New to me Ruger 10/22

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clang

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OK, so after many years of gun ownership I finally have my first Ruger 10/22. I've owned (and still own) plenty of other .22 rifles, mostly lever actions and a few pumps, with a Rem 552 BDL as my only semi-auto. I also had a Marlin Model 60, but my brother-in-law got that one from me.

The 10/22 I picked up is a 1973 model with a pretty nice walnut stock. It's already got a decent trigger pull (maybe 3 - 3.5 lb) not the 6-7 lb pull I've felt in other guns. Everything appears stock.

I'm thinking of adding a 1-4x 30mm scope I have lying around. It's a Bushnell AR/223 and I think would be good for plinking. My eyes are getting worse as I get older...

I'm also thinking about some type of extended mag release to replace the push in floor plate style one on these older guns. Anyone use the kind that wraps around the trigger guard? They remind me of a Ruger Number 1.

Any other suggestions or pics of your own build to use as inspiration? I want to keep the walnut stock and probably the original barrel unless someone has a strong argument against it. The primary use of this gun will be plinking.

Thanks
 
The flat release is fairly sought after by hunters but 3 of the 4 in my safe have the newer OEM extended version. I don’t know that I’d spring for the lever style beyond an aesthetic preference but plenty have been sold if you look at custom builds so I’d guess they function fine.

No reason to swap other parts if it works and shoots well. I’ve modified all of mine to auto release the bolt when charging and modified the hooks for a lighter trigger pull but they are otherwise stock and I think that Bushnell would be a good match with your Ruger for plinking.
 
How does the bore of the barrel look ?

It might be fouled with lead etc. pretty heavily, and fully dependent on its previous owners cleaning schedule.

Also consider replacing various springs and maybe a few parts. Years ago I replaced an extractor on mine.. and while that helped... I was not smart enough to also replace the extractor spring. Lol... fwiw, the replacement extractor worked far better after replacing the extractor spring.

So, maybe replace the recoil spring, and the extractor spring as "needed" ( just a thought )

I would also consider a thorough cleaning... checking for parts wear ( safety ) or gummed up lube.

I'd bet your 10/22 will be quite a good shooter... the older ones tend to be.

IMHO, For consistent feeding.. stick with the OEM 10rd box mags.. the 25rd Ruger banana clips have a cruddy fit into the magazine well... and will wobble enough to mess with smooth , consistent feeding.
Ironically, if Ruger would just make the 25rd fit into the magwell similar to the OEM 10rd rotary mag fit into the magwell, ( the box portions dimensions, measure them side by side, you'll see ) The 25rd mags would be great.
 
Go out and shoot it, but if you have any issues with failures to extract or with stovepipes, go ahead and replace both the extractor and the extractor spring with the Volquartsen Exact Edge extractor/spring. You can get one from Midway or Optics Planet for $11.25 or from ebay for a couple of dollars more which includes free shipping. The stock 10/22 extractor is a stamped steel part that sometimes works well, but not infrequently causes malfunctions.

I personally dislike the magazine release levers that wrap all the way back under the trigger guard. I have this Timber Creek extended release lever on several 10/22s:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/TIMBER-CRE...741517&hash=item3f6ad6bdb0:g:ZykAAOSwezVW1Jv6

Instead of sticking straight down like the new stock Ruger 10/22 release lever, it curves back toward and down the front of the trigger assembly and is a bit out of the way. It is very easy to release a magazine with your shooting hand while keeping the rifle shouldered with your support hand. Just run the thumb of your shooting hand forward along the curve of the bottom of the trigger guard and push the lever forward with the thumb allowing the empty magazine to drop into your open palm.

I find the stock Ruger 10/22 sights next to unusable at my age. I simply can't focus on the front bead well enough to center it in the rear notch with consistent accuracy. Even if your eyes are younger and better, the rear sight elevation adjustment is awkward and lacks any degree of repeatability, and involves loosening two tiny and easily lost screws with a tiny and easily lost screw driver. And apart from drifting either the front or rear sight body in its dovetail, there is no provision whatsoever for windage adjustment. Mounting some type of optic or aftermarket sights is one of the first things I do to my Ruger 10/22s.

No need to modify the trigger if you are happy with it, but their are multiple ways to do so if you are looking for a lighter and/or smoother trigger pull.

The "auto-release" modification of the bolt catch lever does make the rifle a bit less frustrating to use and is easy to do. There are multiple youtube videos and other internet sources on how to do this. It only requires a small semi-round or circular file, although a Dremel speeds up the process.

