[Shmackey]

I'd really like a bolt-action .22 and I'd like it to be customizable and modular. Is there anything out there that has aftermarket parts like the 10/22? If not, I might give up on the bolt, as long as I can convince myself that I can make the 10/22 accurate enough for my tastes.

[BamBam]

The 10/22 is the small block Chevy of rifles. If it's not accurate enough for you in stock form, there's plenty of aftermarket goodies:

http://www.ontargetguns.com/10-22.html

http://rimfirecentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?forumid=9

[JohnKSa]

There are enough aftermarket part suppliers that one can be built entirely without using a single part made by the original manufacturer and without having a single part custom made. Everything off-the-shelf.

There are two or three companies making receivers from various materials (including stainless steel), innumerable stock & barrel makers, at least two companies making complete trigger groups and several making various internal parts including bolts, springs and trigger components.

If I ever win the lottery, I'm going to build a NON-Ruger 10/22 just for the heck of it. ;)

[Hkmp5sd]

There used to be a lot of after-market goodies for the Charter Arms AR-7. They even had a book on how to dress them up. Haven't really paid attention to what's available for them these days.

[makdaddy03]

If i'm not mistaken the Marlin m60 has a few accessories available.
Stocks, add on type stuff. cheaperthandirt.com

[Sactown]

STI has started making their own receiver as well as trigger unit. I don't think there's any .22 rifle with as many aftermarket parts available. If ya got deep pockets, you could easily end up with a $1500 .22 without scope.

[Robert inOregon]

If ya got deep pockets, you could easily end up with a $1500 .22 without scope.

That is correct. Will make you go broke in a heartbeat, but some things are plain irresistible. And once we leave this place, money don't do anyone any good.

http://home.earthlink.net/~pkalfonso/ruger1022.jpg

[JohnKSa]

This is just from Brownells--I've seen at least one more receiver mfctr and someone else is selling a complete trigger guard assembly

Volquartsen Stainless Steel 10/22 Receiver with integral scope mount--buffer pin included--$335

Volquartsen Trigger Guard 2000 Complete trigger guard and internal parts--$200

Volquartsen Competition Bolt Assembly--$159

Doug Koenig Steel V-Block (holds the barrel on)--$17

Shilen Stainless Steel Match-Grade Barrel--$296

Bell & Carlson Odyssey Target Stock--$382

Total--$1389

That doesn't include a magazine, scope rings or scope, we're still missing a couple of pins, some screws and haven't talked shipping charges or the FFL transfer fee for the receiver! Of course, the above is going top of the line with each of the parts. You could do it for less.

[Shmackey]

Alright, now you've got me drooling over a 10/22. Two questions that are very important to me:

(1) Can I do most or all of the fun work myself, or is some of it gunsmith territory (like fitting a bushing on a 1911)? It seems mostly drop-in.

(2) What kind of minute of angle am I looking at with a stock 10/22 and then one that I've tweaked? You can get a stock centerfire rifle that'll do .75 MOA all day for $600. That's tempting in and of itself. In the end, I'm an accuracy freak.

Thanks for all the obviously well informed replies.

[JohnKSa]

All of the parts I listed are drop-in to a stock gun as are 99% of 10/22 aftermarket parts.

You get on slightly shakier ground when you start to mix and match aftermarket parts--M.O.A.s stainless steel receiver, for example, is guaranteed to work with all factory parts and MOST aftermarket parts. You may have to do some fitting, or you may find that some combinations don't work.

For minor stuff like replacing springs/hammers/triggers/sears/etc. and even barrels and stocks you should have no troubles. (Other than money...) :D

I think you can get accuracy about as good as you want to pay for. Let's say you start with a bottom of the line 10/22 for around $160. Now replace the barrel and stock and maybe some trigger parts. That should cost you around $350 or so if you don't splurge on the stock. If you picked your barrel right you should be pretty much guaranteed a rifle that will do half an inch at 50yards for around $500. The next step would be a stainless steel receiver (I don't think many do this) which can be had for around $170 if you shop around.

[Shmackey]

This is sounding better and better. I always wind up toying with my guns anyway, so I like the idea of getting one that starts out cheap.

I take it all the factory receivers are the same (blued or stainless of course)? That is, if I know I'm going to scrap the stock ASAP, I can go for the lowest common denominator--except perhaps getting a bull barrel, if I plan to switch that out later?

I'm off to look for laminated thumbhole 10/22 stocks. Why do I have a feeling there are dozens?

[BamBam]

Did someone say "stocks"?

http://www.boydboys.com/

[JohnKSa]

Shortcut...

Clark Custom sells a barrelled action for a 10/22 that is guaranteed to shoot 1/2" at 50 yards--and sold with a test target to prove it. The barrel is a heavy profile Lothar Walther Barrel, the trigger has been tuned and had an overtravel stop installed and the receiver comes with a Weaver TO9 scope base.

Price ranges from $460 to $580--maybe less if you go directly to Clark instead of ordering through Brownells.

You pick receiver color (they're all aluminum, you're just picking finish), barrel type (target/target-fluted/hunter-fluted) and barrel compostion (blued/stainless)

The only thing you need to do is stock it and pick a scope.

And, of course, there's always the Ruger 10/22Target which comes with a laminate stock and hammer forged heavy barrel from the factory. I think they go for a bit over $500.

[Shmackey]

OK, I'm going to Galyan's to pick one up today...

Any reason not to get the cheapest model they have--blue or stainless but otherwise no-frills?

[JohnKSa]

I'd get the cheapest one you can find.

[Sactown]

Volquartsen also sells complete rifles, but I found it more fun to build my own.

[dfariswheel]

Per your original question about customizeable bolt action .22's, the Ruger 77/22 has the same general modular design as the 10/22. (Easy change barrel, etc).

There are a number of options on stocks and barrels available for them.

[Shmackey]

Hmm... Place by me has a 10/22 with a Fajen thumbhole stock, scope, and aftermarket bull barrel for $450. That's better than I could do myself, but I think I'm going to enjoy building it up on my own.

Now I have to check up on dfariswheel's comment on the 77...

[Shmackey]

Oh heck, one more question: I can run out right now and get a basic wood-stocked blued model for $139. I was thinking stainless, but does it really matter if I'm going to replace the barrel? I'm not so sure the "stainless" receiver is even steel anyway... Thanks for all the help!

[Shmackey]

Answered my own question (and I think JohnKSa did earlier). They're aluminum. You can even blast off the "blue" finish.

[JohnKSa]

The 77/22 is a very nice little rifle. You have the added advantage of a nicer factory stock and the standard Ruger scope ring setup. The only disadvantage is price. They start around $400 if I'm not mistaken.