yards if I can get 1" groups..if ya know what i mean. THis is, after all, a .22lr.

EDIT: Ok, update on parts being considered...

RECEIVER: Just found this nice looking railed receiver at rimfirecentral for $90 less than another machined receiver I was looking at! But I'm guessing I'll need internals...which I don't know anything about or what they include.


BARREL: Green Mountain 20" BBL...unfluted is fine.


STOCK: This Yukon one


EXTRACTOR: This Volq one

HAMMER: THis Volq one

But then I'll be without a trigger set, so I'd have to pick up standard trigger assembly parts...or pick up..

TRIGGER: This Volq trigger assembly


Of course that'd put me to $700. So I'll have to figure something out...I"m guessing the normal trigger set and hogue stock are the way to keep it all under $500. Bummer the GSG-5 won't be as accurate or customizable! lol

[SigShooter]

Thanks SigShooter and Cleanguy. I have looked at the boyd's stocks too and wouldn't mind one of them...but if i'm going non-standard (monte carlo style), i am liking the yukon style thumbhole stock.

I have another question regarding bull barrels, receiver strength, and bedding into a stock....With a 20" BBL .920 in a stock receiver...is there any reason to believe there will be undue stress on the receiver? If so, is bedding the bbl into the stock wise? I'm imagining that with a decent stock, bedding it won't throw off much accuracy...and in the end, I don't need 1/2" groups at 50 yards if I can get 1" groups..if ya know what i mean. THis is, after all, a .22lr.

I have not heard/read/had any problems with a 20" bbl in the 10/22 receiver. I have a 20" bbl in my Yukon style stock and have had 0 problems. As for bedding, there is a ton of info on betting a 10/22 on rimfirecentral.com and most folks there suggest bedding about 2" of the barrel as well. And no, bedding in no way hampers the accuracy, in fact there are guys on RFC.com that have .25" 10/22s (highly modified though). If all you wan is 1" groups then you are going to be pleasantly surprised. With a GM barrel & some trigger work (new hammer, sear etc.) you can easily get .30" - .5" groups out of a 10/22.

[5968]

I'm abandoning my AR 22 because I don't want to spend a grand on a 22 that won't shoot any better and possibly not look better than a customized 10/22.

So with that criteria/idea, with the AR platform out, I've been spending the last hour or so reading up on some of the customization offerings for the 10/22 and it's quite a bit. I think it's safe to say there's an equal amount of 10/22 customizations as there are for the AR platform..so I'll need some advice, tips, tricks, suggestions, corrections, etc from YOU.

So far, I have it in my head that I can pick up a nice Green Mountain 20" .920 bull barrel for about $95, a hogue overmold stock for another $83 (or a fancy Yukon thumbhole stock for $132), possibly that $195 Volquartsen trigger guard 2000, and obviously some magazines for <$20. So far, without the receiver, that's putting me at a comfortable <$400 range.

Now...the receiver!! Where to get a used, or new 10/22 receiver? I've seen some replacement receivers from Volq and others for well over $200...but I'm going to try and keep this whole thing under $500...so I'd need a $100-$150 receiver, right?

Also, am I right in assuming the modular compatibility of parts in building this thing? Can I simply put the above mentioned parts together on a regular old ruger 10/22 receiver and expect it to fire nicely?

Optics will come when I can afford them, but I do want this receiver to have a rail if possible.

I was in the same situation that you are in. I looked all over for a used 10/22 in decent condition. Prices on them was almost the same as a new 10/22, so I just bought a new 10/22 and kept the parts for spares.