15 22 with 18" barrel

dan01

dan01

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Anyone have the 15 22 with the 18" barrel?.....I wonder if it makes much difference over the 16"?
 
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the performance center version? from everything ive read, they are more accurate especially at longer distances.
 
Two inches additional length will have negligible (if even measurable) impact on accuracy. The difference is the tight, match chamber in the PC. That will improve accuracy somewhat.
 
The "tight chamber" would really preclude the use of Winchester WildCats eh......................For the extra $250 forget the 2 inches and tight chamber......My 10/22 20 inch will have to do.
 
Isn't there somewhat of a limit to how accurate the everyday .22 can be (at longer distances) based on the bullet itself?
 
Good question. I have never seen any manufacturer's accuracy data, but then again I have never really been looking for it. I would be surprised if the intrinsic accuracy of the typical bulk .22 LR was any better than 2 MOA.

Match ammo is another matter.
 
I would think within 100-150 yards on a calm day you could do quite well with one of the heavier (40gr) bullets, especially one designed and loaded to be more accurate. But going too far beyond that would likely be asking too much. Could be wrong though.
 
Unless you realy want a 2 stage trigger the amount of accuracy and velocity gain you would get with the PC model is not worth the extra cost . Most people just shoot bulk ammo you would have to experiment with lots off ammo to find the most consistent and accurate ammo and you would get that with the $10 to $15 for 50 rounds ammo . You can put a 2 stage in the 16" model but then your cost is up to the PC model .
 
farmerjohn said:
Unless you realy want a 2 stage trigger the amount of accuracy and velocity gain you would get with the PC model is not worth the extra cost . Most people just shoot bulk ammo you would have to experiment with lots off ammo to find the most consistent and accurate ammo and you would get that with the $10 to $15 for 50 rounds ammo . You can put a 2 stage in the 16" model but then your cost is up to the PC model .
Click to expand...

I agree that the PC model may not be worth the extra money accuracy wise. I purchased one because of the difference in parts. The PC model comes with a better (my opinion) VLTOR stock, grip, 4.5 lb trigger, and 18" fluted barrel. I think this is definitely worth the extra $200.
 
I bought my PC about 4 months ago and just rescoped it with a Weaver Kaspa 3x12 with Burris one peice mount , I had a spare Ncstar 6x24 on it . I bought it because of the 2 stage Rock River trigger , 18" fluted barrel and match chamber . I have 2 Rock River in 223 . My reasoning for the not worth the extra $200 is because most people on this forum seem to be spray and pray with as much bulk ammo they can get for the best price . I rather shot prone off bipods at 100 yards and greater . It was worth the extra $ for me . I have not put mine to the test yet , when ever I get it out my 7 year old takes over . He can destroy a 2 liter at 50 yards . No disrepect to you and yours .
 
I have a PC, and IMHO it is in no way even close to approaching a 'target' rifle. There are far better (and cheaper) options for a .22LR target rifle available.

It is however a really fun and fairly accurate plinker though, I'm completely satisfied with its performance, for what it is. Horses for courses and all that..

Dave
 
I like the looks of the 18 inch barrel. I may get my smithy friend to order and instal one on my 15 22 MOE.......That is, if the cost is reasonable.
 
Geez, you won't spend the money to put a good trigger in your rifle but you'll buy a fluted barrel because you like the looks??? :) :) :)

Hey, whatever turns you on! :)

Seriously, it will be interesting to see if S&W will sell you the barrel and how much. Good luck with the project, Dan. I like the looks of fluted barrels, too.
 
I don't want fluted barrels of any kind, just the old round kind.....I have a gunsmith of great skill and he runs a small shop where I can get most anything at great savings......He is polishing the barrel of my (carry) Astra A 70 9mm for 20 bucks.

"Geez, you won't spend the money to put a good trigger in your rifle"....With the demonstrated accuracy of my 15 22 I don't think I need one right now.
 
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Ooops ... I could have sworn you said something about a fluted barrel.

