Optimum barrel length for .22LR?
- Thread starter Colin
- Start date
- Location
- Edmonton,AB,Canada
What Wham-o says is indeed true. A retired ballistician who writes for a major gun mag(can't remember which one) said that they found the ideal length to be "around" 16 in.
Be interesting to have someone clock the speeds of .22s out of a short barrel vs something fairly long like my Savage 6A. Of course it would have to compare bolt action to bolt action or semi to semi.
Cheers!
Be interesting to have someone clock the speeds of .22s out of a short barrel vs something fairly long like my Savage 6A. Of course it would have to compare bolt action to bolt action or semi to semi.
Cheers!
Depends on your application. Sometimes maximum velocity is NOT the ideal. A longer barrel will keep match ammo subsonic down to lower temperatures. Its also quieter because more of the powder has burned off and pressure is lower when the bullet exits the muzzle.
easyrider604
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Greater Vancouver, BC
Optimum barrel weight for maximum velocity? Most most types of ammo, yes it has been said it is around 16 inches. I've read actual tests done in another forum.
For hyper velocity, light bullet ammo, maybe longer barrel is required for complete powder burn to obtain max velocity from a particular cartridge.
For accuracy?
This would be an interesting test, if somebody would undertake it, starting with say 26 inches and chopping one inch at a time done to say, 12 inches.
Scoped and benched/sandbagged, or if there was a mechanical rest for rifles similar to the Ransom Rest for handguns. I guess every popular brand and cartridge model/typel would have to be tested to come up with some meaningful data.
For iron sights, the longer barrel would offer longer sight radius and therefore better accuracy potential.
Target rifles with peep sights have around 25 inches of barrel. I suppose accuracy takes precedence over velocity in this case.
For hyper velocity, light bullet ammo, maybe longer barrel is required for complete powder burn to obtain max velocity from a particular cartridge.
For accuracy?
This would be an interesting test, if somebody would undertake it, starting with say 26 inches and chopping one inch at a time done to say, 12 inches.
Scoped and benched/sandbagged, or if there was a mechanical rest for rifles similar to the Ransom Rest for handguns. I guess every popular brand and cartridge model/typel would have to be tested to come up with some meaningful data.
For iron sights, the longer barrel would offer longer sight radius and therefore better accuracy potential.
Target rifles with peep sights have around 25 inches of barrel. I suppose accuracy takes precedence over velocity in this case.
Been done
That very test was performed by Chiefdave on Rimfirecentral a few years back. If I remember right, he started at 24" and trimmed 1" off at a time. Best velocity occured at 16", and there was no real difference in accuracy. The one thing you really notice with a shorter barrel is that the shorter you go, the louder they get. Later.
That very test was performed by Chiefdave on Rimfirecentral a few years back. If I remember right, he started at 24" and trimmed 1" off at a time. Best velocity occured at 16", and there was no real difference in accuracy. The one thing you really notice with a shorter barrel is that the shorter you go, the louder they get. Later.
I know this is irrelevant but the same applies to .223 due to the size of the round the gases expand very quickly, you dont require anything longer really then a 20 inch barrel. Saying that I highly doubt .22 needs anymore more than a 16 inch barrel. Anything past 16" is just added friction with less propulsion.
For years and years, 22 rimfire rifles were used with iron sights. From the cheapest little things going, to the ultra match rifles. All target shooting rifles had aperature sights, the best ones with click adjustment as small as ¼ MOA. The long barrels, like 28 or 30 inches, were for better sighting, better balance and holding. Top velocity was immaterial.
might also be that longer barrels offer a better harmonic versus a shorter one, butI don't know enough about barrel harmonics to say this makes any sence. usually shorter barrels are stiffer, but it might be that the oscillation profile is better with a longer barrel, like is more consistent in the point of bullet exit versus the location of the muzzle during the vibration.
Is this a typo? Are you saying that 223 rifles will be more accurate with an 8" barrel than they would be with a say 20" barrel? I understand that accuracy and velocity are not totally related but this doesn't make sense to me nor is it the way that I have observed a 223 round to perform. I have fired an AR with a 12" barrel and there was a noticeable difference in accuracy from an 18" AR.
Jeff
I know from shooting my 452 standard 24.8" bbl over a chrony with 1280ft/s ammo it clocks in right around 1200 ft/s every time.which works out to around 9ft/s/inch of barrel if my math is right
.if you say a 16"bbl would give you the 1280.
.if you say a 16"bbl would give you the 1280.
Farlsincharge
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Saskatchewan
See and I have heard that the opposite is true.
The noise level thing is Definitely true. Sure wish I could have a reflex suppressor.
No,not a typo, just my experience with the type of rifles I like to shoot and the ammo I like to use. Accuracy is a never ending pursuit and folks will never agree on all the variables. I like 16" barrels for 22's and shorter for .223, just me.
Hi guys I was at the range today and did a little testing for barrel length.
three rifles were used for my test all are cz 452s a 16" barrel american
a 22.5" barrel american and a standard with a 24.8" barrel.test ammo was winchester expert hv ammo at 1280ft/s mv.I shot 10 rounds over the chrony from each rifle chrony was set up ten feet down range of the muzzle.this is my results.
16"barrel 22.5" barrel 24.8" barrel
1-1278ft/s 1240ft/s 1242ft/s
2-1232ft/s 1272ft/s 1198ft/s
3-1230ft/s 1236ft/s 1236ft/s
4-1235ft/s 1249ft/s 1240ft/s
5-1228ft/s 1266ft/s 1223ft/s
6-1281ft/s 1235ft/s 1233ft/s
7-1260ft/s 1238ft/s 1227ft/s
8-1188ft/s 1243ft/s 1247ft/s
9-1250ft/s 1209ft/s 1211ft/s
10-1234ft/s 1205ft/s 1230ft/s
avg vel 1241.6ft/s 1239.3ft/s 1228.7ft/s
I think what this shows is how inconsisent winchester expert hv really is and at best is a so so plinking ammo.rembolt
three rifles were used for my test all are cz 452s a 16" barrel american
a 22.5" barrel american and a standard with a 24.8" barrel.test ammo was winchester expert hv ammo at 1280ft/s mv.I shot 10 rounds over the chrony from each rifle chrony was set up ten feet down range of the muzzle.this is my results.
16"barrel 22.5" barrel 24.8" barrel
1-1278ft/s 1240ft/s 1242ft/s
2-1232ft/s 1272ft/s 1198ft/s
3-1230ft/s 1236ft/s 1236ft/s
4-1235ft/s 1249ft/s 1240ft/s
5-1228ft/s 1266ft/s 1223ft/s
6-1281ft/s 1235ft/s 1233ft/s
7-1260ft/s 1238ft/s 1227ft/s
8-1188ft/s 1243ft/s 1247ft/s
9-1250ft/s 1209ft/s 1211ft/s
10-1234ft/s 1205ft/s 1230ft/s
avg vel 1241.6ft/s 1239.3ft/s 1228.7ft/s
I think what this shows is how inconsisent winchester expert hv really is and at best is a so so plinking ammo.rembolt
Farlsincharge
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Saskatchewan
No, I took your post as offering arguments that a longer barrel would be more accurate. Maybe I am misunderstanding what you were trying to say?
