New 10/22 Build, Barrel Length?

44caliberkid · April 20, 2024, 06:47 PM

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.

zoomie · April 20, 2024, 06:48 PM

16" and a can.

Shadow9mm · April 20, 2024, 09:10 PM

16in and a linear comp, or a can. The kaw valley mach 3 system is super cool.

jmr40 · April 20, 2024, 09:17 PM

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/1022Carbi...ets/31173.html

https://ruger.com/products/1022Sport...ets/31167.html

You don't say, but if you do plan to suppress it, then 16" all the way.

rc · April 20, 2024, 09:46 PM

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.

taylorce1 · April 23, 2024, 08:14 AM

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.

georgehwbush · April 23, 2024, 03:29 PM

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

44caliberkid · April 23, 2024, 04:03 PM

Thanks for the reply’s. I think I’m going with a 16.5 not threaded.

zoomie · April 23, 2024, 04:07 PM

Quote:

I think I’m going with a 16.5 not threaded.

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).

georgehwbush · April 23, 2024, 04:09 PM

yeah, imo every barrel (all of them) should come threaded with protector nut.

April 20, 2024, 06:47 PM	#1
44caliberkid Senior Member Join Date: May 15, 2017 Location: Iowa Posts: 1,107	New 10/22 Build, Barrel Length? 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.

April 20, 2024, 09:10 PM	#3
Shadow9mm Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2012 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 3,982	16in and a linear comp, or a can. The kaw valley mach 3 system is super cool. __________________ I don't believe in "range fodder" that is why I reload.

April 20, 2024, 09:17 PM	#4
jmr40 Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,814	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/1022Carbi...ets/31173.html https://ruger.com/products/1022Sport...ets/31167.html You don't say, but if you do plan to suppress it, then 16" all the way. __________________ "If you're still doing things the same way you were doing them 10 years ago, you're doing it wrong" Winston Churchill

April 23, 2024, 08:14 AM	#6
taylorce1 Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2005 Location: On the Santa Fe Trail Posts: 8,258	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. __________________ NRA Life Member

April 23, 2024, 03:29 PM	#7
georgehwbush Senior Member Join Date: July 14, 2023 Location: down town USA Posts: 198	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 __________________ "if you have a good shooting stance, you are not using cover correctly" father frog

April 20, 2024, 06:48 PM	#2
zoomie Senior Member Join Date: January 23, 2006 Location: GA Posts: 1,864	16" and a can.

April 20, 2024, 09:46 PM	#5
rc Senior Member Join Date: April 28, 2001 Location: CA Posts: 1,777	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.

April 23, 2024, 04:03 PM	#8
44caliberkid Senior Member Join Date: May 15, 2017 Location: Iowa Posts: 1,107	Thanks for the reply’s. I think I’m going with a 16.5 not threaded.

April 23, 2024, 04:09 PM	#10
georgehwbush Senior Member Join Date: July 14, 2023 Location: down town USA Posts: 198	yeah, imo every barrel (all of them) should come threaded with protector nut. __________________ "if you have a good shooting stance, you are not using cover correctly" father frog