Ruger 10/22 Sequence of Upgrades

Altreac

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So. I still have yet to get my PAL. I may be able to do my CFSC as early as 2 days from now, and as late as 3 weeks from now. I am 100% going to get my certifications. I've enjoyed shooting with the military too much not to get my license.

Anyhow. I am going to get a Ruger 10/22 as soon as I've got licensed. I plan on shooting it stock for a while to get a feel for the rifle. But I really want to upgrade it in time. I shoot a C7 5.56mm at work, I've scored my marksman at the range, so I know a little tiny bit about shooting. BASIC principals of marksmanship etc. But I want to learn more. And I enjoy toys, and playing with toys. That's one of the main reasons I am going to buy a 10/22. (Another being cost of ammo...)

After shooting a Ruger 10/22 for a few bricks of ammo to get a feel for it, what would you CGN folks say about sequence of upgrades?

We're talking feel of the action to pure accuracy here.

I've researched for a month now. I may or may not have delved deep enough to find out whether a thread like this exists. I've tried to read all the newb FAQs and go through the threads in Rimfire Super Thread. If I've missed a thread like this, I'm sorry preemptively.

I know I'll eventually get an upgraded barrel, I want to refine the trigger mech, etc. Maybe in time, I'll purchase a who new trigger grouping, but some of the stuff in the 10/22 tricks and tips thread will cover me to start off with.

The cheapest upgrades sound good:
Extended cocking handle, extended mag release, auto bolt release.

Eventually, glass bedding, free floating a barrel, probably a stock upgrade.

What cheap upgrades are worth it to start, what order would you do them in? What's worth it? What's not worth it. I want to know.

Cheers,
-Dave
 
Hmmm.

Extractor, Autobolt Release Mod, DIY hammer and sear mods if you got the skills to pull it off or you can send it this guy I know on here and get the whole trigger group redone :D

Then a new barrel and stock ... list can go on ... have fun!
 
Altreac said:
jt_trouble said:
Hmmm.


Extractor, Autobolt Release Mod, DIY hammer and sear mods if you got the skills to pull it off ...

I forgot to list the extractor, that is a good one I'm sure for any semi-auto.


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Are you out to make an über accurate rifle? If so then fly atter with the upgrades but I don't know how much your going to want to spend in search of something that you can attain with practice...

I take heads off grouse at 50yards so 3/4" groups are attainable with a scoped stock rifle. Never really tried anything farther than that .
Albeit I've been using my rifle and practicing with it for close to 8 years...

I will be adding an extended charging handle and well as an extended mag release, I just did my own auto bolt release mod and it was easy enough.
 
Hmmm.

Extractor, Autobolt Release Mod, DIY hammer and sear mods if you got the skills to pull it off or you can send it this guy I know on here and get the whole trigger group redone :D

Then a new barrel and stock ... list can go on ... have fun!

Extractor is an excellent idea. The Auto release is useless. Forget stoning the hammer and/or sear yourself. Spend the $40 for a Power Custom target hammer OR sear OR both and enjoy. The stock barrel is more than accurate enough, especially if you aren't feeding it premium ammo. A more comfortable stock might benefit you later in life but isn't necessary. Optics are optional but make the accuracy game much more attainable.

TDC
 
I am interested...note: Interested...in a very accurate rifle. But I realize that I am new to shooting in general. So I want to put in the cheaper upgrades that will assist accuracy before going onto to a new barrel/stock.

Really I just want to learn to shoot well. So I fully intend to spend time on a stock or very close to stock setup, feeding lots of cheap rounds until I can appreciate something better. I know I have to learn to shoot better than the rifle before I bother with the more expensive upgrades.

I do like to tinker though, and I do like to research, plan and dream.

So right now I'm hearing:

1) Extractor
2) DIY/Aftermarket hammer and/or Sear.

I'm defiantly thinking of getting a decent set of Optics. I'm not going to get into budgets and whatnot, but I'll buy the best scope I can reasonably afford. I've heard lots of opinions on what a good magnification compliments the 10/22 best. I don't mind going a touch overkill with magnification personally. I think I've seen a lot of posts saying that 4-12x40 is too much. I've heard a fixed 4x is good. 2-7x sounds good to me, or 3-9x. I've never used a scope like that. My work scope is fixed. And at what magnification, I'm not sure. I'd like to be able to see targets clearly at out to maybe 75yards. But be able to focus properly at about 25 yards. I know for sure that I'll eventually try to shoot targets at the 75 yard point. But something that works well from 25-75 yards would be nice. I've studied the ballistics charts for the rimfire round here, so I have a good theoretical idea of what it can do.

