Building a Custom Ruger 10/22

The Ruger 10/22 is the most popular semi auto 22LR rifle. Many popular firearms become generic platforms that have so many aftermarket parts available, that you can build them without any original Ruger parts if you want. Think AR15, 1911, Glock 17, etc. I thought I’d write an article going through some parts decisions you’ll have to make when building your own custom 10/22.

Ruger 10/22 Build Checklist

• Receiver
  • Optics rail if it doesn’t have one built in
• Bolt
• Charging handle, recoil spring guide+recoil spring
• Barrel
• Stock
  • Action screw
• Trigger Group
  • Trigger group cross pins
  • Bolt buffer

Where to Find Aftermarket 10/22 Parts in Canada and the US

I’ve included lots of example pricing for both Canadians and Americans, as well as links where I found them in stock. Some of the links are affiliate links.

In Canada, Sylvestre’s Sporting Goods has all the Volquartsen stuff you’d want, Dlask has a lot of their own 10/22 parts as well as KIDD stuff, Wanstalls has decent variation and some Tactical Solutions products, Bullseye North has some decent selection, and Canadians can order many parts direct from Brownells as well. Cabela’s usually has some nick nacks: watch their wild wednesday sales as they sometimes mark the BX Triggers down to $99.

Canadian manufacturers of 10/22 parts include Grey Birch, Spectre Ballistics International, Dlask, and MDT/Oryx.

Types of 10/22’s to build

There are many purposes that a 10/22 takes care of, but I’ll list a few here so that we can reference them with each part type. Because adding takedown options would double the size of this article, I’m not including takedown 10/22 options.

Small Game Hunting: The 10/22 is a great small game rifle. Typically, you’ll want lightweight components for a hunting build.

Long Range: yeah, you can build a 10/22 for long range shooting: long range for 22’s being between 100-400 yards. Accuracy and options for long range attachments will be the focus, more weight is usually a good thing.

Steel Challenge or Action Rimfire: Steel challenge is a close range shooting competition on steel plates, and action rimfire is close and fast as well. Lightweight, fast movement, and 1X red dot options will be the focus here.

Mapleseed/Appleseed Target rifle: The ideal Mapleseed/Appleseed target rifle is made for shooting from a variety of off-hand positions using a sling at a distance of 25 meters. Accuracy isn’t super critical, but reliability, fit, and usability are.

Tactical lookalike: Some people want a 10/22 that looks like a tactical rifle of some sort. Maybe it’s a cheap trainer for their big rifle, or maybe that’s all they got and they just like the look.

Picking a 10/22 Barrel

The barrel is responsible for most of the possible accuracy on a 10/22. The sporter 16.5″ barrel on most Ruger 10/22’s is nice and light, but are not usually super accurate.

Size/Material: 0.920″ bull barrels are used on 10/22s where accuracy is more important than weight, but there are also barrels that use a metal inside and aluminum or carbon fiber wrapping overtop to get additional stiffness out of them.

Length: Believe it or not, between 12 and 18″, there’s not a lot of difference or no difference in speed, depending on the ammo used. Shorter barrels tend to be stiffer across their length, so don’t think that a 20″ barrel will be more accurate than a 12″. Realistically, anything between 12 and 18 will be fine. Longer barrels may have more consistent velocities.

Chamber: There are several different chambers available for 22LR and they vary a bit. Generally, a standard sporter chamber will feed most anything, a match chamber won’t run CCI Stingers and the like, and you can get a chamber cut specifically for Eley Tennex. There are a TON more types of 22LR chambers, but that’s beyond the scope of this article.

Extras: Some barrels have muzzles threaded for suppressors or for brakes with dubious real-world effects. Other barrels are drilled and tapped so you can run the rail on the barrel rather than the receiver.

• For hunting, the factory barrel offers enough practical accuracy for off-hand shots at close-in small game. Tactical solutions makes some VERY lightweight barrels if you want to do a lightweight build.
• For long range, bull barrels are preferred. Green Mountain, KIDD, Tactical Solutions, Feddersen, ER Shaw, or the Canadian IBI are popular.
• For action shooting, short, lightweight barrels can transition between targets faster because they have less inertia.

