Rim fire Sporter barrel vs. Bull Barrel

K

kdog70

New member
I am locked in a debate with a buddy on if a bull barrel actually makes a difference when shooting cans and squirrels at short to mid range. He seems to think that only way small critters die and cans get holes put in them is with bull barrel. I run a 10/22 stock carbine with a sporter barrel and seem to shoot fine with it for what it is. I also run a 10/22 with bull barrel, suppressor, Anshutz style stock, Trigger and action work. I build that gun for accuracy so I don't count that. If you were to buy and shoot a bone stock plinking/ small critter getter would you pay extra or search harder for a bull barrel?
 
bull barrel might make a difference in accuracy when the barrel heats up but in my mind it is mostly window dressing with a weight penalty.
 
A fat barrel will put more weight forward of center which is great for a steady hold.

The factory 10/22 to me feels like more weight is rear of center and feels awkward.
 
I have shot a savage 22 bolt action with bull barrel but my semi auto marlin 60 is more accurate with sporter barrel. Unless u r blazing through rounds I don't this k it matters with rimfire rounds its more the quality of the barrel

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bull barrel might make a difference in accuracy when the barrel heats up but in my mind it is mostly window dressing with a weight penalty.
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A 22LR will have to be worked pretty hard to heat up the barrel, but I suppose it could be done. No, the biggest advantage in the bull barrel is to add weight for a steady hold.
A fat barrel will put more weight forward of center which is great for a steady hold.
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Just like he said.
I build that gun for accuracy so I don't count that.
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And that is why you do it. Only accurate rifles are interesting. I built a 10/22 a few years ago with a Lilja barrel, and it was expensive. But man, that thing shot outrageously well.
 
I have a 77/22 with a regular barrel, and I had ( but recently sold) a T-bolt with a varmint contoured barrel. Both in 22LR. Both shot about 1 inch at 100 yards if the wind cooperated. The heavy barrel just lent itself to easier handling, but it didn't make it any more or less accurate. Never had a problem with the thin barrel overheating either, but they were bolt guns.
 
I've got a Marlin 17M2 with heavy barrel that shoots < 1 in. groups at 100yards. Truthfully, I attribute that accuracy to the cartridge and not the bull barrel.
 
A bull barrel for a .22 has advatages as far a forward weight, more weight, etc. but inherindt accuracy is absolutely not one of them. I compete in IR50/50 rimfire benchrest and in our sporter class we must shoot sporters that are max 7.5 pounds including scope which mandates a rather modest barrel and these things shoot absolutely amazing targets with light barrels vs the 10 1/2 lb. class guns with full bull barrels.
 
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How good, is good enough ???

kdog70
Have to throw in with you on this one but only because of it's use. I have both but none of my hunters have bull barrels. Just don't need it and the standard barrel is handier, in thick woods and carrying all day. My bench guns are fairly tricked out with large AO scopes and bull barrels but my hunters are pretty basic. .. ;)


Be Safe !!!
 
Weight distribution aside, for one shot- one kill hunting a bull barrel offers almost no advantages in accuracy. That's not to say that aftermarket barrels aren't better than the factory ruger tube, they are, but for a sporter vs. bull discussion very little if anything is gained.

LK
 
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