For several decades, the Ruger 10/22 has been a best-selling rifle for newcomers and experts alike, renowned for its low-cost, budget-friendly ammunition, and use as both a training rifle and simple range rifle. As far as plinking rifles go, the Ruger 10/22 will continue to stand tall as one of the industry’s rimfire powerhouses.
The enduring appeal of this rifle platform has been even further amplified by the extensive aftermarket it has garnered. The sheer customization potential 10/22s have has led to the formation of an entire sub-culture among enthusiasts dedicated to building custom 10/22s. With such a wide range of parts to choose from, these rifles can easily be modified to any enthusiast’s needs.
Understanding the Ruger 10/22
So, what exactly is the Ruger 10/22? The 10/22 is a semi-auto rimfire rifle chambered in .22LR. It was initially designed in 1964 and has been in production ever since. Over the years it’s seen its share of changes, and they now have a wide assortment of 10/22 variants available, including configurations built for performance/competitive shooting and others that are simpler for recreational shooting.
At their core, they’re all designed to be simple and reliable. The most basic variants can cost as little as $200, and sometimes even less when they’re on sale. While models with more premium features will be a bit more costly, they’re still very reasonably priced, and often found under $850 depending on what’s included with the rifle.
And since these rifles don’t cost much, there aren’t many barriers to entry compared to other larger platforms. All you really need is the rifle, some ammo, and a good set of hearing protection and shooting glasses. But that doesn’t mean the rifle can’t be vastly improved with just a bit of extra customization.
Benefits of Customizing Your Rifle
Customizing your rifle can significantly improve your shooting experience by enhancing the feel and performance. For instance, the standard stock options for the 10/22 are solid but basic, often leaving something to be desired in terms of feel and adaptability. Upgraded stocks can be made of more durable and lightweight materials like reinforced polymer and aluminum, offering more adjustability.
This sentiment applies to every other upgrade you could make to your rifle, especially if you’re building it for a specific purpose. Customizing allows you to create a rifle that’s built to your needs, making it ideal for your use-case. For example, a rifle for rimfire competitions might benefit from a lighter weight trigger and fully adjustable stock. Conversely, a rifle for small-game hunting could have collapsible stock systems for easy storage and transportation.
Since there’s such a wide array of components to choose from, it can be confusing if building a 10/22 is unfamiliar territory for you. Below are some considerations to ponder before getting started on your build.
Customizing your Ruger 10/22
Stock Upgrades
There are numerous upgraded Ruger 10/22 stocks available for these rifles, ranging from lighter stock systems to complete chassis systems with M-LOK capabilities and folding assemblies. Some of the most popular options are the Magpul Hunter and Backpacker stocks. The Hunter X-22 features a lightweight polymer construction, complete with M-LOK attachment points, sling mounts, and an adjustable rubber butt pad. The Backpacker is essentially the same stock; however, it’s designed for use with 10/22 takedown models. When broken down into two halves, the forend and buttstock sections can lock together, making it much easier to store or stow away when not in use.
In addition to these stock systems, there are other chassis systems like the Luth-AR Modular Chassis and Oryx Sportsman Rifle Chassis are both solid adjustable chassis systems made of reinforced nylon and aluminum and steel, respectively.
Upgraded Triggers
On their own, 10/22 rifles already come with a good, albeit slightly heavy, 6-pound trigger. While this isn’t bad per se, it’s still heavier than most enthusiasts would find ideal, making aftermarket triggers another popular upgrade.
Aftermarket triggers usually come with lower pull weights, making it easier to pull through the trigger while staying on target. Aftermarket triggers, like those from Volquartsen, are adjustable for pre-travel and over-travel, giving anywhere from a 1.5- to 5-pound trigger pull. Other triggers are available as well, with CMC and Timney being some of the most popular.
Some Ruger 10/22s come pre-equipped with Ruger’s 2.5- to 3-pound BX-Trigger. If not, it’s available on its own as a drop-in upgrade. It’s also one of the most affordable 10/22 trigger upgrades on the market, usually retailing around $75.
