Contender 22 barrels

[ftstinyc]

What is the differents between 22 LR and 22 match barrels? I would appriciate your comments.

[Special Ed]

I believe it's the chamber dimensions. The match barrels have a tighter chamber.
I have never had any problems chambering any ammo in my match barrel.

Ed

[ftstinyc]

Thanks Ed. That's what I thought it was but didn't know for sure.

[Keith L]

With some ammo the .22 match chamber will engrave the rifling on the bullet just by closing the action.  The chamber is so tight there is no jump to rifling.  I have never had this problem, but am told that some .22 shells will leave the bullet in the barrel if the chamber is opened again.  This requires a dowel to tap the bullet back out of the chamber before trying other shells.

I am sure that all know this, but I feel compelled to comment that it is unsafe to try to shoot out any obstruction to a barrel.  While a long rifle will not fit if the bullet is in the barrel from the last round, maybe a short will and can cause trouble.

Again I haven't seen this, but a pal assures me that it happens, so be careful.  He also tells me that some match barrels don't allow Stingers to be used:  the case is to long.

[ftstinyc]

Thanks I appriciate it.

[flyfisher]

I believe that I posted a topic much like this a while back...found that others did too.  Do a search for the topic and you should be able to find some quality information here at Graybeard Outdoors.  

I ultimately bought a .22 LR Match barrel and I love it.  I have shot many different brands of ammo in my barrel...some rounds fit quite tightly in the chamber, but all were able to be shot, some with excellent accuracy.

[Keith L]

I have a match barrel and a regular one.  In my hands there is not a lot of difference.  I just took the NRA Basic Pistol course and haven't tried them.  Since I think the common factor (and problem) is me then maybe a range trip to find out is in order!

[Steve P]

I have both, actually several of each.  Some TC and some Bullberry.  They will each have their forvorite ammo.  They will all shoot most ammo pretty well out to about 50 yards.  After that, it could go from 1" groups to 8" groups in just a few yards.  

Biggest difference I have seen is the non-match chamber will shoot more rounds and quicker if sitting in a field full of gophers.  The match chamber will shave a little of the bullet lube and after a while the chamber gets sticky.  It will eventually get hard to put some ammo in.  The non-match chamber will do this also, but takes a few hundred more rounds to get there.  

None of my steel targets have ever noticed the difference in the chambers out to 100 yards.

Steve  

[Gavinator]

A match chamber will not accept .22lr that has the longer case, or "brass". If I recall correctly CCI Stinger and those like it won't work as you'd be engraving the case mouth into the rifling.