Barrel upgrade - Ruger 10/22

[JimJD]

Hi there!
I'm thinking about upgrading my Ruger 10/22, but the burning question at the moment for me is...
What is involved in replacing my stock barrel with a heavy barrel?
Is it "plug and play"? Removal of the v-block, take off the stock barrel, screw in the bull barrel and reattach the v-block?
Or is it more involved than that? I'm hoping it's the former and not the latter.

 

[7mmRemMag]

Got to purchase a new stock or modify the current one to handle a .92" barrel

 

[7mmRemMag]

try looking on ebay for stocks

 

[JimJD]

Yup, I've already picked out a stock that can accept the O.D. of a heavy barrel (Fajen Legacy series - ajdustable synthetic).
But I'm concerned about the actual installation/mating of the barrel and receiver. Someone had mentioned I might have to grind/shape part of the barrel to get a correct fit. If that's the case, I might be s.o.l.. I'm not against going to a gunsmith or anything, but I want to keep one out of the picture for a few reasons.

 

[Barr]

If it is a good quality barrel from a reputable manufacturer you should just be able to retighten the v-block to the barrel. I put a seconds factory barrel on my gun and it fit like a charm. All I had to do was sand/hog out the barrel channel on the factory stock.

 

[George S.]

Barrel replacement is very simple. Remove the stock and you will see a small block under the barrel just in front of the receiver. Remove the two screws and pull the barrel out of the receiver.

Installation of the new barrel is the reverse of the removal procedure. The new barrel will center itself as the block is tightened. Don't tighten the screws too much and use a very small amount of something like Loctite BLUE on the two screws to hold them in place.

You will need a new stock to hold the .92" barrel. These are available from various sources in different wood types and designs. Try Boyd's for some nice stocks. http://www.boydsgunstocks.com/

Most bull barrels like to float free in the stock and bedding the receiver will help with accuracy.

A good barrel to consider is the Green Mountain fluted versions. You can find a lot of great information about barrels and accurizing the 10/22 on the Rimfire Central Forum There are 7 separate sections devoted to the 10/22

 

[DoubleTapDrew]

After removing the V-block, if the stock barrel is in there tight, you can pull and release the bolt a few times to help it get started out. When putting the new one in it might be a little tight. You can use some lube (I had to do a little twisting back and forth at first to get it in far enough to start with the v-block screws. The V-block should center it but make sure the extractor lines up in the groove on the bbl or you'll have extraction issues and have to remove it again.
I'm happy with my green mountain fluted 16 incher, but then again I don't have any other aftermarket barrels to compare it to, just lots of 1 hole groups.

 

[ArmedBear]

I upgraded my 10/22 barrel yesterday. I sold the gun to help pay for rifles I'd rather have, with barrels I'd rather have, in stocks and receivers I'd rather have.

But hey, once you're replaced some trigger group parts, the extractor, the barrel, and the stock, the 10/22 is a damn good rifle.

Ever read "Soup from a Stone"? (Not the Soviet version, the original.)

A rifle from a 10/22. Fancy that!

Of course, people do have a lot of fun replacing everything about a 10/22 that needs replacing. Just don't do it if you will miss a few hundred bucks here and there.

 

[JimJD]

Thanks for the info everyone.
I'm about to purchase a Mueller APV for my optics (with burris signature zee rings) . After that, I want to install a Volquartsen hammer and auto bolt release. Next step would be a Green Mountain heavy barrel (base model) and Fajen legacy series adj. stock. After that, I'll see how it goes.
All of this stems from my recent, first time experience with a USBR target. I didn't know it was so much fun!