I've got a couple of 10/22's that I have set up for Steel Challenge matches, along with some just standard versions. For my SC guns, I've always run CCI standard velocity ammo because it has been the most reliable (in terms of firing and no duds) and is very accurate.

After doing a little checking around, I decided to upgrade the firing pin and spring with a Kidd version. I had already done the extractor. The Kidd firing pin is a little thicker through the body and has a sharper edge that hits the primer. On one of my bolts, it fit perfectly. On an older bolt that I had, I had to do a little filing on the top edge of the pin for it to fit. No big deal.

I took the gun that I had to modify the firing pin on to the range this morning to make sure it functioned fine. I also took some bulk ammo that has previously given me a lot of failure to fires.

First up was the Winchester box of 333 with 36gr copper plated rounds. I would usually get 1-2 "duds" per mag with this stuff in the 10/22's. I went through about 80 rounds without a single FTF. All fired with no issues. Accuracy at 50 yds wasn't that great though (as expected with cheap bulk ammo). Had a bit of a left to right wind blowing this morning. One of the 10-shot groups with all others being very similar.




Then, I fired about 80 or so rounds of Federal bulk pak 36gr copper plated. Historically, I'd get 1-2 FTF every 2 mags or so. This time, not a single FTF. Accuracy was a little better than the Winchester. One of the 10-shot groups:



For grins, I had 20 rounds of Eley Match left in a box that I decided to run through the gun while there. All 20 rounds:



The rifle's other mods include:
Kidd lightweight barrel
Kidd hammer, sear, springs, etc
Tac Sol mag release
Kidd firing pin, spring and extractor
Hogue overmolded stock
Volquartsen bolt release
Kidd charging handle assembly
Kidd buffer

It normally wears a red dot, but one of the boys is using it for a Appleseed match this coming weekend, so it's got a Nikon 4X rimfire scope on it for the moment.



Next will be a trial of Remington bulk ammo, it's always been the worst for me in the 10/22's in terms of FTF's. But, so far, this firing pin upgrade seems to be a very worthwhile upgrade with (so far) a lot more reliability in firing off the rounds. I highly recommend it!

Using Remington bulk should be the real test. Let us know how it goes!

Good info, the firing pin will pay for itself in time

Yes! Obviously ammo makes a big difference.

Scored some bulk tubs and bricks recently through a variety of fund raisers. Usually run a couple 10 round groups and end up giving the stuff away.

RyanTX: That 20 round group with the Eley ammunition, at 50 yards, is simply amazing!
Good for you and your Rifle.
Keep up the good work and will looking forward to your bulk Remington ammo test results.
Thanks
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

Wow! Awesome 20 round group.

I like Kidd's products... everything is well thought out and a definite improvement (I feel) over the other aftermarket 10-22 products. Thanks a lot, I'll definitely look at trying out their 10-22 firing pin and spring.

On the other hand... I don't hold out much hope for any Remington rimfire ammo. 30 or so years ago shooting only 25 yards off a bench I had an occaissional round drop a couple inches out of the group... WTF? was told their ammo was crap. Fast forward to my aquisition of a couple of rimfire suppressors, and one (sometimes two) out of ten subsonic rounds would go supersonic (only subsonic ammo I've had this happen with). Their rimfire ammo is (or at least the last I had was) made in Mexico, but Aguila {and also PMC rimfire was also} (Mexican rimfire ammo) is decent... more likely Remington's .22 rimfire is just made to a price point. If it works for You great, but I'll never go there again.

YMMV,

Jerry

I’m with Jerry on the Remington RF Ammo. Trash.

Great tips from the OP.

Yeah, excellent post Ryan.

Wouldn't mind throwing a few bucks at my Target 10/22 and the Kidd products look like the ticket.

What I did which cost next to nothing was cut the shank on the barrel back so the chamber is shorter. Once its done my groups were cut in half. The only bad part is live rounds must be manually extracted. The factory chamber is cut to accommodate stingers that's why its so long.

Great shooting.

The first thing to change on any firearm to help increase accuracy would be the trigger (which you did).

Good shooting, Ryan.

Kidd parts. Not surprised at all. My Kidd 10/22 will shoot groups like the Eley Match above with most good ammo from CCI SV's and up. But, the whole rifle is Kidd, including the 2 stage trigger, which is the best trigger on any rifle i own.

If you haven't discovered Tony Kidd rimfires yet, you should. Yes, you'll spend a few bucks. But, you'll get your desired result. Consistently.

Ryan: What distance are you shooting?

FYI, 1-2 duds per bulk box would be a deal killer for me. Glad you solved the problem. Ammo should be 100% reliable. I've only had one similar experience with a case of CCI mini-mags that varied significantly in velocity. Sent a few back to CCI for testing. The said neck tension was the culprit and sent me a new case of ammo.

Grand, sorry for delayed response, I've been away from a computer for a while. The groups above were at 50 yds.

Haven't had time to do a test with Remington bulk ammo yet.

I like your rifle -- great groups!!

I was curious -- my VQ carbon-fiber barrel has a bentz chamber that does not allow Stingers to be used --- shorter than standard but longer than match. Did your Kidd have a bentz chamber that accommodated Stingers or a standard chambering? If standard, could you have gotten your Kidd with a bentz chamber too short for Stingers? Special order?


Does your present chamber cause the bullet to engrave the rifling?