What barrel length for new 10/22 build??

[repiv]

I am building a new 10/22 and am 99% sure Im going with a Kidd barrel for this one. The Stainless Bull Barrel comes in 3 lengths 16.5", 18" and 20". What length should I get and why?
Kidd trigger, Boyds Tacticool stock, Very old Ruger receiver with Volquartsen internals, if any of that matters. If I didnt go with Kidd I would go with Volquartsen again for the barrel.


Accuracy is most important.
Weight is really not a concern.

Thanks

 

[clayne_b]

Re: What barrel length for new 10/22 build??

16.5 unless you like the look of a longer barrel... I have never seen any increase in accuracy with a longer barrel. The shorter the barrel the louder then gun will be.

 

[TOP PREDATOR]

Re: What barrel length for new 10/22 build??

longer barrel doesn't add anything but weight and unbalancing. most of your powder (especially match or subsonic ammo) is used up before 16", and the extra length in some cases introduces drag on the bullet.

longer barrel is nice for using open or aperature sites as the site picture is enhanced when the front site is further out, but if using a scope, your not gaining anything with the longer barrel.

the shorter bull barrel should also cut down on the amount of harmonics / whip which usually adds to accuracy - or should i say consistancy - making the whole rig alot more predictable.

plus if you ever wanted to add a suppressor, it will still be of a reasonable manageable length.

i'd go with the 16.5" as my first choice, 18" for my second.

 

[11B-B4]

Re: What barrel length for new 10/22 build??

Talked to Kidd a few days ago. They said the 10" is actually their most accurate barrel. I went with a 16 though as my receiver isn't an sbr and I like having the extra barrel length for full velocity ammo.

 

[Takashi]

Re: What barrel length for new 10/22 build??

I've got the same build in 16.5" and it is rock solid.

 

[repiv]

Re: What barrel length for new 10/22 build??

I ordered the 16.5" Makes perfect sense with the match ammo I will be shooting. Also My Volquartsen setup is a 16.5 and is a tack driver. I have shot many single ragged hole groups at 50 with it.

Thanks for the input guys.

 

[Larry in SD]

Re: What barrel length for new 10/22 build??

I just finished chronographing 3 different KIDD Barrels of different lengths. Actually the higest velocity was with the KIDD 18" Lightweight Barrel, and the slowest the KIDD 10" Bull Barrel on my Charger with the 20" KIDD Bull Barrel being between the two.

10" Ruger Charger (KIDD Barrel)
40gr. SK Standard Velocity Hollow Point
Date = 4-17-12
Temperature = 61 degrees
Average Velocity : 986 FPS
Extreme Spread : 25
Standard Deviation : 6.93

10" Ruger Charger (KIDD Barrel)
40gr. Wolf Match Target
Date = 4-17-12
Temperature = 61 degrees
Average Velocity : 939 FPS
Extreme Spread : 135
Standard Deviation : 13.49

18" Ruger 10/22T (KIDD Barrel)
40gr. SK Standard Velocity Hollow Point
Date = 4-17-12
Temperature = 61 degrees
Average Velocity : 1066 FPS
Extreme Spread : 43
Standard Deviation : 6.93

18" Ruger 10/22T (KIDD Barrel)
40gr. Wolf Match Target
Date = 4-17-12
Temperature = 61 degrees
Average Velocity : 1025 FPS
Extreme Spread : 79
Standard Deviation : 10.44

20" Ruger - Nordic 10/22 (KIDD Barrel)
40gr. SK Standard Velocity Hollow Point
Date = 4-17-12
Temperature = 61 degrees
Average Velocity : 1018 FPS
Extreme Spread : 49
Standard Deviation : 8.37

20" Ruger - Nordic 10/22 (KIDD Barrel)
40gr. Wolf Match Target
Date = 4-17-12
Temperature = 61 degrees
Average Velocity : 1002 FPS
Extreme Spread : 47
Standard Deviation : 9.85

Larry

 

[repiv]

Re: What barrel length for new 10/22 build??

wow thanks Larry thats good info. I will crono some wolf match target in the 16.5" and see what I get for comparison.

 

[11B-B4]

Re: What barrel length for new 10/22 build??

looks like the wolf burns better in the 20".

ive had great success with SK standard +, its my go to ammo.

Nice stats though. My brother just got a 6" KIDD, i'll have to post results when we take it out

 

[Larry in SD]

Re: What barrel length for new 10/22 build??

You are very welcome.

I also chronographed the same ammo in a Custom 77/22 with a Clark Custom Guns 20" Stainless Bull Barrel (which is also made from a Lothar Walther Barrel Blank like the KIDD Barrels are). The averages from the Clark Barrel were almost exactly the same as from the 20" KIDD Barrel.

