Heavy Barrel .22's....

You don't see pencil barrels on bench rigs... there is a reason for that... but if you are comparing two specific guns, the lighter barrel could potentially be more accurate than the heavier... but the safe bet is the heavy barrel if accuracy is No.1 on your priority list.
 
I have one of those Savages and completed the 1/2" challenge with it. Also look at my thread on bedding it. To simplify things regarding barrels a heavy barrel is stiffer than a thinner barrel of the same length. This reduces the "whip" a barrel experiences during a shot and in theory reduces the overall potential shot dispersion size. The key to accuracy in a .22 is having the bullet exit the muzzle at the same point in this "whip" for every shot and a certain kind/speed of ammunition will be "in tune" with the barrel. A thin barrel "in tune" with it's ammo will shoot every bit as well as the heavy barrel assuming they are barrels manufactured to a high standard of quality. A barrel is not quality just by shear virtue of being "heavy". A heavy barrel is less likely to be as picky about ammo selection compared to a thin barrel but that is by no means a rule as my Savage certainly IS picky about ammo. Note that all competition and match barrels are heavy contour. Show me a guy with a bench rest rig equipped with a sporter barrel and I'll show you a guy NOT to place bets on winning!
 
Not sure about Savage but I was going to buy a CZ varmint 22LR a couple of years ago and re-call searching for the same answer. I found a write up on the CZUB website and basically it said that the CZ bull barrels are not more accurate, they are just less ammo picky. Unfortunately I can't find it on their website any more. I have no doubts that as you move into c.f. calibres, the benefits of a stiffer barrel increase exponentially but can't see a real benefit for 22s except if you want something heavier for bench shooting.
 
Heavy barrels also better maintain their accuracy during a string of fire. It's less of an issue with a .22, but as a barrel heats up it starts to warp, which can cause sporadic groups. A heavy barrel is not only more resistant to the warpage due to it's increased strength but is also able to absorb and dissipate more heat due to it's greater volume and surface area.
 
maifire said:
It could very well be a 'me' thing, but I also find the added weight of the barrel to be more stable. I have 3 heavy barrelled 22's, have held and fired their sport barrel counterparts. No comparison.
Click to expand...

That's just simple physics. A heavier object requires more force to move, meaning that small forces (such as trembling or vibrations) will have far less effect than on a lighter object.
 
I have shot CZ American's and CZ Varmints. I can recall only one instance where the light barrel beat the HB's... and not by much.

Light barrels are for packing and hunting where 1-3 shots is all you take. Factor in environmental heat in the sin, shooting longer strings of fire in the gopher patch, and a light profile barrel will not fare as well.

I have an old single shot cooey that will shoot right with my CZ... but after 40 rounds in a gopher field, it starts missing, where the CZ is hitting.

I have tried this on paper, and it holds true. Even with a little more heat, the Cooey starts to fall off in accuracy
 
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