As for the trigger, I've already said what ever makes you happy. :)
 
gotfish said:
Isn't there somewhat of a limit to how accurate the everyday .22 can be (at longer distances) based on the bullet itself?
Click to expand...


Talk to a Lapua rep sometime - you can get an education.

22 is made in bulk and cheaply - so tolerances creep a bit on the machines that stamp the cases, etc.

The cheap bulk stuff can be had for $15/500 rounds- what, 3c?

The top lapua rifle ammo is $249/500 - 50c each. Does it make a difference?

In a $99 22lr probably not much. In a $2500+ Anschutz, yes it will. The top lapua ammo in a quality gun will do nearly same hole groups all day long. Put the Federal stuff in there and you'll see that group open up a great deal.

Bulk ammo is tossed in a box..it gets shaken and stirred by the time it gets to you. Better ammo comes with each bullet individually held in the box. Less 'bent' and nicked bullets, powder is all in the same place, etc.

I've read that you can take you cheap bullets and measure the rims and sort by size. Then in each thickness weigh the rounds and again group them by weight. Now to test shoot these sorted bullets by each 'pile; and you should get more consistent groups from each than you get grabbing random rounds from the box.

Each gun has it's tolerances and will shoot much better with the right ammo (tolerances, bullet weight, powder (not that you have much choice on that one), and it will change with the dirtyness of the gun, temperate in the air, as the gun ages, harmonics of the barrel, etc.

CCI stingers do well in my 15-22 ( 1.2" groups prone at 50 yards by an 11 year old) and winchester super x in my Glenfield (a $79 gun from the 70s - I can do 2.2" groups kneeling with my old eyes and the old scope). Swap ammo and each will group 3" high...odd, but the reality of 22 ammo.

Get into reloading for accuracy and you'll learn the variables are practically never ending.

What you need to ask yourself is this - how much accuracy do you need? Are you trying to kill chipmunks at 150 yards or rabbits at 40 yards?
 
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dan01 said:
Anyone have the 15 22 with the 18" barrel?.....I wonder if it makes much difference over the 16"?
Click to expand...

If anything the velocity is probably slightly lower. The match chamber would give better accuracy with match ammo. It may not feed cheap ammo at all.
 
"What you need to ask yourself is this - how much accuracy do you need? Are you trying to kill chipmunks at 150 yards or rabbits at 40 yards?"

prof_fate........I haven't shot paper yet, but my 15 22 terrorized 3 inch clay pigeons from 25 to 100 yards with Fed black label bulk packs yesterday.............Most with one shot.

PS: a 16" non fluted barrel.
 
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Afternoon dan01

All else aside like chamber tightness or barrel quality an 18" barrel on a .22 does 2 major things for you.

First, if you are shooting iron sights then the 2" longer sight radius is an advantage. If shooting a scope then no advantage to the longer barrel in the sighting area.

Second, if shooting subsonic rounds it gives a bit longer barrel for the gas to subside before exiting the barrel so that extra 2" can take a fair amount of noise out of a non suppressed lower velocity shot.

As far as accuracy goes that depends on a lot of things including barrel quality, rifling, chamber shape, & barrel harmonics. In some cases a longer barrel can even decrease accuracy if the barrel & rifle isn't a tuned unit.

As far as velocity goes.. I haven't tested all the possible combinations of ammo & barrel configurations but as a rule from what I have seen in my limited testing is that a 16" being the fastest for most over the counter .22 semi-auto configurations. Not much loss with an 18" barrel (but definitely not faster) & a measurable loss in velocity with a 22" barrel.
 
wolverine said:
First, if you are shooting iron sights then the 2" longer sight radius is an advantage. If shooting a scope then no advantage to the longer barrel in the sighting area.
Click to expand...

This is only true if the front sight is actually mounted at the muzzle-end of the barrel. On a 15-22, the longer barrel has no effect upon the sight radius since the front sight is on the quad rail.
 
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