I have found the 10 round rotary BX-1 magazines to be quite reliable and easy to load, although some people complain about loading them for reasons I don't understand. The above poster was quite correct about the Ruger BX-15 magazines having reliability issues, although some lucky folks seem to manage to buy one that works well. There are multiple methods that owners have devised to tighten the fit of the BX-25 magazines in the mag well and again, you can find a bunch of these on youtube.
 
Get a fiber buffer rod. The bolt banging against the steel buffer can cause scope crosshairs to do a breakdance.
 
I would leave it alone except for a scope or sights if you know you need it.

Shoot about 5k rounds through it and then decide if your want to change anything else.

I'm the original owner of an early 80s basic model from Kmart I think. It has about 75-80k rounds through it. Completely original except for a scope. Extremely reliable. Never replaced a single part.

Personally I like the flush mag release better and would gladly take yours if you take it off.

I will say the stock extended version is easier to use with extended mags than the flush mage release but to me it's not hard using the flush version all the time so I've just left in what came in the rifle. I've never used the wrap around style and wouldn't bother unless I was a bench rest shooter.

There's a cpl of trigger options that are fairly cheap if you don't like it after about 5k rounds.
 
Most of mine have the regular flat mag release. I have one that I drilled and tapped to thread in the shank of a bolt for an extended release and one or two with the tactical soultions release. https://www.opticsplanet.com/tactical-solutions-extended-mag-release.html

I
can operate them all about the same with the stock 10 round rotary mags.

I have one of the bushnell AR scopes on a Ruger American .22 but I think the crosshairs are too thick for my liking, on a rimfire.
 
Any other suggestions ... as inspiration? I want to keep the walnut stock and probably the original barrel unless someone has a strong argument against it. The primary use of this gun will be plinking.
I am currently doing 20+ ammo comparison (cheapest loose bulks to premium match ammo) and found my factory stock 10/22 to be ammo specific. Here's thread on 22LR for $15-$20/500 shipped - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...15-20-500-shipped.853059/page-3#post-11359991


For sub/around 1/2" 10 shot groups at 25 yards, my 10/22 prefers CCI SV 40 gr LRN, CCI Blazer 40 gr LRN, Aguila 40 gr LRN/CPRN, Remington 40 gr LRN Thunderbolt, Armscor 36 gr CPHP, Federal 40 gr LRN Auto Match and Federal 38 gr CPHP Field Pack with CCI SV/CCI Blazer/Aguila consistently producing one hole groups.

For around 1" 10 shot groups at 50 yards, I would suggest CCI SV, CCI Blazer, Aguila, Auto Match and Thunderbolt in order of accuracy.


As to modifications, I am using a hard plastic shim under the V block to free float the barrel and electrical tape to remove rear receiver play.

Range Trip #6 - 25 / 50 yard testing with hard plastic shim - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...22-collector-3-break-in.859106/#post-11307816

Range Test #8 - 50 yard testing with taped receiver - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...lector-3-break-in.859106/page-2#post-11351163
 
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Thanks for the ammo suggestions LL. I'm keeping the original walnut stock and it has a barrel band so shimming and free floating is not an option.
 
The barrel band can simply be removed without any concern. I’ve kept mine in place because I have more rimfire rifles than I know what to do with which means other rifles for ultimate accuracy. My wife owns the only Sporter without band.
 
If we all liked the same things, everyone would want to marry my wife. I'm glad you like your 10/22 in original trim.

If the factory trigger isn't entirely satisfying, you can get a drop-in Ruger BX trigger module (which includes an extended mag release) for around $70 on eBay or GunBroker. I've got them on two of mine and am quite satisfied so far. Not a permanent change -- you can easily swap back and forth but probably won't.

Check the LGS spares table for a cheap 10/22 synthetic stock -- you might want a beater to spare your wood stock from bad weather. Not an upgrade so much as a foul weather option.
 
Walnut stock? Mine came with a hardwood one.............but then I have the basic 10/22.................
 
Also consider replacing various springs and maybe a few parts. Years ago I replaced an extractor on mine.. and while that helped... I was not smart enough to also replace the extractor spring. Lol... fwiw, the replacement extractor worked far better after replacing the extractor spring.

