Barrel length?

Steve Jensen

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Minuteman
Sep 21, 2003
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Hills of West "by God" Virginia
I'm looking at a Rem 541-T with a shortened barrel.(17"). After doing a search here and reading a length/velocity experiment at Rimfire Shooting, it looks like the short barrel might improve handling with no significant detrimental effects on velocity or accuracy. Have I missed anything obvious?
 
Re: Barrel length?

I saw no change in velocity when I recently chopped a marlin from 22" to 16". I understand the concept that a shorter barrel with alter harmonics but on an OEM barrel I feel bedding and ammo selection would have more affect on potential accuracy.
 
Re: Barrel length?

With iron sights, a longer barrel usually means a longer sight radius which allows for more accurate/precise aim... other than that, no rule of thumb regarding barrel length and accuracy...
 
Re: Barrel length?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Mtwoodson</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm looking at a Rem 541-T with a shortened barrel.(17"). After doing a search here and reading a length/velocity experiment at Rimfire Shooting, it looks like the short barrel might improve handling with no significant detrimental effects on velocity or accuracy. Have I missed anything obvious? </div></div>Well, everything I have read suggests the same. I don't have a chrony, but I will trust the people that have one and did the write up in the articles.
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Re: Barrel length?

Barrel Shortening test

long and short of it (pun intended) on a cheapie MKII F there was an initial drop in velocity, then it plateaued. Accuraccy / consistancy increased. there's some chrony data in there.

as mentioned above, longer = better if using open sights for a better sight radius / alignment. for a scoped rifle, there is no need for that.
 
Re: Barrel length?

I wouldn't worry about it. I can be argued that 16" is the optimal length for a .22 rimfire in terms of accuracy and velocity.

As far as accuracy goes, 16" is about all you need to get almost all, if not all of the velocity that a rimfire has to offer; especially if you are shooting standard velocity ammo.

I did some chrony testing a while back, but didn't keep the data. It just wasn't worth worrying about.