18” or 20” for NRL22X and PRS Rimfire?

We tested the velocity of the 18” and 20” Ace and Bartlein barrels. The results might surprise you.

[@WMAcadet]

I do not wish to belittle or cast aspersions on anyone...... I thought it was fairly well known that the .22LR commonly reaches its full powder burn in 16 to 18 inch barrels. I was told this in the 1960's by some of my rifle team coaches, and I have always preferred subsonic .22LR ammunition because it is more accurate than 1130+FPS ammunition because it does not drop down through the turbulence caused by the transition from supersonic to subsonic. We might note that the 10/22, among many other rimfire rifles, are most commonly found with 16 to 18 inch barrels, and that is why. I do use higher velocity .22LR rounds for use in handguns that do not get the supersonic velocities in their short barrels or for plinking cheaply, but the results of the test by X-RING are not a surprise to me. I am glad to see him confirm what I was told those many years ago is true! Oh, and all of those lovely Vudoo rifles in one place!!!! OOOOOOHHHH MYYYY...........

[@snakeman48]

Very interesting. All 3 of my billet 10/22's have 18" barrels. I always felt cheated not going with 20". Kidd does 20", Feddersen longest is 18. I have 2 18" Kidds on 10/22 receivers, and the one 18" Feddersen on my PWS Summit. My newest rifle is a 18" B14-R. I'll sleep good tonight. Thanks, Ray for running this test.

[@2avanman391]

Awesome video. Thank you for taking the time & ammo to show us the differences.

[@XRING]

Thank you 2Avanman. I think a lot of people will find this useful. Thanks for watching.

[@Donbeiren]

I know this is an old video and people's philosophies have changed over the years and we see more and more people moving towards a 23 to 25" build these days. I've noticed a pretty good velocity increase by going from 20.5" to a 24.5" barrel, about 30 FPS. Also regarding the weight from the 2 inches of additional barrel length, 6 oz might not appear to be much but it's right at the very tip of the barrel, to achieve the same balancing effect by adding weight to the most forward m-lok slot on the chassis, you'll need roughly 11 oz to achieve the same effect. In either case that's substantial.

[@funkla65]

Thanks for expending the effort and ammo to collect that data! Yeah, when looking into the T1X, I saw that it was catalogued in 16" and 20". I expected the velocity difference with match ammo would be negligible. However, I figured I may want to run high velocity ammo for some hunting applications, in which case the additional four inches could help. Also, unless I move, I'll never have a suppressor. And, it's pointless to make the gun as short as possible if I want it to serve as an understudy to my 6mm CM.

[@WalterWhite-gw3vm]

Thanks so much for this vid, my buddy went and bought a Cz 457 with a 22inch barrel because he thinks it's gonna give a higher velocity then my Bergara b14r with a 18inch carbon barrel and I already told him there's no real difference between the bergara 18inch and my tikka 16inch but I didn't record it and he didn't see it. So thanks so much for this video, I already sent it to him🤙

[@Checo1]

If I understand the 16" Tikka had the same velocity as the 18" Bergara, asking because I looking to get my hands on a Tikka but have not decide which barrel length

[@WalterWhite-gw3vm]

@@Checo1 yeah my Tikka was actually .04- .02- -.04 faster than the Bergara with 5 shot instead of the 10 shots that X-Ring did. Both are still stock barrels and the ammo was RWS R50

[@hesa3656]

Thank You Sirs! It was great to have these rifles together, with the same conditions and Ammo. I think the 18" will allow for better maneuverability in stages with position changes. 👍🇺🇸 #22aday

[@erichuntter2437]

Some really good informations on the barrels 👍

[@franzschmid9079]

Great footage! I have shorten my barrel of the Mauser from 22" down to 18" and surprisingly no change of the V0 speed. And much better accuracy with the supressor as well.

[@Jerry-Parker]

You don't know what you don't know ! Well now you know ! Excellent video Ray !👍

[@khaggard3797]

Thanks for showing the various barrel lengths compared to velocity. Now that is established. Please show accuracy with different barrel lengths. I see a lot of data supporting the longer the barrel length the more accurate it is. I guess it depends on what you are looking for. At competitions I do not see and one winning with the fastest or most constant muzzle velocities. It is constant hits on targets. Thanks again for your great data.

