Barrel length

[Lucky Shooter]

I'm getting ready to do a 22 PPC barrel----have a HV, 14" twist about 30"long.

Anybody have suggestions about a range of length for this round ?
Just a note----I like to save as much a possible on the breech end
for possible other chambering.

Thanks for any information.

A. Weldy

 

[liljoe]

Then make it 29 1/2" long , but the balance of the gun will be very front heavy. Unless you can add a lot of weight into the rear of the stock.
Joe

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Make it exactly long enough to make weight

 

[Lucky Shooter]

Joe & Dusty----thanks for your replies.

I didn't make some things clear but hoped to get some advice
on a barrel length that might shoot better if shorter. I'm not in
any competition so weight isn't an issue.

Mike Ezell often refers to balance, maybe he'll chime in with
something on balance.

This will be a fun gun but I want it to be a good shooter.

A. Weldy

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Joe & Dusty----thanks for your replies.

I didn't make some things clear but hoped to get some advice
on a barrel length that might shoot better if shorter. I'm not in
any competition so weight isn't an issue.

Mike Ezell often refers to balance, maybe he'll chime in with
something on balance.

This will be a fun gun but I want it to be a good shooter.

A. Weldy

I want mine balaned at the front action screw or a bit butt heavy if need be. Make the barrel that length or change the taper if you need more length. If its front heavy itll never shoot to its potential. If you need to add weight add it under the action or in the back. If you get a heavy fill stock like somebody lead shotted it and you dont want a huge barrel to balance it then lead shot under the barrel channel to balance.

 

[jackieschmidt]

You are shooting. 22 PPC with a 1-14, that means the bullets you will be shooting will be in the 52 to 58 grn range.

With the powders suitable for this combo, you are probably running out of useful pressure at around 24 inches.

Now, if the barrel was a 1-7 or 1-8 designed to shoot longer heavier bullets, then that would call for a slower powder and you might benefit from a longer tube.

I have always been under the belief that anything over long enough is just creating more problems, some that have been alluded too by other posters.

 

[Rob01]

What is the rifle going to be used for?

 

[Lucky Shooter]

This old Stiller Viper SS action was started as a 6PPC in a ???BR stock and
a 24" HV barrel. Since then its been a 220 Beggs and a 6BR----always with
a 24" barrel. It was a good shooter with the original 24" barrel and I just stuck
with that length----never tried to find it's optimum length.

I also have a very nice 222----BAT SV action, McMillan BR stock and a 22" HV
Hart barrel----built by Hart Rifle Barrels. This one even looks good and is a
very good shooter.

Unless somebody gives me better advice, this barrel will be 24"----sticking
with what has worked.

I'm just a fun shooter-----too old to have the drive to become a serious
competitor.

I don't understand this concept of "balance". I've checked both of these
rifles for "balance point"-----both balanced out 4.5" forward of the front
action screw.

My method of setting the rile on the bags has not been precise-----just put
the rifle on the bags with enough of the weight behind the front bag to
avoid having the barrel weight tip the barrel down.

That's my story and I appreciate all the replies.

A. Weldy

 

[Rob01]

Balance means nothing unless shooting matches like PRS where you set the rifle on bags on obstacles and even there it's way overstated. You will be fine with the set up and use you have shooting off a bench.

You will get a little more velocity with a little longer barrel but if 24" works for you then just use it.

 

[ssv1761982]

21 3/4 ?

Secrets of the Houston Warehouse

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

21 3/4 especially useful suppressed or braked.