12 vs 16 inch barrels ... pros and cons?

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Tikka223

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I’ve been wanting to build a fun little .22 for years now and may just pull the trigger. I will be building off a Dlask actions with a Magpul stock and Ruger BX trigger, that much is for sure. I have a surplus Bushnell SMRS 1-8.5 that I will likely use too. The big question is barrel length. I want something that I can plink with and hunt grouse or hair with. When I plink I often shoot out to 200m if not further with my T1X. Being a semi, I wouldn’t expect accuracy to be on par with a bolt. All that being said, should I go for a 12” barrel or a 16” barrel. I’m leaning towards a shirt handy little rig but I’m wondering what I’m sacrificing without those extra 4”.

Thoughts?
 
Tikka223 said:
I’ve been wanting to build a fun little .22 for years now and may just pull the trigger. I will be building off a Dlask actions with a Magpul stock and Ruger BX trigger, that much is for sure. I have a surplus Bushnell SMRS 1-8.5 that I will likely use too. The big question is barrel length. I want something that I can plink with and hunt grouse or hair with. When I plink I often shoot out to 200m if not further with my T1X. Being a semi, I wouldn’t expect accuracy to be on par with a bolt. All that being said, should I go for a 12” barrel or a 16” barrel. I’m leaning towards a shirt handy little rig but I’m wondering what I’m sacrificing without those extra 4”.

Thoughts?
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I added a dlask 12" threaded bull barrel to my Ruger 10/22 mount to a Boyd's Evolution stock with a Leupold 1.5-5x20 scope. Super light and compact and is my go-to grouse gun around my cabin, all shots are 50 yards or less. Accurate enough for head shots using CCI SV.
 
In my experience with chronographing rimfire you lose very little . my 4" revolver gets 1050 fps + or - with 1250 fps bulk , my 10/22 loses about 50 fps from the same ammo and my single cooey gets just over factory velocity
 
drill702 said:
In my experience with chronographing rimfire you lose very little . my 4" revolver gets 1050 fps + or - with 1250 fps bulk , my 10/22 loses about 50 fps from the same ammo and my single cooey gets just over factory velocity
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I came across a few ballistic charts via Google and was surprised to see very little velocity difference between 12” and 16”.
 
The choice between 12" or 16" is purely one of feel, balance and cosmetic appeal... all of which are subjective... there is no need to question the accuracy benefits of one over the other.

The Dlask receiver and barrel are good choices, but if it were me, I would spend a little more and get a Kidd single stage or Volquartsen TG2000 trigger group, I promise you will not regret that. There are lots of stocks to choose from... Boyd's offers dozens of options.
 
Tikka223 said:
I never really thought of balance to be honest. Is the 12” noticeably tail heavy? I prefer rifles that are evenly balanced, generally right by the magazine.
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My 16" in a lightweight Hogue stock with a Vortex HST 4-16 and Tac Pro strap on cheek riser (yeah I run a strap on) was tail heavy. Muzzle device is a Griffin Armament Minimalist flash hider. No bipod. Right now that rifle has only a Trijicon RMR in a Larue low QD mount with no cheek riser and it balances right between the mag well and takedown bolt. A bipod would probably balance the rifle with the old optics setup but it is no longer trying to be a .22lr trainer now that I have a Ruger Precision Rimfire. A 12" would definitely balance behind the magwell with no optics in a Hogue .920 stock. Hopefully that gives a bit of perspective on things.
 
It does thank you. I think it would feel odd to have little weight out front but I’ve owned a Tavor so it can’t be that bad. Now I’m wondering if it won’t point well for off hand shooting. I’m going to have to see if I can fondle one before I make up my mind.
 
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