Almost New 10/22 Revisited

[Skylerbone]

Some here with eidetic memory may recall my having owned a 10/22 Carbine after decades of shooting them but none to call my own. When the fourth of those Rugers finally made its way to the safe I had no more than checked the box before a friend offered me double to once again go without.

After a rather unexpected turn of events just months later I found myself the owner of a Ruger Sporter, purchased for a now former family member with a scant few boxes run through it. Being the eternal optimist I considered my good fortune and proceeded in earnest last week with the process of shoring things up.

Much of the basic work had been performed from the start including stoning of the hammer hooks, the addition of a buffer, and bolt lightening which left only the return spring replacement and bolt pinning before ammo testing could commence.

Spring weather and other factors have kept me occupied to a large degree but I was able to sneak away and test a few types for initial accuracy. My form could have been better, equipment as well, however I think there may be promise for this one before next squirrel season kicks off.







15 yd initial sight in after scope mounting, CCI SV upper group, Aguila SE lower group.









It isn’t the most accurate with either ammo tested but it is proving to be a source of enjoyment while chasing a few 1/10s.

This week’s comparo was Agila and Eley Subsonic with Agila edging out the win at both 25 and 50 yards (no pictures). Next week will be Mini-Mag/Aguila, hopefully with fresh pictures.

 

[Odd Job]

That's a keeper, for sure!

 

[LoonWulf]

That's a keeper, for sure!

yup, Im not used to seeing stockish 10/22s doing that well, even at 25yds. Not with any consistency anyway.

 

[Skylerbone]

It’s still easily double the group size of my Marlin and CZ bolt actions but I’m enjoying the process again and trying a few new tips. I’ve got a small section of inner tube toward the end of the barrel channel (I’ve not opened up the wood at all) and the firing pin is being checked with a roll pin running parallel with the cut out, with the pin filed to just clear.


Not my picture, but this is what I decided on after breaking my last two drill bits on hand.

 

[Kp321]

Not my picture, but this is what I decided on after breaking my last two drill bits on hand.

That is similar to my solution to the firing pin float problem, I use a piece of brass instead of a roll pin but the principle is the same. The bolt is Hard!

 

[amd6547]

I bought a 1965 10/22 in like new condition, in the box (with $58 Sears price tag).
With a cheap rimfire Barska 4x scope, I was getting 10 shot groups similar to the above at 80yds, using Blazer bulk. Nothing done to this like new rifle whatsoever. It looked as if it was purchased and put in the closet.
Walnut Overton stock and all metal…Ruger knew how make them back then.

 

[jmr40]

I've never cared for the standard 10/22 but do like the Sporter. I have a couple that I've modified with aftermarket stocks and barrels. The only one I have that is as it left the factory is one of the LVT's. They were a limited production 10/22 with a Sporter stock and a 20" medium contour barrel with no sights.

If you want to squeeze a bit more accuracy out of it and retain the standard barrel profile consider this barrel. For $110 it made a huge difference in one of my rifles.

E. R. Shaw Barrel Ruger 10/22 22 Long Rifle Sporter Contour 1 16 Twist (midwayusa.com)

 

[Skylerbone]

I've never cared for the standard 10/22 but do like the Sporter. I have a couple that I've modified with aftermarket stocks and barrels. The only one I have that is as it left the factory is one of the LVT's. They were a limited production 10/22 with a Sporter stock and a 20" medium contour barrel with no sights.

If you want to squeeze a bit more accuracy out of it and retain the standard barrel profile consider this barrel. For $110 it made a huge difference in one of my rifles.

E. R. Shaw Barrel Ruger 10/22 22 Long Rifle Sporter Contour 1 16 Twist (midwayusa.com)

At some future point I’ll likely land a second example of some ilk then order a Feddersen barrel, perhaps threaded for woods use.

 

[d2wing]

Some here with eidetic memory may recall my having owned a 10/22 Carbine after decades of shooting them but none to call my own. When the fourth of those Rugers finally made its way to the safe I had no more than checked the box before a friend offered me double to once again go without.

After a rather unexpected turn of events just months later I found myself the owner of a Ruger Sporter, purchased for a now former family member with a scant few boxes run through it. Being the eternal optimist I considered my good fortune and proceeded in earnest last week with the process of shoring things up.

Much of the basic work had been performed from the start including stoning of the hammer hooks, the addition of a buffer, and bolt lightening which left only the return spring replacement and bolt pinning before ammo testing could commence.

Spring weather and other factors have kept me occupied to a large degree but I was able to sneak away and test a few types for initial accuracy. My form could have been better, equipment as well, however I think there may be promise for this one before next squirrel season kicks off.


View attachment 1064500


View attachment 1064501

15 yd initial sight in after scope mounting, CCI SV upper group, Aguila SE lower group.
View attachment 1064502


View attachment 1064503


View attachment 1064504


It isn’t the most accurate with either ammo tested but it is proving to be a source of enjoyment while chasing a few 1/10s.

