Best Ruger 10/22 Upgrades and Modifications [2022]

There are tons of Ruger 10/22 upgrades available on the market if you are interested in making your shooting experience much better. Whether you are a hunter, a competitive shooter, or a casual plinker, you’ll find that nearly every firearm owner owns a Ruger 10/22.

It’s considered a cost-efficient and exceptionally cheap gun to use to practice. You can fire away for practice with its .22 caliber ammunition that is considerably cheaper. It didn’t matter if you are an amateur learning your basics of shooting, or a pro practicing for competition.

Any reason would be good enough for a Ruger 10/22 upgrade. As it is a rifle that is popularly used for hunting and self-defense, having a Ruger 10/22 upgrade would make it a more versatile and effective tool in your own arsenal. It also compliments the overall performance and longevity of your rifle, which is great.

TriggersNameEditor’s CommentRatingGet The Best Deal
Ruger 10/22 TruGlo Rimfire Fiber Optic Sight1. Replaces existing factory sights
2. Full windage and elevation adjustment
3. CNC machined
10/10SHOP NOW
Volquartsen – Ruger 10/22 LR Barrels1. Ultra lightweight
2. Outstanding accuracy
3. Provides exceptional rigidity without excess weight
9/10SHOP NOW
Vortex Optics – Crossfire II 1″ Riflescopes1. Clearer, tougher, brighter
2. Longer eye relief
3. Fully multi-coated lenses and improved
9/10SHOP NOW
Ruger 10/22 BX25 Magazine 22LR1. Deliver optimal performance
2. Molded hard-polymer body
3. High-grade tempered spring steel spring
8.5/10SHOP NOW
Volquartsen – Ruger 10/22 Bolt Release1. Pull back slightly on the bolt handle and the bolt releases
2. Made from hardened, heat-treated, durable steel
3. Requires absolutely no fitting for a faster, easier to shoot 10/22
8.5/10SHOP NOW
UTG Tactical Low Profile Rail Mount for Ruger 10/22 Rifle1. 10/22 tactical rail mount
2. 1 Picatinny rail with 11 slots
3. Low profile with middle V-cut for use with iron sights
8/10Currently unavailable
UTG Tactical OP Bipod1. High-tech durable aluminum construction
2. Clever dual mounting
3. Foldable arms with robust external spring tension control
8/10Currently unavailable

Criteria

We won’t exactly refer to this section as a criteria section, but we will discuss what the different types of upgrades are. These upgrades include modications or accessories that bring enhancement, that is commonly found for guns, including the Ruger 10/22.

There are plenty of upgrade kinds that are universal across a lot of guns. However, we will take out some of the most basic and commonly found upgrades that you may want to find for your Ruger 10/22 guns.

Types of Ruger 10/22 Upgrades & Mods

There are so many kinds of Ruger 10/22 upgrades and accessories. We will try to cover most of the prominent ones here in this article.

Rails and Mounts

The most common, basic, and necessary ruger 10/22 mods are the rails and mounts. A good set of rails and rings will allow you to easily mount your scopes, tac lights, lasers, and other similar accessories on your 10/22.

Barrel

The next upgrade that is also important is the barrel. When your current barrel has realized the maximum accuracy and potential, it’s time for you to upgrade to a new one. A good barrel is a piece of great accessories helps with improving your overall accuracy of your rifle greatly.

Trigger

Up next is the trigger. The factory trigger (the trigger that comes with your gun) is just the basic trigger. If you wish to modify the pull and travel time of your trigger, it’s better that you upgrade to a new one.

Scope or Light

A really good major addition to your rifle is a good scope or a sight. It won’t just increase your shooting range, but it will also help you with accuracy.

The Stock

The of course, the other important upgrade is the stock. When you have upgraded to a completely new stock, it will most likely include a mount, a barrel, and a cheek riser. Which, most times, this enhancement will solve most of your concerns.

The Best Mods and Upgrades For Your Ruger 10/22 – Our Picks

Now that we are done with the criteria, let’s have a look at what are some of the best upgrades and modifications for your 10/22.

1. Volquartsen LR Barrel

​SHOP NOW

A lot of users and recent customer feedback is that the users really like the accuracy, heat resistance, and aesthetics of this barrel. Its built quality, according to the same users, is said to be exceptional. The barrel delivers the quality of a bull barrel at the weight of a normal barrel.

This barrel has given us quite a few talking points to discuss. The barrel is an important upgrade for any 10/22s, so we have decided to look for the best replacement barrels on the market.

