The Ultimate 10/22 Build - MDT Mention

Outdoor Life is called "The Source of Hunting & Fishing" and has been a staple in the community since 1898! In this week's MDT Mention, we look at a video by Outdoor Life gear editor Scott Einsmann, discussing four custom 10/22 builds that range from relatively close to entry-level to the creme de la creme. He starts off by discussing how obtainable it is to do on your own with minimal tooling and experience.

Let's break down the builds.

TACSOL TAKEDOWN 10/22 BUILD

The first build is based on a Tacsol barrel and stock combo with a Tacsol receiver. The receiver came pre-assembled; he only needed to add a trigger. He went with a Timney Calvin Elite 10/22. The assembly process of putting two pins in and screwing in the barrel; is pretty straightforward. It has a Picatinny scope base, but Scott just uses the included fiber optic open sights. He's surprised and impressed by how accurate it is and how compact and lightweight it is.

LUTH-AR 10/22 BUILD

For this build, he started with a stock Ruger 10/22 that he took apart. He saved the receiver and bolt, adding another Timney Calvin Elite 10/22 trigger. After opting for a Tascol barrel, he settled on a Luth AR MCA-22 stock and topped it off with a Lecia optic.

BLACKHAWK 10/22 BUILD

This build is similar to the Luth-AR build: stock Ruger 10/22 receiver, bolt, and trigger. After adding another Tasco barrel, it was dropped into a Blackhawk Stock. Lastly, it was topped off with a Leupold scope.

The Ultimate 10/22

And now, for your main event… The build is based around the Volquartsen Stainless Receiver, Competition Bolt, and TG2000 Trigger Group. Adding the venerable Proof Research carbon-wrapped barrel and dropping in an MDT Oryx chassis, he was off to the races to shoot tiny groups. With a Nightforce NX8 on top and shooting SK Match ammo, he was shooting groups as small as 0.188" at 50 yards but averaged around ½". At 100 yards, the build was averaging about 1 ½".

Scott says the biggest difference makers in this build are the trigger and Oryx chassis. The stock 10/22 trigger leaves much to be desired, with lots of creep and an inconsistent break. The Oryx chassis offers all the adjustability of other precision competition chassis without the added weight, making it easy to wield. Scott mentions how versatile the 10/22 is; with parts availability and ease of retrofitting, you can outfit the rifles however your heart desires. Another takeaway was that he believes it's easier to start from scratch than with a stock Ruger because the world is your oyster; no retrofitting is required, regardless of how simple it is. He goes on to say that anyone can build the semi-auto rimfire rifle of their dreams with just a punch set, a set of Allen wrenches, a gun vise, and about 30-60 minutes.

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RIMFIRE RESOURCE FROM MDT

• MDT Mention: A Look at Our Rimfire Chassis Options
• TUNING A RIMFIRE RIFLE WITH A TORQUE WRENCH
• Rimfire Redemption: The Case For A 22 Rifle
• How to Become a Pro Shooter Without Ammunition
• Pushing the Limits of Economic 22 LR Builds
• How Pro Shooter Andy Slade sets up his Rimfire Rifle
• $10,000 Rimfire Build
• Desert Precision Gunworks Rimfire Build