10/22 "Featherweight" Project

[@RCHER]

Thought some of you might like to see another 10/22 project. Here's a mod I started about 8 years ago. Finally wrapped it up in 2007. My goal was to build a 3lb overall weight, “skeletonized” Ruger 10/22 performance rifle.

I pretty much started with the rifle, the Magnum Lite barrel and a new action kits. I really liked the silver and black laminate stock it came with and thought that carving on it would reveal some of the good looking wood grain. Instead of a heavy bench-type rifle, I thought ultra-lite would be unique. Then I just complimented with the black and silver accessories.

      - Magnum Lite graphic barrel from Magnum Research
      - comp/performance action, bolt and trigger assembly – Titanium and SS parts
      - dozens of hours of carving, sanding and finishing work
      - polished the aluminum receiver housing and other parts

The barrel has a really tight throat and doesn't like certain ammo and doesn't cycle very well. So, the barrel is less than impressive. I expected better all around performance for the cost. But it does shoot pretty well, shoots better than my other 22s and is the lightest rifle I've ever held.

[oneezreiter]

cool looking 22.  Nice work

[Bearhunter]

Love the look, makes me want to do another project rifle!

[PacificNWhunter]

Wow, looks pretty cool.

[jackelope]

that is sweet. i am building one i think will end up polar opposite heavy. was that a factory heavy barrel stock or did you open up the barrel channel too?
i've got the bell and carlson anschuetz tactical stock, the scope, bolt buffers, mag release and a few other little things, i just need to settle on a barrel. i like the tactical solutions barrels, but haven't decided yet.
what ammo are you shooting? some of those bentz chambered barrels don't like some of the hotter ammo is what i've heard.
 

[Slider]

It's a beauty!!! I am surprized it's not a thumhole stock to go with the theme?

[road.kill]

that is definately unique and cool looking. nice work 

[@RCHER]

Thanks much. Jackalope, it's the factory stock so I did need to carve it out to fit the bull. I used a dowel with heavy grit paper and a lot of elbow grease. And I did finally end up going to a match round that chambers better. It still doesn't like to auto-load very much, however. The guys at Mag Research said they'd work it for me if I'd send it in. I hate to get rid of it since they don't offer the porting on their new barrels. Let's see that gun of yours when you get her done.

Slider, I tried to figure a way to make it a thumbhole, but I didn't think there was enough meat on the grip to do it like a traditional thumbhole. Could have been more like a pistol grip I spoze. I did narrow the stock overall quite a bit from factory. They come pretty chunky.

I do want to build a big heavy version next. Like a hefty McMillan Bros benchrest stock and a big tack drivin barrel - like shilen. You guys have any pics of your project 10/22s?

[bankwalker]

nice lookin rifle. i have always thought about doing that to a rifle stock.

[ihunt]

nice work looks awesome

[agchawk]

Looks great @rcher! Very impressive work!

[huntingnut]

That is an awesome looking gun. What was your final weight?

[@RCHER]

Thanks again, Gents. Huntingnut, I'm gonna have to weigh it again. I remember that minus the scope, it was around 3lbs. on my crappy scale. The stock doesn't weigh much over a pound, and the barrel is 13oz. So...