Project Appleseed

So far all I can really see a 10/22 needing out of the box is an auto bolt release and sling swivel mounts (which some Ruger 10/22 rifles already have anyway). As a guy who has a Marlin model 60, the auto bolt release is a no brainer for familiarity. The 10/22 I borrowed at the recent Appleseed Class had the auto bolt release which helped to speed up the reloads.

Don't know if any other upgrades like the Volquartsen Edge extractor or extended magazine release paddle are needed though.

An extended mag release is really nice.  The extractor is nice, but may not be needed. 

Would something like this work?
https://www.ndzperformance.com/NDZ-Ruger-10-22-Magazine-Release-Lever-Short-Black-p/rug-1022-smr-s-blk.htm

Or would a longer release lever like this be unneccessary?
https://www.ndzperformance.com/NDZ-Ruger-10-22-Magazine-Release-Lever-Long-Black-p/rug-1022-smr-l-blk.htm

Just my opinion here. Many would just say do not upgrade the 10/22. It is a good basic rifle but why upgrade Volkswagen. I do not entirely disagree but a better trigger is a great upgrade for the 10/22.  I would not spend a fortune on a new trigger but there are many reasonable options. For example the Ruger BX trigger is a good trigger for $60 to $80.
Not sure if you said Tech sights or not but in my opinion you just have to have those. The Ruger stock sights are not my friend.

Quote from: ScubaSteve on July 28, 2019, 03:48:21 PM
Just my opinion here. Many would just say do not upgrade the 10/22. It is a good basic rifle but why upgrade Volkswagen. I do not entirely disagree but a better trigger is a great upgrade for the 10/22.  I would not spend a fortune on a new trigger but there are many reasonable options. For example the Ruger BX trigger is a good trigger for $60 to $80.
Not sure if you said Tech sights or not but in my opinion you just have to have those. The Ruger stock sights are not my friend.

Actually the 10 22 I'm thinking of buying is this model with a ghost ring rear sight installed from the factory.
https://palmettostatearmory.com/ruger-10-22-22-lr-mans-best-friend-collector-series-rifle-od-green-31115.html

The mag release should be fine on the rifle you listed.

Auto bolt release

extended mag release-maybe not truly necessary but very nice to have

tech sights (ghost sights may work well too)

sling swivels

and most importantly, a decent trigger.  I installed a power custom trigger and like it but I believe the price has more then doubled since I installed mine so they may be a good cheaper alternative.  All the parts other then the sling swivels and tech sights were power custom parts and I've been pleased with them

Quote from: Question Mark Mike on July 28, 2019, 03:59:14 PM

Quote from: ScubaSteve on July 28, 2019, 03:48:21 PM
Just my opinion here. Many would just say do not upgrade the 10/22. It is a good basic rifle but why upgrade Volkswagen. I do not entirely disagree but a better trigger is a great upgrade for the 10/22.  I would not spend a fortune on a new trigger but there are many reasonable options. For example the Ruger BX trigger is a good trigger for $60 to $80.
Not sure if you said Tech sights or not but in my opinion you just have to have those. The Ruger stock sights are not my friend.

Actually the 10 22 I'm thinking of buying is this model with a ghost ring rear sight installed from the factory.
https://palmettostatearmory.com/ruger-10-22-22-lr-mans-best-friend-collector-series-rifle-od-green-31115.html

Well…I bought an earlier edition of that rifle for my son, thinking it was perfect for Appleseed, but the rear sight adjustment sucked (imprecise, not repeatable, and tends to loosen). The good news is that Tech Sights MINI200 is a perfect replacement for the Ruger ghost ring, at least on the gray-stocked version of that rifle.

I like the auto bolt release, but agree with Steve that a trigger is more important, and the Ruger BX is a good option.

The stock Ruger sights are miserable, as has been said.  There is no provision for windage adjustment.  Elevation adjustment is very awkward, imprecise, and not repeatable.  If your eyes are good enough for iron sights, the Tech Sights are a good and popular option, but there are others.  Of course, there is also the option of a rifle scope or red dot sight.

The auto-bolt release modification is easy to do, and there are a bunch of youtube videos and other material on the net to show you how to do it.

