Help me mod my rabbit hunter 10/22!

J

"J" man

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Hey CGN dudes,

Never thought I would get a 10/22, but the deal I got on it at SAIL was too good to pass up. I bought the stainless steel, synthetic stock carbine for $248.94, taxes included! Mark, the gun counter manager at the Vaughan store, is a very nice man and a pleasure to deal with. His staff are all a great bunch of guys too. Overall, I had no regrets buying this gun from them for the price and excellent customer service.

Now to my question. I want to turn it into a rabbit/grouse gun, and would like some input from the other guys on here to see what they have to say. I'm very happy with the standard 18.5" SS barrel that came with it, so I don't care to spend $200 more on .920. What I'm looking for is something that is quick to swing, and as lightweight as possible. Also, any add-on that will improve reliability is a consideration.

My plans:

#1 The stock with the barrel band is not up to par, so I'm looking to upgrade to that rubbery Hogue stock.

#2 I've punched out the iron sights in anticipation of adding a fiber optic type. Which is the better of the two, HIVIZ or WIlliams? I also plan to add a Dlask .750" see through rail mount with a Vortex Diamondback 2-7x35 rimfire scope on top. How does this combination work? Any possible problems, compatibility issues?

#3 As for the internals, I'll grab a bunch of Volquartsen extractors (I've heard nothing but good things about them), a Power Custom auto bolt stop, and possibly a Clark Custom Deluxe Trigger Kit down the road.

#4 I'm also looking into a high quality SS extended bolt handle with extra power recoil spring, I plan to use Hyper Velocity and don't want to brutalize the receiver with the extra energy they put out. Any tips on what bolt handle/recoil spring kit to buy?

#5 Should I stick with the stock firing pin/spring? I've heard lots of problems with aftermarket firing pins, mainly Volquartsen.

I'll be putting a few hundred hard earned $ into this on top of the original cost, and I wanted to run it with you guys first before I end up making a stupid decision. My main concerns are making it lightweight, quick to swing, and reliable. Will mostly be shooting off hand, and will be out on foot for long periods of time.

Thanks to all of you,
Happy Holdiays!!!! d:h: :D
 
Well, the gun ought to run fine as it is from the factory...and I think much of what you're looking to do (except the trigger job down the road) will only improve the gun marginally...but add a whole lot to the cost. In terms of "reliability", stick to the the factory 10-round mags for starters.

Get the gun out, see what ammo it likes, and then put a pile of ammo through it and see if any issues creep-up that might tempt you to start swapping-out parts. I think if 10/22s "needed" so many aftermarket parts to work reliably, Ruger wouldn't sell so many OF them. If I to guess, I bet close to 75% of 10/22s bought today get NO modifications at all. (save for maybe optics) There is a world of shooters out there that don't use the internet, or modify brand new guns~and they manage to shoot and hunt just as much as we do!

My $.02 (biases obvious :) ) Congrats on your new gun BTW, got my 795 there just before Christmas. Nice guys indeed.
 
.22LRGUY said:
Well, the gun ought to run fine as it is from the factory...and I think much of what you're looking to do (except the trigger job down the road) will only improve the gun marginally...but add a whole lot to the cost. In terms of "reliability", stick to the the factory 10-round mags for starters.

Get the gun out, see what ammo it likes, and then put a pile of ammo through it and see if any issues creep-up that might tempt you to start swapping-out parts. I think if 10/22s "needed" so many aftermarket parts to work reliably, Ruger wouldn't sell so many OF them. If I to guess, I bet close to 75% of 10/22s bought today get NO modifications at all. (save for maybe optics) There is a world of shooters out there that don't use the internet, or modify brand new guns~and they manage to shoot and hunt just as much as we do!

My $.02 (biases obvious :) ) Congrats on your new gun BTW, got my 795 there just before Christmas. Nice guys indeed.
Click to expand...

Thanks .22 LR guy, ironically, I was going for the 795 for my first choice. You must've beat me to it! :p Out of the 2, I would have preferred the 795 due to price and solid design, but I can't complain with the 10/22 I got. I'll probably get a Volquartsen extractor for sure though, and that Hogue stock sure is a tempting buy. I've handled the Hogue (not my gun) and it feels really good in the hands.
 
Dr.Lector said:
For #2: Post a link to the HiViz/Williams sights
that you intend to put on your 18.5" bbl
and I will tell you if they are compatible with your setup.
Click to expand...

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=9503/avs|Make~~Model_1=Ruger__10zz1zz22/psize=24/Product/10-22-reg-HIVIZ-SIGHT-SYSTEM

or

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=26034/avs|Make~~Model_1=Ruger__10zz1zz22/psize=24/Product/RUGER-10-22-FIRE-SIGHTS

I'm leaning more with the HIVIZ because they seem to be higher than the Williams. The higher ones would probably work better with the Dlask see through .750" rail mount.
 
Have you shot the rifle yet? Put some rds. thru it and decide if it needs anything before buying stuff based on what youve read online. Theyre lightweight and handy right out of the box, mine didnt need a single mod until I decided to start messing around with it. Thats when problems started arising
 
supernova said:
Have you shot the rifle yet? Put some rds. thru it and decide if it needs anything before buying stuff based on what youve read online. Theyre lightweight and handy right out of the box, mine didnt need a single mod until I decided to start messing around with it. Thats when problems started arising
Click to expand...

