10/22 Takedown Backpack Carbine Build in Shorts
10/22 Takedown Backpack Carbine Build in Shorts
Part 1 - Brownells BRN-22TR Receiver
Part 1 - Brownells BRN-22TR Receiver
Goal is a lightweight, backpackable 10/22 takedown that can equal our conventional 10/22’s on a Project Appleseed AQTWe are building around Brownell’s BRN 22TR receiverThat is machined from 6061 aluminum billetWith an integral 0 MOA Picatinny top railAnd featuring a cleaning rod hole at the rearThat weighs 11 ¼ ouncesIt’s a quarter ounce heavier than the similar Volquartsen Superlight, lacking their more durable finish, Brownell’s receiver is ½ the price and has the clearing rod hole.Part 2 will be the bolt and charging handle
Part 2 - Volquartsen Competition Bolt
Part 2 - Volquartsen Competition Bolt
I chose the Volquartsen competition bolt largely because of its DLC finish. My first experience with DLC was on the Mossberg MC2c. A durable coating with high lubricity that exposes the underlining machining. DLC is one of the reasons that the MC2c is my favorite 9mm pistol.
Out of the package the Volquartsen bolt is a stunning piece of work. It could easily serve as a decorative artifact for your living room coffee table. It uses an internal round titanium firing pin rather than the flat, surface slicing firing pin of the stock Ruger bolt.
The recoil rod and spring also differ greatly. At first I thought it was going to be a pain to field strip, but it is actually easier than the Stock charging handle/recoil spring setup. You do have to remove the charging handle from the bolt with a ⅛” hex key for field stripping, but this setup makes for an astonishingly smooth bolt.
The charging handle is longer than the standard Ruger one. I really have no problem with the low profile, single finger Ruger charging handle and don’t see the need for an extended one.
At $290, the Volquartsen bolt is almost 10 times the cost of the stock Ruger bolt, and it is at the higher end compared to other third party bolts but the improved firing pin, DLC, and included charging handle make it worth the bucks. The only equal is probably the Tactical Solutions dual recoil spring bolt that requires the specially designed TacSol receiver. The Volquartsen bolt will drop into any standard 10/22 receiver…it is so cool, I need to upgrade my two fixed barrel Project Appleseed 10/22’s.
It’s unlikely that I’ll be able to detect any improvement in accuracy and, given the reliability of my stock 10/22’s, it will require years to recognize improved reliability, but the aesthetics of appearance and smooth bolt operation make it a recommended upgrade. I’m so glad that I didn’t just go with a “good enough” Ruger bolt.
Out of the package the Volquartsen bolt is a stunning piece of work. It could easily serve as a decorative artifact for your living room coffee table. It uses an internal round titanium firing pin rather than the flat, surface slicing firing pin of the stock Ruger bolt.
The recoil rod and spring also differ greatly. At first I thought it was going to be a pain to field strip, but it is actually easier than the Stock charging handle/recoil spring setup. You do have to remove the charging handle from the bolt with a ⅛” hex key for field stripping, but this setup makes for an astonishingly smooth bolt.
The charging handle is longer than the standard Ruger one. I really have no problem with the low profile, single finger Ruger charging handle and don’t see the need for an extended one.
At $290, the Volquartsen bolt is almost 10 times the cost of the stock Ruger bolt, and it is at the higher end compared to other third party bolts but the improved firing pin, DLC, and included charging handle make it worth the bucks. The only equal is probably the Tactical Solutions dual recoil spring bolt that requires the specially designed TacSol receiver. The Volquartsen bolt will drop into any standard 10/22 receiver…it is so cool, I need to upgrade my two fixed barrel Project Appleseed 10/22’s.
It’s unlikely that I’ll be able to detect any improvement in accuracy and, given the reliability of my stock 10/22’s, it will require years to recognize improved reliability, but the aesthetics of appearance and smooth bolt operation make it a recommended upgrade. I’m so glad that I didn’t just go with a “good enough” Ruger bolt.
