I've just got one heck of a deal on another 10/22, it has the dip treatment camp,barrel and stock both different patterns and topped with a Bushnell trophy realtree scope in the 1.75-4x. The whole package is very pleasing to my eye and I feel I got one heck of a deal . It's an older one from serial number made in 1984, it shoots well as I've found with most of the breed,I forget how many of these I've owned but about 50%of the time I find they shoot better with out the barrel band, this one was one of those times. It was minute of squirrel already but today in my after work unwinding range time I took the barrel band off and as always happens point of impact went higher but groups were tighter at 10;25 and 50 yards. My next job will be new pins springs and sear I've always liked the wolf 10/22 package, really slicks things up.
What has been your finding on the barrel band phenomenon? The one I built for my daughter: we did it together and painted it tiger strip pink and black camouflage and topped it with a truglo dot sight and she loves it; it shoots much better with barrel band on and tightened down with gorilla strength. Now obviously non of my heavy barrel 10/22s have a band and they all shoot wonderfully and I've often wondered if the band isn't cosmetic more than functional? So I figured I'd appeal to the wise ladies and gents here.