Talk to me about .22LR standard vs Match chambers....

[John E Davies]

I am sure there is a ton of old threads here, but can someone please just give me a quick summary? I like an accurate barrel (more precisely, I hate inaccurate guns), but I don't compete or hunt, nor do I want to buy match ammo. For casual target shooting and plinking with Mini Mags out to 50 yards, will I get any benefit from a Match chamber?

I'm looking for a used 12 inch Contender barrel and need to decide which chamber.....

How much of a price premium for a used Match barrel is reasonable?

Thanks.

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

[Bigeasy]

John-
 
I can't speak to the TC specifically, as I don't own one with a .22 match chamber.  I do own several bolt actions and target pistols with tight match chambers, and all are among my most accurate guns.  While a standard .22 chamber can certainly be accurate with favored ammo, I think a match chamber does help in over-all accuracy.  One thing to note is that some match chambers can make for more difficult chambering, though that shouldn't be an issue with the TC.  A good example is my Kimber bolt action with a tight match chamber, compared to my CZ with a quality barrel, but standard chamber.  Both are accurate, but the Kimber more so with a wider variety of ammo, and much more so with match ammo, as in under 1/3 of an inch at 50 yards with Eley and some lots of Federal Gold Medal.  From what I have seen of used TC barrels, I have not noticed that those with the match chamber bring any particularly big premium, so for the slight added expense,  I would try one..
 
Larry

[Ladobe]

Match chambers DO make a difference in TC's without question, even more so with a premium barrel blank.   
 
I got real tired of the cost of the best target ammo long ago when it hit $12-$14/50, haven't bought any since.   You can enhance a factory standard or match barrel or a custom standard or match barrel considerably by simply sorting your rimfire ammo.   Even cheap bulk pack ammo can improve up to the point of being target ammo.   For most uses it's easily more than enough to just sort them into lots by similar rim thickness.   If you wanted to really split hairs before your next Olympic World Match, by weight and by concentricity.
 
You're almost there if you already have a dial/digital "indicator" (or caliper, vernier, micrometer, etc).   Simply buy a cheap gauge, or make one yourself from things often found in your gun/work shop or garage.    Fast and easy to do, can be done while doing something else (like while watching TV, etc).   You may be surprised how fast you can sort a brick at a time for a case of "target" ammo.   The "lot" you sorted that shoots the best in a barrel for it's serious work, the other(s) for lessor, but all way better than just shooting right from the factory box getting flyers.
 
Food for thought anyway....
 
Picture is of one of the later 22LR Match Contender's I've owned.   Frame fully tuned by Jim Henry for the base (as all mine were).   This one with a custom 12" barrel Fred at Bullberry made for me a couple of decades ago.   Also the exhibition furniture to my design and fitted to my hand.   Only had a Leupold 4X on it, but it was deadly for hunting and a gimme for IHMSA even after I stopped buying the exact ammo Fred specifically chambered it for to my spec and just shot sorted ammo - even cheap bulk pack ammo.
 

 

[ironglow]

I have some match chamber rifles..  As I see it they do generally have a better accuracy than without, but certain rounds cannot be used, such a CCI Stingers .. Even then, certain regular rounds are stiff loading, I suppose due to some bullets being slightly "fatter" than others..or different lubricant applied to the bullet.

[Bullseye]

I have had each in Contender barrels and the match shot a little better, but then again maybe it had something else to do with the particular barrels other than the chamber.
 
If you are looking for a 12" standard factory barrel, I think they only made them in a match chamber.

[John E Davies]

Thanks for the replies. I'll look for a Match barrel.....

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

[alan in ga]

As one who is situated to be able to 'back yard plink', I shoot a lot of CBs, both 'shorts' for my Winchester 56 bolt action rifles chambered in 22 SHORT [only-made in 1926] and Longs for everything else. I now have a BullBerry 20" 22 LR Match Bull barrel, and have had T/C factory [10"] bull barrels.
22 CB Longs ENGRAVE or at least firmly seat bullets when chambered in either of the Match chambers. I find this usually results in better accuracy [bullets firmly held by the lead/throat].
I've not done enough comparison testing between Match and standard chambers to know for sure. The fun factor is there either way.

[ironglow]

The new CCI "Quiet" rounds are a huge improvement over the CB longs.  They have a full 40 grains at the same speed, so they are just as quiet, with nearly twice the punch.  They also are ,more acccurate (IMO)..perhaps because as I understand, they have their own special powder, which fills the case.  The CB longs have less powder, which lays on the bottom side of the case when in firing position..

[darkgael]

Contender barrels on the whole.....factory standard.....are pretty darn accurate. Before you pay amy sort of premium - If that's how it works out - assess what you are going to do with it. For match shooting of one type or another a match chamber may serve you well. For silhouettes, I would not bother. If there is no competition on the schedule, then you choice of ammo is going to be more of a factor than the chamber.
Sorting by rim thickness is a good suggestion. Here's a pic of a gauge:



I have a stock 10" Contender barrel and an eight inch match barrel from Bullberry. I used them for International Free Pistol matches before I owned a proper Free Pistpl. The two grouped pretty much the same; I went with the longer sight radius.
Consistent ammo and a little trigger work are first on the list for me.
Pete