[@joaquin-jacknava2696]

Good info. Thanks Ray have a good week sir.

[@XRING]

Thank you Joaquin! I wish the same for you. Thanks again for everything.

[@stanfrinak5616]

The first shot has a higher velocity because a cold barrel has a slightly smaller diameter and when the powder goes off there is a little more pressure behind the bullet. On the first shot the resistance experienced by the bullet is just a little higher. Once the barrel is warm the resistance stabilizes. If the barrel get very warm barrel diameter will get larger, resistance will drop and bullet velocity will drop.

[@rdm1000]

Science. Always the way to go. Interesting results. I think there will be some weeping from makers of 20" barrels.

[@sanmiguel2197]

Great knowledge comes with great power! Thank you for sharing your greatest 💕🥰

[@dtrguy2707]

I have 20” on current .22 and a MTU 20” coming in Vudoo... I believed that the extra 2” would maybe slow the bullet actually as the powder is spent around 16”... from there I believed the last 4” would serve to modulate and buffer speeds to hopefully lower speed deviation percentages. This test was very interesting! I also prefer the look of 20” thanks guys!

[@emak4558]

It will also vibrate more and be less stiff.

[@fromsoftnewbie4423]

So wild! Cold bore shots with the 57mm are always slower and as things warm up the rounds typically settle in at 1030 meters per second... funny to see the reverse!

[@badbilly429]

Sweet test I would go 18 then for sure!

[@Threegunmaster]

I've seen alot of guys running 16.5" barrels on a couple of different CZ rifles ,and they seem to do very well too. I've always liked 20" heavy barrels myself.

[@orsonhumphrey2188]

Great info as always!!!

[@oddursigurdsson3046]

Wow - great comparison and thx for sharing :)

[@charlesmckinley29]

Thanks for the test. Great shirt

[@liuxiao5714]

Very helpful and yes my V22 is 18” bartlein

[@fishrrelaxing9361]

Should all be pretty equal.. velocity doesn’t matter imop anyways.. the real question in profile and length is what do you need to better balance the rifle properly.. ideally we should be comparing to 22.5-23.5” heavy barrels which is where the seer spot comes in terms of getting balanced depending on how the rest of the chassis is setup. Balance is highly under rated.. but also depends on the corse of fire cause wielding an 18” stock heavy in and out of small barricades is going to be a lot faster then a 23” gun. How quick after moving can you get the rifle settled and fire accurate shots.. that’s what matters

[@joemass1023]

Nice Job X-Ring!

[@XRING]

Thanks Joe!

[@dannertactical]

Great videos! I've read on the hide about going with a longer barrel (~24") to not increase muzzle velocity but to get a more consistent MV and lower SD...with added benefit of helping to balance the rifle. What have you seen, any thoughts?? A video comparing MV of an 18" barrel and a 24" barrel would be interesting. Maybe high quality ammunition negates any benefit...???

[@anthonykhalil70]

There is a argument that a longer barrel stabilises your 22 bullets. But its a argument presented. I don't know if it holds water.

[@rt66rc86]

Barrel length has no effect on bullet stabilization, that is entirely the duty of the barrel's rifling twist/rate. In the case of the .22lr, that is 1 in 16 inches.

[@anthonykhalil70]

@@rt66rc86 it may have some credence in relation to barrel length verse twist rate. Many centre fires with longer barrels can get away with bullets that apparently need faster twist. The longer the barrel the more twist I relation to length. This is independent of the twist rate over a given length. So more barrel time. I personally like a longer barrel. For me it's gives me better freehand handling. I suppose it's what works for you.

[@markthegunplumber8376]

Always go with the longer barrel, Your Wives will back me up on this.

[@brendonbenson]

Just picked up a new anschutz 1761 with a 18 barrel using the same lot SK long range match iv seen no difference in muzzle velocity compared to my old 1416 with a 16 inch barrel But in not used the best chronograph 😭 but tracking my cold clean shots the other day it did shoot high and took ten shots to drop back down to zero. Great video and probably explains the high first few 👍👍👍

[@chunkycham1]

Great video! Good info.. Thank you sir!