This week’s comparo was Agila and Eley Subsonic with Agila edging out the win at both 25 and 50 yards (no pictures). Next week will be Mini-Mag/Aguila, hopefully with fresh pictures.

Thank you, pictures of your upgrades and results are very appreciated.

 

[Skylerbone]

Another week, another update. I was still finding the trigger inadequate as it stood, both in pull weight as well as feel so I jumped back in to see what could be done on the cheap (again).

This time I removed the hammer and stoned just a hair more on the hook to remove the final vestiges of the factory “beak”. Next came the return spring which lost 2 coils to the grinder, and finally the sear to which was added a small layer of Devcon Plastic Steel. This additional layer helps to remove take-up, improving the overall feel of the pull.

Once satisfied, and having verified reset, I reinstalled the complete trigger housing and re-assessed. I’m not one who normally goes in for upward barrel pressure, preferring to free float instead but I have read time and again about inner tube being used and thought if it works (I had previously installed a piece) then why not a more permanent solution.

Having mixed up enough Devcon for a dozen sears I opted to drill a few anchor holes in the stock’s barrel channel and add the remaining putty, using a small sheet of wax paper to prevent adhesion to the barrel. Before screwing in the action screw, I slipped a piece of card stock between rifle and stock near the forend tip then snugged the screw down.

I pulled the wax paper and card stock then took it to the range to test. Results as follows with a few notes.


I actually brought out my windage rest which is far superior but loaned it and my rear bag to a friend shooting a lane down. So this was my set up. I had run into more of my vintage (read dried out) Lapua, this time Midas L to shoot alongside the basic Aguila Super Extra.


View to the 50 yard line. About 40 degrees with breezy conditions.


And a blurry view of the target through my $89 Nikon ProStaff Rimfire 3-9x.


I only brought 2 targets, one for me, one for a friend. When the wind cut this rifle did an admirable job of keeping reasonable group sizes. The Aguila was opening up a bit but my shooting was rather off today.


I was actually most impressed with the Lapua which held up for about 20 rounds shooting several groups before It wiped the barrel dry and began to scatter.


Scale comparison.


No where near dime sized if you count the 1 I let go that grazed the edge of the paper but not bad considering what is often maligned as a poor shooting rifle.



I am of the opinion that with a better set up and decent fresh ammo this basic home table modified Ruger could be near MOA in the hands of a better shooter. It’s not that I would tend toward target grade ammo in a sporter plinker but given the tools it just might have the chops.

I actually used the backing paper from a sheet of adhesive labels (GFCI outlet stickers) as my release agent.


The dull gray nose is the area built up with Devcon. Some recommend waxing the full trigger sub-assembly (sear gets cleaned with alcohol and no wax) then depressing and releasing to achieve perfect thickness. I simply roughed it up, applied, let it dry, then sanded it down till it would reset. By eye, between 1/16” and 1/32” thick.


Side view. It’s not much but does make a difference.

 

[mshootnit]

Some here with eidetic memory may recall my having owned a 10/22 Carbine after decades of shooting them but none to call my own. When the fourth of those Rugers finally made its way to the safe I had no more than checked the box before a friend offered me double to once again go without.

After a rather unexpected turn of events just months later I found myself the owner of a Ruger Sporter, purchased for a now former family member with a scant few boxes run through it. Being the eternal optimist I considered my good fortune and proceeded in earnest last week with the process of shoring things up.

Much of the basic work had been performed from the start including stoning of the hammer hooks, the addition of a buffer, and bolt lightening which left only the return spring replacement and bolt pinning before ammo testing could commence.

Spring weather and other factors have kept me occupied to a large degree but I was able to sneak away and test a few types for initial accuracy. My form could have been better, equipment as well, however I think there may be promise for this one before next squirrel season kicks off.


View attachment 1064500


View attachment 1064501

15 yd initial sight in after scope mounting, CCI SV upper group, Aguila SE lower group.
View attachment 1064502


View attachment 1064503


View attachment 1064504


It isn’t the most accurate with either ammo tested but it is proving to be a source of enjoyment while chasing a few 1/10s.

This week’s comparo was Agila and Eley Subsonic with Agila edging out the win at both 25 and 50 yards (no pictures). Next week will be Mini-Mag/Aguila, hopefully with fresh pictures.

What vintage? Mine (same model) is cir a 1991 and shoots about the same! I dig the aluminum trigger group. Crisp.

 

[Skylerbone]

What vintage? Mine (same model) is cir a 1991 and shoots about the same! I dig the aluminum trigger group. Crisp.

This one, as with the carbine I once owned, was manufactured after 2016. I don’t recall exactly when either was bought, but not more than 5 years old and with the nylon/plastic? trigger guard and housing on both.

 

[mshootnit]

nice to hear they are still making shooters!