RUGER American Rimfire .22LR Bbl.: 18" or 22"...?

[Garandimal]

Thinkin' of pickin' one up.

Probably put Tech-sights Aperture sights on it.

Use: Marksmanship training and all things .22LR.

(Plan to hand down my 10/22 to my oldest son.)

Will be shooting High-velocity Federal bulk/ Remington GB/ CCI Mini-mag plated ammo.


Thoughts on Bbl. length?

Comes in either 18" or 22".


Will probably end up w/ the compact comb module either way, as 13.25" LOP is about it for comfortable bolt cycling, and 12.50" works fine.

TIA.




GR

[keith1911]

I've got the 22". Went with it because I liked the balance better. But that was purely subjective.

[MongooseV8]

Most std velocity ammo shot out of a 20"+ barrel leaves the muzzle subsonic and is usually more accurate. I like the shorter barrels myself but the 22" will certainly be quieter .

[Garandimal]

Balance is important. Will go to Dick's SG and see if they have any to handle.

Muzzle blast/noise is also a point. Figured the longer Bbl., w/ its cooler gasses, would shoot High-Vel's better.

...But shorter/ stiffer Bbl's tend to be more accurate.

...Although a longer Bbl. increases sight radius/ precision for aperture sights.

...Which doesn't matter if scoped, and short is better in the woods.


Hmmm [scratching_head]...




GR

[whipkiller]

Balance is important. Will go to Dick's SG and see if they have any to handle.

Muzzle blast/noise is also a point. Figured the longer Bbl., w/ its cooler gasses, would shoot High-Vel's better.

...But shorter/ stiffer Bbl's tend to be more accurate.

...Although a longer Bbl. increases sight radius/ precision for aperture sights.

...Which doesn't matter if scoped, and short is better in the woods.


Hmmm [scratching_head]...




GR

And there in a nutshell, you have clearly and succinctly demonstrated the reason for the standard Calguns answer to these questions...



Say it with me everybody...




1, 2, 3...





Get Both!

You had to know that was coming.

[Garandimal]

Well...

Went w/ the Compact.

And a set of these tech-sights MXT200 Adjustable Aperture sights to go on it.






This vid features the RAR Compact w/ the MXT200 Adjustable Aperture sights.






GR

[23 Blast]

I have the 22" model, as the Carbine 18" model wasn't yet available when I got it. If I had to do it again, I'd probably get the 18"

[Rosebud22]

The subject is covered in detail on Rimfirecentral.com
Conclusion is makes little difference in accuracy.
Just depends on personal preference.
Try to shoot subsonic ammo such as CCI std vel.
Seems to give best accuracy. I have the 22" bbl.

[villageidiot]

i have the 18" barrel.

just got it in the boyds laminated stock and took it out for this first time in a while yesterday. great lil rifle.

[gunnlover]

I have the 18". The LOP is too short. The compact is sweet but you'll need to swap stocks with the full size to make it work unless your a chick or a little kid.

[Garandimal]

Cut my Mini-14 down to 12.5" LOP... works fine from field positions.

Aperture sights work best when you can get right up on'em.




GR

[GILMORE619]

I've got a compact with the tech sights. It's a sweet little shooter. I bought it for

my daughter but I shoot it just as much as she does. The tech sights are

probably the best mod you can buy for a 22 rifle

[Garandimal]

I've got a compact with the tech sights. It's a sweet little shooter. I bought it for

my daughter but I shoot it just as much as she does. The tech sights are

probably the best mod you can buy for a 22 rifle

Well...

Jailed the RAR (compact) today.

The Bbl. looks really thick, like a bull.

Very nice lookin' rifle.

Tech-sights waitin' on the Jail-break.




GR

[Garandimal]

Well...

Broke the RAR (compact) .22LR out of jail today.

Looks to be flawless.

Will give her a good scrubbin' and install the Tech-sights tomorrow.

Range Report to follow.


Nice handy carbine.




GR

[xXRifleManXx]

Well...

Broke the RAR (compact) .22LR out of jail today.

Looks to be flawless.

Will give her a good scrubbin' and install the Tech-sights tomorrow.

Range Report to follow.


Nice handy carbine.




GR

Looking forward to it. Been looking at these for some time now as a companion to my '87 22/77 presentation rifle.