Barrels
Barrels are one of the most important parts of a rifle. While you don’t necessarily need to swap out the barrel on your 10/22 if you just plan to plink, you may have to if you want to use specific muzzle devices or suppressors. Standard 10/22 barrels don’t always come threaded, so you won’t be able to use suppressors or other muzzle devices, but there are many aftermarket options to choose from when selecting a Ruger 10/22 barrel. Additionally, there are a lot of competitive shooting disciplines that specifically use .22LR, so having something like a bull barrel that offers better barrel harmonics may be ideal for precision use.
Tactical Solutions, or TacSol, offers many barrel options for the 10/22. They have bull barrel options for precision and lightweight options for mobility.
Of course, it’s much more cost-effective to get your preferred barrel included with the original rifle. If you haven’t picked up a 10/22, make sure to really spend time considering if you’ll need a different barrel down the line. It’s more sensible to get it built onto the gun from the start.
Muzzle Devices
Like we mentioned before, having a threaded barrel opens you up to the possibility of running different muzzle devices. There isn’t much of a need for something like a muzzle brake or compensator since .22LR has such little recoil, but they pair exceptionally well with suppressors.
By design, the .22LR is an incredibly low-pressure cartridge that doesn’t require a lot of powder to run efficiently. Because of this, it’s easy to find high-quality ammunition that runs efficiently when suppressed. Regardless, we still recommend using quality hearing protection whenever you’re shooting, suppressed or not.
Something to bear in mind with suppressors is that they’re an NFA regulated item that requires approval from the ATF before you’re able to own one. The process of getting one can also take quite a while to complete, with it lasting anywhere from a few weeks to several months. Because of this, we highly recommend researching all your available suppressor options before you buy one.
Optics
Most, if not all, Ruger 10/22 models come standard with iron sights, which are functional but largely outclassed by optics. Even though .22LR has an effective range of around 150 yards, you can stretch out the capabilities of your rifle with a good optic.
Red Dot Sights
Red dot sights are some of the most popular optics on the market. They’re incredibly easy to mount to rifles, and can greatly enhance your target acquisition speed, accuracy, and situational awareness. Although iron sights work great, they require you to focus on the front sight rather than the target itself. This isn’t really an issue with red dots. They make it easier to aim with both eyes open, and so long as the optic is zero, all you need to do is put the reticle on target.
Variable Power Optics
Though the 10/22 doesn’t have an incredibly long effective range, it’s still common to use variable power optics with lower magnification settings. Variable power optics are exceptional for many applications. Aside from providing a clear reticle image, they can also be magnified to increase your overall visibility of your target.
If you’re interested in running a scope on your 10/22, you have a lot of options to consider. There are a lot of solid optics to choose from that pair well with the 10/22. Manufacturers like Vortex Optics, Burris, and SIG Sauer offer multiple optic systems that are designed for use on rimfire rifles.
Mounts
Not all 10/22 models come with a picatinny rail or optic mount. Much like lever action guns, the Ruger 10/22 usually has mount points along the top of the receiver. If these are on your rifle, you can mount picatinny rail sections or dedicated optic, but many 10/22 options already come with a picatinny top rail already installed from the factory. Much like the other upgrades in this list, if you know you’re going to mount an optic to your rifle, it’s best to look for a model that already has the rail pre-installed.
Conclusion
The Ruger 10/22 is a standout rifle choice for new enthusiasts, as well as seasoned rifle aficionados, offering affordability, adaptability, and simple fun for the range. If you’re wanting to improve your shooting experience, customizing your rifle is an excellent way to fine-tune your rifle to better align with your preferences.
Before you make any big alterations to your rifle, though, it’s important to take your needs into consideration before doing so. Investing time and effort into choosing your components will get you a rifle that meets your needs and preferences, making for a more enjoyable shooting experience.
With your customized Ruger 10/22, you’re almost ready to head out to the range to start plinking targets. Before you head out, check out our guide on the 10 must-have range bag essentials to get an idea of what all you should have on hand before you head to the range.
