Tikka TX1

[opto55]

So I am looking at buying a Tikka TX1 22. Should I get a 16 inch barrel or a 20 inch barrel? Which would be more accurate?
Thanks

 

[AB.boy]

I don't believe barrel length will determine how accurate it will be. Buy whichever you think you will like the best, then try different ammunition to find what shoots best in your specific rifle. Some rimfires can be notoriously picky about ammo, 2 of the same model might have 2 different preferences for ammo.

I love my T1X btw, I went with the 20".

 

[280aiguy]

The 16" should have more velocity and just as accurate!

 

[grauhanen]

Some rimfires can be notoriously picky about ammo, 2 of the same model might have 2 different preferences for ammo.

Pickiness isn't the issue. All else aside, there are two things that affect performance on target. One is barrel quality. The other is ammo quality.

Barrels are meant to do the same thing, but some are better than others. Better barrels shoot all ammo a little better. With regard to ammo, some lots are better than others. These lots are more consistent, round-to-round than others. No barrel will turn inconsistent ammo into something else.

Readers should note that tests with relatively small sample sizes can't give reliable data.
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With regard to the OP's question, the 20" barrel may provide a better balance. Many observers suggest that the 16" barrel is more suitable for shooting with a suppresor which of course is not permitted in this jurisdiction. Ammo velocity is a not a factor.

 

[Bangalore]

I would get the 20” barrel and try some SK Rifle Match ammo if you can locate.
Nice pick and keep us posted!

 

[jparent]

I have two 16"... No lack of accuracy... i have competed with mine locally and it has out shot some significantly more expensive rifles... from an accuracy perspective... There should not be any difference... in theory... however barrel harmonics being what they are... a 16" could be less whippy... but it's a 22 so... probably not. If you are going to hunt, and carry it... i would choose whichever one balanced better for me...

50m... playing cards on edge all day long with good ammo... with almost boring regularity....

 

[gorby]

I agree with others that accuracy is a wash. The velocity gains are also not big enough to impact my decision.

I run a 20" heavy barrel for balance on my PRS rimfire for shooting off baracades (will go longer and heavier if I upgrade barrels), a 24+" on my iron sites rifle for increased sight radius, and I am building up a 16" .22 right now for manouverability and comfort offhand shooting.

Enjoy the Tikka, great choice!

 

[.22LRGUY]

Great rifle, I'd pick the 20" for sure.

 

[Archer Sam]

I have the 16 inch and it shoots great with a variety of ammo

 

[Jahnj0584]

16" here and sub 0.5" at 50y with SK. I think I even shot .38 a few times.

I'd get 20" if you are "serious" about PRS or anything like that.

 

[Canadiankeeper]

16 kinda looked funny to me. 20" felt better to point also for myself. Hold both (if u can)

 

[Canadiankeeper]

Also ammo will be more of an impact on accuracy then barrel length in this case.

 

[Can-down]

16 kinda looked funny to me. 20" felt better to point also for myself. Hold both (if u can)

I agree the 16" looks unbalanced in the Tika plastic stock, but I like short barrels.....

I think more people prefer the longer barrel if your ever selling it down the road, but clearly there's a market for both.

 

[jjohnwm]

I'm pretty sure that any difference in accuracy would be due to minute variances from one individual barrel to the next. I have yet to read a reasonable explanation for why a longer barrel would be any more intrinsically accurate than a shorter one...but I've read a ton of comments from people who assume that be so. If you're shooting iron sights, a longer barrel will be easier to shoot more accurately due to the longer sight radius, but "easier to shoot accurately" is not the same as "more accurate"...it just helps you be more accurate.

I'vs shot both lengths of T1x and I personally prefer the longer barrel to the shorter, just like the balance better. Honestly, about the biggest difference was likely the noticeable decrease in muzzle blast with the longer barrel...I like using subsonics in it, or better yet in my iron-sighted Brno (slightly longer barrel), and shooting without earpro.