Part 3 - Volquartsen HP Action Trigger Kit Plus
Part 3 - Volquartsen HP Action Trigger Kit Plus
I’ve happily used the Ruger BX trigger in all the AmbGun 10/22 rifles so I have quite a few stock trigger packs stacked up in the parts bin.
So I decided to get the Volquartsen HP Action Kit Plus. I’ve been using the Volquartsen auto bolt release for years so it wasn’t too far out of my way to do a complete disassembly of the trigger. Volquartsen’s online instruction video is excellent. I found the process fumble fingers easy.
The HP Plus kit includes a new trigger and sear assembly with overtravel stop, a new hammer with bushings and hammer spring, a very mildly extended mag release (I’m not a fan of most grossly extended mag releases), and the auto bolt release.
While I have the muscle memory to deal with the standard bolt release, the auto bolt release just makes things easier on the firing line.
With the Volquartsen kit installed, the trigger feels very similar to the Ruger BX trigger, maybe just a tiny bit lighter trigger pull. Excellent trigger on both.
The Ruger BX trigger is a no-brainer upgrade, but you will still want to add the Volquartsen auto-bolt release to it. So BX trigger with auto-bolt release will cost about $110 vs the Volquartsen HP plus kit’s $166. I think the premium springs and components make the Volquartsen kit worth the extra $56, but I wish it included a slide stop spring and the receiver cross pins.
A great trigger in place, forthcoming episodes cover the barrel, stock, and sights.
So I decided to get the Volquartsen HP Action Kit Plus. I’ve been using the Volquartsen auto bolt release for years so it wasn’t too far out of my way to do a complete disassembly of the trigger. Volquartsen’s online instruction video is excellent. I found the process fumble fingers easy.
The HP Plus kit includes a new trigger and sear assembly with overtravel stop, a new hammer with bushings and hammer spring, a very mildly extended mag release (I’m not a fan of most grossly extended mag releases), and the auto bolt release.
While I have the muscle memory to deal with the standard bolt release, the auto bolt release just makes things easier on the firing line.
With the Volquartsen kit installed, the trigger feels very similar to the Ruger BX trigger, maybe just a tiny bit lighter trigger pull. Excellent trigger on both.
The Ruger BX trigger is a no-brainer upgrade, but you will still want to add the Volquartsen auto-bolt release to it. So BX trigger with auto-bolt release will cost about $110 vs the Volquartsen HP plus kit’s $166. I think the premium springs and components make the Volquartsen kit worth the extra $56, but I wish it included a slide stop spring and the receiver cross pins.
A great trigger in place, forthcoming episodes cover the barrel, stock, and sights.
Part 4 - Barrel
Part 4 - Barrel
Barrel choices for the AmbGun 10/22 takedown project.
The AmbGun online survey results found the three options very closely matched.
I went with the Ruger cold hammer forged threaded barrel. The price is ⅓ that of the exotic fiberglass wrapped aftermarket barrels. While it included barrel mounted sights, that turned out to not be an advantage…except for the front sight dovetail.
It would have been nice to combine the Volquartsen bolt and trigger kit with a Volquartsen barrel. I really like how they reverse “cantilever” a pic rail to allow for a barrel mounted optic that is shifted rearward over the receiver…this does require a non-railed receiver so I could not go this route.
The Tactical Solutions Takedown Barrel is a great option and shaves several ounces compared to the Ruger barrel. If I didn't think that Ruger makes very good barrels, I would have gone the TacSol route. Plus I think the TacSol barrel mounted sights would be visually blocked by the Brownell’s Receiver integral pic rail.
Ultimately, the Ruger offers 90% at ⅓ the price.
The AmbGun online survey results found the three options very closely matched.
I went with the Ruger cold hammer forged threaded barrel. The price is ⅓ that of the exotic fiberglass wrapped aftermarket barrels. While it included barrel mounted sights, that turned out to not be an advantage…except for the front sight dovetail.
