Good results with OEM 16" 10/22 barrel?

[mmatt]

First of all, I know that each .22 rifle "likes" different ammo. I'm guessing that the biggest part of that equation is the barrel.

That being said - I have an old 16" factory barrel on my 10/22 and it does not "like" any of the cheap ammo that I like to feed my guns. And no, it's not the ammo because I get great results with it in my other .22 rifles.

My question is: has anyone had any luck with a factory 16" 10/22 barrel shooting Winchester 555 bulk pack ammo?

If so, I'm wondering if I will have any better luck if I just buy a new factory barrel for the rifle. I'm thinking maybe mine has loosened up a bit as I have noted slower than average velocities with it. (chronograph verified - and again, I understand that you don't get the speed listed on the box, I compared it to other comparable guns and it is definitely a "slow" barrel)

I would drop the money on a DLask or similar aftermarket barrel but no one offers what I want - standard taper, 14.5" - 16". (it needs to be at least 14.5" to accommodate a front sight ramp) Does Dlask do custom "one-off" barrels for reasonable prices? I guess that might be an option too.

 

[mmattockx]

You can buy a Shilen or McGowan barrel from Mystic Precision with various taper options available. You would have to ask Jerry if they match the stock profile, though.


Mark

 

[mmatt]

Email sent to Mystic (and Dlask too). Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[surfclod]

I seem to recall some 10/22 shooters having good luck with factory barrels that had thier chambers recut or perhaps it was just shaving a few thou off of the face so the chamber was less sloppy.

Not sure if it was this forum or perhaps RFC but there was a spirited debate as to whether it was still a "factory" barrel.


Perhaps thats a project you could try when you work with your gunsmith and give us the results on a future episode of CRR.


That being said, I have had a Dlask barrel in the past I was very happy with. I recently picked up a NEA 9" barrel but have not had a chance to begin that project yet.