.22 LR Barrel Longevity

[Filipino]

What is the lifespan/longevity of a .22LR barrel? Is there a number (x-amount) of rounds that will pass through the barrel until it deteriorates in accuracy?

Is there going to be a difference in longevity between a "match" barrel against a "standard" barrel? Considering all other factors consistent of the two.

Or is it like:

"It never dies...just fades away" sort of thing.





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[longhairchris]

A buddy of mine owns some very old .22 rifles and they still shoot very well. One is a Winchester single shot from the 30s, it's seen countless thousands of rounds and is one of the most consistent shooters in our lineup. Another Ruger 10/22 (standard barrel) has seen over 50K rounds and still shoots a decent group. A replacement barrel for that runs less than $50.

As long as it's quality steel and you take care of it, I wouldn't worry. .22LR isn't that hard on barrels in my opinion.

[BigRich]

More 22 barrels are ruined by over cleaning and improper cleaning than by shooting. Take reasonable care of your rifle and it will outlast you and all your credit cards.

[Filipino]

These are excellent information. Thanks.

I may have to read more on how to effectively clean a 10/22. I also read somewhere that it is best to clean the barrel in one direction (following the direction of bullet travel) - per Volquartsen. More like a Bore Snake type of cleaning.

The reason for all these was that I was contemplating of purchasing a Volquartsen Carbon Barrel. I wanted something that can last - something that I can hand down to my son.

Just trying to justify if it is viable.





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[tecstar1]

Care and maintenance is everything. It'll last a life time if properly cared for.

[BigRich]

You can also have the rear of the Ruger receiver drilled so it can be cleaned from the breech with a cleaning rod. Brownell's sells a jig for the do-it-yourself types.

[railroader]

You can also have the rear of the Ruger receiver drilled so it can be cleaned from the breech with a cleaning rod. Brownell's sells a jig for the do-it-yourself types.

I just use a bore snake. It's quick and easy. Mark

[xbimmers]

Best way to go in my book!

I just use a bore snake. It's quick and easy. Mark

[sargenv]

I don't care for bore snakes.. no telling how dirty that thing can be and over time you are now dragging that dirt and grime back through your barrel. A .22 barrel really doesn't need much in the way of cleaning... I find that it's the action that needs some regular maintainance more than the barrel. Normally the 22 will not have an issue with leading, so the only thing you need do occasionally (if you want to) is to run a patch through it.. and discard the patch. I can't remember the last time I cleaned the barrel on either my Model 41 or my 10/22. I've cleaned the actions of both several times for functionality issues, but not the barrel.

[DirtRacer151]

I don't care for bore snakes.. no telling how dirty that thing can be and over time you are now dragging that dirt and grime back through your barrel.

Throw them in the washer from time to time!

[trob]

What is the lifespan/longevity of a .22LR barrel? Is there a number (x-amount) of rounds that will pass through the barrel until it deteriorates in accuracy?

Is there going to be a difference in longevity between a "match" barrel against a "standard" barrel? Considering all other factors consistent of the two.

Or is it like:

"It never dies...just fades away" sort of thing.

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probably between 40,000,000 (million) rounds and 100,000,000 rounds......


ive never heard of one that got shot out.

[mag318]

Mabuhay,
As long as you perform routine maintenance on your rifle I don't think you could ever shoot out the barrel. With todays modern ammunition corrosion is very rare. After every range session I put a patch down the bore saturated with Hoppes No 9 and let it sit for about an hour while cleaning the rest of the rifle. Then dry patches until clean, followed by a light coating of G96 then another dry patch and I'm good to go until the next range sessioin.

[b.faust]

Throw them in the washer from time to time!

Just through them in an old sock first so it doesn't wrap around the washer inside...

I try and keep mine pretty clean. Especially the .22lr snakes since a lot of that ammo is DIR-TAY.

B.