This is one of the best suggestions we can get. These barrels have been made from a mix of stainless steel, carbon fiber, and aluminum.

The Volquartsen Ruger 10/22 LR Barrel is a match grade barrel, which is very light in weight and has a match chamber and bore for outstanding accuracy.

Its carbon fiber shroud provides exceptional rigidity while minimizing the overall weight. On top of that, the comp variant includes a pre-installed compensator for mitigation recoil and muzzle rise.

Because of the way it is made and designed, these barrels are exceptionally lightweight. These barrels are available in standard and match variants, with 16.5 and 18.5-inch lengths respectively. The barrels are already drilled and tapped for a barrel mount, cantilever, and scope mounts.

The match barrel also comes with a compensator installed on its muzzle, which can be removed when needed. It has a multi-port single chamber, which helps to reduce the recoil. Hence, it improves accuracy, and provides faster follow up shots.

Who Will Use This Most

This barrel is great for people who are competitive shooters. What you have to know is that basically it delivers exceptional accuracy due to its build quality, finish, and balanced weight. If you wish to use this barrel for practice and hunting small targets over long ranges, this barrel will be great for that too.

Overall, it is a great barrel for pro shooters who wants the best for their Ruger 10/22 guns. It is exceptionally accurate, lightweight, and perfectly balanced to deliver ideal performance.

You can even install it in the matter of minutes and even withstands rigorous shooting sessions. It’s a great option for competitive shooting, that’s all.

With all that being said, the Volquartsen barrel is the best barrel upgrade for your 10/22. The match variant of the series also has a compensator installed, which can help with reducing the recoil of the rifle.

At cursory glance, the barrel may seem pricey. Many users seem to harbor the same sentiments too, but it is most likely the last barrel upgrade you will ever need.

​SHOP NOW

2. BX25 Magazine 22LR

​SHOP NOW

It seems that almost every user be praising the quality construction of this magazine. The feeding of this magazine is flawless and exceeds many standards of the 10 round OEM magazine by many miles around.

Not forgetting to mention, this enhancement is also easy to maintain and does not have any rounded corners that can hurt.

When you pick up this magazine, you will notice how this BX25 magazine has been made from high grade polymer. It does not dent or get damaged when dropped.

On top of it, the construction, fit, finish and feeding of this magazine are just perfect. Also, the 25 rounds capacity allows you to shoot for longer durations without having to reload. So yes, the magazine has a long service life.

Its hard, molded-polymer body is backed by a tempered steel spring to ensure flawless feeding. The magazine feed lips are made from steel, so you do not have to work about malfunctions. It also has a curved design to utilize maximum space for accommodating 25 rounds. It also provides a better grip when changing.

If you are someone who do not like changing mags, this one will be a great choice for you. However, if you live or come from a state where your local laws don’t allow high capacity magazines, then this one will be out of the question for you. Remember to check with your local laws before buying one.

Who Will Use This The Most

This magazine is great for plinking and practice. Obviously due to its large capacity of 25 rounds, it can take a lot of beating – which is a plausible option for self-defense. Most especially when the Ruger 10/22 is the only weapon you have at hand.

As it is a durable, lightweight and high-capacity magazine, the BX25 magazine feeds flawlessly regardless of how many rounds you shoot during a session. Its stainless steel feed lips and spring offer reliable feeding while the banana-shaped offers a compact and easy to hold design.

The first and foremost thing you should take note of is that the magazine is manufactured by Ruger (surprise!). Secondly, the next thing that stands out the most about this magazine is how it has an enormous capacity and a durable body.

Getting this magazine is more economical than buying multiple 5s or 10s round magazines. It is best used for hunting, competitions, and self-defense. We have also reviewed a few magazines here.

​SHOP NOW

3. Vortex Optics – Crossfire II 1” Riflescopes

​SHOP NOW

The scope is said to be very accurate and easy to adjust for windage, elevation, and illumination settings. The illuminated red dot makes it even more useful for low light shooting.

Its dead hold BDC reticle is very useful, especially with the right bullet grain. Also, its scope holds its settings under recoil and maneuvering the rifle.

When you are looking for the right optical scope for your Ruger 10/22, it can be tricky because the rifle has a somewhat limited range. However, we still managed to find a versatile scope for the job.

This scope has a high magnification of 6x to 18x, and a large objective complimented with an illuminated reticle. It holds its settings and can be interchanged with other more powerful bolt-action or semi-auto rifles.