[@Sagittariustoo]

Clark Custom Guns proved long ago that 18" is all that's needed for velocity. Don't like the looks of an 18", especially in a chassis stock. Prefer a 24" barrel with Tuner for 27" overall length just for looks alone. 👍 Enjoyed this video though, thanks for your effort, X-Ring.

[@vgl217]

I still like 20 just because with a can it gets me to my centerfire length. Mine is a trainer first, comp gun second however, so getting close to my centerfire is more important to me than the benefits an 18 would give me in competition.

[@rickeytrant2964]

interested to see the difference between the 16" and 18" barrel velocity

[@XRING]

I can do that with a BXR and a CZ both 16” barrels

[@russfoust8718]

I get those exact same velocities with my 16" CZ 457 VPT MTR

[@rickeytrant2964]

@@XRING I’d watch as I’ve been debating the 16 over the 18 due to running a suppressor while varmint hunting

[@XRING]

@@rickeytrant2964 Did the test today. Going to post it at 9:30

[@laszlovandor4770]

Thanks !

[@viking9934]

I’d be interested to see a 26 inch , 24 inch and a 22 inch then compare that to your baseline 18/20. This test was quite ok but it’s data available on forums that 18/20 inch shoot the same..

[@XRING]

I have some longer barreled 22’s but they don’t have Bartlein or Ace barrels. Now that you have me thinking, I will try to do that test and see what results it yields. Thanks for the suggestion.

[@brianmadlock8385]

Have you had a chance to run the test on the longer barrels?

[@garymeyer3294]

Now, how about some 50 and 100 yard accuracy tests among those 5 rifles?

[@XRING]

We did that. They are all almost identical using that same lot of center-x

[@wilfdarr]

@@XRING not the answer I expected: I expected you to say that using a particular type of ammo for each rifle you have been able to make them all shoot accurately, but all shooting the same ammo, didn't see that coming.

[@samw2768]

@@wilfdarr I'll bet 100$ his statement is NOT true. What does he consider accurate? I bet it's not even close to the standards us br shooters look for.

[@wilfdarr]

@@samw2768 Bench is a different game: I understand he mostly shoots PRS, so when he discusses accuracy it's in that context.

[@22Really]

My bergara is an 18 inch and it has a higher velocity than my wife's 20-in CZ when I placed my order for a voodoo I ordered an 18 in.

[@conservativesniperhunter7439]

Well that dispelled the myth . That was a good test Xring . What would be the difference of 25 feet per second of a cold bore shot and a warm barrel in in inches at say 100 yards ?

[@pjhhermans]

Didn’t see this one yet because of the life chat at Rick

[@XRING]

Thanks for watching Pieter from the Netherlands!

[@justinmcbee8881]

Good test. This was one I was planning to do with a B14R and my 20" Bart Vudoo when it gets here this week. No need for me to run the test other than just to get my Velocity for Kestrel Data. Honest opinion on the Bartline barrel over the Ace Barrel??? Hopefully I'll see you at a couple of the X matches this 21/22 season.

[@martingagnon4547]

Often my highest and lowest shot are 1st and 2nd.

[@ShooterB1]

Cool beans! Thank you

[@patrickjones8174]

I saw somewhere that a .22lr expended all its energy in 16 inches.

[@md3280]

I remember a conversation I had with a gentleman from Clarke custom about 10-22 barrels years ago. He said they had tested barrels for them and all powder was expended in 13”. He said they make them 16” because hats the legal length, but the test barrel at 13” shot just as accurate as a 16.

[@josephpepicelli4859]

Now you made me curious.... I just got my Vudoo Ridgeback with 22” Bartlein barrel MTU and a Trigger Tech Diamond Two stage straight Trigger shoe... I think I will break out by Lab Radar to check my velocity....

[@BigJohnsonGG]

Thanks for Sharing! Carry on

[@texasraider1137]

Interesting. My experience with my CZ 455 trainer with a 24" barrel is that my cold bore shot POI is lower than the follow up shots. I've never had them on a chrono though.

