Optimal benchrest barrel length for 222

[Cbrown3020]

Hello folks
I lucked into this rifle built by Ken Kleinendorst. I recently acquired a walnut benchrest stock for it. I plan to use it for local club matches. Bench work only I’m going for the vintage benchrest look. My concern is the length of the barrel. Looking for opinions and reasons to back up the opinions. For the best length for the intended use. Many thanks for all your wisdom in advance. I almost forgot to add that I feel the barrel is too long. It’s a 14 twist Hart scope shows that the barrel is in great shape and the gun shoots well with minimal work up.

 

[SSL]

Don't know about "standard" length, but the 40X ran from 27.25" to 26" and down to 20".
26" was for Heavy Varmint class and the 20" was for Light Varmint. A friend of mine had a 20" 40X in .222. Kind of a cute little thing and shot like crazy.

 

[17VLD]

Years ago when I built my first 17 Mach1v I wanted that vintage 40x look so I chose to have the barrel finished at 27.25". I also found a 40x stock at Numerich Arms to complete the look. I am very happy with it and have killed a lot of pds with it. Most would say today you certainly don't need that much barrel length but I felt I gained some free velocity and it can always be cut back later. A 222 certainly can shoot very well at 20" but looking at your targets I'd say don't fix something that ain't broke. Just my 02.
PS my vintage 40x 222 magnum complete with a Unertyl is 27.25" so is the 22-250
Matt

 

[Cbrown3020]

Thank you!!! Matt
You certainly make some good points gives me something to think about. Thank you for your wisdom.

Kevin

 

[ELR LVR]

Hello folks
I lucked into this rifle built by Ken Kleinendorst. I recently acquired a walnut benchrest stock for it. I plan to use it for local club matches. Bench work only I’m going for the vintage benchrest look. My concern is the length of the barrel. Looking for opinions and reasons to back up the opinions. For the best length for the intended use. Many thanks for all your wisdom in advance. I almost forgot to add that I feel the barrel is too long. It’s a 14 twist Hart scope shows that the barrel is in great shape and the gun shoots well with minimal work up. View attachment 1640463View attachment 1640464

Nice rifle,
I'd cut it back to about 3 inches in front of the Objective of the scope
Whatever that works out to be
Or if that's too short then 22-23 "
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[jimmymac]

If it was mine, the ideal barrel length would be the dimension that provides me a well balanced gun that behaves in the bags like it is supposed to. I need all the help I can get, so gun balance is important to me. Nose heavy guns suck!

 

[CharlieNC]

According to the Houston Warehouse optimum was 21 3/4", but you will not find a universal agreement.

 

[Idaho-Lefty]

Yep,.. a fairly STIFF ( .705 dia minimum Muzzle+ ) 21 to, 24 inch Barrel,.. "Works" for Me.
No need of, an extremely heavy, action / barrel, Sagging,.. "Truck Axel" ( IMO )

 

[Cbrown3020]

If it was mine, the ideal barrel length would be the dimension that provides me a well balanced gun that behaves in the bags like it is supposed to. I need all the help I can get, so gun balance is important to me. Nose heavy guns suck!

Great point many thanks !!!!