22 LR Barrels - Match chamber or not and barrel length ???

[Ranger413]

I'm needing some info on what barrel in 22 LR would suit me best.  I want a 22 LR instead of 22 WMR or 17 HMR due to cost and not needing that much power.  The barrel will be used mainly for squirrel at shots under 75 yards, probably less than 50 yards.  I'm looking for something easy to carry but accurate enough for my needs.  Would like to see no more than 1 1/2" groups at 50 yards if possible.  I'll probably be shooting sub-sonic stuff or the cheap Wal-Mart Federal bulk pak ammo.  However, I do like the CCI Mini Mags as well.  I plan to start off with open sights, but I may look at adding a red dot sight or scope down the road.

My first question is do I need the Match chamber?  Any advantages to the match or no-match chambers?  I've heard that Match chambers limit you to low velocity ammo, is that true?

Also, what barrel length would be best.  I like the looks of the 10" bull, but have heard that the 10" octagon has better balance.  Would the 14" bull provide lots more accuracy?  Already have a forend for the 14" so that would save me a few bucks if I went that route.

Thanks for all replies,

Ranger413

[Javelina]

Hello Ranger 413,

Hmmmmmmm, a lot of considerations here!

Since there is no right answer, I'll tell you what I do.  Hopefully, the other shooters who have preferences will tell you about their approaches too.  Learn a little something from a lot of different people, form your own opinion, and jump in!

I bought a SS 14" factory Match .22 rimfire full-bull barrel from T/C to put on a SS Contender frame I had.  I took off the iron sights, plugged the front screw holes with some stainless screws from my local gunsmith, mounted some T/C DuoRings and a Swift 4X scope, then got a Bullberry hangar-bar and glassed it into a Bullberry laminate forend with Marine-Tex, then I put the barrel on the frame and thought I was ready to go.  Here's a picture of the setup.



The reason I thought I was ready to go was that I planned to use CCI Stingers in this Match .22 rimfire barrel.  WRONG!  My particular barrel won't take the Stingers so the action won't close.  I tried six or eight brands of ammunition that did allow me to close the action and they were all terrible at 50 yards.  Now what?  I happened to have a very large quantity of the cheap, bulk-pack Federal rimfire ammunition from Wally World that you mentioned, so I finally tried that out of desperation.  It is the best ammunition for my barrel, and I generally get groups of .75" to 1" at 50 yards which is perfect for what I do with the gun.  Since I have a factory barrel, I'm sure it's nowhere near as accurate as some of the barrels the other guys have here that came from custom barrel-makers, but I like mine and it works for me.  I don't worry about balance since I shoot with a bipod almost exclusively, but I think you could do a lot worse than using a 14" barrel with an extra-long forend - it provides a certain stability that short barrels don't have.  It also gives you a longer sighting radius if you are using iron sights.

Just my $.02 worth, I hope there was something of value for you here.  Maybe the other guys will chime in with their ideas and opinions too.

Safe and good shooting to you and good luck with your barrel choice(s)!  

Javelina

[KN]

I have a std barrel that I cut down to 10" and love the way it handles. Accuracy is usually 3/8" at 50meters using winchester superX. As Javelina stated, if you go with a match barrel you will be limiting yourself as to ammo. In my opinion the std barrel is plenty accurate.   KN

[mrmarklin]

I have the 14" Bull Barrel in .22LR with the match grade chamber.  If my memory serves me correctly, it didn't cost any more than the regular chamber, so why not get match grade?  Never tried Stingers.  but topped with a Leupold 4x scope it is very accurate.

[flatlander]

I got a 22 match in a 14" barrel because all of my other barrels are 14" and I wanted to keep a similar balance and feel with all of my barrels. If I had it to do again, I'd probably stick with the 14", but might go 12" also just to cut some weight.  I shoot Winchester Super X ammo in it and it loves them. Every 22 I own loves the Super X ammo. I also would recommend the bulk Remington ammo from Wally World. Not quite as good as the Super X for accuracy, but close enough for most of my hunting and very inexpensive. The only differing opinion I have is that I never had any luck getting the stingers to shoot decent groups from any of my guns. I haven't tried them for years, but it didn't seem that they had much consistancy back when I was shooting them.

[palgeno]

My 10" T/C .22 with match chamber is a great all around barrel. I have not found Stingers to be worth the extra velocity for the trade off in accuracy in any guns. But who needs Stingers? CCI minimag and CCI Velocitor are plenty hot and shoot  well under inch  at 50 yd. CCI standard velocity and CCI Green Tag will go under 1/2 inch-----expensive match ammo ( Ely 10X) will do even better.  PG

[Bim]

I had the same dilemma as you and ended up getting the 10" .22 wmr. Why? I don't know! I guess because they don't offer a .22 wmr match barrel.   I can tell ya I don't regret it. I love the barrel! The best ammo I found is the superX. I tried the cheep stuff at wally world but didn't like it and neither did the barrel. The barrel shoots better than me! I'm happy.

[Bullseye]

I currently have a 10" 22 lr with a match chamber.  Years ago I had a 22lr with a regular chamber and the match chamber will shoot twice as good (maybe the first barrel was just an exception though).  I do not like a 22 barrel longer than a 10" if I am going to use it in the woods.  That 14" barrel is pretty heavy with that small hole in it and a 2.5-7 scope sitting on it.  I have the 2.5-7 scope on mine because the thing shoots so good the higher magnification help shoot some great groups.

[Ranger413]

Taking the advise here I think I'm going to go with the 10" barrel with a match chamber.  Should make for a nice, accurate, and portable squirrel rig.  We have tons of "tree rats" here so come this spring and next fall I should be set.

Like I said before, I think I'll stick with the open sight for awhile.  Then, probably a red dot if I feel the need.  Thanks guys for all of the input.

Ranger413

[jeff223]

you guys should try some Wolf Match Target ammo in those 22 rimfire Contender barrels.this ammo is made in Germany and is some great shooting ammo.about $25.00 a brick.this Wolf Match Target shoots as good as some of the real high dollar 22 ammo.you can shoot it in a standard or match chamber.Aguila makes some premo ammo too.i have shot about every kind of ammo that is out there in rimfires and the Wolf and Aguila offer the most for the $$

[KYODE]

i'll second the wolf match target 22lr ammo. it shoots super in my 14" match barrel.
another ammo that has shot just as tight of groups is federal american eagle. the 40gr solids shoot good behind the wolf. i guess because of the wolfs lube. the FAE 40gr solid has no lube.
the 38gr hp shoots great also.
all 3 of these shoot 1/2" 5 shot groups at 50 yards. :grin: