How hard is it to change the barrel on a 10/22?

[Lone_Gunman]

I am looking at a 10/22 Target model, and some here have suggested I would end up with a more accurate gun if I changed the barrel and trigger out on a standard model.

Is this something for a gunsmith, or can I do it myself?

 

[adobewalls]

10/22's are consumer friendly and easily worked on by the average person. The barrel is slip fit and held in place by two hex screws and a bracket.

See the following links for ideas, but be warned, one you start modifying one, it gets hard to stop:

http://www.ruger22.com/
http://rimfirecentral.com/forums/
http://www.volquartsen.com/

Have fun...

 

[jefmad]

I am no gunsmith and had never really worked on guns before and it took me about 30 - 45 minutes to change the barrel and put in a VQ target hammer. The barrel couldn't be easier, just a screw to loosen and pull the barrel off slam the new one on and re-tighten the screw.

 

[George S.]

A flat blade screwdriver is all that's needed. Loosen the screw on the front barrel band and then remove the take-down screw in front of the magwell.

Pull the stock off and there are two small screws on the barrel retaining block to remove. The barrel will pull right out of the receiver. Takes all of two minutes to pull the barrel.

There are a wide variety of target or "bull" barrels on the market that will greatly improve the accuracy. These barrels are typically .920" in diameter so a new stock is in order that will handle the larger barrel diameter.

There are trigger kits from Power Custom or Volquartsen that you can install to improve the trigger pull. These take a bit more time but the pieces (hammer and sear) just swap with the factory ones.

The 10/22 is simple to work on and you will find a tremendous amount of custom parts for it.

If you go to the Rimfire Central Forum, you will find 7 separate sections devoted to the 10/22. There is a lot of good info there: http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/

 

[rangerruck]

very easy to do.

 

[Lone_Gunman]

So would I be better off buying the cheepest 10/22 I can find and then swapping the barrel and trigger?

 

[jefmad]

Thats what I would do.

 

[Nhsport]

As others have said it is easy to do. Be aware that most all of the target barrels are a bigger diameter and require a different stock. Simple drop in install but this adds to the expense. I have gone the "build it myself " route and I also own a factory 10/22T model. If you try one out at a gunstore and the stock is to your likeing (looks and a size to fit you ) it isn't a bad deal. My 10/22T had a much beter trigger than the plain 10/22 model but I ended up installing a drop in trigger package. This was a JARD and I highly recomend this unit. Fairly expensive but the whole trigger guard trigger unit is replaced (if you can remove and install the stock you can do this) I ended up useing the stock 10/22 factory trigger assembly in another of my 10/22s and keeping that unit as spare parts. The 10/22T is very accurate right out of the box.
As is the way with most rimfires you will need to try a whole bunch of different ammo brands to see what works best in your gun. In general most of the "Target" low velocity loads will be more accurate but might not function a gun untill it is broken in.
No offence to the fine gentleman on this board but another place to do some research on the 10/22 is rimfirecentral,com . Those guys are nuts for anything 10/22!

 

[hksw]

Before you start, be sure to have a good set of tools. The slotted screws for the barreel band and attaching the stock to the action are pretty generous, the slots are wide and deep. a regular screw driver will work, no need for a gunsmithing set yet. The bolts holding the barrel to the receiver are hexhead. Have a good set of Allen-type wrenches. The size is pretty standard but once you get to souping up your 10/22, the other sizes will come in handy, all the way down to 0.050" for some of the accessories like re-zeroable target turrets of scopes.

As others have said, the 10/22T is a step up from the base models, but still well short of what you can make the gun out to be. IMO, you should also try your hand in modifying the original parts to see what you can do yourself and it'll give you a better understanding of how the gun works and what mods will help or not. You'll replace the parts anyway.

 

[rbernie]

So would I be better off buying the cheepest 10/22 I can find and then swapping the barrel and trigger?

Yes.

Remember - changing the barrel to a heavier contour will require either changing the stock or seriously modifying the old one. Most folks buy a new stock when they buy a new barrel.

 

[Lone_Gunman]

Looking online, it looks like it will cost a lot more to upgrade a standard 10/22 than just buy a 10/22T. Bull barrels run $200+, and replacement trigger groups run $100-200.

How much better will it be than a 10/22T. If we are talking about shooting 1/4" better groups at 50 yards, then it doesnt seem to me to be worth it.

 

[sturmruger]

You better watch out once you start tinkering with your 10/22 it can be very addicting and you will find yourself spending obscene amounts of cash your 10/22s. What ever you do do not go over to the Rimfire Central Forums it is a sickness that cannot be cured!!!

 

[GrandmasterB]

Looking online, it looks like it will cost a lot more to upgrade a standard 10/22 than just buy a 10/22T. Bull barrels run $200+,

Not true....Green Mountain barrels and Adams & Bennet barrels can be had for around $100 and are well regarded for their accuracy. http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=305251

You can also get a good package price on a barrel and stock combo from JG Sales for $129: http://www.jgsales.com/product_info...tock-set-for-10-22-/cPath/1_3/products_id/458

 

[highlander 5]

I put a midway barrel on my 10/22 replaced the trigger and with cheap Russian 22 ammo will put 10 shots into an area just under the size of a dime at 25 yds.
Cost $140 and about 1 hour in labor

 

[TimboKhan]

Well, it depends on what you want, really. It's easy enough to do, but maybe you like the 10/22T just as it is. Honestly, From an aesthetic perspective, I personally like Rugers target barrel just as much as I like anyone elses, and I am sure that it is going to shoot well. I don't think you would be better off doing either one. Building your own gun is fun, but that doesn't necessarily make it better.