BOSSHOFF said:
Here is the skinny. I have a Ruger 10/22 with a birch stock from approx 1986? I have shot it a ton. I have a 3 X 9 Redfiled scope mounted on it. I really enjoy working in the basement on my "kitchen table gunsmithing projects."
I would like to spend some time/labor to better my 10/22 vs. just spending money. What modifications should I make to my 10/22, without spending a lot of money? I pretty much want to keep the factory barrel, and factory birch stock. Mods like bedding the action, dremeling out little parts for the "Auto-bolt release", etc. are the kind of things I am interested in picking up. Well, what do you think? In the mean time, you should know I am in the process of reading/searching a bunch of old posts. Thanks.
I haven't read anyone ask the question about what kind of tools you have or your mechanical ability. As I read your question you want to do some hand work not necessarily to save money but to do it yourself. There are several things you can do that has been mentioned like beding and floating that doesn't require a bunch of money. Here are some other ideas if you can do them yourself or maybe someone that hs the right machines.
1. Polish parts. Do the trigger parts. Make sure the holes have no burrs and the edges are nice and smooth. Make sure contact areas are flat and true. You can read some sections on how to do some other mods if you are willing to try.
2. Bolt work. Ok, some thing here. De-burr the edges and make sure they smoothly in the receiver. If you or a friend have a mill you can work the bolt face. Machine the bolt face square to the bolt sides and top and bottom. You want a full contact surface with the barrel. If you are able to use a mill then cut the face so the rim pocket is .044ths deep (roughly the thinkness of the .22 rim). Also you can put a nice radius on the bottom rear of the bolt to ease the hammer cocking. Reworking the bolt is probably the single most important thing you can do to a 10/22.
3. Bolt Handle cocking rod. This rod can be polished to remove any marks or serrations and will allow the bolt handle to work smoothly.
4. If you are so inclined you can even strip and reshape or refinish your stock. You can cut or taper the muzzle end to do away with the barrel band. If you are able you can even add a nice wood accent to the tip and to the bottom of the grip like the expensive hunting rifles. Also, yo can square up the butt and add a nice recoil pad to add to teh custom look.
5. Barrel. Here is a cool mod that will give you a one-of-a-kind look. If you have access to a lathe cut you barrel back to 17.5" to remove the front sight and recrown. If you shorten the stock by removing where the barrel band goes then you rifle will come back into proportion by doing this plus a good crown will help with better accuracy.
I hope this gives yo a few ideas to play with that won't cost you a bunch of money. Also, for the most part if you do mess up (except with the bolt) you can buy parts cheap to replace any you might mess up or you can just replace them and build up your 10/22.
Have fun.
