New 10/22 Build, Barrel Length?

4

44caliberkid

New member
Putting together a new 10/22 and am trying to decide between 16.5 or 18 inch barrel length. (.920 dia.) As for efficiency, I’m guessing I will get everything a 22 LR has to offer within 16 inches. Am I wrong? I’ll be using an optic so sight radius is irrelevant. The only appeal of the 18 is aesthetic, it just looks better to me. Also a few more ounces out front. Help me decide.
 
You don't need a barrel that heavy for accuracy, nor any longer than 16-18" for velocity. With some cartridges 18" might be enough faster than 16" to be worth it.

A .920 barrel on a 22 it is only for added weight to help steady the rifle, it won't make the rifle more accurate than a much thinner barrel. I like a little thinner barrel with a bit more length to get the weight and balance.

Not sure what is out there in aftermarket barrels. but the Factory Ruger barrels they are putting on the LVT's is the perfect length/diameter for me. And they are pretty darn accurate out of the box.

https://ruger.com/products/1022Carbine/specSheets/31173.html

https://ruger.com/products/1022Sporter/specSheets/31167.html

You don't say, but if you do plan to suppress it, then 16" all the way.
 
I have two builds both with 16.5 inch barrels. One has a green mountain stainless fluted and is very accurate. The other is a Kid 16.5" threated fluted light weight. The Green mountain has tighter chamber, the Kidd is less finicky. The green mountain has a better crown, the kid has one that is deeply recessed below the threads. It's horrible to clean the muzzle. The kid comp I bought with is was a waste as it leaded up quickly and so I just bought a threaded cap. If you buy a threaded barrel make sure the muzzle extends to the tip of the threads.
 
Whatever you want to use. If 18" is more esthetically pleasing to you, use it. I used a 16.5" .920" Whistle Pig barrel (now Acculite) on my last 10/22 build. It was only about $100 more than threading the factor HB I had, and made the rifle better to carry. I went 16.5" because I have a SiCo Sparrow suppressor.
 
my ruger american has a 22 inch tube, i was hopping for more inherent accuracy than the 702 plinkster i had been using.

but it's not there.
they both struggle to find a load that can consistently hold under 2 MoA @ 100 yds.

admittedly i have not and will not buy the very highest priced 22LR ammo. i don't compete (or only with myself) and paying centerfire prices for 22LR ammo doesn't make sense to me.

i did manage to find one brand/type 22LR that does work in the ruger and i'm sticking with it for now. but 22 is supposed to be cheep shooting fun. not break the bank to be able to brag about groups frustration.

sorry for the rant. at any rate my advice is get what you think you want, and don't expect too much. it is just a 22
 
I think I’m going with a 16.5 not threaded.
Click to expand...
IMO, that's a mistake. You can pretend a threaded barrel is not threaded. You can't make an unthreaded barrel threaded (machining obviously notwithstanding).
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top