10/22 barrel shortening.

From the closed breech, through the barrel, perpendicular to the breechface.

Basically, stick a cleaning rod down the barrel on the closed action, mark where it is, remove and measure. If it's 18", for example, cut 1 3/4" - leave at least 1/4" safety margin above 16".

Also - measure CAREFULLY, and measure at least three times, to be certain. Any measurement at all under 16", without paying a short-barreled rifle tax, and you're in big trouble with the Feds.

Just cut it down to like 16 1/2" or 17" if your worried.

Measure from the face of the closed bolt.

16 inches may not be ideal. Have it slugged by a gunsmith, to find it's tightest spot, anywhere after 16 inches. cut it there. this will give best accuracy.

What do you hope to gain by cutting 1 3/4 inches off of an 18 inch barrel??:banghead:

Why not just buy a Ruger 10/22 16" compact barrel and put that on your rifle instead?

What do you hope to gain by cutting 1 3/4 inches off of an 18 inch barrel??

Click to expand...

I have to agree, what's the point? Seems like a lot of effort and not much gain to me....Curious why a 16in barrel is more appealing to you on this particular rifle?

Indeed - that really isn't too much shorter... now, if you were to pay the $200 tax and SBR it... well, that's different. I have a folding stock 10/22 with a 5.5" barrel, and it is the bee's knees in terms of handiness.

I thought that I had previously read on "THR" that 16" barrel length is the ideal length for the .22 lr in terms of performance (velocity/accuracy).