
ABOUT MOA CORP
MOA Corp was founded in 1982 with the introduction of the company's Maximum long range target pistol which is still today considered one of the most accurate pistols ever made. Today, 30 years later, MOA also produces the one and only 100% stainless steel receiver for the 10/22. Additionally it is one of only three 10/22 receivers made in the industry that are threaded which allows for the best barrel to receiver union possible.


Of course the next question becomes how do you come by a 10/22 barrel with a threaded shank? There are actually a couple methods. The first most obvious is to work with a gunsmith to have an existing 18" or longer barrel shortened, rechambered, rethreaded, and have the extractor slot recut once the position is marked on the receiver. Getting this work done can be kind of a pain, so MOA offers a couple far less expensive and more convenient options.
For those customers who already have a favorite barrel that they want to use with a MOA receiver, the company also offers a service to thread customer barrels for a $40 charge. The service turns down the customer's barrel shank, threads it, attaches MOA's threaded barrel collar, attaches the barrel to their MOA receiver, and then cuts the ejector slot. It is important to note that many an expert believe this machining does not impact accuracy and when threaded and mounted in the receiver actually reduces barrel stress compared to a v-block retention system. This service is another potential accuracy improving feature even when you supply your own barrel.
In either case, once you have a threaded shank, the barrel is threaded into the receiver just as many other firearms are; this barrel to receiver union provides the most reliable, solid, and accurate fit possible with zero slop, no induced barrel droop, and also negates the need for a v-block.

For those that just want an indestructible stainless receiver without a threaded barrel or opting for the threading conversion service, the MOA receiver will also accept any aftermarket barrel and mount with a v-block just as you would on any other receiver, all without modification. The threaded receiver barrel hole is dimensionally the same as any other 10/22 receiver; it is just threaded.
To increase accuracy further, MOA also added a rear pillar mount tab to deliver a more solid mounting platform for the receiver. This rear receiver pillar mount tab can be used a number of ways or not at all. At the very least a little Dremel work is required to allow the receiver to mount in your stock of choice. The hole in the tab allows you to screw the receiver into the stock, typically via a pillar bedded mount. Or it can be used as a cantilever point for the front action screw to tighten against. Or bedded down, or...etc. It is a flexible and welcome little feature which adds much needed support to a single screw mounted receiver which was never designed to hang 3lb barrels from.
For this build, the MOA stainless receiver was paired with a Feddersen R4 barrel ordered threaded directly from MOA. I choose to mount the MOA receiver and R4 barrel in a Hogue overmolded stock with a little drill and Dremel work to allow the rear mounting tab to key into the stock. In my setup, the MOA receiver keys into the rear tab hole and then cantilevers down via the standard front take down bolt. In order to increase accuracy, I also pillar bedded the front take down screw on the Hogue stock to greatly diminish the effect the torque of the take down screw has on accuracy. I added a Nikon Prostaff EFR 3-9x40 optic with adjustable objective to compare the accuracy to what I have experienced before with Feddersen barrels. All the other parts were stock Ruger pieces including the trigger assembly.
FIT, FEEL, & FINISH
The MOA stainless receivers are CNC machined from 17-4 stainless castings with a low reflection bead blast finish on the exterior surfaces and the interior surfaces are left machine finished. From a distance, the MOA 10/22 receiver looks like a stock silver finished forged stock Ruger receiver, however up close or once you lift it, you know it is not aluminum.

ACCURACY
The Nikon PROSTAFF’s is a perfect scope for an accurate fielded .22, however for a bench target gun it is hardly up to the task of wringing out the most accuracy of this rig. It is clear and a deal for around $150 on the street and gives me a good base for accuracy as all my other testing was with scopes maxing out at 10X or under.
This is my third Feddersen barrel and it was no surprise that it printed nearly identical groups as my other two using CCI standard Velocity and Lapua Center-X, Midis +, and X-act.
My best center to center measured 50-yard group was a five shot .135” group with X-Act and a .157” five shot group with CCI standard Velocity. These are essentially single hole groups; not bad at all considering the Hogue stocks are not famous for accuracy and the rifle could definitely take advantage of a higher magnification optic and a match trigger.
FINAL THOUGHTS

If I was creating the most durable weatherproof 10/22 ever, I would reach for the MOA receiver and same goes if you plan to slip a Feddersen or Douglas barrel on anyway; as you will get the most from each of those barrels in this receiver. At the very least MOA will assure some of the more typical barrel droop and fitment problems affecting accuracy will be negated. My only complaint was the absence of an integrated picatinny scope rail, however at least with a stainless receiver you can crank down the screw with far less worry about stripping the receiver screws.
SPECS
MOA 10/22 Stainless Replacement Receiver $179.95
MOA 10/22 Receiver with 18” Feddersen R4 Barrel $329.95
Fitting/threading your barrel to the receiver $40
SOURCES
MOA Corp - http://www.moaguns.com
Nikon Optics - http://www.nikonsportoptics.com
Feddersen Barrels - http://www.1022rifle.com
Ruger - http://www.ruger.com
Lapua - http://www.lapua.com
2 comments:
I would like to see this made in 22 wmr and 17 hmr with an A4 type of stock and standard barrel High on my wish list. Thanks.
I would like to see this made in 22 wmr and 17 hmr with an A4 type of stock and standard barrel High on my wish list. Thanks.
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