Vudoo barrel length

On a few other forums this same question will get the response from a few quoted gunsmiths and barrel makers saying in .22 LR anything past 16" gains you pretty much nothing. That being said they all offer barrels out to 18 or 20" or more. Barrel length should really be determined by your needs of the rifle. Some go long for aesthetics some go short for lighter weight and balance. Unlike CF cartridges rimfire velocity is not affected much by barrel length past 16". If you call the guys at Vudoo they will probably explain pros and cons of each barrel length. They truly are there to help you make the best decision.
 
Until you get past 24” and you’re using a tuner it doesn’t matter. I went with 18” because the chassis foreend I have is 16” which would look weird with a 16” barrel. I have a 20” 308 for PRS and I felt the 18 was a good compromise and would “look good” and we all know how important that is ?
 
I got the 20" since I think the longer barrel seems to make the gun quieter. Ended up looking OK with the Renegade stock.

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I like my 18". Shoots great and balances well. Drops most match ammo at 1070fps which is right where I want it.
 
Mine is 20 and I would have gone 24 if they offered. The way I see it is the heavy contours are heavy already if that’s the way your going then matching the balance of your match rifle for training is nice , plus heavier is steadier ,nice to have when shooting groups or positional.
Now if you want to walk through the woods hunting squirrels then disregard my advice.
 
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Vudoo offers a 22" Kukri now. We wanted to try and reach that point to mimick the long guns more accurately. Anything over 14.25" does absolutely nothing for velocity, until after 22" then it is known to actually start slowing down the bullet! Our most popular length is 18" just because how it fits with most stocks for looks, and if you add a can its about perfect!
 
I've gone with 22" on all but one of my precision bolt repeater 22s, and the exception was a 24". I don't care for chassis, all mine are in Manners T4A or PRS1T stocks, and I like the looks of the slightly longer bbls, especially in conventional stocks. The last V-22 I bought has an 18" Ranch contour bbl (the lightest contour VGW does), and I'm going to replace that ACE Ranch bbl with a Krieger #4 sporter that I'll likely finish at 22". Nothing against the ACE bbl - it shoots really, really well, but is just a bit harder to hold steady than a rifle with a heavier bbl. I'm hoping the #4 sporter will be a good trade-off - not too heavy, not too light. Currently, it's in a Manners EH2, and weighs 7.85lbs with a 6-24x50 Midas TAC. Probably won't get the Krieger until mid-summer - just ordered it April 9...
 
Here's a vote for 16 inch. It's the most practical of all lengths, I give nothing up on the accuracy front either. All the powder is burnt up by 14-15 inches and I also prefer the aesthetics. I use it for 22 PRS so it's an advantage for me in moving it around in tight spaces fast.
 
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Here's a shot of the 'sporter' V-22 I mentioned above, after finishing the Krieger #4 sporter I'd ordered this past spring at 22". The heavier contour added a pound - it's now at 9.75lbs w/scope. More importantly, now it balances right at the front of the DBM, which makes it nicer to carry, and it's also a bit steadier for me in offhand. Like all the .22RF Kriegers I've done, this one shoots really well. Since the photo was taken, I've applied graphite black CeraKote to the bbl. Still liking the Athlon Midas TAC 6-24x50 very much - not that it's as good optically as the Cronus scopes I've got on my heavier V-22s used in matches - but it tracks really well, which is certainly important given how much dialing I do, shooting from 50yds out past 200 & back fairly often.
 

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Have ordered a 22.0" Bartlein barrel with M24 contour for reasons already mentioned: (1) To mimic the weight and balance of my CF; (2) Heavier rifle steadier shooting offhand, once you pump enough iron and do enough DF; (3) Looks more tacticool, especially with a big scope.
 
On a few other forums this same question will get the response from a few quoted gunsmiths and barrel makers saying in .22 LR anything past 16" gains you pretty much nothing. That being said they all offer barrels out to 18 or 20" or more. Barrel length should really be determined by your needs of the rifle. Some go long for aesthetics some go short for lighter weight and balance. Unlike CF cartridges rimfire velocity is not affected much by barrel length past 16". If you call the guys at Vudoo they will probably explain pros and cons of each barrel length. They truly are there to help you make the best decision.

A few quoted gunsmiths would be wrong. This is to say, within reason and trying to be nice about it.
There is a happy medium there somewhere.
The 20 inch barrel will balance better than a 16 inch barrel. It will tame muzzle flip much better, allowing for a more precise straight recoil.
It will be slightly more quiet. Dwell time : that is, the amount of time it takes the projectile to exit the muzzle after the break will be very slightly longer. The gun will be heavier which further adds to taming recoil and stability as the projectile travels the length of the barrel.
A 22 inch barrel will be even less muzzle flip, slightly more dwell time is traded for stability.

Your 18 inch barrel may be 18.25, or 17.80 or some variation over, under or between. Depending on what the Guru cutting the crown deems best for that barrel.

Loss of a few feet per second isn't going to make you less accurate. Conversely, gains of a few feet per second aren't going to make you more accurate. Technique, knowing the gun and how to use it will make much more difference.
Ask the benchrest guys with 24-26 inch barrels.
These are your gains going beyond 16 inches.

Losses going to the longer barrel : Dwell time. A shorter barrel will be more stiff. It will contort less because it is more stiff.
Pick your poison.
T.S.
 
The old Rem 40X & Win M52s all had long barrels, whether for longer sight radius or accuracy, who knows. I went with 26" Benchmark & Lilja bbls on my converted 40X repeaters thinking that's the length of my CF comp rifles, but wish I'd have gone with 22" instead. That's pretty much my favorite length for any of the V-22s or CZs that I've barreled, and for my purposes, that's what I'll likely stick with.
 
