.22LR barrel length question

[Alpha Mule]

I'm getting closer to my FAC application going in and would like some advice.

I know I'm jumping the gun (hahaha), but I'd like to hear your opinions on a rifle.

I'm fairly sure I want a CZ .22LR Synthetic and I fancy it with a 16in barrel, mostly as I don't like having a nose heavy gun. I seem to currently do a fair amount of standing shots and am very aware of the weight distribution of the gun. I appreciate that with the greater reach of an LR over a sub 12Ft-er this will probably change, but I think I'll probably still do a fair bit.

 

So after all the rambling:

I intend to have a mod fitted.

Using bog-standard rounds will a 16" barrel be too short for a proper burn?

What is the best/most effective barrel length, if 16" is too short?

[Colster]

16" is fine, I find the balance ok on mine for a standing shot, I don't take them often but sometimes bugs will pop up when I'm on my way to a LUP.

 

Much better in a vehicle too but will cost you more than a 20" and my 16" LR has to have the mod left on it in the cabinet or it's too short to stand up properly. The HMR I got in 20" as it saved me a few quid, I wouldn't be using it as much as the LR for lamping and I prefer to store it with the mod off.

[John_R]

16" is certainly not too short for a .22LR. I have a Anschutz 1417 with 14" barrel and that shoots straight.

[tony-devon]

I never owned a .22lr with a barrel longer that 12.5"

[swiss.tony]

IV GOT 16" MATE AND IT PERFECT get one and you will killin bunnys at 120 yards no probs in hrs ps. get a sak mod on end no more noisy than rapid

[Redgum]

IV GOT 16" MATE AND IT PERFECT get one and you will killin bunnys at 120 yards no probs in hrs ps. get a sak mod on end no more noisy than rapid

 

16 inches is ideal with a mod on a .22lr, the powder will be burnt in the first 14inches but if you expect to head shoot at 120yds with a .22lr you will have to know yr ranges and get a fair bit of practice. I have mine zeroed at 75yds, it drops another 3inches or more by 100yds(thats with subs) High velocity dont tend to be that accurate in .22lr.

[vampire]

16" is what everyone told me when i was looking,but i bought a new 20" american for £300 and am more than happy its so accurate if a little awkward in the truck.

[Alpha Mule]

Thanks for the replies. That's my mind made up.

So why do they hike the price so much for the shorter barrel?

[Frenchieboy]

I've had my CZ452 cut down from a 20 inch to a 16 inch barrel and fitted with a SAK moderator and now if anything it is even more accurate than before and it handles better. Admittedly mine is a 17HMR but there is no reason to think a 16 inch barrel on a .22LR will not do a very good job for you!

[njc110381]

I'm on the short barrel team too. Anything above 14" is fine and my 16" is ideal. It's a waste of time having more length and is a pain in the truck!

[Redgum]

After about 14inches all the powder is burnt and contact with the barrel starts to slow the bullet so short is good, as mentioned above a short rifle is alot more handy when shooting from in a vehicle. Why are 16inch barrels more expensive than longer ones, maybe they make less, maybe its because they are trendy. Someone once told me that it was the fact the shorter barrels have a forward taper which costs more to manufacture, I don't think this is true though, longer barrels cut down still shoot really well.

[Dekers]

After about 14inches all the powder is burnt and contact with the barrel starts to slow the bullet so short is good, as mentioned above a short rifle is alot more handy when shooting from in a vehicle. Why are 16inch barrels more expensive than longer ones, maybe they make less, maybe its because they are trendy. Someone once told me that it was the fact the shorter barrels have a forward taper which costs more to manufacture, I don't think this is true though, longer barrels cut down still shoot really well.

 

 

I understand many barrels are manufactured long, so shorter barrels need to be cut down, thus involving more work and therfore cost...either that or it is simply marketing to make you think that

[Dekers]

On the basis that the majority of .22lr are 1-16 twist then it seems sensible to allow the bullet one complete revolution, lord knows if there is any real science in this, it just feels right...so 16" barrel........but then along come Anschutz with a standard 14 inch barrel....and I'm not going to argue with them!

