.22LR barrel length and rifle options

[Pigglet1]

Hi Folks

After around 10 years away from shooting I have a requirement for a .22LR for bunny bashing on my own land. Previously I had an original finnfire (bought second hand) with a 14" heavy barrel and a trigger I'd polished and tweaked. Originally the plan had been to run the barrel at 16" but as the original gunsmith butchered the crown and screwcut the barrel concentric to the outside of the barrel not the bore it had to be further shortened and fettled. I loved both the trigger and the rifle in general and it worked very well for me but when I got into target shooting with it I always wondered if a longer barrel would have aided accuracy over longer range shots.

Fast forward to my current situation and I'm looking at a couple of options. Being a bit of a physiological outlier in that I have a very long torso and arms relative to my height plus pretty big paws.(ready for the ape jokes) I like a long LOP, basically a big rifle. I also have a kids size head so need a high cheek piece so previous rifles were either mod'd or built into a tactical chassis. I now have reduced flexibility in my right wrist so where I used to find sporter style stocks awkward/uncomfortable compared to a tactical stock they are now pretty much out of the equation. The rifle will be used for walking about on my own land and quite probably in a high seat which I will construct to suit. If I do use it in a vehicle it will be static in a particular field so I'm not looking for a 'truck gun'. I may in the future get back into paper punching but then again I may not.

I'm now looking predominantly at two specific rifles: 1 - Tikka UPR. I know nothing about them and haven't seen one to handle but they look like they tick most boxes ie tactical stock, LOP can be adjusted with spacers and tikka quality. Downside is it would be a new purchase and therefore not cheap and it doesn't have a thumbhole stock which I prefer. The advantage is knowing it's not been abused and run in correctly. There is also the option of a 21" barrel as opposed to the 16"

Option2 - An anschutz 1416 Thumbhole, 16" barrel, second hand but in very good condition. Upside, quality rifle and cheap compared to the Tikka. Also has thumbhole stock. Downside, it's second hand and they look like quite a small rifle BUT at the price if there is an easy tactical thumbhole stock option then I could probably get the Annie and re-stock it for a similar price to the new Tikka.

I don't really want to spend ages faffing around getting the annie re-stocked (inletting and bedding) if there isn't a relatively simple off the shelf option available. I've lost my copy of Rinkers balistic bible and can't remember pro's and cons of 22 barrel length other than the rather simplistic view that all the powder is burnt in about 14" so any input on the above would be much appreciated.

Cheers
Pigglet

 

[Squirrelbasher]

I have a 1417 anschutz thumbhole with a 14 inch barrel. It is a small rifle but it’s plenty accurate enough for vermin control, shoots ragged one hole groups at 60 yards with the right ammo.
Edit to say, regarding velocity, none lost, in fact it’s faster than my longer barrelled cz with the same ammo.

 

[Cyres]

2x Annie's in this household and mate has one. All thumbhole walnut. Best thing since sliced bread. Shoot old blue Winchester subs. Its more accurate than me.
Bruce Potts did a big article published in ST re shortening a .22lr barrel.
See if you can find it.
D

 

[Pigglet1]

Thanks for the replies guys. I managed to try a 1416 yesterday and whilst it is a lovely and accurate thing, I did find it a bit small ergonomically and I can't find any simple drop in stock options. I did handle a GRS bifrost stocked rifle and that felt spot on when adjusted for me so for better or worse (definitely worse financially) that's the route I'm going down. A standard T1 plus Bifrost works out the same money as the UPR but with more adjustability. I also managed to track down my copy of understanding ballistics and Rinker's evidence suggests all things being equal, an 18' barrel is the hot ticket for 22LR which is interesting as that is the length Bergara use.

 

[Gameking]

Buy another P94s Finnfire Varmint that has not been cut down - 23" barrel and you are familiar with the handling etc.
Better quality than Tikka UPR and much much cheaper.
The 1417 is a fine rifle but you said it felt a bit small .

 

[Edinburgh Rifles]

Whilst the anschutz name is unparalleled in rimfire legend i have yet to find a fussy Tikka

The UPR stock in my opinion is one of the finest factory stocks available and I only wish they would sell them separately !!