[@jock308]

Do you have a theory why first cold shot is faster? Interesting

[@duffy1298]

I wish I could get ahold of some center x. Jealous

[@PatRMG]

I walked into a small shop a couple weeks ago. Guy said that he didn't know why they sent him this junk, he can't sell this. I got them all 13 a box.

[@BOHEMIANHUNTINGCLUB]

Good to know👍👍

[@keithhuckabee9859]

Barrel length, not surprising. Why shots drop in velocity with each shot is what surprises me?

[@KaBar762]

I curious about the difference between a 16" barrel and an 18". If there isn't much a difference between the 18" and the 20", at what point does the length of the barrel make a difference?

[@lutherprice2062]

Great video guys. I have an order in with DPGunworks for a new RimX and my initial order is a MTU 22” in a MPA Hybrid chassis. I have plenty of time to research barrels and lengths before mine will be built. I’ve seen the one Rick had built and and mines similar except for color, FDE. A video I just watched the guy was adamant that a 2”+ barrel will shoot a larger variety of ammo than the shorter barrels, is there anything to that. Thanks for the videos, I’ve learned a lot from you guys.

[@lutherprice2062]

24”+ barrel….

[@SpyderGT]

Really good test! I always was wandering what is different. My Kidd 20” has 1022 fps avg with same ammo)

[@johneads3050]

Can you show the SD for each?

[@janosvadas]

But… but… All the marketing stuff says you gotta have a 24” barrel… This really doesn’t surprise me with your results. Even my CF rifles only get at most a 20” barrel.

[@pjhhermans]

Do you have any merchandise Ray?

[@paul7347]

Just a little odd for me, so all those guns 1k+ each and no shooting bench? And not to be that guy but your standing past firing line, I know I know to the side but that is how complacency gets you. Good vid stay safe.

[@CHenry1951]

Interested in a 22 " & 24 speeds maybe just an old bolt rifle, just curious as that used to be the standard length for 22lr

[@roycevaughn6472]

That some nice Voodoo rifles my wife would kill me if I spent that much on a 22lr

[@yota_blaster5030]

So I say this so hopefully someone can educate me but I have a Ruger 10/22 Target with a 20” heavy barrel which at 300 yards requires 48 moa of adjustment whereas with the same ammo (RWS special match) my 16.5” CZ 457 dials in at 42 moa. Totally not scientific since I don’t have a chrono but in theory it would seem the shorter barrel has a higher velocity. I’m just getting into this wizardry so bear with me lol

[@texasraider1137]

IMO, comparing the 10/22 to the CZ is apples to oranges.

[@yota_blaster5030]

@@texasraider1137 I mean the actions are obviously different but aside from barrel length and twist rate, I don’t see what else would affect velocity. Maybe headspacing? That’s a big difference for something so minute. I mean, I see how accuracy can be drastically affected by it but velocity? That seems wild.

[@PracticalTacticalAccuracy]

I can appreciate the effort that went into this video, but its really too bad the host has no grasp of engineering and leverages that lack of understanding to make incorrect and misleading claims about balance. If you understand anything about leverage you will know that half a pound at the end of a 20 inch lever applies twice the force of one pound ten inches from the point of fulcrum. If that is not clear enough for you, that means two inches of barrel weight adds a half pound to the rifle, and gets the weight balancing performance of one pound in the forend. Better yet, add a couple more inches and put a 22 inch barrel on it, that further increases the mechanical advantage of the added weight. So ya, the most efficient place to add weight to improve the balance of your rifle is in fact at the end of the barrel. And lets not dismiss how crappy the balance is with an 18 inch barrel...

[@PrecisionRifleNetwork]

good stuff sir.

[@XRING]

Thank you sir! I like your channel as well. 👍🏼

[@PrecisionRifleNetwork]

@@XRING cheers. We should collaborate on a video sometime. I'll email you.

[@XRING]

@@PrecisionRifleNetwork awesome! [e-mail]

[@user-sx5pu4og3i]

Korean ray?

[@XRING]

Ye. 😁

[@charlesduncanmckinley920]

I'd like to see the difference if any between the 18" barrel and a 16" barrel.

[@riflemania7178]

Hey Ray: your opinion-Suppresser or no for 22LR for competition?