20" Ruger 77/22 (Clark Barrel)
40gr. SK Standard Velocity Hollow Point
Date = 4-17-12
Temperature = 61 degrees
Average Velocity : 1014 FPS
Extreme Spread : 29
Standard Deviation : 7.28

20" Ruger 77/22 (Clark Barrel)
40gr. Wolf Match Target
Date = 4-17-12
Temperature = 61 degrees
Average Velocity : 1003 FPS
Extreme Spread : 67
Standard Deviation : 10.58


Larry

 

[Robert101]

Re: What barrel length for new 10/22 build??

I had also heard that the 16" barrel was the fastest (compared to say a 10 or 18" barrel). I bought the 18" length because I wanted the added weight on the gun. I mean really the Ruger 10/22 weighs what 5 lbs? I'm very glad to see in the tests mentioned here that an 18" barrel with standard loads was the fastest.

 

[PRDRIVER]

Re: What barrel length for new 10/22 build??

16.5" would get my vote

 

[Old Coach]

Re: What barrel length for new 10/22 build??

I have the 20" Clark bbl., works great.
It is flutted and balances well.

Coach

 

[Larry in SD]

Re: What barrel length for new 10/22 build??

I wish I would have had a 16" to test but unfortunately I did not. Guess I have to build another gun now. Oh my what is the wife gonna say about that. I'll just have to tell her it is a science project or something for the grand kids.

14" Stainless-Steel Contender - 1318 FPS
20" Ruger K77/22VBZ - 1295 FPS
24" Ruger K77/22VBZ - 1246 FPS
(The above 2 velocities are from the same gun after I shortened it to 20". The accuracy also improved shortening the barrel to 20")
24" Ruger K77/22VBZ - 1288 FPS
20" Ruger K77/22RP - 1231 FPS
17" Custom Ruger 10/22 - 1216 FPS
20" Custom Ruger 77/22 - 1213 FPS
22” Marlin Model 25 - 1212 FPS
7" Smith & Wesson Model 41 - 1130 FPS
6" Smith & Wesson Stainless-Steel Model 2206TGT - 1103 FPS
5" Smith & Wesson Model 41 Field Barrel - 1074 FPS
5 1/2” Stainless-Steel Bull Barrel Ruger MKII - 1049 FPS
4" Ruger MKIII 22/45 - 1011 FPS
5 3/8" Custom Smith & Wesson SS Model 617 - 1005 FPS
2" Smith & Wesson SS Model 63 - 883 FPS
2” Taurus Stainless-Steel Model 94 - 856 FPS

The above velocities are obtained using Remington BULK High Velocity Hollow Points.

Larry

 

[JWV]

Re: What barrel length for new 10/22 build??

I acquired a 20inch GM barrel some years back. I wanted a 16.5 but they were filling a military contract and weren't producing 22 barrels. So I bought the last one in stock. They weight isn't significantly more that the 16.5. I will say that the thing hammers like crazy. And it the extra weight isn't a bad idea if you are bench shooting. But for carry, get the lightest barrel possible.

 

[repiv]

Re: What barrel length for new 10/22 build??

Larry I just got the 16.5" Kidd barrel in and installed on my new 10/22 project. I will shoot it this Sunday and post back with results with Wolf Match Target ammo. Since you have so much data already collected with this ammo I will use it also to keep the data consistant.

Not to get too far into this but how far away was your crono?

I suppose you could get it pretty close since muzzle blast is not too great and I know the .22 loses fps pretty quickly.

 

[Larry in SD]

Re: What barrel length for new 10/22 build??

My Chronograph has a remote readout that is attached to the unit via a cable that is 12 feet long. My chronograph is set up the same way every time and the same distance from the muzzle.

Larry

 

[repiv]

Re: What barrel length for new 10/22 build??

Well I did get out Sunday but it was REALLY overcast and the crono would not function. I have a CED M2 and it would not get a reading. (no light kit) I will try again real soon.

It did however shoot 1 ragged hole groups at 50 with Eley Target. at least 2 other ammo types were very close. I love this barrel.

 

[repiv]

Re: What barrel length for new 10/22 build??

Finally I got to the range and got the Crono to work. I tested 4 types of .22 ammo through the crono.

Kidd 16.5" Barrel

Eley Match
Average 1062
SD 8
ES 32

Eley Target
Average 1014
SD 11.1
ES 38

Wolf Match Target
Average 1056
SD 9
ES 35

Wolf Match Extra
Average 1055
SD 15.5
ES 49

Eley Target and Wolf Match Target shot the best. Either would produce a ragged hole at 50.

 

[TonyAngel]

Re: What barrel length for new 10/22 build??

I went with an 18" barrel. In hind sight, I wish that I had gone with the 16". Theoretically, .22s move pretty slow, so the less time in the barrel, the less sensitive the rig should be to follow through.

I'll test the theory one of these days.