Ruger 10/22 Barrel Decision?

[cal3gunner]

Now that 22LR is back in stock and easy to order again, I have been thinking about upgrading my 10/22 barrel. Right now it has the laminated stock off the Target model, Volquartsen springs, auto bolt release and hammer, and a Bushnell 3-9 scope.

I've shot a lot of squirrels with it and its mostly used for hunting and plinking. I enjoy shooting from the bench but don't do it very often. The factory barrel shoots about 1" 10 shot groups at 50 yards. It did better than an inch with CCI Subsonics and a little over with Fed Automatch last week with the flags waiving all the way out from wind.

The two barrels I'm considering are the Volquartsen carbon fiber THM 16.5" and the Kidd Light weight fluted aluminum sleeved bull barrel 16.5".

Both are about the same price if I don't have the Kidd threaded. The Volquartsen weighs 1lb 5oz, the Kidd 1lb 14oz. Both look really good and both should be really accurate while not making the gun too heavy for hiking with.

Does anyone have any suggestions or experience with both of these barrels?
Should I spend $250 on a barrel I'll probably never notice the accuracy except from the bench or use the $250 to buy 5,000 rounds of ammo and just go blast away?

[Paperchasin]

Are you satisfied with the accuracy of the factory barrel? If you are, then use the money towards ammo. But if you want better accuracy, either of the barrels you've mentioned will work. Since you've already got VQ parts, I'd vote for the VQ CF barrel.

[Teachu2]

I went with the Kidd Ultralightweight, 1lb4oz. I am delighted with the quality, balance, and accuracy.

[duckman1]

There is not a bad choice, pick the one that looks the best.

[duckman1]

Mine came with the Hammer Forged SS Bull Barrel and I really like it. The Carbon fiber wrap looks cool but I would worry that in the field it would be subject to marring and scratching the CF.

[RawHP]

Both Kidd and Volquartsen use the same source for the barrel blanks/bores, Lothar Walther. Chamber and crown will be proprietary to Kidd/Volquartsen, and both have excellent reputations. The Light Weight does come with the 1/2"@50 guarantee, but I'm sure the Volquartsen will do that no problem as well, from what I've read.

[cal3gunner]

Are you satisfied with the accuracy of the factory barrel? If you are, then use the money towards ammo.

On the bench I'm feeling that it could be more accurate. In the field, I've never missed a squirrel and blamed the gun. If I missed it's because of shooting off hand unsupported. Head shots when possible and upper body shots when pushing the distance out.

I'm just trying to justify buying a barrel over 5000 rounds of ammo.

[Steve G]

I'm just trying to justify buying a barrel over 5000 rounds of ammo.

Just get both.

[mnichols]

I have the Kidd lightweight and i love it... But i also just ordered 2 Green Mtn barrels for a few bucks more than 1 Kidd cost.

[ARDude]

I've been thinking about the Whistle Pig vs Fedderson or the Kidd. All 16.5 inch light weight fluted barrels.

Hard to decide.

[eville]

Kids, whistle pig volk. Pick your poison. You'll be happy with any choice. I went kidd.

[MongooseV8]

Ive owned pretty much all the lightweight 10/22 barrels on the market. The Whistle Pig barrels are easily the best.

[Press Check]

You'd be hard-pressed to outshoot any of the listed barrels. Personally, I have always owned VQ barrels, and if you're hiking, I believe the VQ Ultralite is still the lightest barrel available at 15oz. I've owned that barrel in particular since early 2014, and thousands of rounds later, have yet to see any degradation in accuracy. Before that, THM barrels.

In the near future, I intend to source parts to build a TS rifle.

[Tank 57]

I'll add another brand to consider. Bought a Beyer light weight bull barrel. Very accurate.

[SoCal Bob]

If you haven't checked out rimfire.com yet, you should. They have an amazing amount of information about 10/22s and other rimfires.