I've put a few hundred through it, but mostly to break it in. I did not like the hard stock very much. The sights suck, maybe it's my eyes, but I saw the need to upgrade them right away before buying a scope in the very near future. The Hogue stock really felt a lot better over the original as I'm 6'1", and have very long arms. There were a few minor FTE, but no failures to fire, I was using good CCI ammo though. Maybe the FTE were a breaking in period, but the Volquartsen extractor is cheap. They're suppose to punch spent casing out a lot harder, so I think I will definitely grab a few. Trigger was nothing special, but I can manage for now.
 
"J" man said:
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=...psize=24/Product/10-22-reg-HIVIZ-SIGHT-SYSTEM
or

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=...zz22/psize=24/Product/RUGER-10-22-FIRE-SIGHTS
I'm leaning more with the HIVIZ because they seem to be higher than the Williams. The higher ones would probably work better with the Dlask see through .750" rail mount.
Click to expand...

I think they are both the same height,
but height is not your problem, anyway.

The first one in your post is compatible with the Dlask see-thru.

The second one is NOT compatible.
The reason is that the second one
protrudes very much back and it interferes
with the underside of the rail.

So, if you want to use the Dlask see-thru rail,
I strongly suggest you go with the first option in your post.
 
Dr.Lector said:
I think they are both the same height,
but height is not your problem, anyway.

The first one in your post is compatible with the Dlask see-thru.

The second one is NOT compatible.
The reason is that the second one
protrudes very much back and it interferes
with the underside of the rail.

So, if you want to use the Dlask see-thru rail,
I strongly suggest you go with the first option in your post.
Click to expand...

Yah, I was sort of thinking the same thing, but wasn't too sure. I think these are the only 2 viable options for fiber optics on a 10/22, so I'm going to try it out with the HIVIZ. Also, if I do run into problems, the HIVIZ rear sight folds down just like the original. It's always good to get a second opinion, especially when $ is on the line. Thanks Dr.
 
For cottontail hunting , I found scopes are not all that great.
Either the original iron sights or a red dot worked better....never tried fiber optics but should be good so long as they don't completely cover your target ...same said for the size of the red "dot"
Mostly because , those lil' critters are pretty close and/or moving fast.
 
Timberlord said:
For cottontail hunting , I found scopes are not all that great.
Either the original iron sights or a red dot worked better....never tried fiber optics but should be good so long as they don't completely cover your target ...same said for the size of the red "dot"
Mostly because , those lil' critters are pretty close and/or moving fast.
Click to expand...

Not even on 2x power? I thought they would rock. I won't just be doing rabbit hunting. Although not the ideal gun for it, I also wanted to use it for grouse. Red dot for grouse? I would rather use a scope, especially when using a .22LR.
 
I only just started hunting grouse, and my only experience is with a shotgun. However, part of the inspiration for my Marlin was the thought of using it on grouse. Really light gun, 3-9x scope with decent glass~should do the trick.

I was thinking about your stock idea.. I remember having an aftermarket (Pro-Mag?) rubber recoil pad on my 10/22 when I had it..wasn't keen on the factory/shiny plastic one. First day hunting with it was a bit rainy, so I had my goretex jacket on. Went to shoulder the rifle quickly and the rubber pad gripped my jacket so effectively (as I lifted the rifle) that I lost my shot opportunity pulling it away from my jacket, and re-seating it at the proper height. (if that makes any sense) The slippery nature of the stock plastic bit actually helped to shoulder it quickly.

Those Hogue stocks look pretty cool, but I'd be wondering about my experience if I was considering one.
 
I have the Hogue stock bought right here on CGN many moons ago, love it. The trigger can be tweaked by yourself if your the slightest big tool handy. I've got mine down to 2.5lb and it crisp and smooth. IIRC there is a how too post at the top or the rimfire section as well many tips on rimfirecentral.com

Also I have a Leupold FXII 4x33 in Leup rings on mine, it's way more accurate than I am on grouse and bunnies!!
 
Yah, I'm looking for a standard barrel Hogue stock. I'm not going to use it for competition. I think for hunting, .920 is overkill and too heavy to drag around the countryside. I do love the balanced feel of the 16-1/8" .920s, but my stainless steel standard should be good enough for the bushes (especially if I get caught out in the rain). I already bought some HIVIZ fiber optic sights (waiting for them in the mail), I'll snap a pic of the sight picture to give you guys some feedback when I get them on. As far as the Hogue stock goes, I have my eyes set on the ghillie tan. That pattern looks really sharp with stainless. My stock stock (no pun intended) does not come with swivel studs mounted, so there's another plus for the Hogue stock because I was going to put a sling on it anyway (don't have to spend $ on studs). The only thing that concerns me, from what I have read up on the Hogues, is that the cheek piece sits really low in proportion to the barrel. This might be a problem if I'm going to throw a scope or red dot on it in the future, but on the other hand, its supposed to be really ergonomic for irons as it comes.

Between a 2X-7X variable scope or a red dot, what would be your preference and why? I was going to go with Vortex Diamondback 2-7x35 rimfire, but now I'm looking at the Vortex Sparc red dot with its 2 MOA dot. Because of the fast nature of close to mid range rabbit hunting, I'm starting to look more at red dots. Would I be able to get any decent accuracy on small sized game 50 feet away with a 2 MOA red dot? Cause if not, I'll probably look for that Diamondback instead.
 
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