Optimal barrel length

[il cacciatore]

Hi.

 

I've done a search and can't find the information. I was wondering what the optimal barrel length for a .22lr to fire subs for accuracy?

 

Found this, don't know of its correctness.

 

Sound Technology, a Suppressor manufacturer tested this by cutting a barrel 1 inch at a time and recording velocities. 14" was the optimum. The 16 inch only slowed the bullet by 15-20 fps.

 

So it looks like 14" is the best? But I suppose it would depend on twist rates and make of cart also?

 

I'm asking this because my anschutz 525 with moderator on it really long.

[shaun4860]

Hi

mines a 16" CZ sillouette...very accurate with winchester subs.

[gazz]

Hi

mines a 16" CZ sillouette...very accurate with winchester subs.

`Same here. My 16" american is spot on,even at 100 yds.

[conor]

Hi.

 

I've done a search and can't find the information. I was wondering what the optimal barrel length for a .22lr to fire subs for accuracy?

 

Found this, don't know of its correctness.

 

Sound Technology, a Suppressor manufacturer tested this by cutting a barrel 1 inch at a time and recording velocities. 14" was the optimum. The 16 inch only slowed the bullet by 15-20 fps.

 

So it looks like 14" is the best? But I suppose it would depend on twist rates and make of cart also?

 

I'm asking this because my anschutz 525 with moderator on it really long.

i couldnt find any info either? so went ahead and ordered a cz american 16" anyway all the people that have them cant be wrong

[stevethevanman]

It has been proven in the rifle world that the longer barrels fire more accurately, I use a CZ American, 22" barrels, shoots exelently, theres no reason why you cannot do the same with a 16" barrel.

[dazzyboi]

Longer barrel = More power, More accuracy and more energy (probably comes under power)

[conor]

longer barrel is better with centerfire, dont think it matters so much with rimfire, fellas wouldnt be gettin their rifle barrels chopped down to 16" if it was bad. plus the ranges with 22lr are so short.

[Ballie]

It has been proven in the rifle world that the longer barrels fire more accurately, I use a CZ American, 22" barrels, shoots exelently, there sno reason why you cannot do the same with a 16" barrel.

 

 

I am sure I am right in saying that longer barrels are not more accurate, they are just more powerful (in a centre fire) Rifle craft of Suffolk who build custom Remy's cut the barrels down to 20 inches which makes for a more accurate rifle because there is less barrel vibration. I have owned and shoot Rifle Crafts shortened Remy's and they are indeed very accurate rifles.

 

.22 Rim fire with sub sonic ammo is a different kettle of fish, the reason people cut the barrel down on a rim fire is because on sub sonic ammo all the powder is burnt up in the first 14 inches of bullet travel so any barrel length over 14 inches will start to slow the bullet down, so 14 inches is the most effective length for subsonic ammo, but if you start shooting high power .22 ammo then you will need a longer barrel to get the most out of the high fps ammo.

 

I will stand corrected but I am sure this is right.

[rarms]

My BRNO is chopped to 12.5" and it will group reasonably at 100yrds

[Dunkield]

Longer barrel = More power, More accuracy and more energy (probably comes under power)

 

Only applies to cartridges with slow burning powders, where the extra lengh give the powder the time to fully burn.

 

.22 lr's powder is all burnt up by 12", hence the fashion for chopping barrels down, and CZ introducing the 16" range I guess (and shorter barrels are bit easier to handle inside a vehicle)

[rarms]

>.22 lr's powder is all burnt up by 12", hence the fashion for chopping barrels down, and CZ introducing the 16" range I guess

 

 

You say that regarding the powder but there are problems I have heard of where a moderator is used on a .22lr and then put on a .223 and explodes because powder is left in the mod by the .22lr. This woulld imply that it is not all burn't during normal operation.

 

With regard to the 16" thing and CZ. I would imagine that this is because certainly in some parts of America there is a 16" barrel limit before it becomes a SBR (Short Barrelled rifle) and needs more ATF paperwork to own.

[dazzyboi]

Hmm, im not sure then, but i have certainly seen many posts stating that the 21" is more accurate. I will leave the power issue out.

[Dunkield]

My BRNO is chopped to 12.5"

 

Just out of interest Rarms, have you shot this at night?

[stevethevanman]

There is no reason why a longer barrel should cause more energy because at about 12-13" from the chamber I am told the bullet has reached its maximum velocity and has all the power it will ever get so the longer barrel thing does not actualy give you more power, there might be a slight change in velocity but not enough to give a large change in power.

[Hunter]

I wont be changing my varmint .22lr barrel that groups half inch at 100 meters

The barrel length is 22"

[CharlieT]

All research and testing conducted to date proves that 14" - 16" is the optimum barrel length for .22lr. These shorter barrels only loose about 1% in velocity and prove to be slightly more accurate.

 

Charlie

[rarms]

>Just out of interest Rarms, have you shot this at night?

 

 

No, it is only down for target shooting. I assume you were wondering what the 'flash' would be like

 

 

 

 

Another reason for having a long barrel on a target rifle is that if there is a sight blade at the end of the barrel it gives a bigger sight plane and is hence more accurate for sighting. That doesnt mean a shorter barrel won't be as accurate, just that the longer the sighting plane the more precise the shot placement it.

 

A longer barrel also gives more weight to the rifle which again can help with accuracy as it makes it recoil less