You fellas are doing a good job of talking me out of a build.
The fact that flamethrowers exist is proof that someone thought “I want to set those people on fire, but I’m just not close enough to get the job done”.
I went down this decision tree about this time last year. If you want to build a 10/22, then bring a big wallet and expect great results in the accuracy department.
I ended up buying a CZ455 Varmint with an extra 17HMR barrel and put a great Vortex optic on it all for under $900 last year and am shooting dime-sized groups at 50 and quarter sized groups at 100 in 22LR.
My goal was to work on precision and see if I liked the game. I don’t like it enough to go long range, but I still enjoy the 455. And the plain Jane 10/22 next to it in the gun cabinet is perfect for a day in the woods with small game. That’s got a BX-25 trigger and a decent, but not great variable power scope on it.