• A factory Ruger barrel is $53 USD.
• An E.R. Shaw barrel in chrome-moly or stainless will go for $106-215 USD.
• Dlask has a wide variety of barrels from 8″, 12.5, 16.5, 18.5 in stainless, carbon steel, blued, and nitride coated. $120-300 CAD
• Taccom has a 16.25″ barrel that is mostly barrel shroud. There’s only 4.5″ of rifled barrel in there, so it’s super lightweight (10.2oz or 289 grams). $165 USD
• Beyer Ultralight barrels are between $188-239 USD and are stainless steel lined for the chamber/rifling, with an aluminum outside.
• Tactical Solutions X-Ring barrels are $264 USD and are very lightweight at only 12.7oz.
• Tactical Solutions makes their SB-X barrel with a barrel shroud that allows for a 12.5″ barrel that measures to an overall length of 16.5″. Handy for Americans who want a short barrel. $265 USD.
• The Volquarten Ultralight barrel is $270 USD.
• A Shilen Match-grade barrel is $275 USD. Mystic Precision brings these in for Canada.
• Grey Birch sells 12.5 & 16.1″ carbon fibre wrapped barrels for $299-350 CAD.
• KIDD Ultralight barrels go for $350 CAD.
• Volquartsen’s basic Stainless bull barrel is $390 CAD.
• A Tactical Solutions X-Ring barrel with a fancy coating is around $479 CAD.
• Volquartsen Carbon Fibre THM Tension barrel is $298-360 USD or $499 CAD
• IBI barrels are $315-390 USD and come in standard or fluted, 16″ or 20″. In Canada, they go for $489 CAD for the plain steel version to $830 for their carbon wrapped version.
• Volqartsen Stainless Match barrel will cost you $690 CAD

Picking a 10/22 Receiver

The heart of a 10/22 build is the receiver. The factory Ruger receiver is aluminum and has a smooth top that you screw a base to. The bases can loosen if you don’t lock-tite the screws, and the casting can be a bit rough on the inside, so many people like to buy aftermarket receivers if they’re doing a ground-up build.

Extended picatinny rails give some extra room to mount scopes a little further forward, which you may need depending on your body geometry, scope, and stock chosen. The stock Ruger 10/22 receiver is notorious for not having enough rail further forward.

Here in Canada, some aftermarket 10/22 receivers are made to work with TUF-22 magazines since our dumbass government restricted 10/22 mags to 10 rounds only. The Spectre Ballistics magazine adapter lets you run 597 mags in your 10/22.

Ones with a cleaning rod hole at the rear of the receiver can be cleaned from the action side rather than from the muzzle. If you really care, you could always drill a hole.

When looking at a new receiver:

• For hunting, almost any of the receivers will do, but aluminum is light and integrated rails can’t shoot loose.
• For long range, something with a 20-30 MOA rail built-in would be great. An aftermarket rail that goes further forward than a traditional Ruger rail will allow for more scopes to be used. If you already have a receiver and just need the rail, you can get an EGW, Tactical Solutions, or MDT rail for $50-70.
• For action rimfire, a red dot ready receiver will keep the red dot lower on the gun than a rail would allow.

• The BRN022 receiver is $92 USD and has a built-in rail, has a rear access cleaning hole, and is made of 6061 aluminum
• The Canadian made TUF22 from Dlask works with proprietary 25 round mags, comes with different rail cants, and is made from 7075 aluminum. $250 CAD
• Tactical Innovations sells an aluminum receiver for $170 that has a milled in extended rail, rear access cleaning hole, and comes in lots of different colors.
• KIDD receivers are made from 6061 aluminum, have a rear access cleaning hole, and use interchangeable scope bases. There’s an optional rear tang kit you can get if you want a sturdier install. They’re about $172 USD.
• Grey Birch Solutions in Canada makes receivers with a 0MOA rail, 20MOA rail, or red dot ready receiver that takes pistol-style red dots for $200-250 CAD.
• Volquartsen makes their Superlite receiver out of aluminum. They’re about $357 USD
• Tactical Innovations also offers a stainless steel receiver for $400 USD. They also have a milled in, extended rail, rear cleaning port, and a couple different finishes. They also offer a left hand charging handle option.
• Volquartsen also has a stainless steel 10/22 receiver for $448 USD. In Canada, the stainless receiver goes for $645 CAD.
• The Tactical Solutions X-Ring VR receiver is made from 6061 aluminum, uses a proprietary dual guide rod system, has a rear access cleaning hole, the rail is machined in, and you can put the charging handle on the right or left hand side so it’s more ready for lefties. $570 USD or $734 CAD.

