Ruger 10/22 Barrels

C

cm_machinist

Regular
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Hi,
I'm looking at upgrading the barrel on my 10/22. I shot a lot of gophers for a friend this summer and I would like to upgrade the barrel to squeeze as much accuracy as I can out of the ammo that I have. I've looked at the Ruger 10/22 sporter barrel on Brownell's website. I've also looked at the Dlask and Tactical Solutions X-Ring Barrel as well. I understand different variables affect accuracy but I thought upgrading a barrel would be a good start. What barrels have you guys tried out? Thanks
 
Most I would say turn that system around.
Try different ammo for your existing barrel.
Also parallax adjustment on scope. Before swapping parts, those 2 things can improve results on paper.
Cleaning and lightening the trigger can also help tighten it up.
Also its a slippery slope that tinkering.
 
Last edited:
Years ago I had a 10/22 with a Shillen Heavy barrel. It was pretty great so I thought.
This year I put a 20 inch Kidd Heavy barrel on my Ruger deluxe sporter. wow It makes the Shillen seem Quite pale by comparison.
If I were to ever build another 10/22, I would use a Kidd again
I have read that people are happy with Volquartsen barrels as well.
 
Kidd barrel all the way. The dlask barrels will probably out perform almost any factory Ruger barrel that I know of. Kidd barrel and eley contact ammo produced some of my best groups. Look into a trigger or trigger kit too. But as another guy stated you might be better off changing ammo instead of the barrel. What ammo are you using??
 
The Dlask heavy barrel 16” I have shoots 36 grain American Eagle like match ammo. I bought it specifically because the advertised their barrel for being accurate with the cheaper varmint ammo. I have enough 22 rifles that love Lapua ammo. I wanted something that would shoot the cheaper stuff. The only negative is the chamber is tight so if you load and don’t shoot you will need to manually pull the cartridge out. Ejects normally when shot.
 
I would start with improving the trigger if you haven't already, in a gopher patch, having a good trigger makes a huge difference. After that, play around with bedding and action screw torque, it can dramatically affect groups and costs nothing. As far as the barrel goes, I've been very happy with my Kidd ultra light. I shoots American Eagle quite well and CCI mini mags very well and I don't mind the lighter weight when I'm spending the day wandering around a field. But like said earlier, it's a slippery slope.
 
savagelh said:
There's a green mountain 16" stainless fluted barrel on the ee right now for $200. That would make the gophers hate you. Buy it so I don't have to.
Click to expand...


Yup...that's mine :) Nice barrel for sure.

Altho shamelessly plugging my own ad here...the barrel shoots lil bug holes when the shooter and the rest of the firearm/ammo are up to it.
The factory 1022 barrel will shoot OK with the ammo it likes.....but a quality aftermarket barrel will improve...in some cases greatly improve on it.

As others have mentioned the 1st place to start is with finding what ammo your rifle shoots well...and it may not nec be the most expensive.
Next is things that will improve the practical accuracy of your rifle.....a decent trigger job or trigger group....light and crisp and smooth....poss the most important area to be addressed.
Next would be decent optics...clarity/magnification/hold zero and assoc mounting hardware to keep everything snug and zeroed.
The last thing to address would be a better barrel....the "better" and particularly a bull barrel will not only shoot tighter groups it will keep the groups tight/retain poi when it gets hot as well as stabilize on target and resist movement.
 
Volquartsen barrels are very nice as well.. I sold my GM for my VQ... Extremely happy. The GM was excellent, but it was a fluted heavy barrel. I went to a Carbon Fibre Tension Barrel and the weight savings plus accuracy was well worth it. But it was $$$$$$$
 
cm_machinist said:
...What barrels have you guys tried out? Thanks
Click to expand...

Aftermarket 10/22 barrels I have tried but no longer own:

Dlask (at least 4 different variations). In my experience the Sporter chamber barrels are not significantly more accurate than stock Ruger barrels but the variety of lengths, finishes and styles available is outstanding. My X-treme chamber barrel was accurate, but less reliable than any other aftermarket barrel I have tried. I have not tried a Target chamber barrel.
Green Mountain I found my GM barrel to be slightly more accurate than my Dlask X-treme and very reliable, but not as accurate as my Kidd barrel.

Aftermarket 10/22 barrels that I still own:

Kidd Best accuracy of any 10/22 barrel I have owned combined with excellent reliability. The only barrel that has allowed me to meet the 1/2" at 50 yard challenge goal with a 10/22. Link: https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/895924-My-22-shoots-1-2-quot-groups-at-50-yards-meters-all-day!-Really-Prove-it!
Volquartsen Beautiful build quality, very good reliabilty, accuarcy has not lived up to my expectations, so far, but I am still experimenting with ammo.
McGowen Excellent reliability, very good accuracy
Adaptive tactical Very good reliability combined with excellent accuracy

My best advice, to anyone who wants to upgrade to a more accurate 10/22 barrel: Get a Kidd
 
Last edited:
Another side note on my personal experience with the kidd barrel. The installation may not be as easy as some of the others. Mine was a super tight fit to my receiver. Freeze the barrel, heat the receiver, big hammer type fit. Then hope like heck it can be turned/tapped into the proper location.
 
If it's more then a bench gun I'd suggest a volquartsen carbon fiber tension THM. Very accurate and lightweight. If you have a heavier scope then the weight is more focused to the rear of the rifle which can help with those snap shots (assuming a standing position) and reduces fatigue while either holding for the perfect shot or just carrying the rifle around.
 
Craftsman said:
Another side note on my personal experience with the kidd barrel. The installation may not be as easy as some of the others. Mine was a super tight fit to my receiver. Freeze the barrel, heat the receiver, big hammer type fit. Then hope like heck it can be turned/tapped into the proper location.
Click to expand...

That's a very good point. My Kidd barrel had to be turned down a few thousandths of an inch on a lathe in order to fit. I never had that issue with any other barrel.
 
Craftsman said:
Another side note on my personal experience with the kidd barrel. The installation may not be as easy as some of the others. Mine was a super tight fit to my receiver. Freeze the barrel, heat the receiver, big hammer type fit. Then hope like heck it can be turned/tapped into the proper location.
Click to expand...

I had to do that for my Dlask barrel as well.

For the hammer I recommend a large rubber mallet.
 
I have s 20” green mountain barrel sitting here. I was planning on using it for my 10/22 stainless Target but the stock barrel shoots Lapua very well. So no change was made.

I’m thinking of buying a deluxe 10/22 and using the GM barrel in that. Any experience with the Deluxe Sporter? Best place/price to get one?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom