GUNS Magazine, 1998
December issue




By Claire Rees

Several aftermarket barrels, stocks amd other accessories are available for Ruger's popular 10/22 autoloader. I've experimented with a number of these add-ons, and the slickest combination I've used to date is Acculite's Graphite bull barrel paired witb Butler Creek's synthetic target stock. The 920" diameter barrel looks heavy, but weighs just 13 ounces, a full 2 1/2 lbs. Iighter than a steel target barrel of similar size.

The Acculite barrel, which houses a rifled steel liner, is constructed of what Acculite calls ~a patented new uni-directional graphite carbon fiber." The company claims this material is 75 percent lighter and six times stiffer than steel.

Clair Rees' 10/22 autoloader converted with Magnum Research's new Acculite Graphite barrel and Butler Creek target stock.

Because Acculite barrels don't heat up like steel barrels do, they hold their zero remarkably well during prolonged shooting sessions. The ultra-stiff construction is a real aid to accuracy, and each barrel features a match-tolerance Bentz chamber.

Acculite claims its barrel "consistently produces 10-shot groups under .351" at 5O yards. That claim appears to hold water. Most of the .22 LR ammo I've run through my Acculite-barreled 10/22 produced a single ragged hole. That's a dramatic improvement over the accuracy I'd experienced with my stock 10/22.

The lightweight barrel is just 16 3/4" long, and its dead-black finish is accented by the legend "Acculite Graphite" laser engraved near the muzzle. The muzzle itself sports a stainless steel cap with a single deep compensator notch. Does a .22 rimfire really need a compensator? Probably not, but it looks really cool.

The Acculite barrel and black synthetic Butler Creek stock results in a compact, fast handling autoloader that measures just 35 1/4" from muzzle to butt. With a Bushnell Holosight mounted, my Acculite/Butler Creek-fitted 10/22 weighs just 4 3/4 Ibs.

It's a cinch to replace the original 10/22 barrel with the graphite Acculite tube. Once the stock is removed (a single screw holds it in place), simply back out the two Allen-head screws located under the barrel forward of the receiver. The locking bar can then be lifted out.

Remove the existing barrel by pulling it forward out of the receiver. Insert the Acculite barrel and reverse the process. Finally, drop the rebarreled action into the Butler Creek stock and tighten the lone stock screw. The whole job takes only two or three minutes.

While the barrel and stock are easy to install, this kind of makeover doesn't come cheap. The Acculite barrel, marketed exclusively by Magnum Research, Inc., retails for $349.

The RT 10 Butler Creek stock sells for $88. That kind of money, plus a standard Ruger 10/22 action and trigger assembly, gives you an ultra-light, compact .22 carbine that looks and handles great while delivering eye-popping accuracy.

Rees shoots his madeover Ruger 10/22.
New Acculite Graphite barrel drammatically
reduces weight, delivers eye-popping accuracy.

Reprinted by permission from the December, 1997 issue of GUNS Magazine. Copyright 1997, Publishers' Development Corporation. All rights reserved.

GUNS Magazine is not responsible for mishaps of any kind which may occur from use of published loading data or from recommendations by staff writers. Any prices given were the suggested list prices at presstime for the printed issue and are subject to change.
 

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