there are so many ways to upgrade the stock 10/22 it's crazy. He doesn't want to spend $1K on stock mods but inquires about a $5-600 aftermarket one, with a basic trigger?? tac-sol bbl, trigger mods or volq unit keeps him under $400 . I suggest one of the many performance bbls on the market and go from there.I did a 77/22 bbl build for an ar project and that was a tack driver. There are numerous 77/22 bbls out there for cheap, that will give you better accuracy then a stock bbl. Same for the trigger group.
Or build off the TS receiver and save $100.
http://www.mizzoumuleguns.com/id78.html
http://www.eabco.com/store/ruger-10/...cal-solutions/
Unfortunately, like an AR once you get started your "project" has more money in it than you realize.