Ruger 10/22 barrel suggestions

Buzznrose

Buzznrose

Member
Joined
Feb 15, 2012
Messages
3,591
Location
New Braunfels, TX
If this is the wrong place to post this, I apologize.

I am upgrading an old Ruger 1022 I bought new one n the late 90s. I did some trigger work years ago with a Volquartsen parts and very happy with it. I bought a Magpul 1022 stock and plan on rebarreling the gun. I’m looking at the Ruger shop fluted barrel which is $200 and weighs 2.4 pounds. I’d like something around 2 1/2 pounds or so that shoots better than stock but I do t need precision. Barrel needs to be threaded and I’d like to keep it under 18 inches.

Also would like to keep cost below $300. I’ve been looking at Faxon but they seem to have a bad reputation for 10/22 barrels…is that still a reality or an old internet BS line?

Suggestions? Please also provide a source…
 
If I was willing to spend 300 I'd get a Kidd.
I went with a AE Brown IIRC it was $100, I think if I was buying today I'd prolly go with a Shaw.

www.midwayusa.com

E. R. Shaw Barrel Ruger 10/22 22 Long Rifle .920 Diameter 1 16 Twist

E.R. Shaw 22 Long Rifle replacement barrels are made from 416 Stainless Steel and are button rifled. Length and bore diameter tolerances are held to...
www.midwayusa.com www.midwayusa.com
I was about to get a Shaw for my Ruger Precision Rimfire and then I shot some Eley Contact thru the stock barrel.
.4" 10 shots @50 yards
20230821_132800.jpg
 
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Thanks for all the suggestions. I’m still pondering…some seem hard to find. Volquartsen is out of stock everywhere. Do they have a site for blems?

I’m down to pretty much Green Mountain, Volquartsen, or Kidd at this point, but still looking.

I can find Faxon but seems their 10/22 barrel reputation is spotty. “Shop Ruger” website has barrels but I’ve not found anyone who seems to like them.

Still hunting…still appreciate any input and especially links to items in stock!
 
Buzznrose said:
Volquartsen is out of stock everywhere
Click to expand...
Plenty of Volquartsen 16"/17"/18.5" barrels in stock (Scroll down for in-stock barrels) - https://1022racerifle.com/ruger-10-22-upgrades/ruger-10-22-22lr-barrels/volquartsen/?sort=priceasc

Buzznrose said:
appreciate any input and especially links to items in stock!
Click to expand...
Bunch of Green Mountain, KSA, Shaw, Tactical Solutions, Pike Arms, Volquartsen bull barrels "in stock" - https://1022racerifle.com/ruger/10-22/10-22-22-lr-barrels/ruger-10-22-bull-920-barrels/

I went with KSA 16.5" SS bull barrel with larger "Precision Target Chamber" (which is on par with factory Ruger target chamber) instead of tighter Bentz chamber barrel as I planned on shooting bulk 22LR ammunition and didn't want feeding issues from Ruger 10 round rotary magazine. So far, no chambering issues with various 30+ brands/weights/lots of "bulk" 22LR ammunition.

Here's my T/CR22 with KSA 16.5" SS bull barrel - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...izing-22lr-on-the-cheap.898035/#post-12124035

index.php


KSA bull barrel produced 1/2" 50 yard groups with CCI SV and 1/2"-3/4" groups with Aguila 40 gr CPRN - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...22lr-on-the-cheap.898035/page-2#post-12180149

index.php


Buzznrose said:
something ... that shoots better than stock

Suggestions? Please also provide a source…
Click to expand...
Have you accurized your Ruger with factory barrel?

