Ruger 96

I don't know why, but the Ruger 96 has really caught my attention lately.

I'm seriously considering the purchase of a 96/17M and setting up a multi-barrel/multi-caliber shooter.
The bolt/extractors/firing pin will need to be tuned to work with both the magnum and non-magnum rounds.

.17 HMR (out of the box)
.22 WMR (barrel swap only)
.22 LR (barrel swap and modified magazine)
.17 HM2 (barrel swap and modified magazine)
.17 Aguila (barrel swap and modified magazine)
.22 Short (barrel swap and modified magazine)
.22 SSS (1:9" twist for the Aguila SSS)
.22LR SS (smooth-bore shot shell)
.22WMR SS (smooth-bore shot shell)

The Non-magnum barrels can start life as 10/22M barrels or as 10/22LR barrels and have a second extractor groove milled into them.
Any suppressor that can handle .22 WMR should work for all calibers (but may be somewhat less efficient with the .17s)

Options for stocks: (I'm after a semi-tactical look, portability is a big plus)
Hogue overmold 10/22M (Black, OD, Coyote) - may require some inletting
Butler Creek Packer - Did they make any for the Magnum? No longer produced
Any of the folders - Requires inletting, requires modification of the lever to fit the pistol grip.


A more aggressive set of tweaking might start with a 96/44 (.44 Magnum) tweaked to use the 77/22H (.22 hornet) magazines with a barrel in 5.7x28mm and suitable changes to the bolt face and extractor.