Minimum barrel length for 22-250?

[Col. Plink]

I have a line on a H&R Handi Rifle SB II 22-250 but was wondering if the round requires a long barrel to perform correctly. Is this a concern for a carbine-length barrel like the H&R? Thanks!

 

[jpwilly]

22-250 is better out of long bbls like 26" the min I'd go would be 24" (I'm pretty sure the Handi Rifle has a 24" in that chambering). I think you lose maybe 50-100fps in a 24" depending on the powder / bullet.

 

[unwise11]

It would be fun to have a 16" .22-250
talk about muzzle blast..

 

[Jake1996]

22 inch is the minimum my dads 22 inch tubed 22-250 is pinpoint accurate.

 

[unwise11]

Now I want a 16" or 18" with and AAC flash-hider and supressor, just to start a new trend.

 

[joed]

I've always seen 24" as the minimum length for the .22-250 Rem. When I was looking at Weatherby rifles recently I was very surprised to see they offer a varminter in 22". Don't think I'd want that as it just isn't going to let that bullet get up to a high speed.

In all honesty though I prefer a max length of 24" on a rifle. Notice I say prefer, most come in 26" and I can't do anything about that.

 

[BrocLuno]

22-250 take a while to burn all the powder. Short barrels are going to hurt performance. Mine has 24" barrel and I'd say that's about as short as I'd go. It's kinda loud, so I know that there is excess powder still happening when the bullet leaves the muzzle.

 

[Col. Plink]

the H&R Handi has a 22" barrel, what kind of performance dropoff would there be?

 

[NCsmitty]

I consider 24" as a minimum length to achieve reasonable velocity with most loads. Typically you will lose 35-40 fps per inch with factory 22-250 ammo.



NCsmitty

 

[Col. Plink]

So how does that translate to a % dropoff for a 22" 22-250? Thanks!

 

[eaglesnester]

Mine is 26 inches and it shoots dime sized groups at 100 without even thinking about it.

 

[NCsmitty]

Case: Winchester Barrel Length: 24"
Twist: 1:14" Trim Length: 1.902"
Primer: WINCHESTER LR

This is the base information used by Hodgdon in working up the loads listed at their site. Changes to the baseline like case make and barrel twist, can affect velocities a bit, but for the most part, if you have a 22" barrel, count on reduced velocities by 70-80 fps from a 24".
Be aware that some 22" barrels may shoot without a dropping a bunch of velocity, but that is an exception rather than the norm. Fast barrels happen only rarely.



NCsmitty

 

[sscoyote]

Yeah--16" 22-250's are a BLAST to shoot--1st shots at 325,400, and 525 yds. 65 JLK Low Drag @ 3100--

 

[Col. Plink]

The owner says it's a 24" barrel; any reason to doubt? Thanks!

 

[Col. Plink]

Went and got it today! It really is nice looking, apparently an upgrade from the base model with walnut furniture and 24" barrel. Question: should it throw the brass free of the breech when breaking it open? I haven't shot it yet but a loaded case has to be manually removed(?).

 

[HOOfan_1]

It should pop it out enough to be able to grasp it easily, but it will not actually eject the brass out of the chamber.