.22lr Barrel length and accuracy

[The Zebra]

Hello fellow SH members. I am coming to you hoping to gather some knowledge. I am looking for a new host for my Silencerco Sparrow and I have some questions about barrel length on a .22lr.

First, I will be buying a Savage bolt gun. Model is yet to be determined based on barrel length. I want to be as accurate as possible (duh!) and have the ability to shoot out to 250-300 yards effectively. Does anyone here think that a 16" barrel would be better than a 22" barrel for a .22lr?

I am trying to decide between the Savage MK II FV-SR (already threaded, 16" bolt rifle) and the MK II TRR-SR (also threaded, 22" bolt gun). I've also looked at the MK II TR with the idea of threading the barrel myself because I don't really want the "tri-rail" in the TRR-SR. The stock will be changed regardless of model. My deciding factor is barrel length. What do you guys say?

 

[Dylan in AZ]

Re: .22lr Barrel length and accuracy

Barrel length has no effect on accuracy. You will gt more velocity from a shorter barrel, but the gain will be small and you will need to shoot subsonic ammo anyways if you want to shoot that far out with it. Buy long, or buy short, it doesn't matter. It comes down to other factors maneuverability and stuff like that. Pick whichever you like more and it will work the same as the other. Personal preference is what this one comes down to.

HTH


-Dylan

 

[clmayfield]

Re: .22lr Barrel length and accuracy

18" is optimal length for 22. I would guess that 22" will be faster than 16". The relationship between length and accuracy is so complex, the only rule I follow is if it shoots, don't cut it.

 

[Jeepocabra]

Re: .22lr Barrel length and accuracy

22 are not very length sensitive. Supersonic ammo remains supersonic out of pistol length barrels in my experience.personally I think that when I have my savage threaded I'll whack the barrel off to 16 or so just to help with the weight. It's a heavy gun for what it is.

 

[jbuck88]

Re: .22lr Barrel length and accuracy

Seems like that I have always read that a 22lr peaks at 16" velocity wise. Doesn't take very long to burn the powder in that little case. Then after the powder is burned then the barrel starts slowing the bullet down, not by much but it does.

 

[The Zebra]

Re: .22lr Barrel length and accuracy

Decided on the FV-SR with the 16" barrel. Thanks for the input.

 

[Gray]

Re: .22lr Barrel length and accuracy

JBUCK88 hit the nail on the head, his info is verbatim what tactical solutions says about their 16'' barrels