Ruger 10/22 Aftermarket Triggers

When it comes to triggers, there’s less difference between applications, and it’s more about how much you want to spend.

Note: some triggers will be adjustable and some will also come with an autobolt style bolt release already installed from the factory.

• You can cut the trigger pull weight substantially on the cheap with a VQ hammer kit for around $43 USD. (My review here)
• The Ruger BX trigger is a popular add-on that also cuts the weight pretty considerably. They’re about $75 USD and $135 in Canada. ($120 CAD here) (My review here)
• Tandemkross has a trigger kit for $130
• Powder River trigger packs are $195 USD
• CMC makes a $250 USD 10/22 trigger pack
• A drop-in Timney trigger is $270 USD
• The Volquartsen TG2000 trigger is $270 USD. In Canada, the TG2000 goes for $360 CAD.
• Locally in Canada, a KIDD 2 stage trigger pack will be about $470 CAD, while the KIDD single stage is $380.

Trigger Pack Add-Ons

With the trigger pack, I’d strongly recommend either modding the bolt release to automatically drop when the charging handle is pulled, or installing an aftermarket one.

Extended magazine releases are also popular to make it easier to drop the mag. One handed style releases allow you to drop a mag with your trigger hand (anything that brings the release to the front or rear of the trigger guard can probably be used one handed). Brownells has a paddle style one that goes on sale once in a while or the Tactical Solutions one shown in the image above is $35 USD. Dlask makes one that’s kind of neat because it extends the bolt hold open lever as well.

Ruger 10/22 Aftermarket Stocks

Consider that some Ruger 10/22 stocks will only support the factory barrel width, while others will take bull barrels of up to 0.920″. If you’re building from scratch, don’t forget to buy an action screw.

Also consider whether you want a traditional style stock, or if you want an aluminum chassis that allows for use of AR grips, picatinny rail stocks, etc. Long range shooters may appreciate the adaptability of the aluminum chassis stocks.

• Hogue makes a nice, practical, rubber covered stock that’ll handle 0.920 barrels for $77 USD. In my opinion, these are far nicer than the factory polymer Ruger stocks.
• The PMACA standard chassis is an aluminum chassis for the 10/22 that uses AR buffer tubes, stocks, and grips. They go for $116 USD, and they also have a lightweight version.
• Magpul Hunter X-22 stocks are modular and popular. $135 in the US or $200 in CAD.
• Pro Mag Archangel Precision stocks have an adjustable cheek rest and adjustable length of pull for $134 USD.
• Ruger makes a wood stock that kinda makes your 10/22 look like an M1 Carbine for $140 USD.
• Pro Mag Archangel conversion stocks make your 10/22 look kinda sorta AR15-ish for $142 USD.
• FAB Defense has a polymer folding stock kit that has lots of rails on the forend and QD push-button style cups on both sides. Starts at $159 USD, Canadians can buy them from Zahal
• Titan fiberglass stock for $174 USD and has double sling studs up front (one for sling, one dedicated for bipod)
• Taccom sells an ultralightweight stock chassis that’s made from Delrin. It takes AR grips and buffer tubes and at only 12.2oz (346 grams), it is very lightweight. $175 USD.
• The Crazy Ivan chassis is an aluminum chassis that allows you to use an AR buffer tube & stock, AR grips, and uniquely also allows for AR forends. They start at $189 USD.
• Tactical Solutions thumbhole stocks are laminated and look great at $200 USD
• The Boyds AT-ONE is a laminate stock with adjustability on cheek rest and length of pull, and it’s very modular. They’re $203 USD. Boyd’s also has other laminate stocks for the 10/22 on their website.
• Pro Mag Archangel Nomad stocks make your 10/22 look like some kinda spacey G36 kinda thing for $208 USD
• The KIDD Tactical Chassis is an aluminum chassis that allows you to use AR buffer tubes and grips, and has MLok sections in the forend. They go for $225 USD.
• Grey Birch‘s The Foundation is an aluminum chassis that uses rear stocks that attach to the picatinny rail at the back and has a section of pic rail below the forend for attaching a bipod. The stock goes for $250 -399 depending on the trim.
• Nordic Components sells an aluminum chassis that allows for AR buffer tubes, ar grips, and ar forends just like the Crazy Ivan. The Nordic stock costs $253 USD
• Spectre Ballistics makes the Spectre 10/22 chassis Gen 2 (Gen 1 review here), an aluminum chassis for the 10/22 that takes an AR buffer tube, ar grip, and uses mlok slots on the forend. It also uses the rear receiver pin as an anchor point to secure the stock. They go for $299 CAD.
• Dlask MDT chassis is an aluminum chassis made with MDT. It uses a rear hold down block to anchor the action at the back. They allow for an AR buffer tube stock, ar grip, and have Mlok slots on the forend. $375 CAD.
• Oryx makes their aluminum Precision rifle chassis for the 10/22. It includes their adjustable buttstock, has plastic panels so you’re not resting on cold aluminum, and takes AR style grips. $399 USD or $520 CAD.