I agree that the trigger would be the third change I would look at.  Brimstone Gunsmithing does excellent work on 10/22 trigger groups.  Their Tier 3 trigger job will result in a dramatic improvement in the function of your stock Ruger trigger.  The cost including two-way shipping of your trigger group is right around $55.

There really isn't anything wrong with the stock "stick" type magazine release button that now comes standard on the Ruger 10/22.  I prefer it to the type that wraps under the trigger guard.  I just push forward on it with my thumb and allow the empty mag to drop into my open palm.  But I like this type of mag release a little better:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/TIMBER-CREEK-RUGER-10-22-EMR-EXTENDED-MAGAZINE-RELEASE-LEVER-ANODIZED-BLUE-/272919795883

With this lever I just slide the thumb of my shooting hand along the underside of the trigger guard until it hits and pushes the release lever and again let the mag fall into my palm.  This release lever leaves the space beneath the magazine more open.  When I now shoot standing I brace my support arm and elbow against my torso as virtually all Olympic and high power CMP/NRA shooters do, and my palm beneath the balance point of the rifle, which is directly under the magazine. 

Of course, you will want sling swivels and a sling, and on some Ruger stocks you may need to add one or two sling swivel studs.  If you choose to use and optic (scope or red dot sight) you may need some type of comb riser to achieve a solid cheek weld.  You can use some foam strips and vet wrap tape.  I think these look a bit classier:

http://www.beartooth-products.com/collections/comb-raising-kit-gun-cover-cheek-pad-weld-piece-riser/products/comb-raising-kit-2-0-no-loops-model-in-brown

You use whatever thickness foam strip you need and it is held in place with the neoprene sleeve.

No real reason to swap your extractor if your rifle is functioning reliably.  Some people who have had failures to extract or eject have found that a Volquartsen Edge extractor resolves the issue.

Of course, the sky is the limit.  If you are large you might need to increase the length of pull of your rifle with a recoil pad on the butt stock, or switch to a third party stock.  Sometimes with a rifle scope an extended charging handle makes it easier to charge the chamber, etc.

So is the ghost ring sight on this edition of this rifle any good?  Is it better than the stock 10/22 rear sight?

https://ruger.com/products/1022Carbine/specSheets/31115.html

Quote from: Question Mark Mike on July 28, 2019, 06:38:40 PM
So is the ghost ring sight on this edition of this rifle any good?  Is it better than the stock 10/22 rear sight?

https://ruger.com/products/1022Carbine/specSheets/31115.html

It's a huge improvement over the Ruger notch and post sight in terms of sight picture. HOWEVER, it's a pain to zero it, and adjustments aren't repeatable. To adjust windage, you turn two set screws towards each other (i.e., loosen one, tighten the other). For elevation you loosen a windage set screw and then turn the ring itself, which is on a threaded post. How many MOA per revolution? No idea, and good luck adjusting elevation without screwing your windage up.

Replace the ghost ring with this sight, though, and you have a perfect 10/22 for Appleseed, IMHO. The stock has good sling studs in it, and you can swap modules out to adjust comb height and length of pull.

https://www.tech-sights.com/product/mini200-sight-for-the-ruger-mini-14-and-ranch-rifles/

Quote from: maxwell on July 28, 2019, 07:46:25 PM

Quote from: Question Mark Mike on July 28, 2019, 06:38:40 PM
So is the ghost ring sight on this edition of this rifle any good?  Is it better than the stock 10/22 rear sight?

https://ruger.com/products/1022Carbine/specSheets/31115.html

It's a huge improvement over the Ruger notch and post sight in terms of sight picture. HOWEVER, it's a pain to zero it, and adjustments aren't repeatable. To adjust windage, you turn two set screws towards each other (i.e., loosen one, tighten the other). For elevation you loosen a windage set screw and then turn the ring itself, which is on a threaded post. How many MOA per revolution? No idea, and good luck adjusting elevation without screwing your windage up.

Replace the ghost ring with this sight, though, and you have a perfect 10/22 for Appleseed, IMHO. The stock has good sling studs in it, and you can swap modules out to adjust comb height and length of pull.

https://www.tech-sights.com/product/mini200-sight-for-the-ruger-mini-14-and-ranch-rifles/

Thanks for the link. I was skeptical about the link, but according to the tech sights webpage, you can use that sight with the collector grade 10/22's.