So, a 10/22 bolt is built to shoot bulk ammo and feed a non-match chamber. With that comes a deep headspace and that, with a standard chamber decreases accuracy and increase fliers (I am told). To put a better bolt in you are looking to spend from ~$133 to $286 for a competition replacement bolt.
What's the big difference?
Eley recommends a headspace of 0.040 - 0.041. Others I have read recommend 0.0425, while others 0.043. A shorter headspace creates less movement between the bolt face, the casing and the barrel face. The extra movement and the bullet not being engaged in the lands and grooves can decrease accuracy and promote fliers (I am told/I have read).
Of course even with an improved bolt the bullet will not be engaged in the lands and grooves in a stock barrel (that's what a match chamber does), but I am guessing it does add some positive effects in just its increasing ability to keep the brass seated well into the chamber rim when it fires.
Anyhow, if you do not want to or cannot spend the money on a new bolt you might get it reworked. That's what I did with this one. Here's what was done.
- The rear radius on the bolt that resets the hammer is radius more and polished.
- The bolt face is taken down to 0.043 from 0.052-ish.
- The firing pin is trimmed to meet the needs of the new bolt headspace.
- The firing pin is 'pinned' to prevent vertical movement.
- The Ruger logo surface is polished and jeweled.
So, I am anxious to have time to shoot this and see if and how it has improved accuracy and decreased flyers.
What did it cost? $43 for the 'blueprinting' and $10 for the jeweling.
That is a savings of between $80 and $233 dollars.
I will put more out after it is trialed at the range.
There will be another one heading to Connecticut Precision Chambers asap.