So I'm willing to spend some cash on the whole package. But I don't want to spend more than my skill level allows.

Just for the hypothetical scenario...I get good enough shooting to merit upgrading a barrel and stock (and assume at that point I can afford to).

For a decent "just post novice" upgrade, the 20" GM fluted barrel...would be a good next step?
What stock would go well with something like that?

Thanks for your input so far folks. It's much appreciated.

I'll get a little fix of weapons today. I don't get to shoot, but we "get" to clean our C7s today. *Sigh*, I really want to put some rounds down range.
 
Buy a savage?

Lighter firing pin apparently helps. I don't know that I'd spend the money on a 10/22 though.
 
Replacing the extractor makes sense if there are extraction issues as received.
A one hand bolt release and extended mag. release make the rifle more convenient to use, but contribute nothing to enhanced accuracy.
An extended cocking handle? Why bother? Won't make it any more accurate.
Improved trigger pull. You betcha.
Better sighting system. Go for it.

One trick that is reported to improve accuracy with the factory barrel is to tighten up headspace. Headspace does affect rimfire accuracy. This involves using a surface grinder to take a bit of metal off the face of the bolt.
 
Heres my .02 cents.

Before you go an spend a whole bunch of money on upgrades that may not make any difference, think about saving up just a bit more for a higher end model of the 10/22. I believe they sell one with a boyds laminate stock and a heavy target barrel. Thats the one id start with. Put an optic on it BEFORE you do anything else. I used a 4-12X40 on my 10/22 and was shooting 1 inch groups at 50 yards and 2 inch groups at 100 yards with bulk ammo. Mine is the base model without a target barrel in a nomad stock so its not the most "precise" version you can get. The next step would be the trigger. After that, the rest of the gun operates flawlessly so why worry about extractors and bolt upgrades etc. Theres nothign wrong with the stock parts.

My next suggestion simply comes from my recent experiences with my .17hmr. The savage's are NICE rifles. You can get versions with really nice laminated boyds stocks, heavy barrels, fluted target barrels etc etc... but the nicest feature right off the bat is the accutrigger. It needs no upgrading, just adjust it and your good. These are bolt guns of course. But if your aim is to improve accuracy, a bolt gun is the way to go.

Just my suggestions.
 
Heres my .02 cents.

Before you go an spend a whole bunch of money on upgrades that may not make any difference, think about saving up just a bit more for a higher end model of the 10/22. I believe they sell one with a boyds laminate stock and a heavy target barrel. Thats the one id start with. Put an optic on it BEFORE you do anything else. I used a 4-12X40 on my 10/22 and was shooting 1 inch groups at 50 yards and 2 inch groups at 100 yards with bulk ammo. Mine is the base model without a target barrel in a nomad stock so its not the most "precise" version you can get. The next step would be the trigger. After that, the rest of the gun operates flawlessly so why worry about extractors and bolt upgrades etc. Theres nothign wrong with the stock parts.

My next suggestion simply comes from my recent experiences with my .17hmr. The savage's are NICE rifles. You can get versions with really nice laminated boyds stocks, heavy barrels, fluted target barrels etc etc... but the nicest feature right off the bat is the accutrigger. It needs no upgrading, just adjust it and your good. These are bolt guns of course. But if your aim is to improve accuracy, a bolt gun is the way to go.

Just my suggestions.

The op hasn't stayed whether or not he intends to bench shoot only or not. Regardless if accuracy is the goal then wood stocks including laminate are a poor choice.

Tdc
 
I doubt I'll get in to bench shooting right off the bat, if it comes it will be in the future. Not anytime soon.




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Well then get a stock rifle and put a 3-9x scope on it. The gun will out shoot you for a while... The idea of buying one in target configuration is good as well...
 
QuickDraw16 said:
Well then get a stock rifle and put a 3-9x scope on it. The gun will out shoot you for a while... The idea of buying one in target configuration is good as well...

That was pretty much my plan. Just trying to research for the future.

3-9x would be your recommendation for the magnification though? that's good to know.


