Barrel choices

[jfdodge]

I'm stuck on a decision on a new barrel for my 10/22. It will be mainly for squirrel and rabbit hunting up in southern utah. I cant decide between Kidd, green mountain or volquartsen. I do want the bull barrel in 18 inch so that it stays the same length as stock.

[roger1022]

I'd go with the Green Mountain

[RawHP]

I'm stuck on a decision on a new barrel for my 10/22. It will be mainly for squirrel and rabbit hunting up in southern utah. I cant decide between Kidd, green mountain or volquartsen. I do want the bull barrel in 18 inch so that it stays the same length as stock.

Standard, fluted, light weight, ultra-lightweight? I have an 18" unfluted GM stainless. It's pretty heavy, noticeably more that stock, so if you're lugging it around a lot you should at least consider fluted. If you need lighter, then the Kidd lightweight or Volquartsen carbon depending on your budget.

[jfdodge]

Weight really isn't an issue, most of the squirrels are ground squirrels that are tearing up farmers fields so the gun isn't carried far.

[RawHP]

Weight really isn't an issue, most of the squirrels are ground squirrels that are tearing up farmers fields so the gun isn't carried far.

Then any of the brands you mentioned should work, and any could be tack drivers. Kidd has a guaranty of 1/2" at 50 yards, if that helps.

Out of the box, my GM barrel shot under 1/2" at 50 yards (floated, with receiver bedded).

In it's current state, after tweaking the chamber, it'll shoot consistently under 3/8" at 50 yards (average of four 5 shot groups) and under 1/2" for 10 shots for most of the non-match ammo I shoot (can't afford match). It'll hold sub-MOA out to 100 yards, so delivering a head shot to a ground squirrel shouldn't be a problem. It was worth the $108 I spent on it.

My best 5 shot group, cherry picked, using CCI Standard Velocity is 0.12", and I shot several sub 1/4" groups on the same day with various ammo. I think the barrel is capable of consistent sub 1/4" at 50, but I'm not. I do all my shooting off of a bipod, so i have to practice more on my technique before that happens.

[stevebla]

I have a Green Mt. 20" ss sporter is very accurate. Accurate 10/22 are a lot of fun. CCI sv out shoots some mid range ammo that is twice the price.

[echo1]

If you decide to off your old barrel, drop me a line. PAX

[LynnJr]

For the money you are thinking about spending get a Lilja.

['ol shooter]

Send it to Randy at CPC, you will get an excellent shooting barrel back and keep the iron sights. Best bang for the buck. If you really want a great shooter, send him the entire barreled action. He is amazing.

http://www.ct-precision.com/

[Carcassonne]

I am curious if there is anything wrong with a stock Ruger Bull Target barrel?

How much better is a Kidd, Green Mountain, or Volquartsen than a stock Ruger target barrel?



.

[MongooseV8]

Usually the aftermarket barrels are quite better than the factory target barrels. Better chamber is the biggest reason.

[LynnJr]

Mongoose nailed it the chamber is everything in a 22 and semi autos don't close as well as bolts so you can't get the best engraving.
Lilja is the only barrel maker listed in this thread that you will see at a Benchrest match.

[eatmoredonuts]

Whistle Pig

[MongooseV8]

Whistle Pig

These are pretty great too. Not the most accurate when compared to the top tier but they make excellent hunters or paper punchers. The few Ive had shot quite well, 1/2" at 50yds.

[jfdodge]

I went with the green mountain 18" fluted bull barrel. Was a quick and easy install. Got out to the range today to break it in and to see how it would group. Break in procedure was fire 20 rounds and clean, did that 3 times then fired 30 and clean. Fired a final 10 and cleaned. First picture is the break-in group. After the final string of 10, let it sit and cool for a bit then fired 5 rounds to foul the barrel. Second picture shows the zeroing shots. Lowest hole was the first shot, second shot was right of the orange diamond, final group is a tad high and left of where I want it but it's an 8 shot touching group. Only had a 25 yard range available, and I want to zero it at 50 so I will fine tune the zero next weekend. The third picture is a 10 shot group with my other 10/22 that I shot while letting the first one cool between break in strings.