So, I seldom visit the 10/22 forms, but I guess I will be from now on.
I have many pending projects, mostly for grandchildren and future grandchildren, and mostly high-end or custom bolt actions, but I've decided to make a 10/22 receiver. The reason is quite simple. I was an LDS bishop for many years, and during that time, I did my best to introduce our young people to shooting. While most enjoyed it, none seemed to show the enthusiasm I had when I was their age...until now.
One of the young men I mentored as a bishop recently asked, rather naively, whether or not I would consider helping him build a rifle. He wants to be a gunsmith and loves guns and shooting. He said he wanted to build a Rem 700 action. I told him that I wouldn't start with a centerfire, and that I wouldn't make a 700 clone, even if I did go centerfire. I ended up telling him I would think about it.
Well, I've built from parts 3 or 4 10/22s, but none really flipped my switch, and all went down the road when I started focusing on bolt actions and single shots. The 10/22s have become so common, the interest was gone. I had considered building my own receiver, but they too are everywhere, in aluminum and stainless. I recently bought a brass Henry Mare's Leg 45, and was very impressed with its appearance and smoothness. So, the light came on: Why not build a brass 10/22 receiver...and why not build two and involve this young man in the process of building his own? Doing so will teach him basic skills and introduce him to gunsmithing and gun building. And, depending on how much he wants to build, all the other parts are available in many variations. So, that's what I'm going to do.
Now, I have looked at a number of receiver drawings, which seemed pretty good but not complete. Is there a recommended set of blue prints for a 10/22 receiver scratch build like this?
Thanks in advance,
Teddy Bear Rat
I have many pending projects, mostly for grandchildren and future grandchildren, and mostly high-end or custom bolt actions, but I've decided to make a 10/22 receiver. The reason is quite simple. I was an LDS bishop for many years, and during that time, I did my best to introduce our young people to shooting. While most enjoyed it, none seemed to show the enthusiasm I had when I was their age...until now.
One of the young men I mentored as a bishop recently asked, rather naively, whether or not I would consider helping him build a rifle. He wants to be a gunsmith and loves guns and shooting. He said he wanted to build a Rem 700 action. I told him that I wouldn't start with a centerfire, and that I wouldn't make a 700 clone, even if I did go centerfire. I ended up telling him I would think about it.
Well, I've built from parts 3 or 4 10/22s, but none really flipped my switch, and all went down the road when I started focusing on bolt actions and single shots. The 10/22s have become so common, the interest was gone. I had considered building my own receiver, but they too are everywhere, in aluminum and stainless. I recently bought a brass Henry Mare's Leg 45, and was very impressed with its appearance and smoothness. So, the light came on: Why not build a brass 10/22 receiver...and why not build two and involve this young man in the process of building his own? Doing so will teach him basic skills and introduce him to gunsmithing and gun building. And, depending on how much he wants to build, all the other parts are available in many variations. So, that's what I'm going to do.
Now, I have looked at a number of receiver drawings, which seemed pretty good but not complete. Is there a recommended set of blue prints for a 10/22 receiver scratch build like this?
Thanks in advance,
Teddy Bear Rat