I have a 12.5” .22 in a Sako Quad
Very accurate

I have the same barrel in a 22” format
No more or leas accurate but a massive javelin of a thing with a 6” mod on the end

12.5” all the way!

The extra half inch for legal protection purposes in the event of poor measuring skills or in the event a crown gets dinged and needs a skim

 

[nun_hunter]

I bought a new T1X UPR in 21" because I couldn't wait for a 16" to come into stock.

I moved the stock to my tikka CTR in 6.5 Creedmoor and agreed with @Edinburgh Rifles that it is a great factory stock, offering many benefits of stocks costing over £1000

Having a Savage Mkii with a 12.5" barrel I will probably eventually cut the tikka down too as for hunting 21" is more of a pain and accuracy is is on par with my friend with a 16" T1X when we're at the range.

Personally I can't stand thumbhole stocks as they're too restrictive as to how you hold it and much prefer the UPR style of an upright thumb. I have had a few GRS Berserk stocks in the past and really like the fit of those. They suit me in a variety of positions even though the hold is quite prescriptive.

The UPR I feel is let down by Tikka not building in a section of M-lok on the forend to attach whatever accessories you want or supplying any specific "precision" accessories for it, such as a picatinny or Arca rail that fits the spacing of the two sling studs in the front. This limits you to either using a bipod that attaches to a sling stud or an adapter or fettling something yourself.

I've fitted a Spartan picatinny rail with their magnalock system built in as I use their bipods and tripods.

 

[maxmax75]

No need for any barrel longer than 12.5 inches. Use a heavy steel mod like the Ase Utra rimfire to put the stability back. My Volquartsen 12.5 is an absolute tack driver. Out of interest I chronographed the the winchester hollow point subs and the velocity was coming in at 1030fps.

 

[Cw67irl]

Iv always been an advocate of the 16Inch 10/22 barrel but previously had a 11.5 Inch Volquartsen and it was every bit as good.
Now onto a 20 inch CZ 457 Match barrel..

 

[Pigglet1]

Thanks for the replies guys. I've picked up a T1X, it's on a 20ich barrel but may get it shortened at some point. With the Finnfire at 14" I always wondered if I was sacrificing accuracy with the short barrel as I didn't shoot the rifle before it was cur down.
Your comments would suggest not. I'm really happy with the ergonomics of the rifle in the Bifrost stock. The hand position and shape fit me perfectly, it's much more comfortable to hold than the Annie or the finnfire.
I've fitted a lighter trigger spring and larger Bolt handle and it all feels really good.
One thing I have noticed though is that the action just isn't as slick as the old Finnfire. Having recently handled a few decent rifles, the way the action on a P94 cycles is just head and shoulders above everything else. The bolt throw is so short and slick that it was just a quick flick up and back with the underside of your index finger. I can't do that with the T1, there is just too much movement in the bolt throw. Another Negative to the T1 is the size of the mags, they don't fit in the pocket as comfortably as a smaller mag but I'm nitpicking here. The main thing is it fits me really well, better than the finnfire did and better than a second hand one would without a load of faffing around which I don't have time for at the minute. The T1 trigger is just as good as the finnfire's too now it has a lighter spring.
Just waiting for the wind to die down so I can get it zero'd and see how it actually shoots.

 

[Pigglet1]

Buy another P94s Finnfire Varmint that has not been cut down - 23" barrel and you are familiar with the handling etc.
Better quality than Tikka UPR and much much cheaper.
The 1417 is a fine rifle but you said it felt a bit small .

If I had more time on my hands I would have gone down this route. If I eventually get back into target shooting then I may do just that but I am overrun with rabbits that need sorting ASAP and I don't have the time or inclination to source a second hand rifle, aftermarket stock and then get it in-letted and bedded.

 

[bluesako]

short barrel finnfire works for me bs.

 

[suburban bushwacker]

there's a very nice 1022 in ed's shop @Edinburgh Rifles with a lovely thumbhole stock.