optimal .22 barrel length

[20series]

Hi all, looking to have a play at this long range .22 lark and it's got me wondering what is the optimal length for a .22lr barrel?

My experience with small-bore they were generally 26 inch but that was because of the sight radius needed for diopter sights.

I'm thinking as the barrels are 1/16 twist then anything over 16" is better for stability but much more then velocity will be compromised??

Any thoughts??

Alan

[1066]

Around 16" seems a good length for a .22lr. If you're using an optical sight you can discount the sight radius problem. At around the 16" mark, depending on ammunition the powder has burned and pressure is dropping in the barrel and the bullet has stopped accelerating, maybe even slowing down.

Shorter barrels, within reason don't seem to effect real world accuracy much, the fact that most .22lr's have a twist of 1-16" doesn't make a difference, A 22 target pistol still has a 1-16 twist but only a 4" barrel and muzzle loader might have a 1-80" twist.

If you are looking for extreme accuracy, Bill Calfee, the .22lr benchrest rifle wizzard prefers a 24" barrel if possible as he thinks that the bullet coasting that last 10" or so is a good thing and also escaping gas as the bullet exits the barrel has less effect of the bullet with a longer barrel.

Also some better quality barrels are choked at the muzzle - If you want to cut the barrel and searching for best accuracy you need to slug the barrel and cut at the tightest part.

[20series]

Thanks for the response, I'm quite liking the idea of the CZ457 they do the LRP model which seems to be a good package with 20" barrel .

Alan

[Alpha1]

There is a CZ in the for sale section.

[Ovenpaa]

For distance a longer barrel seems to work for me, my 600 yard rifle has a 660mm/26" barrel and I may even move to a 29" barrel this coming year.

[1066]

Any theory why David?

[Sim G]

I remember several years ago, I think it was in Guns & Ammo magazine, where they did a test for the optimum .22lr barrel length and came up with 14.5". I had an Adams & Bennet barrel on a VQ cut to this. I've only had it out to 300m, but, I feel it shoots as well, if not better than a 20" Ruger or a 24" Marlin... nah, I don't understand it neither.

[Ovenpaa]

Many, balance and stability are key for me, I get better results with a longer barrel and most importantly, that is what the rifles come with! (Match 54 now in the M54S-430 guise, probably to be replaced by a pre-war BSA Model 12/15 or Model 15 in the new year.

The M54 and BSA's consistently out shoot my CZ452.

[20series]

There's a thought, I'll just use the BSA,

Alan

[Ovenpaa]

A MkII Inter will get you out to 500 yards with consummate ease, even you can do it Al :)

(Christel has some 'scope brackets if you get stuck)