Aftermarket 10/22 Bolts

The factory Ruger bolt is a cast steel piece. They work fairly well, but the casting can be a bit rough and it takes a bit of work to clean them. CNC machined bolts have a smoother finish that is easier to keep clean and are available in a variety of finishes.

There are also lightweight bolts made to shoot CCI Quiet or 22 Short ammo: eg: Volquartsen Firefly bolt.

• Brownells sells a matte stainless CNC machined bolt as well as the same bolt with a black nitride finish for $107 USD.
• Tandemkross has a tool steel CNC machined bolt for $114 USD.
• A KIDD Bolt in Canada will be $180 CAD.
• Volquartsen’s bolt assembly includes the guide rod, recoil spring, charging handle all in 1 package for $245 USD. The same bolt in Canada goes for $405 CAD.

Charging Handles

When choosing a charging handle consider what material, size, and recoil spring strength to go with. If you mainly shoot low power, standard velocity rounds, consider using a lighter recoil spring. Some charging handles will use a captured spring so they’re easier to install, while the non-captured style are easier to swap springs on.

• A plain Ruger charging handle is only $10 USD. They only extend 0.75″ away from the bolt side.
• Tandemkross skeletonized charging handles are $35 CAD.
• KIDD/Dlask charging handles come with 3 different recoil spring strengths, and are about $30 USD or $58 CAD. They extend 1.01″ away from the bolt side.
• Power Custom 10/22 Competition Bolt handle is stainless steel and $37 USD. The spring is not captured. They’re super easy to grab since they extend 1.25″ away from the bolt side. Might snag on stuff because it sticks out so far, so wouldn’t be the best idea for a hunting rifle.
• Force Productions makes a stainless extended handle for $39 USD. Captured spring and a nice smooth finished guide rod. They extend 0.88″ away from the bolt side.
• Tandemkross has this really wild charging handle setup that includes a pic rail and left side charging handle as well for about $67 USD.
• There are also some knockoff charging handles on eBay, but buyer beware.

Summary

Because so many parts manufacturers support it, it’s easy to configure your 10/22 just how you like it. Whether you run a lightly modded Ruger 10/22, or a fully non-Ruger custom build, the sky’s the limit.

This lightly modded 10/22 has a kydex cheek rest, VQ extractor, Brownells extended magazine release, and power custom charging handle. It’s a practical Mapleseed/Appleseed rifle.

This 10/22 has no Ruger parts in it other than the Ruger BX trigger and is built as a long range 22LR. It uses a Magpul X22 stock with high cheek rest, a Cabela’s Covenant 4-14 scope on Burris Signature X-rings, Grey Birch Long Distance Ready (LDR) receiver with 20MOA rail, Dlask diamond cut bolt, Dlask charging handle, Tactical Solutions extended mag release, and a 16″ Grey Birch carbon fibre wrapped barrel.

This 10/22 is made for close-in action shooting and could pull double-duty as a small game gun easily as well. It’s got a Vortex Venom on top of a Grey Birch Red Dot Ready (RDR) receiver, Dlask diamond-cut bolt, Force Productions charging handle, Brownells extended magazine release, Ruger BX trigger, and 12″ Grey Birch carbon wrapped barrel.