Barrel length of .22 rifle

[Andries]

What is the negative of cutting the barrel of a Bruno .22 rifle?
At what legth is the powder burnt out - before the bullet exit or after exit ? I’ve been told that its better to cut the barrel but then, why was the barrel then made a certain length and not shorter if it does not matter ?

[Chengy]

For whatever reason you are cutting the barrel, make sure that the crowning is done properly or the accuracy of the weapon will be affected,

[mundaire]

For starters you'll have to recrown the barrel.

Secondly smoothbore guns with barrel length of less than 20" are listed as restricted per Arms Rules. While this would not apply to rifles, in India it is best to err on the side of caution to avoid unnecessary harassment at the hands of the authorities.

AFAIK for a .22 LR complete combustion happens within the first 17 or so inches, after that any additional barrel length would actually reduce the velocity of the projectile due to friction. However, additional barrel length would also contribute towards a longer sighting plane (if using open sights) and reduction in noise, but little else.

If I were you, I wouldn't modify the Brno, as it will detract from resale value (if you were to ever sell it at a later date), without offering any great improvements in return.

Cheers!
Abhijeet

[sumbriavikramaditya]

The rifling of the barrel is very important aspect in modern firearms. The point where bullet begin to rotate and to the point where it exits the barrel should be of specific length and with specific rifling angle. You do not want to ruin for weapon for an experiment and weapons are not cheap in India. But if you won't experiment you will not learn the result. So please post the results if you execute this experiment.

Regards

[andy_65_in]

Avoid spoiling a Czech beauty...leave barrel shorts for Al Capone..even i own one

[mundaire]

The rifling of the barrel is very important aspect in modern firearms.

True

The point where bullet begin to rotate and to the point where it exits the barrel should be of specific length and with specific rifling angle

There can be many reasons for choosing different lengths of barrel for the same calibre/ projectile combination. There is no fixed in stone "correct" specific length of barrel.

Unsure what you mean by "rifling angle"?

You do not want to ruin for weapon for an experiment and weapons are not cheap in India.

That would be my advice as well.

But if you won't experiment you will not learn the result. So please post the results if you execute this experiment.

[sumbriavikramaditya]

Unsure what you mean by "rifling angle"?

Abhijeet Sir,

Thanks for your comment. I was actually referring to Twist Rate, which result in specific spin rate of bullet. I was not aware of the technical term at the time of earlier comment.

Reading your comments is always a learning experience.

Regards

Vikramaditya

[xl_target]

Take a look at ballistics by the inch and their test on .22 LR ammo using different barrel lengths:

http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/22.html