Barrel length for 22LR
- Thread starter svehn
- Start date
Did some quick research on this and I don't know how accurate the information is but here we go:
According to http://www.chuckhawks.com/rifle_barrel.htm
I found a few other websites but they all talk about centerfire ammo only.
According to http://www.chuckhawks.com/rifle_barrel.htm
I found a few other websites but they all talk about centerfire ammo only.
"It is worth mentioning that a longer barrel is not inherently more accurate than a short barrel. Intrinsic accuracy is a matter of quality, not length."
True
"Even .22 rimfire rifles balance better with 20-22 inch barrels,"
"Balance" is a subjective thing and depends on many different factors, such as; stock design, barrel contour, swing preference, physical stature, accesories, etc... for us, our guns balance "better" with short barrels... very short 10-12.5" bull contour.
"...although in this instance the longer barrel has no ballistic advantage, since the .22 LR cartridge burns all of of its powder in about 16 inches."
This is also true...
"Very short barrels also increase the muzzle blast from high intensity cartridges to very annoying levels"
Well... annoying levels is again subjective... we do not feel that the perceived increase in sound volume is really that significant... similar to the difference in sound levels from shooting SV's as comapred to HV's...
"and the velocity loss is excessive."
Here, you would have to define "excessive"... the velocity does drop off somewhat below 16"... but some studies have shown an "Increase" in velocity in 12-14" barrels... velocity also drops off as barrel length increases beyond 19-20 inches... but who really cares about velocity... it is only a number... I am more concerned about accuracy... and the total loss in velocity comparing a 16" barrel to, say a 10" barrel will be somewhere in the neighborhood of 100 fps... I do not consider that "EXCESSIVE."
There are better criteria to use in determining barrel length than "velocity", such as; quality, balance, weight, asthetics... if you like the look of short barrels you don't have to feel that you are giving up anything in accuracy. With that said... if I was building a gun specifically for bench shooting... I would want a lot more weight out front and would probably use a 22-24" heavy contour barrel.
True
"Even .22 rimfire rifles balance better with 20-22 inch barrels,"
"Balance" is a subjective thing and depends on many different factors, such as; stock design, barrel contour, swing preference, physical stature, accesories, etc... for us, our guns balance "better" with short barrels... very short 10-12.5" bull contour.
"...although in this instance the longer barrel has no ballistic advantage, since the .22 LR cartridge burns all of of its powder in about 16 inches."
This is also true...
"Very short barrels also increase the muzzle blast from high intensity cartridges to very annoying levels"
Well... annoying levels is again subjective... we do not feel that the perceived increase in sound volume is really that significant... similar to the difference in sound levels from shooting SV's as comapred to HV's...
"and the velocity loss is excessive."
Here, you would have to define "excessive"... the velocity does drop off somewhat below 16"... but some studies have shown an "Increase" in velocity in 12-14" barrels... velocity also drops off as barrel length increases beyond 19-20 inches... but who really cares about velocity... it is only a number... I am more concerned about accuracy... and the total loss in velocity comparing a 16" barrel to, say a 10" barrel will be somewhere in the neighborhood of 100 fps... I do not consider that "EXCESSIVE."
There are better criteria to use in determining barrel length than "velocity", such as; quality, balance, weight, asthetics... if you like the look of short barrels you don't have to feel that you are giving up anything in accuracy. With that said... if I was building a gun specifically for bench shooting... I would want a lot more weight out front and would probably use a 22-24" heavy contour barrel.
Thanks muchly for the info guys. That is the info I was looking for.
I'm looking at doing up a semi auto for bench and stationary gopher slaying.
I have always liked the balance of a longer barrel. I was just concerned that maybe the longer barrel was going to kill the velocity by a large amount. Knew the 22lr burned its powder in a shorter distance. Actually thought it was shorter than 16".
Just a little info on my planned build.
Starting with the action and trigger assembly from a Baikal MP-161K and re-barreling with a heavy contour barrel. Then looking at a couple different styles of a stock. Not 100% sure if I want something along the lines of the XLR chassis or a more conventional thumbhole laminate.
Oddball build? Yup! I can't wait till the funds are available and I can get it started.
I'm looking at doing up a semi auto for bench and stationary gopher slaying.
I have always liked the balance of a longer barrel. I was just concerned that maybe the longer barrel was going to kill the velocity by a large amount. Knew the 22lr burned its powder in a shorter distance. Actually thought it was shorter than 16".
Just a little info on my planned build.
Starting with the action and trigger assembly from a Baikal MP-161K and re-barreling with a heavy contour barrel. Then looking at a couple different styles of a stock. Not 100% sure if I want something along the lines of the XLR chassis or a more conventional thumbhole laminate.
Oddball build? Yup! I can't wait till the funds are available and I can get it started.
- Location
- Winnipeg,Man.
I have shot extensively these 3 lengths of barrel...27" Mossy 144, 24" Marlin 81 and 20" Lakefield Mossberg Mark II. ( Amongst many others). Using only a bipod and shoulder hold in the fields shooting gophers. The 20" does a great job to about 75-100 yards. the 24" does a great job out to 200 and the 27" can go beyond. Using only Winchester 333/555 ammo. I do not do a lot of paper shooting as i only use it to set up the scopes. I do not think the gophers feel any loss of velocity as the projectile goes thru them. but to target shooters this is a relevent point i guess. as for using a semi for both target and field, you cannot beat the old Mossy 151s.