[@XRING]

Absolutely not!

[@jtsaad]

He has a video about how suppressors increase your SD. I shot mine with two different types of ammo on two different rifles and got identical or better SDs with the suppressor on with each. Im curious to look into it more.

[@wayneschenk5512]

I’ve got the 457 16 inch using sk green box perfect.

[@emak4558]

22lr stops gaining velocity somewhere around 14 inches.

[@XX-fq8kp]

NOT SURE IF THIS OR YOU COVERED THIS, THE FIRST ROUND ALWAYS SEEMS TO BE 1100+ WHILE SUBSEQUENT SHOTS R 10XX. I WAS WATCHING ANOTHER VIDEO FROM SOMEONE TESTING AMMO AND SURE AS BITS, THE FIRST ROUND WAS 1118… IS IT A COLD BORE SHOT AND IF SO IF U LEFT THE GUN FOR 15 MIN TO COOL DOWN WOULD U GET THE SAME RESULTS… I WOULD TEST THIS 4 U BUT I DONT HAVE A CRONO…

[@andrewstoll4548]

Which version of the MagnetoSpeed are you using. Mine is a version 2 and it will not pick up .22lr bullets. Unless I'm doing something wrong.

[@alexspencer8904]

Increase your sensitivity and it will pick it up. I typically run mine on 6-7.

[@johnnysmall4206]

16" barrel vs 22" barrel would show a difference.

[@oldshooter8382]

Do you have access to a longer barrel'ed rifle to fire a few shots of that Center X? I recently fired some two decades old Tenex (that was my go-to ammo years ago in my Annie1807-based silhouette rifle) in my Bergara B14R. That old ammo was supersonic (1127 fps avg) from the 18" barrel and didn't group well; but through the Annie 27" long barrel it was 1096 fps avg and grouped just under 1" @ 100 yds...not great but much better than the Bergara.

[@wilfdarr]

0:41 See this is science: sticking to what the numbers show. Nothing burns me more than someone testing ammo and assuming that that ammo is “good” or “bad” just because it shoots good or bad in one single rifle; conversely that a rifle is “good” or “bad” because it shoots one particular type of ammo better or worse than another rifle.

[@rt66rc86]

The trouble is, every individual rifle is a "Law unto itself" and very often, a brand and type of ammo will perform at optimum levels of accuracy and consistency in THAT rifle! Science can often provide a base-line and a place to start, but when it comes to the science of internal and external ballistics, things are not always going to go according to what you see on paper! There are too many factors that effect the final outcome, then factor in wind, mirage and the most unreliable factor of them all! The HUMAN factor and well... there you go. I should have mentioned the metals that make up the bullet and how critical that mix is to bullet performance as well! That and the difficulties in producing the exact same mix in a particularly successful powder batch or primer compound batch! Then, whomever is monitoring the machines that put all of that together, better be keeping a sharp eye on things... Doesn't take much at all to put things out of spec and create an entire lot of sub standard target ammo.

[@wilfdarr]

@@rt66rc86 EXACTLY!

[@InstinctiveFirearmReviews]

Now interesting to do 16in vs 20

[@XRING]

I actually followed it up with a 16” and 22”

[@InstinctiveFirearmReviews]

@@XRING trying to figure out how to customize my rug 1022 or if it's even worth it. Or sell it and buy one already pimped out? Any help do I use factory receiver or grab a better one? Bolt? Most barrels around here are 20in by Kidd.

[@LHB33]

Have to ask isn't the 20" quit less decibels that the 18"?

[@TheHybridHunter307]

My cold bore shots consistently go high and left

[@Rico11b]

Never heard of a situation where the 18" runs the same speeds as a 20" UNLESS the 20 has a very tight bore, and the 18 is not tight. I'll bet if you run that test with regular mass produced rifles the 20" will be faster as usual. Things that make you go Hmmm.... :)

[@alexspencer8904]

This is a common thing with rimfire. The powder in a 22lr has completely burned in the first 14-16in of barrel, anything longer you'll gain zero velocity or you can actually slow it down.

[@saleen308]

22"

[@edwardflocken2755]

What about a 16.5 “ barrel? Like a Magdum Research?