This is 100 yard groups (1.25"-1.5" groups) with factory 10/22 18.5" taper barrel and Aguila 40 gr CPRN (Round count 5750 through barrel) and both CPC reworked factory bolt and Power Custom CNC match bolt did quite a bit to reduce "flyers" to shrink group size (Along with Volquartsen hammer kit that brought trigger pull down to 2.5 lbs) - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...22lr-on-the-cheap.898035/page-2#post-12194385

Here's list of accurizing parts with source links - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...22lr-on-the-cheap.898035/page-2#post-12176951

index.php


Buzznrose said:
looking at the Ruger shop fluted barrel which is $200 and weighs 2.4 pounds. I’d like something around 2 1/2 pounds or so ... threaded ... under 18 inches ... cost below $300
Click to expand...
Shaw 16.5" 1:16 Bentz chamber threaded bull barrel $140 - https://1022racerifle.com/shaw-barrels-16-5-blued-te-bull-920-barrel-ruger-10-22-tcr22/

EABCO/KSA 18" 1:16 Bentz chamber threaded bull barrel $169 - https://eabco.com/ruger-10-22-match...l-blue-heavy-w-threaded-muzzle-by-eabco-1-16/

KSA 16.5" 1:16 threaded bull barrel $172 - https://1022racerifle.com/keystone-blued-16-5-te-bull-920-barrel-ruger-10-22-tcr22/

Green Mountain 18" SS 1:16 Bentz chamber threaded bull barrel $244 - https://1022racerifle.com/green-mountain-18-threaded-stainless-bull-barrel-ruger-10-22-tcr22-rifle/
 
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I went with Beyer Barrels - Home. Mostly because I liked talking with the owner Clint when I called in and it was easy to select exactly what I wanted. But they do make a very light 10/22 aluminum barrel that may or may not be tougher than other aluminum barrels - different internet reviewers said they do something a little different with the type of aluminum and the way they unite it with the steel bore but I'd take it with a grain of salt.

I dislike the chrome thread-protecter Beyer and some others come with vs a black one but since it's normally not wearing it it doesn't bother me too much
 
LiveLife,

WOW! Lots to digest there. Thanks for the info and links.

So I am not going down the rabbit hole nearly as deep.

I just want a bit more precision, some added cool factor, and a gun that continues to eat cheap bulk ammo, and I’m fine. This gun will belong to a grand kid at some point.

But you have certainly given me a lot to consider. Thanks much!
 
Kidd, Shilen, Clark, a lot of really good barrels out there….

clarkcustomguns.com

Ruger® 10/22®

History How the 10/22 Bull Barrel Rifle Was Born The first “Bull Barrel” Ruger® 10/22® rifle was born in the early 1980s by Jim Clark Jr. and Clark Custom Guns employee Randy Smith. The idea behind the gun was to keep weight in the forward part of the rifle to provide stability, improve accuracy...
clarkcustomguns.com clarkcustomguns.com
 
Buzznrose said:
WOW! Lots to digest there. Thanks for the info and links.

I just want a bit more precision, some added cool factor, and a gun that continues to eat cheap bulk ammo, and I’m fine.
Click to expand...
That's why I did the "real world" accurizing 22LR "on the cheap" thread ... So we could pursue accuracy without spending a lot of money.

And I outlined exact steps I took and parts used while capturing every 5/10 shot groups during the 10,000 round journey so THR members could duplicate the steps and parts. Here's a breakdown of steps/parts used and improvement in accuracy made - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...22lr-on-the-cheap.898035/page-2#post-12176951