[njc110381]

Dekers - I can see where you're coming from but it shouldn't matter? The bullet doesn't skip the rifling so even if the barrel was an inch long and 1-16 twist that 16th of a turn would be enough for the bullet to continue that trend after leaving the barrel.

 

As you say, I very much doubt Anschutz are wrong.

 

When I discussed the mater with SYSS their suggestion was to go for 16". If nothing else it gives you the option of lopping a bit more off and recrowning again if the gun is ever damaged. Cut it to 12.5" and ding the end means you have to chuck the barrel.

[John_R]

Thanks for the replies. That's my mind made up.

So why do they hike the price so much for the shorter barrel?

 

I was told the hike is because they all come in at 20" and have to chopped and reproofed. I do not know if that is really true, but I paid the extra and got 16" for my CZ HMR and I am glad I did.

[dadioles]

I know this is resurrecting an old thread but I just came across this snippet of information and thought it worth adding....

 

My own two .22 cz's are both original factory lengths (one 16" and one 20") both from new.

 

There is a lot of talk about cutting longer barrels down but it seems as though that may not be such a good idea for the hammer forged cz barrels.

 

From the Edgar Bothers web site.....

 

Barrel Length:

 

"This depends on the model. Lux and Standard models are 22”. American, Varmint, Style, Silhouette are 20”. These models are also available in 16”. We do not recommend the cutting down of any CZ barrel due to the fact that they are hammer forged and are actually choked at the muzzle to maximise accuracy which is one of the reasons CZ rifles are renowned for their accuracy. There is also no guarantee that the bore is actually dead centre to the outside diameter in the middle of the barrel. Shortening the barrel will also invalidate the warranty. CZ rifle barrels are hammer forged from solid billets for that particular barrel length; even the 16” barrel has a special billet for the shorter barrel. If you want a shorter barrel part ex your old rifle and get a new rifle with a new three year guarantee!"

[Dekers]

I know this is resurrecting an old thread but I just came across this snippet of information and thought it worth adding....

 

My own two .22 cz's are both original factory lengths (one 16" and one 20") both from new.

 

There is a lot of talk about cutting longer barrels down but it seems as though that may not be such a good idea for the hammer forged cz barrels.

 

From the Edgar Bothers web site.....

 

Barrel Length:

 

"This depends on the model. Lux and Standard models are 22”. American, Varmint, Style, Silhouette are 20”. These models are also available in 16”. We do not recommend the cutting down of any CZ barrel due to the fact that they are hammer forged and are actually choked at the muzzle to maximise accuracy which is one of the reasons CZ rifles are renowned for their accuracy. There is also no guarantee that the bore is actually dead centre to the outside diameter in the middle of the barrel. Shortening the barrel will also invalidate the warranty. CZ rifle barrels are hammer forged from solid billets for that particular barrel length; even the 16” barrel has a special billet for the shorter barrel. If you want a shorter barrel part ex your old rifle and get a new rifle with a new three year guarantee!"

 

 

This has been quoted from Edgar Bros before.... it's called "Marketing"

 

Why not ask all the CZ owners who have had their barrels chopped what they think of the guns performance afterwards!

 

This would be a good place to start!

 

http://www.czforumsite.info/index.php?PHPSESSID=d8681372200ef032189344468a06d828&

 

Cheers

[dadioles]

This has been quoted from Edgar Bros before.... it's called "Marketing"

 

Why not ask all the CZ owners who have had their barrels chopped what they think of the guns performance afterwards!

 

This would be a good place to start!

 

http://www.czforumsite.info/index.php?PHPSESSID=d8681372200ef032189344468a06d828&

 

Cheers

 

Good point!! :D Rather like the "replace for 60% of cost" warranty on SAK -