1st 10/22 build recommendations!

[Wtlj]

I've customized six 10/22s for myself (4 shown below). The top two were built as hunter/plinkers and what they have in common is a lightweight stock and lightweight aftermarket barrels for hauling around out in the weeds. The third has a weighted barrel and comfortable stock for off-hand target shooting and the fourth is setup for benchrest (2 & 4 have since traded triggers). My point is to match the build to the intended usage. A Green Mountain 920 and a good trigger in a Boyds Tacticool would make you a nice brenchrest rifle as well as a slightly heavy mobile plinker.

Just keep in mind that it takes more than just a parts swap, it'll take good ammo and more than a bit of tinkering to get the best accuracy out of your build. Once the bug bites it's a constant process of puttering and improving and for that reason I'd start with the barrel and stock and get used to it and refine your goals before putting a small fortune into the trigger but if you get serious about benchrest you'll eventually want a 2-stage Kidd and you'll eventually want to bed the receiver and 1-2" of barrel. Take your time and experiment and figure out what works best for you.

BTW for the mag release I recommend the Tac-Sol shown on 3 & 4.

Wow great right up and even nicer guns. You've got the touch! I've heard that the tac sol mag relases are sloppy when there's a mag inserted is that true? What's the mag release in picture 2 I like its sleek look. I think I've finally picked everything out but haven't ordered anything yet, let me know what you think.

Stock: boyds tacticool
Barrel: 18" .920 SS Green Mountain
Trigger: brimstone tier 2
Bolt: Que rework
Charging handle: kidd
Guide rod and spring: kidd
Bolt buffer: kidd
Magazine release: ???
Scope: ???
I plan to polish and jewl my receiver, bolt and trigger myself, should be a fun project. Any other advice or things I should add to the mechanicals?

 

[Picher]

Some things that should be considered in modifying a 10-22:

The mainspring is a weak part of the design. As the gun gets dirty, FTFs can occur due to a combination of weak spring, wide firing pin nose, and generous headspace. Nobody should put in a weaker hammer spring because even if you don't experience FTFs, weak firing pin strikes may result in inconsistent ignition and poor accuracy, especially vertical stringing on targets.

The firing pin nose narrowing is easy to fix, if you know what you're doing. Likewise, the headspace can be reduced by grinding or milling the boltface, very carefully, but not less than .042" headspace, or slamfires can occur.

There are lots of other mods that can increase accuracy, including pillar bedding, but don't try this rifle as your first. It can get glued-in very easily, and the stock can be damaged when trying to remove the action.

JP

 

[sholling]

Wow great right up and even nicer guns. You've got the touch! I've heard that the tac sol mag relases are sloppy when there's a mag inserted is that true? What's the mag release in picture 2 I like its sleek look. I think I've finally picked everything out but haven't ordered anything yet, let me know what you think.

Thanks. I haven't found the Tac-Sol all that loose and it works. The beauty of the Tac-Sol lever is that all you have to do is extend the "expressive" finger of your shooting hand and the magazine drops out really speeding up reloads when you take an Appleseed course (recommended). Pic 2 shows a Kidd 2-stage trigger with matched Kidd mag lever style release.

Stock: boyds tacticool
Barrel: 18" .920 SS Green Mountain
Trigger: brimstone tier 2
Bolt: Que rework
Charging handle: kidd
Guide rod and spring: kidd
Bolt buffer: kidd
Magazine release: ???
Scope: ???
I plan to polish and jewl my receiver, bolt and trigger myself, should be a fun project. Any other advice or things I should add to the mechanicals?

Brimstone did two of my Mini-14s' triggers and they exceeded expectations. The bolt on the other hand is the very least important upgrade and can wait if it means freeing up more money for the trigger which is really a big deal.

For hunting scopes I like the Weaver RV7 2.5-7x28 rimfire, Leopold VX-1 2-7x28 rimfire, or a Nikon Prostaff 3-9x40 rimfire. These are good quality fast on target fixed focus scopes. For benchrest I like a Weaver V24 6-24x40 w/AO and for a compromise between a hunting and target scope either an RV9 3-9x32 rimfire w/AO or a V16 4-16x40 w/AO. Check Natchez for some great prices on the V16 and V24. #1 is wearing a Weaver RV9, #3 is wearing a Prostaff 3-9x40 rimfire, and #4 is topped by a Weaver V24 with a varmint reticle. Don't skimp on the quality of the scope!

 

[Wtlj]

Anyone have any experience with DNZ, talley, or Weigand scope rings.

 

[sholling]

Anyone have any experience with DNZ, talley, or Weigand scope rings.

I've used DNZ on a 10/22 and on centerfire rifles and Talley on centerfires. DNZ work well if your scope has long enough tubes to give the fore and aft adjustment you need to get your eye relief right but I find they look best with big scopes. I really prefer Burris Signature Zee on a Weaver base. Neither need to be lapped but the Burris gives you for flexibility in mounting the scope. Since the rifle already comes with a Weaver base the cost should be a wash.

DNZ mount.

Burris Signature Zee on a Weaver base.

 

[mxsailor803]

As with most of the people on here that like building 10/22's, a lot of us check out rimfirecentral. So many people on there have posted so many pictures and specs for different ideas and setups it will make your head spin. I'm about to start my 5th build, this one is gonna be a ultra lightweight.