Ruger 10/22 Sporter Upgrade Project – When it comes to iconic firearms, few can match the enduring popularity and widespread acclaim of the Ruger 10/22. Since its introduction in 1964, the Ruger 10/22 has become one of the most recognized and beloved .22 caliber rifles in the world.
The Ruger 10/22 was the brainchild of renowned firearms designer William B. Ruger and his team. It was envisioned as a versatile and affordable .22 caliber rifle that would appeal to a wide range of shooters, from beginners to experienced enthusiasts. The design incorporated innovative features, including a detachable rotary magazine and a semi-automatic action, setting the stage for its future success.
The Ruger 10/22 rifle has unlimited numbers of stocks, barrels and other after market parts, so you can build just about any configuration you can dream up, so I thought it was time for a Ruger 10/22 Sporter Upgrade Project . I had a 1968 carbine that was due for some upgrades so I started hitting all the websites with any information about 10/22’s. There are literally thousands of companies who build and sell parts for the rifle, and there is nothing like Youtube to help you learn how to put it all together.
The hardest part of the project was deciding what I wanted to do with the 10/22. Did I want a fully custom gun, target gun, hunting rifle, plinker- just what would it be? I decided I wanted to keep it in a hunting style and just make it look better and shoot well. And I did not have a big budget so I was looking for the best bang for my buck$. From the feedback and initial 50 yard groups, I think I achieved my goal. So let’s take a look at how it came together.
Check out the 10/22 Stocks from Hogue & Magpul at AMAZON
The first thing I needed for the Ruger 10/22 Sporter Upgrade Project was a barrel. Would it be a light weight sporter, mid weight or bull barrel? Most people I found who do these projects seem to like the short stainless bull barrels. They look great, especially the fluted stainless barrels and they are said to give better accuracy, although that may not be true. I talked to one of the Techs at Green Mountain, one of the top names in 10/22 after market barrels and he told me that the sporter barrels were just as accurate as the bull barrels. He said the the chambers and hand lapping were the keys to great accuracy and that both types of Green Mountain barrels got the same chambering and hand lapping. I also looked at Kidd and Shaw barrels but decide to purchase a blue unfluted Green Mountain sporter weight barrel for $159.
The barrel fit the receiver perfectly. I applied a film of lithium grease around the receiver end of the barrel and was able to push it most of the way into the receiver and turn it just enough to line up the barrel with the extractor on the bolt. After lining everything up, I just torqued it down and I was done on the first try. The Green Mountain barrel fits perfectly, has a beautiful finish and is very accurate.
A new trigger was a must if I wanted a good shooting rifle, and research told me a Kidd, Volquartsen or Ruger BX triggers would be my best option. These companies provide complete trigger assemblies and Kidd and Volquartsen also have trigger kits. I chose the Kidd trigger kit and it was really easy to to install and provided the perfect 2lb trigger I wanted. Kidd provides great products and great installation videos to help people like me with their first build. Below is the trigger kit video. The Kidd trigger kit was $105. For a few more dollars I picked up a Kidd buffer.
Now the hard part.
The challenge of my Ruger 10/22 Sporter Upgrade Project was fitting the barreled action to the stock. The sporter barrel is slightly larger than the stock barrel channel of the Ruger stock, so the barrel channel required a lot of sanding to open up the stock to accept the new barrel. I wanted the barrel floated for best accuracy, but I tried to put a little pressure at the tip of the stock for better support. That little pressure did not work well and the first groups were not that good. After floating the barrel, the barreled action could not be tighten enough to keep it from moving in stock.
So to help get the action from moving, I added a pad a couple of inches in front of the receiver. The pad helped tighten the action so now there is no movement. Of course, the best solution would be to glass bed the action for a better fit or buy a better fitting stock, but for now wanted to do some shooting before more gunsmithing.
After trying a few different types of ammo, Aguila, CCI MINI-MAG and SK High Velocity gave some pretty good results. These groups were shot with the SK ammo at 50yds. Since this is more of a hunting rifle than a target gun, I want to shoot high velocity ammo. Some target ammo may tighten the groups up a bit, but for now, I am happy with the results.
Back to the range today with new Leupold Mark AR 4x12AO and some CCI MiniMag shooting at 50 yds at 1/2” targets. I really like this new Leupold Mark AR 4x12AO. The target knobs are made for AR15’s in 223, but it works really well on 22LR as well. AO adjusts down to 25 yards and fine duplex reticle is great for tight groups. The knobs have enough elevation for targets out to 200 yds.
After zeroing the scope with CCI Mini-Mags at 50 yards, 15 clicks up for 100 yards and 58 clicks up for 200 yards. The lower scale on the elevation dial is marked in numerals in 5 click increments so it is easy to quickly dial in the yardage.
Below is a target shot with CCI MiniMags at 50 yards. After shooing those 3 tight groups, I am very happy with my rifle.
Below is a another target using Aguila Standard Velocity ammo. For inexpensive plinking ammo for $2.99 a box, it does pretty darn good. Aguila 22LR ammo has been one of my favorites for many years. It is very accurate and quite a value. It was also very accurate in our Ruger 10/22 Stainless Project.
ELEY PRIME OR AGUILA PRIME – One thing that I thought made this ammo so good was that it was Eley Primed. Eley is know worldwide for being the very best 22LR match ammo you can buy. For years Aguila has been marked “Eley Prime” on the box, and it also gives off the tell tale Eley smell when fired (the sweet smell of accuracy). If you look at the photo of the boxes below, you can now see that Aquila has new package for 2018 and some is marked “Aguila Prime”. Some of the new packages are still marked “Eley Prime” while some have “Aguila Prime”. I looked on the website and all of their 22LR is marked Aguila Prime. I have not had an opportunity to test both types so the jury is still out about accuracy of the new Aguila priming.
