Aftermarket 10/22 Receiver Worth it for a Plinker?

SIG FAN

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Hey guys,

I'm trying to determine if an aftermarket receiver is worth it, when building a 10/22 for plinking and not benchwork. This will just be a plinker at the range, and nothing more than that. The only mods I have planned so far, are a 12" barrel (ordered), an auto-bolt release, and an RDS on a pic rail.

Knowing the above, I'm planning to use this gun quite a bit since centrefire has gone up a lot in price these days. I'm guessing I'll be putting 10,000+ rounds/year on this rifle, and I would ideally like to keep it for a long time. I do like the "low profile" look of the Ruger receiver, but the aftermarket receivers seem like better quality. I'm a bit torn in my decision.

Would an aftermarket receiver be worthwhile for my application? Are they overrated or worth the price? If you think it's worth it, do you have any recommendations? I know what's available, but I'm looking for opinions and also user reviews preferably from those who have used both a Ruger and an aftermarket receiver.

Thanks!
 
It's not bad at $200, but others can be quite a bit more than that. Are they better than Ruger's, though? I mean I can get a whole Ruger rifle for not more than $400 including the stock that I would be keeping for this "build" as well.
 
I can't help with the aftermarket receiver, but if you are going to keep it for a long time and shoot 10k rounds per year. Get a trigger kit in it. Your trigger finger will be happy 10k times per year.
 
I was debating that too. I see the Ruger BX trigger seems like a pretty good value for the performance you get. I suppose that would help a bit with accuracy for a plinker.
 
Factory trigger is like 8lbs. Get one with an over travel stop too. Makes for fast and easy double taps. I have a Power Custom trigger kit. ( It has been many years since it was put in, so the packages are probably different now )

Power Custom
Kidd
Volquartsen
Timney
BX

Probably more out there. Drops to around 2 lbs to 2.25lbs.
 
I have a number of 1022 clones

Tacsol Reciever Kidd Barrel Timney Trigger

Dlask Reciever Dlask Barrel home tuned trigger

Grey Birch LDR Receiver and CF Barrel BX Trigger

These 3 all shoot very well with the ammo they prefer

I also have a number of other 1022 that shoot very good but not as good as the above with Ruger Receivers and Barrels.

IMHO

1st biggest influence regarding a 1022 accuracy is the trigger, replace or tune.

2nd glass use the best scope you can afford.

3rd ammo try out as many different kinds as possible.

4th your bench testing methods

5th aftermarket barrels dlask kidd shilen green mountain grey birch make great barrels

6th stocks the one that fits you and your style of shooting

7th bolt tuning

8th receiver after market offer higher moa, built in scope rails
 
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I’ve put 10K or so through my 10/22 Ruger Competition this year. I have a BX trigger. It sucks compared to good triggers like my T1X with a Yo Dave spring. My #1 wish is a Kidd or similar level trigger. I just ordered an aftermarket extractor and a recoil spring set light, medium, and heavy. Get an Oryx chassis or something similar. A lot easier to shoot, especially with a scope, than a basic stock. There are several options out there. A Bentz chambered barrel and 20-30 MOA canted rail on the action.
 
I don't know if an expensive trigger upgrade is worth it for something I'm using to pop cans basically, but the Ruger BX trigger is interesting with how much it reduces the trigger pull in conjunction with the price. That's definitely something I'll look into and probably add to the build.

I bet the Power/KIDD/etc. triggers are awesome, and if I was building a bench rifle, I'd probably go for that.

Good advice so far, thanks guys.
 
I tried a few of them at Cabelas and the triggers felt good. It was hard to tell what they break at because the trigger group would move around a lot in the packaging. But they did feel crispier than a strip of bacon.
 
If all you're doing is plinking, I would say the first priority is a trigger. With what you have said you"ll be doing, I'd put my money into a Kidd single stage or maybe a Brimstone. The Ruger receivers are fine for what you're doing. As far as a barrel, I would have shot my factory barrel first. Some factory barrels shoot surprisingly well. A new barrel with Bentz chamber will probably give you better accuracy (I have 3), but I have to watch what ammo I use to avoid problems with extracting a live round even though I also have aftermarket extractors, which is a pain in a "plinker". So, I would say, 1,best trigger you can find. 2, Aftermarket extractor. 3, Barrel with standard chamber. = "Plinker.
 
IMO a BX trigger is plenty for plinking. If you'd like to target shoot down the road, you could always upgrade your BX with a KIDD trigger job kit.

As mentioned too: upgrade your bolt extractor + firing pin if you want maximum reliability for quick plinking.

Lastly: get either Dlask 25 round mags or SBI 597 adapter and plenty 597 mag (on sale right now).


As to the receiver: It is worth it.
The question you gotta ask yourself is...But could you better spend your 250$ right now ?
 
When I did my first one it was

1. BX trigger.
2. Boyd’s AT one thumbhole stock
3. Tactical Solutions X-Ring fluted barrel
4. Volquartsen auto bolt release and Tactical Solutions extended mag release.

My second one I bought everything first. Started with a 10/22 carbine.

Oryx chassis, Dlask 18.5” sporter barrel, BX trigger, Dlask extended mag release (short one), auto bolt release I did myself.

Both shoot 100 times better and both still use factory receivers. I will upgrade eventually but see no reason to do so right away.
 
Thanks everyone. Great advice.

I will go with the factory Ruger receiver, and add a BX trigger to the mix. I have a McGowen 12” barrel coming already, with a Bentz chamber. I’ll add the auto bolt release mod too.

Since the 10/22s that I do have (or had in the past) ran quite well without an aftermarket extractor or firing pin, I will probably hold off on those upgrades for now unless I see potential for improvement.

Are the Dlask Tuff-22 mags actually reliable? I’ll have Dlask mod my receiver if it’s worthwhile to use their magazines. I’ve heard very mixed reviews on them. Anyone actually using them with success?
 
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