The only malfunction I ever had with a 10-22 was because of the weak extractor spring. A new extractor and stronger spring from Volkquartsen totally fixed that problem. I would keep the gun stock. Especially with that walnut stock. You got a prize there. For most of my 22s that have a scope I have been buying the Nikon Pro-Staff 4x scopes. They run about $100 and are smaller and light weight and come with a 50 yard paralax setting. Perfect for 22s or a PCC rifle. IIRC I have 3 of them now on my 22s. A friend put one on a Marlin 44 mag carbine and its has held up fine so far.

All my 10-22s have the flat mag release. I like it. I bought one of the Ruger 25 round mags. I loaded 10 rounds and fired it and its been in the safe ever since. The 10 round mags do what I want. Pictures of your gun would be nice.
 
I have a Ruger 10/22 or clone for nearly every day of the week.

For punching (tight) groups in paper from the bench I have a heavy barreled AMT with a Timney trigger.

For multiday canoe trips I have a break down in a nice case.

For plinking varmints at the ranch I have stock model with a decent trigger.

For plinking cans at 100 yards I have a restocked model with a fixed 4 power scope.

I have a spare for friends and, if my parts supply is wanting, I can cannibalize it.

I have a long barreled stainless limited edition with a Nikon scope that sadly is a poor performer.

The Ruger 10/22 may very well have more variations and possible configurations than the Mini 14.

What took you so long ;)
 
I used to own several different 10/22's, but now I'm down to one. Its an International, with walnut mannlicher stock and I have a Williams peep sight on it. Makes it much easier to plink with than the factory sights, and they're reasonably cheap. I did a little polishing on the trigger group to get the pull weight down, but otherwise made no other modifications. The 10/22 is inherently reliable and mine is plenty accurate. Lots of tree-rats have fallen to it in the time I've had it.

I'm also thinking about some type of extended mag release to replace the push in floor plate style one on these older guns

Unless you have your heart set on the long-lever mag release, I have a factory extended mag release that I would gladly send you, gratis. PM me your address if you're interested.

Mac
 
Another vote to leave it alone, except for maybe a scope or aperture sight, as none of us are getting any younger. Mine's just a small game & plinker gun and it got a cheap BSA 2-7x 32mm scope over 20 years ago that I planned to upgrade to something else eventually. But for my use that scope works fine and it's still going strong so I decided to keep it until it dies. For small game & general plinking I realized it's not mandatory to sink hundreds of dollars into it unless I really wanted one of those nice, tricked out, super 10/22's, but I already have enough .22's to keep me happy so that money will be spent elsewhere.
 
Gratuitous pic as requested:
Ruger-10-22.jpg

Walnut stock, metal trigger group, metal butt plate and no warning on the barrel.

"What took you so long" - I've got plenty of .22 rifles, most happen to be lever or pump actions. I figured I shoot a ton of ammo with them already, going semi-auto with removable mags might through me over the top. Now that I'm drinking the KoolAid, we'll see what happens...

Mac - thanks for the generous offer, but I'm probably going to stick with the original mag release for now. I kind of like the look of the extended release that goes around the trigger guard because it reminds me of a Ruger Number 1, but it will stay the way it is for a while.

I'm planning on the 1-4x 30mm AR Optics AR/223 scope because it's been sitting around since I picked it up at a local Goodwill for next to nothing. I like the idea of variable low power for plinking. It's on the heavy side (17 oz), but the gun is only 5 lb so it will still be a handy package.
 
OK, so after many years of gun ownership I finally have my first Ruger 10/22. I've owned (and still own) plenty of other .22 rifles, mostly lever actions and a few pumps, with a Rem 552 BDL as my only semi-auto. I also had a Marlin Model 60, but my brother-in-law got that one from me.

The 10/22 I picked up is a 1973 model with a pretty nice walnut stock. It's already got a decent trigger pull (maybe 3 - 3.5 lb) not the 6-7 lb pull I've felt in other guns. Everything appears stock.

I'm thinking of adding a 1-4x 30mm scope I have lying around. It's a Bushnell AR/223 and I think would be good for plinking. My eyes are getting worse as I get older...

I'm also thinking about some type of extended mag release to replace the push in floor plate style one on these older guns. Anyone use the kind that wraps around the trigger guard? They remind me of a Ruger Number 1.

Any other suggestions or pics of your own build to use as inspiration? I want to keep the walnut stock and probably the original barrel unless someone has a strong argument against it. The primary use of this gun will be plinking.

Thanks
I like a heavy, fluted barrel on 10-22s, especially the sporter-stock versions (no band). I have a heavy barrel and it's great for range shooting, but kinda heavy for carrying around a lot.
 
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