How many rounds can a 15-22 barrel handle?

[TheMaineEvent]

In general, and with good care, about how many rounds do you think a 15-22 can take before it'll need to be replaced?

I ask because some of us have built up a large supply of 22 so i got to wondering if the 15-22 can shoot say 20K rounds and still be usable.

While I have a 10-22 I only use that for dispatching squirrels. I only take my S&W to the range. I wouldn't think it would have issues, but 20k rounds is a lot for a barrel.

 

[Andy Griffith]

I've shot more than that through a model 62 Winchester, and it still looks new, but likely not as fast as you would through a semi-auto.

How fast you fire may make a difference. Considering that the .22 is not a high pressure round like a .223, it's going to be a bit before you wear it out.

The other likelihood may be components in the action rather than the barrel itself.

Lastly, ruining a crown from cleaning or handling is what happens to most .22's. Just be careful if using a steel rod or tip. The muzzle is protected from handling and bumping by the muzzle break, so cleaning will be the only way to get at it.

 

[Majorlk]

Probably somewhere between 100k and 250k, if not more. I have never seen a worn out .22 LR barrel. The bullets are too soft to have any significant effect upon the rifling.

I have a match pistol with well over 60k through it and the rifling is still sharp and it will still put 10 rounds in the x-ring of the standard 25 yard slow fire target.

 

[vaskeet]

I hope to live long enough to wear one out

 

[BlueOvalBandit]

One way to think about barrel life (at least to bench rest guys) is not in terms of round count but amount of powder.

If you think about it small cartridge barrels have longer life spans than barrel burners such as 300RUM, 6.5x284 etc. There are exceptions but this usually proves true, more powder = more heat and pressure which is what kills barrels.

Now look at 22lr, which honestly have no powder by comparison and are very low pressure. Most mortals will never wear out a 22lr barrel.

 

[TheMaineEvent]

Good to know. I guess I was thinking of barrel wear more from a 5.56 standpoint, but it makes sense that 22 rounds don't have nearly the same kind of wear on a barrel as its bigger cousins do.

All the more reason to shoot this rifle!

 

[Beuford T. Rimfire]

Mine can only handle one bullet at a time.

 

[my_mp15-22_s&w]

Rust and "momma time passing," if U see a M&P 15-22 : 250 years from now it will probably just be the barrel in pristine condition. And of course someone will make a lower for it.

 

[cjt50]

I have a 15-22 with over 20k thru it. If any thing it appears to be holding tighter groups now then when it was new.

Or maybe I'm just getting better with it with all the practice....

 

[TheMaineEvent]

It's good to know the barrel will hold up and provide years of entertainment. I was actually thinking of buying one to keep in storage, but it looks like there's no need.

 

[RedNeck Jim]

I was actually thinking of buying one to keep in storage, but it looks like there's no need.

Where were you gonna get one? My understanding is they are like impossible to get.

 

[TheMaineEvent]

Where were you gonna get one? My understanding is they are like impossible to get.

My lgs has lots of 15-22s in stock nowadays, but if you meant the S&W 15-22 AR pistol then yes, those are hard to find.

 

[DelFuego]

Probably somewhere between 100k and 250k, if not more. I have never seen a worn out .22 LR barrel. The bullets are too soft to have any significant effect upon the rifling.

That means that my rifle will have a 6.5 year life span. I better start easing up on 'er.

 

[woreout]

I wouldn't be surprised if one went broke buying 22 ammo and the gun would still be fine

 

[KEN L]

1 MILL-YUN ROUNDS!

But, you probably won't live that long anyway!

 

[Majorlk]

My lgs has lots of 15-22s in stock nowadays, but if you meant the S&W 15-22 AR pistol then yes, those are hard to find.

He was referring to spare barrels, I am sure.

 

[Ibmikey]

I have two MOE not because I was concerned with wear but to outfit them with different accessories for different missions. Fill er' up with Mobile 1 and start shooting.

 

[TheMaineEvent]

He was referring to spare barrels, I am sure.

Ha, I think you're right. I think if you're going to shoot enough rounds where you'd consider getting a barrel then it probably makes sense to get a complete rifle.

That, and I'm one of those who believes that a ban on "assault weapons" is a matter of when, not if. Who knows if you'll even be able to buy a 15-22 in a few years?

 

[RedNeck Jim]

He was referring to spare barrels, I am sure.

Yep. I thought the discussion was about barrels.

I want a spare. Not because I will wear one out but because if I had one, I'd get a stamp and make a SBR. That way, with a simple barrel change, I could go from standard rifle to SBR. I will not SBR my only 15-22 & would rather not buy another.

 

[TheMaineEvent]

For conversations sake does anyone know if S&W allows the purchase of just the barrel?