22LR Barrel Length

[Dunwaters]

Its amazing how so many people still think a longer barrel is more accurate based on this Ed, I must explain this once a week to someone who thinks barrel length is directly related to accuracy.

Longer is more accurate with open or diopter sights due to the longer sight radius.
With a scope it makes no difference once the barrel is long enough for the powder to burn, the shorter barrel is proportionally stiffer too, which should make it more accurate.
That said, if there was no advantage to the longer barrel for target work, why are we still using them?
The longer barrel and increased weight has advantages, just not necessarily ballistics, more human factors.

 

[Greener Jim]

Its amazing how so many people still think a longer barrel is more accurate based on this Ed, I must explain this once a week to someone who thinks barrel length is directly related to accuracy.

Of course barrel length plays its part in velocity when considered in CF rifles and at long range the extra speed can play its part in accuracy but for normal folk shooting normal distances you are absolutely right.

This. I have a 26" barrel on my stalking rifle, that choice was in no way related to a desire for increased accuracy but the amount of folk who comment saying that it'll be more accurate due to the barrel length is ridiculous.

 

[Alan Maughan]

That said, if there was no advantage to the longer barrel for target work, why are we still using them?

There is an advantage as I said, increased velocity which in turn gives a higher accuracy potential due to less wind drift. Target shooters always want speed and you wont get the same speed with a shorter barrel hence all target rifles usually have long barrels.

The point I was confirming is that the theory of barrel length offering accuracy advantages is based on using open sights as Ed said, the distance between front and rear sight being greater improves accuracy potential. In the case of a shooter using a telescopic sight that principle no longer applies.

 

[Dunwaters]

There is an advantage as I said, increased velocity which in turn gives a higher accuracy potential due to less wind drift. Target shooters always want speed and you wont get the same speed with a shorter barrel hence all target rifles usually have long barrels.

The point I was confirming is that the theory of barrel length offering accuracy advantages is based on using open sights as Ed said, the distance between front and rear sight being greater improves accuracy potential. In the case of a shooter using a telescopic sight that principle no longer applies.

Increased velocity doesn't apply with the .22, in fact longer barrels have the opposite effect.
For centerfires you’re quite correct, but for all rifles once the barrel is long enough to permit the projectile to stabilise and achieve the desired velocity extra length adds nothing to the ballistics, but it does add weight and attenuates muzzle noise and blast by placing it a bit further from the user which makes the rifle a bit easier to shoot consistently.
Human factors are important in the search for accuracy too.

 

[norcan]

There is an advantage as I said, increased velocity which in turn gives a higher accuracy potential due to less wind drift.

Not in 22LR.

 

[KRW]

I find that the 16.5" Browning T Bolt Synthetic in both .22 and 17HMR work absolutely fine for up to around the 100yd mark

 

[Alan Maughan]

Not in 22LR.

My reference to speed was in regard to CF rounds as i clearly stated in my earlier post.

That said if keeping under the sub sonic threshold wasnt an issue then the same applies to any projectile including .22LR, if it can go faster it will be affected less by wind and for the same BC will have a higher accuracy potential.

 

[Alan Maughan]

Increased velocity doesn't apply with the .22, in fact longer barrels have the opposite effect.

Nowhere did I say the longer barrel giving more speed applied to a .22LR, I qualified my statement by saying it applied only to CF rifles.

 

[norcan]

My reference to speed was in regard to CF rounds as i clearly stated in my earlier post.

That said if keeping under the sub sonic threshold wasnt an issue then the same applies to any projectile including .22LR, if it can go faster it will be affected less by wind and for the same BC will have a higher accuracy potential.

Of course; the less time spent in flight, the less drop and disturbance.

 

[HandB]

I have a semi-auto .22LR Bremmer AR15 with a 16 inch barrel and it shoots beautifully with CCI standard ammo so I would recommend that length as I find it provides a good all round balance of handling pointability, accuracy, velocity etc.

 

[Mojo]

I have 12.5inch H&K416
It shoots pretty much like my 18" bullbarrel cz455 bolt action.

They both do exactly the same thing at my local outdoor range 50m.

 

[Tdes]

I have a 12.5" Brno mod 2, it is a very accurate rifle if I do my bit!

It does feel. bit light up front with standing shots, but the mod compensated for that.

T

 

[Squirrelbasher]

Twelve inches is all you need in my experience……

 

[markj1]

To the OP, when choosing a .22LR rifle, you should also consider light barrel vs heavy barrel (or fluted barrel). The lighter barrel is, well, lighter, which is good for some types of hunting and for practical shooting comp, but the heavier barrel will be more suitable for target shooting (and for some types of vermin) due to its resistance to heath expansion which allows for dozens of rounds to be shot in a short space of time without significant loss of precision. The heavier barrel will also have a larger crown, which again helps precision.

For .22LR rifles, I have a BSA Century with a heavy barrel (that was shortened by a previous owner), and a CZ-457 with a lightweight 16.5" barrel and synthetic stock to minimise overall weight.

 

[norcan]

I'd prefer that my .920" steel target barrel were either standard-profile or a lightweight material (aluminium/carbon). Is heating really that much of an issue with 22LR even when going through ammo rapidly?

 

[User00036]

Tikka T1X short barrel, it has a heavier than normal barrel, just feels so right it fits like a glove. very accurate too. Best .22 I ever owned.

 

[Landy99]

I note and accept the above wisdom on barrel length.

I came across this thread as I’m trying to decide between two .22lr rifles at the moment that have quite different barrel lengths.

It made me wonder: why are rifles that are clearly targeting the hunting market manufactured with varying barrel lengths that are all longer than is probably optimal for hunting use?

 

[markj1]

Muzzle velocity peaks around 16" for most 22LR ammo and then starts declining due to friction. If anything, you'll gain accuracy in most situations by going shorter due to less influence from barrel movement.

As above. For this reason, my CZ457 is 16". 20" or 24" make sense only if you are using more powerful ammunition than standard .22LR.

However, one key benefit of a longer barrel is the longer distance (radius) between the rear and front sights (if using open "iron" sights), which aids accuracy. Another is a heavier rifle which helps reduce recoil (not a major factor on .22LR though) and improves balance.

But, all-in-all, I am very happy with my 16" .22LR.

 

[Bowland blades]

With a 22 Lr your likely into small pistol length before you get into numbers that bothers any vermin shooting . Bruce Potts actually cut one down bit by bit chrono graphing the velocity change.
From a vermin and small game hunters prospective shorten close to the forend and put a bigger modertatot on . The charge inside a 22 lr is nowt but a pinch

 

[wytonpjs]

Plus one for the 16" barrel on my .22LR 10/22 bunnie-basher. At the ranges I shoot, it's more than adequate. It's a personal choice but I don't ask anything else of this .22 other than bunnie-bashing and gong-bashing at the range.