It would have been nice to combine the Volquartsen bolt and trigger kit with a Volquartsen barrel. I really like how they reverse “cantilever” a pic rail to allow for a barrel mounted optic that is shifted rearward over the receiver…this does require a non-railed receiver so I could not go this route.
The Tactical Solutions Takedown Barrel is a great option and shaves several ounces compared to the Ruger barrel. If I didn't think that Ruger makes very good barrels, I would have gone the TacSol route. Plus I think the TacSol barrel mounted sights would be visually blocked by the Brownell’s Receiver integral pic rail.
Ultimately, the Ruger offers 90% at ⅓ the price.
Part 5 - Stock
Part 5 - Stock
Rifle stock for the AmbGun 10/22 takedown project.
Since I wanted the takedown package to be able to easily slip in and out of a scabbard, I bypassed the rubber over molded Hogue stock.
Given my mountain bike emphasis on bulk and weight, I chose the MagPul X22 Backpacker which is 12 ounces lighter than the Hogue and a whopping 21 ounces lighter than MagPul’s X22 Hunter.
The Backpacker features storage for 3 ten round mags. And some o-ring sealed storage in the grip that’ll hold a really small tourniquet, water purification tablets, or some Skittles. The stock has holes ready for QD sling inserts and while I'm a huge advocate for shooter’s aid sling, I'll leave them unfilled…saving weight and saving $70 for the MagPul Type 1 and Type 2 inserts…four fucking QD inserts that cost almost as much as the stock. Wow.
No stock mounting screws included in the Magpul kit or with the Ruger barrel…another week waiting for a stupid screw. The Brownells receiver thoughtfully included the stock screw for its side of things.
So if You're following along with your own build, get some receiver cross pins and an extra stock screw.
The X22 Backpacker DOES include an elevated cheek riser/storage cover for those who go with optics. The way that the receiver stock and barrel stock link up is beautiful and keeps receiver and barrel from banging together in a backpack. The rubber buttstock pad and angled toe remind me of the MFT Battlelink stock that I like so much.
A terrific takedown stock design, just keep in mind that MSRP will be almost $200 if you want ambi QD inserts.
Since I wanted the takedown package to be able to easily slip in and out of a scabbard, I bypassed the rubber over molded Hogue stock.
Given my mountain bike emphasis on bulk and weight, I chose the MagPul X22 Backpacker which is 12 ounces lighter than the Hogue and a whopping 21 ounces lighter than MagPul’s X22 Hunter.
The Backpacker features storage for 3 ten round mags. And some o-ring sealed storage in the grip that’ll hold a really small tourniquet, water purification tablets, or some Skittles. The stock has holes ready for QD sling inserts and while I'm a huge advocate for shooter’s aid sling, I'll leave them unfilled…saving weight and saving $70 for the MagPul Type 1 and Type 2 inserts…four fucking QD inserts that cost almost as much as the stock. Wow.
No stock mounting screws included in the Magpul kit or with the Ruger barrel…another week waiting for a stupid screw. The Brownells receiver thoughtfully included the stock screw for its side of things.
So if You're following along with your own build, get some receiver cross pins and an extra stock screw.
The X22 Backpacker DOES include an elevated cheek riser/storage cover for those who go with optics. The way that the receiver stock and barrel stock link up is beautiful and keeps receiver and barrel from banging together in a backpack. The rubber buttstock pad and angled toe remind me of the MFT Battlelink stock that I like so much.
A terrific takedown stock design, just keep in mind that MSRP will be almost $200 if you want ambi QD inserts.
Part 6 - Sights
Part 6 - Sights
Tech-Sights Front Sight Tower Assembly for Ruger 10/22 with standard post
Tech-Sights (for non-railed receiver)
I was going to use the sights mounted on the Ruger barrel, but I discovered that the receiver’s pic rail blocked them.