The long eye relief, easy adjustments, and durable constructions are also admirable advantages and plus points of the scope.

It has a wide 44mm objective lens that allows a lot of light to pass through, so you can obtain a clear sight picture even under low light conditions. The scope tube is made from aircraft-grade aluminum and is nitrogen purged. Its O ring is sealed to resist shock, water, and fog. The scope also has turrets for adjusting windage, elevation, and parallax.

The dead hold BDC reticle lets you take long shots without the need for adjusting the turrets. Perhaps the best thing about getting this scope is that it can be swapped to almost any other rifles because of its magnifying power. It didn’t matter if it is a 10/22 or an M82, this scope is quite versatile to handle all of them.

Who Will Use This Most

This scope is great for competitive shooters, hunters, and even for practice. The illuminated BDC reticle makes it perfect for low light hunting.

Furthermore, the long-range and large objective that allows you to utilize the maximum effective range potential of your rifle. The scope is as equally as useful for pro shooters as it is for a beginner.

Overall, the Vortex Optics Crossfire II Riflescopes is a high-end scope that can be interchanged with other rifles and delivers an impeccable range and accuracy. Such modification has an illuminated reticle and allows you to adjust its brightness settings.

It makes the perfect scope for low light shooting. Its single piece construction is very durable and resistant to harsh conditions. It has a high magnifying power and works exceptionally well under lowly lit conditions and environments. The scope also can be used on a Ruger 10/22 and almost all of your rifles.

​SHOP NOW

4. Truglo Rimfire Fiber Optic Sight

​SHOP NOW

What users like most about this optic sight is its inexpensive price, ease of installation, and high placement. As the sights are made from metal, some users also pointed out the flimsy design of the front sight. Also, users also praise the quick target acquisition of this sight.

Perhaps one of the best Ruger 10/22 upgrades for your rifle would be to improve the sights. A lot of shooters opted for a new scope. However, for the shooter who is on a budget or simply prefers using iron sights to glass, a new set of sights like this one from Truglo is a great way to do it.

As an aftermarket sight that is low in cost, this one works pretty well as a quick replacement for Ruger 10/22s. Its combination of green and orange colors that comes with a wide diameter makes acquisition quick and easy.

Furthermore, the high front sight offers better convenience for the shooter. Its rear sight is also adjustable, which is also a plus.

Truglo, its manufacturer, uses fiber optic tubes in a variety of colors to gather available light in order to make the sights glow brightly during the day.

The sights are slightly oversized for a precise fit, unique to the shooter’s rifle. As soon as you have installed it, the rear sight is completely adjustable for windage and elevation.

Who Will Use This Most

If you wish to use this sight for competitions, hunting, and practice, then these sights are good for that. Its combination of colors offers quick sighting in both day and low light conditions.

They are also very useful for elderly people with weak eyesight. On top of that, these sights can also prove to be an asset for home defense if you see and feel the need for it.

This Truglo Rimfire sights is an affordable and useful replacement for the factory sights on your Ruger 10/22. They are full of metal and do not require any batteries or maintenance. The fiber optic wire can easily be replaced if needed.

​SHOP NOW

5. UTG Tactical Low Profile Rail Mount 

This rail mount is rated as one of the best rail mount that has ever existed on the market. For that reason, it could be the best Ruger 10/22 modifications for you.

The Picatinny rail offers great value for price, perfect fit, and precise function as most people has reported back. The rail is easy to install and it comes with mounting screws.

Not forgetting to mention, it is extremely lightweight and adds to the aesthetics of your 10/22. It does not require any customizations for installation. At the same time, it also has a low profile for better handling of the rifle.

Unfortunately, one of the downsides to the Ruger 10/22 rifle as it comes from the factory is that its substandard scope mount is shipped with many of the rifles.

However, this rail is inexpensive, comes pre-drilled with holes, includes mounting hardware, and even has a low profile. It has the perfect bottom contour to fit the receiver and has 11 slots to provide ample mounting space. Its V-cut design allows it to be used with iron sights. The finish is just perfect to withstand the test of time.

It is aluminum and made by Ruger. However, it is intended for use with 22 rings intended for a groove type of mount. Not the Weaver or Picatinny style that the factory mount resembles. UTG addresses this by manufacturing a true Picatinny mount that installs into the pre-drilled holes on the rifle’s receiver.

