Barrel Length vs Velocity

[Key2America]

Below is some data found in "Complete Book Of The .22 Rimfire" magazine a "Guns & Ammo" publication dated 1999. This magazine was sent to me by another GT'er, Jeremy, and I packed it away during my move without really reading it. I just found it and will publish interesting and informative data as I find it while reading.

The below data is for .22 Long Rifle Ammo, Remington High Velocity and Winchester T22.

Barrel     Rem     Win
Length    FPS     FPS

  4        1045     1005
  8        1150     1105
12        1220     1155
16        1240     1165
20        1235     1160
24        1210     1140
28        1170     1075

Note data on 16 inch barrel.

Thanks Jeremy for the magazine, it's great.

Enjoy.... :)

[payeager]

I use a lot of CCI CB Long ammo in my rifles/pistols. Much quieter than a pellet rifle in a 23'' or better barrel. Here are some published actual velocities of this ammo in assorted barrel lengths.

29 grain CCI CB Long:

2'' barrel.....645 fps
6.5''..........656
14''...........708
16.5''.........689
20.25''........706
24''...........711

[payeager]

Here is the complete chart...

[DJ Niner]

Key2America's and payeager's charts seem to be completely at odds with one another. One indicates the conventional wisdom; propellant burn-out around 16" and coasting (slowing down) in longer barrels. The other show modest, but verifiable gains in velocity (with most loads) all the way to 24 inches.

Which is it?

THIS IS THE REASON I WANT TO DO THE TEST MYSELF!!!

I will say (as I have in the past) that I believe using multiple guns with barrels possibly having MAJOR differences in tolerances, wear, and other variables, makes me less likely to hang my hat on any data set using this methodology. The only way to eliminate (or at least minimize) these variables is to use a single barrel and cut it off as you go. Key2America, is that what they did in your chart/article, or was the ammo fired in different guns?

It seems like such a simple question, and the answer (if the testing is done reasonably well) should be repeatable. What, exactly, is the problem here???

[PACKIN' PLASTIC]

Either way, the .22's must use VERY fast powder.


PP

[payeager]

DJ, I saved those .22 articles from back in 1994 for the specific reason of having some type of information on the velocities of my favorite .22 ammo out of the different barrel lengths. I had the Federal, Remington, Winchester and CCI articles, but I can't find the Federal article to post. I still have the Winchester page and will post that also.

I have a 25'-50' mini range in the basement where I shoot a lot of CCI CB Long ammo. I use 23'' to 27'' barreled rifles to keep any noise down. With the longer barrels, the sound is like dry-firing a large caliber bolt action...a snap.

One bit of information that I have found out is that if I sight in a rifle at 25' with the CCI CB Longs, I can go to the range and shoot the CCI Mini Mag ammo at 25 yards and get about the same POI on the targets. Saves a lot of time when I set up a scope on a rifle.

[payeager]

Here is the Winchester results...if I find the Federal, I will post that also. HTH

[Key2America]

They used a hacksaw... :)

They also did the test with .22 Short Ammo .. I will post that chart too, if anyone has an interest.

[payeager]

Looking back at those tests...The different brands of ammo seem to make a big difference also.

Winchester ammo-optimum barrel length is 20''...

Remington ammo-split between 22'' and 24''...

CCI ammo-24''...

[B Coyote]

K2A,
You're welcome, amigo. Glad you're enjoying the magazine.

bc

[Key2America]

Enjoying it very much B Coyote and thanks again for passing it my way.. :)

[DJ Niner]

Thanks much to all for the charts/info. As payeager said, the brand seems to make a difference; another thing to watch for when I do my multi-brand test. ;f

Someday, we may even be able to say long-barrels shoot fastest with X, mid-length with Y, and short barrels with Z. Who knows? I don't want to form opinions in advance, but I'm definitely ready to chop one up myself and find out!