If you want to improve accuracy of factory 10/22 with least amount of money, these are what I recommend before considering barrel swap:
  • Vorquartsen target hammer kit - Currently $43, this kit will reduce factory 7+ lb trigger down to 2.5 lbs and likely the best improvement to reduce group size.
  • CPC rework of factory bolt - Currently $55, this rework will pin the firing pin and square the bolt face to reduce flyers.
  • Free float barrel - This no cost mod uses plastic shim under the V-block to raise the barrel so a copy paper will freely slide around the barrel. If your 10/22 came with barrel band, conduct comparison range test to see whether free floating vs barrel band produces smaller groups
  • Bedding receiver to stock - This could be low/no cost mod to eliminate movement of receiver/muzzle when trigger is pulled to reduce flyers (My 10/22 and T/CR22 came with synthetic stocks and using 1-2 strips of electrical tape around the back of receiver secured the receiver/muzzle from moving)
  • Do not clean barrel frequently - During 10/22 break-in process, I only bore brushed with copper bore brush every 2000 rounds (Brush dipped in Hoppes #9 and pushed/pulled from chamber to muzzle end 3 passes per cleaning) as it took several hundred rounds to settle the consistency of group sizes. During 6500 rounds shooting various 25+ brands/weights/lots of lead and copper plated bullets, 10/22 barrel did not lead and remained pristine. Between range sessions, mop dipped in Hoppes #9 was run through the chamber/bore to clean and dry paper towel (Kleenex Viva Cloth) was pushed through to wipe solvent/fouling from bore.
  • If you are using scope, be sure to Loctite the ring/mount bolts and torque them to recommended inch-lbs to eliminate play
  • If you max out vertical turret adjustment, use $36 EGW 20 MOA mount to return scope crosshairs back to center of adjustment
  • 10/22 factory barrel is ammunition selective and CCI SV produced smallest consistent groups of 1/2" at 50 yards - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...-shipped-pricing.902560/page-14#post-12702029
  • Aguila 40 gr LRN/CPRN "boxed" produced next smallest groups of 1/2"-3/4". Be sure to get "boxed" 50 rounds or 500 round bricks over 250/500 loose bulk packs to reduce flyers - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...-shipped-pricing.902560/page-14#post-12702029
 
Last edited:
I put one together today with the hammer forged Ruger barrel and a Ruger BX trigger. I did one similar to this a while back and am very happy with it.

Maybe I've just been lucky but all my Ruger target barrels have been awesome and I even have 2 standard carbines that shoot .3 MOA (one of them does) and all I did to them was mount a decent scope, bed just the action and remove the barrel band. I forget what the other one is shooting. I'm keeping it incase I break one.

Today's project.

20230919_185927.jpg 20230919_185938.jpg 20230919_190011.jpg

20230919_200653.jpg
 
Big7 said:
I put one together today with the hammer forged Ruger barrel and a Ruger BX trigger. I did one similar to this a while back and am very happy with it.

Maybe I've just been lucky but all my Ruger target barrels have been awesome and I even have 2 standard carbines that shoot .3 MOA (one of them does) and all I did to them was mount a decent scope, bed just the action and remove the barrel band. I forget what the other one is shooting. I'm keeping it incase I break one.

Today's project.

View attachment 1172393View attachment 1172394View attachment 1172395

View attachment 1172396
Click to expand...
What barrel is that?
 
BBBBill said:
Buzznrose said:
Volquartsen is out of stock everywhere ... I’d like something around 2 1/2 pounds or so ... threaded ... under 18 inches ... cost below $300
Click to expand...
They occasionally list them on their website.
Click to expand...
Volquartsen 10/22 16.5" Lightweight Carbon Fiber Barrel Threaded Stainless Ends $331 + free shipping - https://www.joeboboutfitters.com/Vo...Lightweight-Carbon-Fiber-p/vol-vf10lcf-ct.htm

Faxon Firearms 16" Straight Fluted 10/22 Threaded Barrel $210 + free shipping - https://www.joeboboutfitters.com/Fa...luted-10-22-Threaded-p/fax-12b216n16fmq-t.htm
 
LiveLife said:
Volquartsen 10/22 16.5" Lightweight Carbon Fiber Barrel Threaded Stainless Ends $331 + free shipping - https://www.joeboboutfitters.com/Vo...Lightweight-Carbon-Fiber-p/vol-vf10lcf-ct.htm

Faxon Firearms 16" Straight Fluted 10/22 Threaded Barrel $210 + free shipping - https://www.joeboboutfitters.com/Fa...luted-10-22-Threaded-p/fax-12b216n16fmq-t.htm
Click to expand...
That Volquartsen is the barrel I really want. But the “gun budget” doesn’t support it right now. Still paying for a couple suppressors and bought a friends .357. So I’ll probably be looking hard for a good “Black Friday” deal. I’ve decided patience for the right barrel is probably better than the cheaper barrel now, based on my desire for a lighter barrel.

