About six or seven weeks ago I made the leap to build a 22 rifle for fun. I have a number of rimfire s but nothing special, and all stock. Grandpas 10/22 would be a good place to start, but it was my wife’s grandfathers so it was decided to leave that one unmolested. I did decide to do a 10/22 based build, and originally I was not going to use any Ruger parts, but that ultimately changed.
As with a lot of my firearms projects it was to be done on a budget to at least start that way. Originally I set a goal of $700 for the rifle no optics. I ended up around $750 or so no optics so I missed my budget. What pushed me over was the stainless or silver receiver and stainless barrel.
I ended up using a Ruger Reciever, Green Mountain .920 20” stainless barrel, Kidd bolt, Kidd recoil rod and springs, with a Kidd bolt handle, Ruger BX trigger, all stuffed in a Victor Company Titan Stock. I topped it off with a Bushnell Match Pro 6-24x50 MRAD optic. The rifle is no lightweight but that was not the goal. The only goal was to build something fun that I could shoot at distances to 200-300 yards if I wanted too.
Yesterday I got it to the range for the first time. Put 3 shots on paper at 50 yards, one mill right and one up and I was in business. I shot about 10 shots getting used to the rifle. Realizing a brand new barrel and still breaking everything in it might take a bit to wear in and settle down. I sat down and fired about a dozen 5 shot groups. Six were .81-.83 at 50 yards very consistent, a couple better, and two were about 1.1. I think the rifle and the shooter will get better, maybe with some better ammo too.
The rifle was smooth and handled well on the bench. The stock is nice and rigid. The BX trigger was probably the biggest surprise at it breaks nice at just about 2.25 every time. All my optics are hunting scopes or lower powered. This is the only high powered scope and my first with a reticle like this. The scope seemed clear enough, 24x is way too much for me at 50 yards, to be honest I never used more than about 8-10x. Maybe when I shoot at 100 next time out but I doubt I’ll “need” that, and probably land some where between 10-12x. As I said scope was clear enough and I could easily see 22 holes on white paper. Reticle lines nice and fine. The turrets were nice and tight with positive clicks, tool less zero set is nice as well. About the only negative I have on the scope is the eye box did not seem to be too forgiving. Not a deal breaker, and maybe a feature of a scope like this, I don’t know.
All in all I am really happy with the rifle. If I were to do it again I might try to built something lighter. Originally I thought maybe I’d use the rifle for a local match or two if I got interested, but now that it’s built maybe not. If I’m interested in it enough I might try something in a bolt action rifle. It just seems to make more sense. For now I can’t wait to get my new toy out for another shoot soon.
-Jeff
As with a lot of my firearms projects it was to be done on a budget to at least start that way. Originally I set a goal of $700 for the rifle no optics. I ended up around $750 or so no optics so I missed my budget. What pushed me over was the stainless or silver receiver and stainless barrel.
I ended up using a Ruger Reciever, Green Mountain .920 20” stainless barrel, Kidd bolt, Kidd recoil rod and springs, with a Kidd bolt handle, Ruger BX trigger, all stuffed in a Victor Company Titan Stock. I topped it off with a Bushnell Match Pro 6-24x50 MRAD optic. The rifle is no lightweight but that was not the goal. The only goal was to build something fun that I could shoot at distances to 200-300 yards if I wanted too.
Yesterday I got it to the range for the first time. Put 3 shots on paper at 50 yards, one mill right and one up and I was in business. I shot about 10 shots getting used to the rifle. Realizing a brand new barrel and still breaking everything in it might take a bit to wear in and settle down. I sat down and fired about a dozen 5 shot groups. Six were .81-.83 at 50 yards very consistent, a couple better, and two were about 1.1. I think the rifle and the shooter will get better, maybe with some better ammo too.
The rifle was smooth and handled well on the bench. The stock is nice and rigid. The BX trigger was probably the biggest surprise at it breaks nice at just about 2.25 every time. All my optics are hunting scopes or lower powered. This is the only high powered scope and my first with a reticle like this. The scope seemed clear enough, 24x is way too much for me at 50 yards, to be honest I never used more than about 8-10x. Maybe when I shoot at 100 next time out but I doubt I’ll “need” that, and probably land some where between 10-12x. As I said scope was clear enough and I could easily see 22 holes on white paper. Reticle lines nice and fine. The turrets were nice and tight with positive clicks, tool less zero set is nice as well. About the only negative I have on the scope is the eye box did not seem to be too forgiving. Not a deal breaker, and maybe a feature of a scope like this, I don’t know.
All in all I am really happy with the rifle. If I were to do it again I might try to built something lighter. Originally I thought maybe I’d use the rifle for a local match or two if I got interested, but now that it’s built maybe not. If I’m interested in it enough I might try something in a bolt action rifle. It just seems to make more sense. For now I can’t wait to get my new toy out for another shoot soon.
-Jeff
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