[@jtsaad]

This test is basically saying “if 20” is faster, it would be an advantage on long targets.” I’m not sure that’s really valid when you are intentionally shooting ammo that is barely subsonic. If you gain 30fps or swap to a barely faster load, you could be supersonic and defeat the purpose of that expensive match ammo. So if you’re testing which is superior, I think accuracy, maneuverability, and balance are more pertinent than velocity (when intentionally shooting subsonic ammo). And I would assume those would all be nearly a tie as well.

[@XRING]

Hey JT. Almost no one, and I mean no one shoots supersonic ammunition in NRL22X or PRS Rimfire. We regularly shoot out to 400-500 yards at most matches. SuperSonic does horribly at those distances and for accuracy reasons as well. This is why I used the Center-X ammunition.

[@jtsaad]

@@XRING That’s what I’m trying to say. I felt like this test was implying that if a 20” barrel was faster, it would be a reason to buy 20” over 18” but with how close most of that stuff is to being supersonic, I think gaining velocity may be a disadvantage. Like my 16” shoots faster than my 18” and it is supersonic with some ammo that is intended to be subsonic. So I have less ammo options with my faster rifle (like tenex is supersonic in my 16”). Great content, I’ve been loving all the .22 stuff!

[@XRING]

Now I understand what you meant. I think I read the comment too quickly. Thanks for the clarification and as always, thanks for watching the channel.

[@davidcomenzind8368]

Do you have a website?

[@XRING]

Xringcustoms.com. It’s under repair at the moment but it does work.

[@rudysroots2789]

What is your most accurate .22lr?

[@GeorgeSacharok]

Do you think that the extra 2 inches of the barrel twist will help stabelize the bullet more in the wind and for longer shots?

[@XRING]

Yes. I do now. Much has changed since that video was released

[@stephenedwards2220]

24” 😉

[@iFknLoveSwat]

I’m over here using a 16.5” lol

[@Poolshockguy]

What you think about cgs mod9 suppressor? I thought you had a video on it.

[@XRING]

I think CGS makes some great suppressors. The mod9 is one of my favorites. The video I did on it was taken down when KZbin did all their suppressor shenanigans.

[@Jgorelj]

Did you do the same test with 16.5 and 18?

[@typ8723]

So. 18" or 20"?

[@1645308]

So what would be the best scope for shooting a 22 at 500 yards?

[@XRING]

Oooof. Not sure there is a correct answer for the that one. Most NRLx and PRs Rimfire matches do not go out to 500. Occasionally, some match director will have maybe 1 shot at that distance. Most matches are 400 and in. At 500 you will really need a 50+ Moa base or you will be holding in the reticle after you have maxed out your elevation on your scope. I hope that helps.

[@1645308]

@@XRING Thanks

[@richardvincent9518]

What is the best ballistic calculator for 22lr?

[@texasraider1137]

I watched a video yesterday and the shooter was using a Strelok Pro. It had a complete section for .22 LR. I haven't used it though.

[@nebulousJames12345]

neither. 16 inch.

[@born2beashooterjosh397]

You only ran 1 20” vs 4 18” not really fair

[@ThatTron]

Would you go 20" Kukri or MTU profile?

[@XRING]

I’m a huge MTU fan

[@XX-fq8kp]

MY WIFE SAYS TW0 INCHES IS BETTER 😅

[@asianmurican3739]

1ST.....🤫

[@XRING]

Yes you were!

[@asianmurican3739]

@@XRING ...I really enjoyed you vid. Keep on doing it. Thank you

[@asianmurican3739]

@@XRING....I have a DB AR-15 using 6.5 Grendel. What scope would you recommend if I'm trying to shoot 600 yards range and coyote hunt?

[@XRING]

Price point ?

[@XRING]

Thanks . I appreciate you watching.

[@magnummike45]

video is pretty stupid, barrel contour has nothing to do with speed. try different lengths of the same manufacture and chamber dimensions.Why are you standing forward of the muzzles?

[@charlesjacques750]

Wish you did not say the alphabet soup of matches newbies might not be familiar with or unable to fly to. Just say the whole name.