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Posted: 11/4/2007 4:33:59 PM EDT
| Will there be any noticeable difference in accuracy between a 16", 18" or 20" barrel for a .22lr rifle. Specifically a ruger 10/22? |
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Barrel quality, ammunition quality, and shooting technique are the keys to accuracy. Though, some ammunition will shoot better in the same barrel, when cut to different lengths. (read; it's much easier to find the ammo a barrel likes than it is to do the opposite) Short answer: No. 
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A 16" will give you the most velocity... I will assume the testing was done with std. velocity ammo. So an 18" may prove to give a higher velocity if using hi-vel ammo. A 20" barrel will help to stabilize the bullet. (extra length) All in all, match your ammo to your barrel. Buy whatever barrel you want. |
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I heard somewhere that because short barrels are thicker relative to the length they are also relatively stiffer and more accurate. I think that it would take an extremely accurate barrel to test this theory. The length of a barrel is primarily chosen based on how much you need it to handy or maneuver in close quarters as provided by a short barrel and how much you want the extra velocity offered by a long barrel. The .22 LR is an exception to this rule. I read a test years ago that showed that your regular high velocity 22 LR actually only has enough powder to accelerate through about 16" and starts losing velocity in longer barrels. (light bullet high velocity loads do get more velocity in a longer barrel) In a 22, a longer barrel gives you a longer sight radius and more weight out front which helps most people keep a steadier hold when shooting off-hand. |
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everyone is basically right here, except that longer bbl does not help in stability, twist rate does. that is why if you want to stabilize the slow Aguila sss60 grainers, you need a 1/10 or tighter twist. Harmonics, and bbl whip play havoc more with a rimfire, than with centerfires, because the slower bullet has more time in the tube, which is why usually your bbl is bucking upwards, like a cat rearing up it's back, on a rimfire firtst shot. Especially on a fouled bbl, maybe even clean but with oil or solvent residue in it; this stuff slows down that first shot signicantly, and your bbl bowing up, usually will throw that first shot high. this also can be seen pretty easily in a centerfire, with a sporter, or pencil bbl contour. A stiff , thick , bbl, helps to eliminate this to a great degree, so bbl length again doesn't matter, as long as it is a good stiff bbl. sillouhette/ moving/ target type shooters will shoot shorter bbls, while benchresters will shoot longer bbls. the lengths do play a part, due to the various disciplines here. the guys benchresting 22's use long bbls, as do alpine skiiers, they are usually 24 inches or longer. |
I was under the impression that the opposite was true.  I don't have any formal benchrest shooting background, (I just play around with it a bit in the yard), but I've shot smallbore silhouette for a few years. All of the shooters use tubes in excess of 22", on up to 30" from what I've seen. (I remember when I first started, having a 20" Lilja on my Sako.... it was the shortest rifle in the rack  )Seems the advantage in offhand hold is putting the weight furthest from where the shooter can influence it.... or at least that's the mindset I hear on the firing line, and believe to be true myself. Come to think of it, the centerfire bench guys I see from time to time, don't use barrels that are any too short either. But again, I don't know diddly about that sport. |
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