I did reach out to Volquartsen directly about their “out of stock” stuff and they anticipate back in stock in mid October on most barrels I asked about. I can wait.

I am just beginning this journey, and I am almost thinking this will become a hobby down the road. I have one 10/22 and a couple grandchildren so I cannot stop at just one.

Again, this forum is incredibly useful and gracious with sharing information, thanks much to all!
 
LiveLife said:
That's why I did the "real world" accurizing 22LR "on the cheap" thread ... So we could pursue accuracy without spending a lot of money.

And I outlined exact steps I took and parts used while capturing every 5/10 shot groups during the 10,000 round journey so THR members could duplicate the steps and parts. Here's a breakdown of steps/parts used and improvement in accuracy made - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...22lr-on-the-cheap.898035/page-2#post-12176951

If you want to improve accuracy of factory 10/22 with least amount of money, these are what I recommend before considering barrel swap:
  • Vorquartsen target hammer kit - Currently $43, this kit will reduce factory 7+ lb trigger down to 2.5 lbs and likely the best improvement to reduce group size.
  • CPC rework of factory bolt - Currently $55, this rework will pin the firing pin and square the bolt face to reduce flyers.
  • Free float barrel - This no cost mod uses plastic shim under the V-block to raise the barrel so a copy paper will freely slide around the barrel. If your 10/22 came with barrel band, conduct comparison range test to see whether free floating vs barrel band produces smaller groups
  • Bedding receiver to stock - This could be low/no cost mod to eliminate movement of receiver/muzzle when trigger is pulled to reduce flyers (My 10/22 and T/CR22 came with synthetic stocks and using 1-2 strips of electrical tape around the back of receiver secured the receiver/muzzle from moving)
  • Do not clean barrel frequently - During 10/22 break-in process, I only bore brushed with copper bore brush every 2000 rounds (Brush dipped in Hoppes #9 and pushed/pulled from chamber to muzzle end 3 passes per cleaning) as it took several hundred rounds to settle the consistency of group sizes. During 6500 rounds shooting various 25+ brands/weights/lots of lead and copper plated bullets, 10/22 barrel did not lead and remained pristine. Between range sessions, mop dipped in Hoppes #9 was run through the chamber/bore to clean and dry paper towel (Kleenex Viva Cloth) was pushed through to wipe solvent/fouling from bore.
  • If you are using scope, be sure to Loctite the ring/mount bolts and torque them to recommended inch-lbs to eliminate play
  • If you max out vertical turret adjustment, use $36 EGW 20 MOA mount to return scope crosshairs back to center of adjustment
  • 10/22 factory barrel is ammunition selective and CCI SV produced smallest consistent groups of 1/2" at 50 yards - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...-shipped-pricing.902560/page-14#post-12702029
  • Aguila 40 gr LRN/CPRN "boxed" produced next smallest groups of 3/4". Be sure to get "boxed" 50 rounds or 500 round bricks over 250/500 loose bulk packs to reduce flyers - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...-shipped-pricing.902560/page-14#post-12702029
Click to expand...
I rebuilt the trigger with Volquartsen parts years ago, and it’s pretty good. I will look at the other ideas as well. Thanks so much!
 
Kidd is a safe bet.
Fedderson is as well

Green mountain can be good to excellent

I would shy away from swapping for a Ruger brand barrel.

Some barrels/brands can also be more ammo sensitive as well.
A ruger target barrel may shoot lights out with 1 or 2 types of ammo but pretty fair with others. Just depends on your goals
 
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