Wanting to make an Uber accurate squrriel getter 10-22

[Skylerbone]

https://fjfeddersen.com/product/10-...rel-16-25-inch-920-635-threaded-matte-finish/

Squirrel getter for the wife, from a factory carbine? I’d start with the above barrel, a spring pack from KIDD, bolt buffer, and a home trigger job. If silencers are out of the budget, a linear comp from Kaw Valley Precision should reduce some noise, then grab your belt sander and taper the bolt to remove a little excess mass. Lose that barrel band as well.

While not target grade ammo, Aguila Super Extra SV has always given me minute of squirrel head to 35 yards through nearly every .22 I’ve sampled it in and at a reasonable price. You’ll definitely want to try various ammo though, as differences most certainly exist.

I’ll add...rare are the times I’ve needed or taken shots beyond 30 yards for squirrels in more than 35 years of hunting them. As for head shots, some fellas from Tennessee will be along shortly asking why you’re shooting their favorite part of the squirrel, his brain. Not on my menu but they seem enamored with it.

 

[Howland937]

When I was a kid and my grandpa was still living, he told of getting in serious trouble if he accidentally shot a squirrel in the head.
Personally I've never tried shooting them in the eye, opting to put one in their ear hole instead. Reasonable distances of course. Anything past 40 yards or so and I just aimed for head.

 

[horsemen61]

Ok y’all what diameter is the standard 10/22 carbine barrel and would you stick with that diameter or move up to say a .920 barrel?

 

[horsemen61]

Ok y’all what diameter is the standard 10/22 carbine barrel and would you stick with that diameter or move up to say a .920 barrel?

anyone?

 

[Skylerbone]

Not on a woods carry. Rarely do I forsake the use of my surroundings and what is offered in the way of support, so heavy barrels aren’t my priority with small game.

 

[ms6852]

Ok y’all what diameter is the standard 10/22 carbine barrel and would you stick with that diameter or move up to say a .920 barrel?

For me I feel the diameter of the barrel will be a personal preference that you should consider before you decide to buy a stock for it. Or if you have a stock in mind already then the stock will decide what barrel you buy if you want it to be a drop in. Me, I prefer the .920 simply because I shoot off hand frequently at various distances and I found out that I can aim better with a heavier rifle than a lighter one. One of my other 10/22's I have, was set up to be under 6 pounds with a Hogue stock and a Tactical Solutions lightweight barrel. It was more difficult to shoot it off hand, I move it all over the place, but it is a good hunting rifle to lug around because it is light weight. In my experience the .920 diameter barrels have proven themselves to be more accurate than the pencil type barrels that the 10/22's came with from the factory. Ultimately the barrel will decide also which ammo it will shoot the most accurate. So shooting 15 to 20 different types and brands is the norm when shooting 22lr.

 

[CraigC]

Like I said, steel .920" are just too heavy for a field gun. The Clark mid-weight barrel is .720" at the muzzle and that is about perfect. Heavier than the standard carbine but it doesn't handle like a railroad tie. The KIDD "lightweight" (not ultra lightweight) .870" barrel is an aluminum tensioned barrel but in the middle with regards to weight. Studying the websites of those two makers, it would appear that I like a barrel around 2lbs. Which is about 3/4lb heavier than the KIDD ultra lightweight barrels.

 

[dranrab]

OP, here's your path to what you want.

Do you have a 10/22 donor action? If not, Academy has plain Jane Ruger 10/22s in stock in many locations for $250. There are other paths to an action.

Next up is a barrel. I disagree that a 16.5 inch .920 barrel is too heavy. To me it really balances the rifle out well. You'll have to do your homework to find one in stock somewhere, but the best bang for the buck barrels are Shaw and Green Mountain. Call that $150.

The heavy barrel requires a new stock. Hogue stocks are kinda meh on feel and appeal, but they work. $80. Next up would be a Boyd's wood or a Bell and Carlson fiberglass. $160.

Then you'll probably want a better trigger. The Ruger BX is very good. Surprisingly so. $70.

You'll probably want a Gunsmither elevating block to prevent "barrel droop" $15

That puts you at $565 with a Hogue or $646 with a Boyd or B&C.

I am not very "handy" and I was able to do all of the above relatively easily.

Or you could buy a Ruger target 10/22 and have about the same gun for about the same price.

https://www.sportsmansoutdoorsuperstore.com/products2.cfm/ID/266214

For slightly more you can have this one if you can find it. https://ruger.com/products/1022Competition/models.html

Then you'll need rings and a scope. Scopes for a target 22 are a completely different discussion.

At that point, with the ammo your gun likes, you should have a pleasantly accurate rifle. There are accuracy gains to be had over the above, but they come at a cost.

 

[SGW Gunsmith]

I have a posted quote, by a sorta famous firearms guru, from back when, posted in my shop, "Only accurate rifles are interesting" , by Colonel Townsend Whelen. Most likely, not many young "gunners" know who he is, but he was a very instrumental gun writer and expert back in the day.
I like, and pretty much adhere, to that proposition.