Does a Heavy Barrel make a difference in a .22?

[toopercentmlk]

Is it really the resistance to heat opposed to the resistance to vibration why rimfire bbls shoot straighter? I'm assuming this is exclusive to rimfire as larger centerfire cartridges produce significantly more vibrations?

[socomIInato]

heat buildup on 22lr

[ScottB]

If you shoot them fast enough, a .22 will heat up.

How about the other wrinkle - fluted heavy barrels? Stiffer plus added heat dissipation or just cooler aethestically?

[mif_slim]

Is it really the resistance to heat opposed to the resistance to vibration why rimfire bbls shoot straighter? I'm assuming this is exclusive to rimfire as larger centerfire cartridges produce significantly more vibrations?

I think it is. Im sure the heavy barrel helps out some, but not in the factor of the projectile being consistently accurate. The heavy fbarrel will help the shooter have a better shot. "Barrel rise" if any also would help the 22 be on the same spot but for accuracy itself, Im sure the exact same streight tollerance of light/heavy barrel would perform the same until you shoot some 2k rounds per 20 minutes then Im sure the heavy will be much better.

[Stringer]

If your gun is going to be a target rifle, get heavy.
If your gun is going to be a hunting rifle, get light.

I dont think the accuracy is really noticeable from 2 equally good barrels of different thickness.

But the heavy barrel of equal quality should be more accurate.

In theory, hell yes. I agree 100%, but for a 22...

If you shoot them fast enough, a .22 will heat up.

How about the other wrinkle - fluted heavy barrels? Stiffer plus added heat dissipation or just cooler aethestically?

Definitely not stiffer. No fluted barrel is stiffer than it was before fluting. If the fluting was done correctly, then it will have more stiffness per unit mass. And it will have more surface area for cooling. But a 22LR doesn't make that much heat, and it doesn't tax a barrel's stiffness like most centerfires.

I have a fluted GM bull barrel on my favorite rifle, my 10/22. Cool looking? Yes. Heavy? Yes. More accurate than a properly chambered and straight-to-the-tenths sporter? Certainly not.

For those that are interested in data, and not hearsay, check out Harold Vaughn's Rifle Accuracy Facts.

[Tho_Sun]

Thanks for the read bud! Much appreciation to all~