Ruger 77/22 hornet barrel length

[berdar]

Hey guys,

I have the opportunity to pick up a 77/22 hornet for a really good price. It's a 1:14 twist and I was thinking about cutting the barrel down to 16 inches and threading to for a silencer.

Other than loss in velocity, will there be any problems with a shorter barrel? Will it still stabilize 35-45 gr bullets?

Thanks

B

 

[VThillman]

The bullets will stabilize. Dunno how effective the suppressor will be.

 

[CraigC]

Stability is not really related to barrel length. A good suppressor should get it down to about the level of an unsuppressed .22LR.

 

[GooseGestapo]

You won't lose that much velocity with the Hornet going down to 16.5". 100-150fps at most. Small, straight case is very efficient.
I've frequently considered cutting mine down.
Now that I've got a Marlin 1894CL in .218Bee, the Ruger stays in the rack, as is.

 

[200Apples]

a Marlin 1894CL in .218Bee...

Cheeeziss. That sounds like a FUN little rifle.

If you haven't already, how about your own thread including a photo or three?

Thanks!

 

[GooseGestapo]

I'm over at marlinowners.com. Posted pics of rifle and three does I got with on opening morning.
It's not exceptionally accurate, but decent and adequate.

IT IS a FUN little rifle.
I'd been wanting/lusting for one for 25yrs . (They were only made 1990-1991, only 2,500 I'm told). I'd never seen but one and it wasn't for sale. Finally broke the piggy bank on one on gunbroker.com.
It was worth it. Spent $200 for 200 rounds/pieces of brass. Also $100 for brass and dies but have nearly 400 cases. (100+ formed from Starline .32/20cases).
I tweaked the trigger to ~3.5lbs, trimmed some wood from fore-end, and installed sling/swivels, and a Leupold 2-7X Vari-X II Compact scope.
I'll write more about it later... pics, too.
The epitome of a "walking Varminter " We include deer in that category.

 

[CoalTrain49]

Have you ever shot a 22 Hornet? I had a 218 Bee years ago, about the same as a Hornet. It has about the quietest report of any 22 CF cartridge.

 

[Olympus]

I'm over at marlinowners.com. Posted pics of rifle and three does I got with on opening morning.
It's not exceptionally accurate, but decent and adequate.

IT IS a FUN little rifle.
I'd been wanting/lusting for one for 25yrs . (They were only made 1990-1991, only 2,500 I'm told). I'd never seen but one and it wasn't for sale. Finally broke the piggy bank on one on gunbroker.com.
It was worth it. Spent $200 for 200 rounds/pieces of brass. Also $100 for brass and dies but have nearly 400 cases. (100+ formed from Starline .32/20cases).
I tweaked the trigger to ~3.5lbs, trimmed some wood from fore-end, and installed sling/swivels, and a Leupold 2-7X Vari-X II Compact scope.
I'll write more about it later... pics, too.
The epitome of a "walking Varminter " We include deer in that category.

Prepare to catch a lot of flak for considering a 22 Hornet for deer. Not from me though. I carried my 22 Hornet a couple days this deer season to cull some does, but never got the opportunity to use it.