Optimum Barrel Length for .22LR

[Iggyort]

On another thread, a discussion of the " Optimum Barrel " length for the Vodoo Rifle Actions got me thinking.

My Anshutz 54 Match Prone Rifle has a 26" barrel. Why then , would Anshutz provide such a long barrel if it did not improve the accuracy of the rifle.

Below my rifle and the video in question :

 

[garandman]

As I recall the Vudoo video on barrel length actually talks about velocity more than accuracy. That all the powder is usually burned up by about 20"


I suspect there is a point of diminishing accuracy returns with barrel length so I went with 20" on my Vudoo. Once the powder is burned up, extra barrel length is going to decrease velocity at the muzzle.

 

[Hi-NV Shooter]

On another thread, a discussion of the " Optimum Barrel " length for the Vodoo Rifle Actions got me thinking.

My Anshutz 54 Match Prone Rifle has a 26" barrel. Why then , would Anshutz provide such a long barrel if it did not improve the accuracy of the rifle.

Below my rifle and the video in question :
View attachment 1125593

Your Anschutz originally was intended to be shot with open/iron sights longer barrel gave a longer sight radius. the older match 54 had 27-1/4" barrels

Lee

 

[fantastic]

its generally safe to say 16" is a good length for a 22lr barrel.

 

[Iggyort]

Agreed, but competitors competing in Biathlon and Olympic rifle disciplines have rifles that exceed 20".
So the question is :

Is the increased sight radius that much of a advantage over increased velocity in those disciplines?

Olympic Postional Indoor Shooting with no wind . Absolutely.

Biathlon shoots Outdoors at 50 M ( 54 Yards ) at targets 4.5" and 1.5".
Once again , the sight radius wins.

 

[garandman]

According to the video, 20" maxxes out 22rf velocity.

Far as sight radius... longer is better. Ideally, you want a sight radius that goes from your eye to 1" from the target.

But the ideal is kinda impractical so most iron sight rifle manufacturers stopped about 26 to 28"

 

[Hi-NV Shooter]

its generally safe to say 16" is a good length for a 22lr barrel.

By what means is this conclusion made? most gunsmiths who would put a .22lr barrel on an action will slug the barrel for optimum crown placement, which could be at any length.

Lee

 

[Larryh128]

On another thread, a discussion of the " Optimum Barrel " length for the Vodoo Rifle Actions got me thinking.

My Anshutz 54 Match Prone Rifle has a 26" barrel. Why then , would Anshutz provide such a long barrel if it did not improve the accuracy of the rifle.

Below my rifle and the video in question :
View attachment 1125593

Should be more accurate, you're 6" closer to the target. LOL

 

[bennett ford]

If you were to look at a lot of the more modern 22LR match (3P) rifles, you would find that they have fairly short barrels with sight extensions (bloop tubes) attached. By using a 16 to 20 inch barrel, you maximize velocity and minimize barrel time. This leads to more accurate shooting in the less stable positions. the difference is small but so are the targets. Unless balance or looks are an issue, a short barreled scoped 22LR makes the most sense for PRS type shooting. That said, the 27.5"barrel on my 52D speaks of a real rifle to me.

 

[Iggyort]

For PRS style shooting it makes perfect sense.

However, for Smallbore F Class shooting like I do, 20" to 21 might be the ideal length.

 

[natdscott]

its generally safe to say 16" is a good length for a 22lr barrel.

No, not really.

 

[garandman]

The correct barrel length is determined by whether yer gonna run a suppressor, or not.

 

[garandman]

Did I mention....REALLY nice Anschutz...???

 

[Iggyort]

Did I mention....REALLY nice Anschutz...???

Thank you.
Yes an Anshutz made in 1971. It can still hold its own in Smallbore F Class.

 

[redrockranger]

According to the video, 20" maxxes out 22rf velocity.

Far as sight radius... longer is better. Ideally, you want a sight radius that goes from your eye to 1" from the target.

But the ideal is kinda impractical so most iron sight rifle manufacturers stopped about 26 to 28"

I place my trust and money on ANSCHUTZ.......

 

[brshtr]

View attachment 1125666


Thank you.
Yes an Anshutz made in 1971. It can still hold its own in Smallbore F Class.

Ahh, a man after my own heart. I have an Anschutz 1913 that I use both for sling and F-Class, and, like yours, it holds its own in the latter. It was made—as was yours, I’m sure— in a place called West Germany.

Is that a Rick Copozzi windmill I see there? Great piece of equipment.

If you’re ever in the neighborhood, come over and shoot with us at River Bend Gun Club, Dawsonville, Ga.

Dave Rabin

 

[Paddyd]

I think it is so they can compete @ 100 yds and maintain enough velocity for the bullet to remain at or above the speed of sound. Projectiles suffer from instability as they transfer to subsonic velocities. As for accuracy. I think the longer the barrel the higher quality it needs to be to remain consistent. I have a home built semi auto 10/22 with a 20" Volquartsen .920" dia barrel that will shoot cheap Norma TAC22 well under 1/2" groups @ 50 yds and still be 1/2", but have 1 or 2 fliers @ 75. At 100 it is over an inch. If it were a bolt rifle with that barrel I think it would do better.
20" does it for me.

 

[Iggyort]

Ahh, a man after my own heart. I have an Anschutz 1913 that I use both for sling and F-Class, and, like yours, it holds its own in the latter. It was made—as was yours, I’m sure— in a place called West Germany.

Is that a Rick Copozzi windmill I see there? Great piece of equipment.

If you’re ever in the neighborhood, come over and shoot with us at River Bend Gun Club, Dawsonville, Ga.

Dave Rabin

Dave

Thank you for the invite.

Yes, it is a Rick Copozzi windmill. He is currently recovering from surgery and will not be making anymore for a while .

 

[Tim s]

Iggy, I doubt many would argue that relative to pure accuracy in todays rimfire world nothing really exceeds a pro built custom benchrest rifle made from purpose built components, action, stock, trigger, barrel, tuner.
That said rather than weight restricted sporters, you will rarely, if ever, see a recently fit barrel shorter than 24”, most going between 24”-26”.

 

[1813benny]

its generally safe to say 16" is a good length for a 22lr barrel.

I thought federal law requires a minimum barrel length of 17 inches....