Back to the range early this morning before the wind got too high. Shot a few more groups with standard ammo and it did very well so I changed to the SK High Velocity. The Green Mountain barrel seems to be broken in pretty well as it turned in some really good groups under 1/2” See target below.
The Legendary Legacy: Exploring the History of the Ruger 10/22
Introduction and Initial Reception: The Ruger 10/22 was officially introduced in 1964, and it quickly gained attention for its robust build quality, reliable operation, and accuracy. The rifle’s stock options, barrel lengths, and sights offered customization and versatility, allowing shooters to tailor the rifle to their preferences and shooting needs. The 10/22’s affordable price point made it accessible to a wide audience, contributing to its rapid popularity.
Evolving Features and Variants: Over the years, Ruger continued to enhance and expand the Ruger 10/22 line. In 1999, the company introduced the 10/22 Magnum variant chambered in .22 Magnum, offering increased power and range. The 10/22’s success prompted Ruger to introduce various models with different stock materials, finishes, barrel profiles, and sights to cater to diverse customer preferences. The rifle’s adaptability and ease of customization made it a favorite among hobbyists and aftermarket accessory manufacturers.
Cultural Impact and Popularity: The Ruger 10/22 has achieved an iconic status within the shooting community. Its reliability, affordability, and ease of use have made it a popular choice for plinking, small game hunting, target shooting, and even competitive shooting events. The rifle’s versatility and consistent performance have endeared it to generations of shooters, with countless 10/22s becoming cherished family heirlooms passed down through the years.
Aftermarket Support and Innovation: The Ruger 10/22’s enduring popularity has spurred a thriving aftermarket industry, offering a vast array of accessories and modifications. From custom stocks and barrels to upgraded triggers and magazines, shooters have an extensive selection of options to enhance their 10/22’s performance and aesthetics. The rifle’s modular design and widespread availability of aftermarket parts have made it a beloved platform for experimentation and personalization.
Legacy and Enduring Success: The Ruger 10/22’s legacy is undeniable. With millions of rifles sold and an unwavering fan base, it has firmly established itself as a classic and timeless firearm. Its impact on the shooting community extends beyond its impressive sales figures, as it has introduced countless individuals to the joy of shooting and fostered a lifelong passion for firearms.
Conclusion: The Ruger 10/22’s history is a testament to its timeless design, innovative features, and enduring popularity. From its humble beginnings in 1964 to its status as an iconic rimfire rifle, the 10/22 has left an indelible mark on the firearms industry. With its reliability, versatility, and customizable nature, the Ruger 10/22 continues to inspire shooters of all ages and skill levels, ensuring its place as a true legend among firearms.
Ruger 10/22 Sporter Upgrade Project
Bushnell Rimfire 3-9×40 Riflescope with DZ22 Reticle in Black – RR3940BS4
Bushnell Rimfire 3-9×40 Riflescope with DZ22 Reticle $99 at Amazon
BDC Reticle for 40 Grain 22 AMMO
- The Bushnell Rimfire 3-9×40 is Designed to deliver peak performance for the 40-grain .22 LR, this scope boasts a BDC reticle with hold positions out to 125 yards—and you’ll never miss your shot thanks to capped turrets that protect your settings in the field
- One-piece, aircraft-grade aluminum body that has no problem standing up to the elements and rough use and capped turrets to protect your scope settings in the field
- Multi-Coated Optics for improved resolution, light transmission, and contrast to you get you on target
- DZ22 Reticle is designed specifically for a 40 grain 22 LR, with drop points out to 125 yards. Ideal for: Varmint, small game, plinking
- The Bushnell 3-9×40 Rimfire is covered by our Ironclad lifetime warranty
Vortex Optics Diamondback 2-7×35 Rimfire Scope
Vortex Optics Diamondback 2-7×35 Rimfire Scope $199 at Amazon
- The Diamondback 2-7×35 Rimfire riflescope is ideal for use at close range on 22 rimfire Rifles.
- The V-Plex reticle is a popular all-purpose hunting reticle intended for a wide variety of hunting applications.
- Lenses are fully multi-coated for crystal clear, bright images from dawn till dusk. The fast focus Eyepiece allows for quick and easy reticle focusing.
- Metal on metal Precision turrets offer the ability to zero reset after sight-in. A precision glide erector System ensures accurate tracking and repeatability.
- A solid one-piece tube with a hard anodized finish creates a shockproof and durable scope while helping camouflage The shooter’s position.
- Argon purged and O-ring sealed the scope will deliver a lifetime of Fog proof and waterproof performance.
Leupold VX-Freedom Specialty 3-9×40 Rimfire Riflescope
Leupold VX-Freedom Specialty Scopes Rimfire Riflescope $299 at Amaon
Designed Specifically For 22 Rimfire Rifles
- Model #174181 – VX-Freedom Rimfire 3-9×40 Riflescope with a Rimfire MOA Reticle, Capped Finger Click Adjustments and a Matte finish
- In Second Focal Plane (rear focal plane) scopes, the reticle stays the same size while the target grows and shrinks when you adjust the magnification. These reticles are ideal for lowlight hunting situations and in scopes that don’t utilize hash marks for range estimation.
- A 3:1 zoom ratio gives you 3 times more magnification at high power than at low power
- Designed, Machined and Assembled in the USA. 100% Waterproof, fogproof, shockproof, and backed by Leupold’s legendary customer care
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