Tried mounting a Leupold VX Freedom scope, but there were not enough pic rail slots to get it far enough forward for a proper Turkey Neck cheek weld. I experimented with a red dot, it works well enough.
Ultimately I went back to my desire for irons with a Tech Sights front sight tower with its standard AR post it sits about ½” higher than Ruger’s stock front sight. I had some hope that a Tech Sights SU16 rear peep would fit on the pic rail, but the overhang would not clear the receiver…so I dug out the original plastic rail mounted peep sights that came with my SU16c…not exactly the elegant option for the rifle, but they line up with the Tech Sights front tower.
On a takedown rifle, barrel mounted sights make sense for preserving a precise zero…but within the noise of my marksmanship, I do not think I'll be able to discern a zero shift. I will test that with a magnified optic. My guess is that most claims of a shift in point of impact is often just a matter of being fooled by randomness…something that I think is rampant in the shooting world.
The rear peep has the advantage that it adds 7” to the sight radius over the barrel mounted sights. I suspect the added sight radius carries more benefit than “zero preserving” barrel mounted sights.
For a backpack carbine, I prefer the less bulky and sturdy simplicity of irons…which I will use for the Appleseed Qualification Test…next.
Tried mounting a Leupold VX Freedom scope, but there were not enough pic rail slots to get it far enough forward for a proper Turkey Neck cheek weld. I experimented with a red dot, it works well enough.
Ultimately I went back to my desire for irons with a Tech Sights front sight tower with its standard AR post it sits about ½” higher than Ruger’s stock front sight. I had some hope that a Tech Sights SU16 rear peep would fit on the pic rail, but the overhang would not clear the receiver…so I dug out the original plastic rail mounted peep sights that came with my SU16c…not exactly the elegant option for the rifle, but they line up with the Tech Sights front tower.
On a takedown rifle, barrel mounted sights make sense for preserving a precise zero…but within the noise of my marksmanship, I do not think I'll be able to discern a zero shift. I will test that with a magnified optic. My guess is that most claims of a shift in point of impact is often just a matter of being fooled by randomness…something that I think is rampant in the shooting world.
The rear peep has the advantage that it adds 7” to the sight radius over the barrel mounted sights. I suspect the added sight radius carries more benefit than “zero preserving” barrel mounted sights.
For a backpack carbine, I prefer the less bulky and sturdy simplicity of irons…which I will use for the Appleseed Qualification Test…next.
Lots of Red Dot fans on the survey. I would love to mount an AimPoint T2 on the Takedown rifle.
Part 7 - AQT
Part 7 - AQT
11x17-AQT-Blk.pdfTargets of the AQT
Download this AQT target print it on 11x17 paper (Most office supply stores can do this for you).
Or just go ahead and attend a Project Appleseed Rifle Marksmanship Clinic and at the end of the event, check with the Shoot Boss to see if any leftover targets are available.
Download this AQT target print it on 11x17 paper (Most office supply stores can do this for you).
Or just go ahead and attend a Project Appleseed Rifle Marksmanship Clinic and at the end of the event, check with the Shoot Boss to see if any leftover targets are available.
Part 7 - Full Length Review
Part 7 - Full Length Review
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Ambidextrous "optimal use of cover", optimal use of terrain for steady hold factors.Training the brain so that both the left and right eye can pick up the sighting system. Perfectly mirrored controls for unconscious, bilateral transfer of skill. operation both left and right handed.
Affiliate Disclosure
Some of our posts at AmbGun.com contain affiliate links. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission. Clicking on an affiliate link which earns a commission does not result in additional charges to your or cost you anything extra. Mentions of associated products within the content of AmbGun.com may not be noted as an affiliate in every referrence. Money earned via affiliate links helps keep the AmbGun web site and video production up and running. AmbGun hopes that you'd prefer that our efforts earn a commission rather than bypassing our affiliate links and simply adding to the bottom line of large marketers like Amazon.com