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3-9 isn't a bad option but I prefer more low end. This depends on your use. For me and shooting gophers and the like I prefer a 1-4 or a 2-7. I rarely use the high end of magnification but I'm also not shooting from the bench nor am I always afforded the time to turn up the mag and support the shot.

Tdc
 
So. A couple mentions of getting a more than basic model of the 10/22.
The ones with the upgraded barrels and triggers are the Target and the Tactical from what I can see. It also looks like it almost doubles the cost. Is that worth it really? Could I not just upgrade the Carbine on my own for cheaper?



3-9 isn't a bad option but I prefer more low end. This depends on your use. For me and shooting gophers and the like I prefer a 1-4 or a 2-7. I rarely use the high end of magnification but I'm also not shooting from the bench nor am I always afforded the time to turn up the mag and support the shot.

Tdc

My scope at work is a fixed 3.5, so I know I'm comfortable with that magnification. Is it worth it to have the 3-9x just to learn variable scopes in general? I personally think so. Leaves me with something that I know, and gives me more options magnification to play with.

To paraphrase what I've taken from this so far:

-Buy a better 10/22 to start (thoughts: I kinda wanna play at upgrading a stock, and might not be able to afford a better one and a decent scope at once)
-Start off with a good scope before any upgrades. (2-7x or 3-9x ...)
-Extractor upgrade (if I have issues with extraction)

-Buffer spring upgrade
-Aftermarket hammer/sear (or DIY...but I doubt I'll do it that way)

(Taking my CFSC tomorrow, so I'm not totally just dreaming at this point)
 
So. A couple mentions of getting a more than basic model of the 10/22.
The ones with the upgraded barrels and triggers are the Target and the Tactical from what I can see. It also looks like it almost doubles the cost. Is that worth it really? Could I not just upgrade the Carbine on my own for cheaper?





My scope at work is a fixed 3.5, so I know I'm comfortable with that magnification. Is it worth it to have the 3-9x just to learn variable scopes in general? I personally think so. Leaves me with something that I know, and gives me more options magnification to play with.

To paraphrase what I've taken from this so far:

-Buy a better 10/22 to start (thoughts: I kinda wanna play at upgrading a stock, and might not be able to afford a better one and a decent scope at once)
-Start off with a good scope before any upgrades. (2-7x or 3-9x ...)
-Extractor upgrade (if I have issues with extraction)

-Buffer spring upgrade
-Aftermarket hammer/sear (or DIY...but I doubt I'll do it that way)

(Taking my CFSC tomorrow, so I'm not totally just dreaming at this point)

Seeing how you run the Elcan at work, I would go with a 2-7. You can run it at 3.5 to replicate work magnification, but gives you some lower end for closer and/or faster type shooting. Quality wise, buy the best you can afford with the features YOU want. With near zero recoil and a minute chance you'll be spinning knobs after you zero, a "budget"(not poor quality) optic is fine.

As for the "upgraded" rifles from Ruger, I would pass. More options and less cost if you do it yourself. The hammer/sear replacement is cheap and very effective. Stock choice isn't overly critical. The Hogue overmold series are very comfortable and provide a more pronounced pistol grip shape, about $100 bucks. Target stocks can be pricey and are really only suited to target work.

I replaced the extractors in both my rifles right away. As for springs I haven't run anything but factory with zero issue. A bolt stop pin is almost a necessity. Those are the glue stick looking things. A polyurethane/plastic coated steel pin or some are just synthetic. They replace the stock steel bolt stop pin. The recoil is softer and it helps prevent ovaling of the hole.

TDC
 
Awesome. Thanks for the input. I'll quit bugging about this for now I think. I've picked up on a lot already. I should probably wait until I have a rifle in hand to ask more. Very informative stuff though. I'll defiantly be following a fair bit of this advice! Can't wait to start shooting my own rifle!
 
Awesome. Thanks for the input. I'll quit bugging about this for now I think. I've picked up on a lot already. I should probably wait until I have a rifle in hand to ask more. Very informative stuff though. I'll defiantly be following a fair bit of this advice! Can't wait to start shooting my own rifle!

No need to stop asking questions, that's what this forum is about. In fact, its a refreshing change to hear questions from folks looking for a rifle and input that the usual "what's the best..." BS threads.

TDC
 
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