Custom Squirrel Rifle

[hardluk1]

magoo The newest trigger to the KIDD line up is a parts kit to install in your houseing all for $89.oo.
http://www.coolguyguns.com/Ruger-1022-trigger-job-kit_p_95.html

You can also add just this to a old used up bolt or may be the newest not as good 10/22 and make for a way better operateing bolt.
http://www.coolguyguns.com/Cocking-Assembly_p_34.h


Mine has a 1lb jard single stage that really breaks at 14oz

For a sling Take a look at the Boonie Packers Safari Sling. It lets you carry your rifle in fron as cross your lower cgest or belly hands free and allways ready to just pick up to shoot. It cost is right around 20 dollars and weight is extremey lite as its all balistic nylon. great wlaking huters sling. Can be shorten up and use as anormal sling too.

 

[eagle24]

Budget: Like to stay under $600 without optics

Trigger: Slick, crisp, but not under 4 lbs. I may hand this rifle off to a youngster to shoot out a squirrel or coon from time to time.

This build is about having fun with squirrel and coon dogs and lightweight. I don't need an absolute tack driver on this one. 3/4" at 50 yds should suffice, surely that will be pretty easy with the right ammo.

 

[Magoo]

I'd suggest this guy for barrel and bolt work: https://sites.google.com/site/quesplace/que-barrel-work. A very nice guy with great prices and amazing turnaround times. Best I remember he's an Alabaman also.

If you want to send your trigger pack off, while I've not used this guy, he's well respected over on RFC for trigger work: http://www.brimstonegunsmithing.com/ruger-1022-parts/. If you want to do your own trigger work, folks seem to like the new Kidd parts as long as the parts are going into a polymer trigger housing (not an older metal one). Power Custom and VQ seemed to be the most popular before that. Depending on your skills, you might get a perfectably servicable trigger by yourself with carefull deburring and surfacing.

ETA: And yeah, it's all about the ammo.

 

[JohnB]

Magoo is getting it right.

A Ruger 1261 10/22 is the lightest one they build. 4.3 lb.
http://www.ruger.com/products/1022Tactical/specSheets/1261.html

I used Brimstone linked above for my trigger work. His Tier 1 job is expensive but worth it.

I put 6 layers of electrical tape under the front of the barrel for a little upward pressure.

I added a full size Nikon Rimfire 3x9 scope.

Uncle Mikes makes a sling swivel adapter that the front swivel mounts with the barrel band screw. http://www.uncle-mikes.com/products/ruger_auto_single_shot_carbines.html

It will shoot under 3/4" at a measured 50 yards all day long with Stingers or Mini-Mag round nose.

<edit> I just weighed it on a postal scale. Full package including scope, Butler Creek flip up scope caps, sling, and a loaded 10 round magazine is 6lb 3oz.

 

[CraigC]

A Ruger 1261 10/22 is the lightest one they build. 4.3 lb.

I really like the FS model. We bought Dad one last Christmas and he's thoroughly enjoyed it. It is very light and handy. IMHO, if you want to go light, this would be a great place to start! It's also very affordable. If it's not quite as accurate as you'd like, have the barrel set back and rechambered/recrowned. I've already got three 10/22's but need an FS for myself!

 

[lefteyedom]

The problem with 10/22 is that by the time most of us get them the way we want them there is very little Ruger left on the 10/22...


Get a used 10/22 with 20" bull barrel. Cut the barrel down(yes recrown it) to 16.25". Put a good full size 22 rimfire scope and do a trigger job then go kill some squirrels.

 

[CraigC]

Get a used 10/22 with 20" bull barrel. Cut the barrel down(yes recrown it) to 16.25".

There's nothing light about a 10/22 with a steel .920 barrel, even a short one.

 

[MtnCreek]

Just another option: My coon hunter was a Nylon 66. Trigger pull does not meet your requiremnets, but otherwise it fits the bill nicely.

 

[Brockak47]

Not knowing your budget you can get away with a 100 dollar squirrel gun just fine, or you can dump over a grand into a 10/22 and have a really bad-ass platform for squirrels and the range.

 

[lefteyedom]

C

There's nothing light about a 10/22 with a steel .920 barrel, even a short one.

You are right about the weight, but with a short heavy barrel in would be easy to shoot off hand. With a sling it is not really a problem to carry all day.


If you want light My Bronco Garcia I think is less than two pounds... its a single shot ...

 

[eagle24]

Thanks for all the replies and input!

Here's what I've decided on:

Ruger receiver
Tac-Sol fluted x-ring barrel (threaded w/muzzle brake)
Trigger Job for a nice 4lb trigger
1" charging lever
Extended Mag Release
Hogue OM (black)
picatinny rail
Leupold 2-7 x 28mm VX-1
Leupold rings

Everything but the bolt will be matte black. Should be shooting it by the middle of next week.