Who Will Use This Most

Anyone who wants to mount a scope over their Ruger 10/22 will take a great liking to this rail. It can be a competitive shooter, hunter, or even a plinker. The rail is essential to mount an optic over the rifle, whether it is a scope, BUIS, or a red dot.

The UTG Tactical picatinny rail is an inexpensive and must-have upgrade for your 10/22. Having a rail on your rifle will allow you to add optics, which are essential and needed for shooting distant targets.

This rail will also allow you to use the iron sights and comes with all the essential hardware for mounting.

6. Volquartsen Bolt Release (Custom Automatic)

​SHOP NOW

Most buyers and users of the automatic bolt release found that this modification is so useful that they recommended it being included as a factory component. The release is said to be really easy to install, and it features a good build quality. Almost every user of this auto bolt release seemed content about the quality, function, and price.

This Ruger 10/22 upgrade is one of those kinds where the shooter does not realize how valuable it is until after they installed it on their rifles. This automatic bolt release is a must-have component for the 10/22.

As the Ruger 10/22 is a legendary rifle in its class, it isn’t always top-notch. What causes it to falter is the hectic bolt release. By adding this auto release will improve the handling of the rifle.

The custom automatic bolt release from Volquartsen allows the shooter to release the bolt on your Ruger 10/22 rifle. By pulling the bolt slightly backwards, as opposed to pushing up on the bolt lock. Installation is simple and does not require the need of a gunsmith.

Who Will Use This Most

This bolt release is a must have for every Ruger 10/22 owner. However, competitive shooters and hunters will find this the most useful. Since the release eliminates the need for gyrating the bolt, the shooter can focus more upon the target and will not struggle with the bolt.

The Volquartsen automatic bolt release is an affordable and minor component that serves a great purpose for your 10/22 modification. The release will ease the overall operation of the rifle and is very easy to install.

But do keep in mind that it only works with Volquartsen and Ruger factory bolts and trigger guards.

​SHOP NOW

7. UTG Tactical OP Bipod

It is said that (according to user feedback) that this bipod is easy to install on the Ruger 10/22, and it fits really nicely. It has a perfect size, impeccable build quality and is very easy to use.

This UTG Tactical OP Bipod is ideal for its price and works flawlessly with the Ruger 10/22. But some users have pointed out that the bipod is a bit short and is not fit for high capacity mags.

It is a compact and complete package for the Ruger 10/22. The UTG Bipod is compatible with swivel studs and Picatinny rails and has adjustable legs. At the same time, it also has the capability to pan which helps with taking down moving targets. It also can be used with other rifles, which makes it a good run for your money.

Installing a bipod can be relatively easy when it simply clamped to an existing sling swivel stud. The best part was perhaps if the rifle has no stud, a trip to the local sporting goods store can yield a couple for a bit of money.

As more rifles come with standard Picatinny rails installed on its fore-ends, that means the majority of bipod manufacturers followed suit. Unfortunately, that means to install an older type bipod means buying a relatively expensive adapter.

UTG solves that problem with their Tactical Op Bi-Pod as it accommodates either system in this compact bipod. Its compact bipod folds, adjusts from 6” to 8” and uses posi-lock wheels. We would also suggest checking out full buyer guides on the best 10/22 bipods online.

Who Will Use This The Most

It is one of the perfect accessories for hunters. It is mostly due to the fact that it can pan around and has grippy feet that can allow the shooter to place the rifle firmly over any surface. It can also be used for target practice and competitions – especially when shooting in the prone position.

As the UTG bipod is an inexpensive and useful modifiationto your Ruger 10/22 if you are a hunter or is involved in competitions. It is quite compact for a bipod and useful with low to medium capacity magazines. It deploys or retracts quickly and can be mounted and dismounted within a matter of seconds.

Which Aftermarket Modification To Go For?

The Ruger 10/22 gun is one of the most popular guns owned by a lot of gun owners. It is also said to be one of the rifles that is susceptible to upgrades and modifications. Hence, making it one of the best guns for people to own – for competition, for practice, or for general usage.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Below are some frequently asked questions (FAQ) for gun owners to refer to.

Q: What are the best upgrades or modifications for Ruger 10/22 guns?

There are many enhancing upgrades meant for the Ruger 10/22 guns. Look for one that you really need or feel fits rather well with your Ruger 10/22 gun, whether it is a chassis or trigger. From there, you will see what your gun really needs.

Q: Do I need an extra magazine for my Ruger?

To be fair – everyone could use an extra mag! We personally would always bring extra, because the benefits outweigh the slight inconveniences.  

Leave a Comment