The old Rem 40X & Win M52s all had long barrels, whether for longer sight radius or accuracy, who knows. I went with 26" Benchmark & Lilja bbls on my converted 40X repeaters thinking that's the length of my CF comp rifles, but wish I'd have gone with 22" instead. That's pretty much my favorite length for any of the V-22s or CZs that I've barreled, and for my purposes, that's what I'll likely stick with.
My first vudoo22 was 20" mtu and next was 22 and my latest is another 22.heres a look of 22" on mcmillan a10
20191022_201852.jpg
 
A few quoted gunsmiths would be wrong. This is to say, within reason and trying to be nice about it.
There is a happy medium there somewhere.
The 20 inch barrel will balance better than a 16 inch barrel. It will tame muzzle flip much better, allowing for a more precise straight recoil.
It will be slightly more quiet. Dwell time : that is, the amount of time it takes the projectile to exit the muzzle after the break will be very slightly longer. The gun will be heavier which further adds to taming recoil and stability as the projectile travels the length of the barrel.
A 22 inch barrel will be even less muzzle flip, slightly more dwell time is traded for stability.

Your 18 inch barrel may be 18.25, or 17.80 or some variation over, under or between. Depending on what the Guru cutting the crown deems best for that barrel.

Loss of a few feet per second isn't going to make you less accurate. Conversely, gains of a few feet per second aren't going to make you more accurate. Technique, knowing the gun and how to use it will make much more difference.
Ask the benchrest guys with 24-26 inch barrels.
These are your gains going beyond 16 inches.

Losses going to the longer barrel : Dwell time. A shorter barrel will be more stiff. It will contort less because it is more stiff.
Pick your poison.
T.S.

Getting a lot of muzzle flip from those .22s? LOL ;)
 
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Just found it funny as my 18" doesn't move when I fire it. No flip. Never really heard of anyone speaking of muzzle flip in a .22.
 
Not really. Maybe a slight feel of what might be recoil. I can watch the bullets hit targets without a problem. I love being able to do it.
 
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Not really. Maybe a slight feel of what might be recoil. I can watch the bullets hit targets without a problem. I love being able to do it.
Well, I better not not get into it with a moderator here. I'm relatively new here, tryin to change some of my old ways.
You know? Probably not in my best interest. Maybe on a level playing field.
And yeah sometimes you can see the bullets if the light is right. They get easier to see the further they go as the steams comes off of that extremely fast moving, devastating projectile.
Would it offend you if I told you that slight feel of what might be recoil, is recoil?
Or that slight feel becomes even more slight with weight?
Or that even PCP airguns recoil?
T.S.
 
LOL of course it's recoil but nothing that is anything like larger center fire rifles. It's so slight it doesn't move me off target and I can watch the bullet hit the steel or the hole in the target. That was what I was getting at.
 
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LOL of course it's recoil but nothing that is anything like larger center fire rifles. It's so slight it doesn't move me off target and I can watch the bullet hit the steel or the hole in the target. That was what I was getting at.

I fully agree with your here Rob. 100%
What if I told you that, perhaps, added weight lessens the equal and opposite reaction?
And that, in doing so increases accuracy levels to some degree, even if that degree is small?
You seem like a cool guy bro. I don't wanna be at odds ends with nobody man. Well, maybe Kevin1. That's different. But nobody else really.
T.S.
 
Not at odds but no need to keep talking like you are teaching a kindergarten class. Not my first rodeo as you probably know. What you are saying about recoil is not rimfire specific.

Weight will deaden but the weight can be anywhere. No need for a long barrel for accuracy or velocity or deaden recoil. BR guys do what they do with long barrels. Probably so they can move their tuners around or because they have always used them. A lot of vudoo in there. They are accurate. No doubting that but shorter barrels can be accurate as well. Centerfire short range BR guys use short barrels. Shouldn't they be using long barrels of the barrel length brought something to the game?
 
Not at odds but no need to keep talking like you are teaching a kindergarten class. Not my first rodeo as you probably know. What you are saying about recoil is not rimfire specific.

Weight will deaden but the weight can be anywhere. No need for a long barrel for accuracy or velocity or deaden recoil. BR guys do what they do with long barrels. Probably so they can move their tuners around or because they have always used them. A lot of vudoo in there. They are accurate. No doubting that but shorter barrels can be accurate as well. Centerfire short range BR guys use short barrels. Shouldn't they be using long barrels of the barrel length brought something to the game?

You see, this, is what I was speaking of in terms of a level playing field.
We could debate this and end up with a sum of the variables.
But.
Wait..............I don't think I said long barrels bring something to the game. I think I said longer barrels bring something to the element of the game in terms of 22 Long rifle. By the same token there is a case to be made for the shorter barrel. Centerfire is a different game , with different elements. Different ballistics. Different projectiles. ( it's not a slug) Its ammunition , as you know, because this is not your first rodeo, can be loaded to higher standards than a 22 rimfire load. By hand, in a discriminating fashion. This makes the centerfire , more adapt, to inherent accuracy.........as you know. Yet at the end of the day, a properly finished rimfire 22, will shoot with, or outshoot it at a range of 50 meters or inside, in capable hands. Airguns are capable of 1/10 of an inch inherent accuracy at 50 meters with barrels shorter than 16 inches. And barrels longer than 18 inches.
At the end of this I will show you what an airgun can do at 50 yards. Not that you care. But, you won't equal it with a centerfire at the same range. No matter how many rodeos you've attended. Rob, you can trust me when I tell you, this aint my first rodeo , either.
I look for a level playing field from you , sir. In the name of fairness.

You want this debate with me. I know you do. I'd like to continue it with you. But you are a mod, and I am not. Some of what I have said may be construed as disrespectful to to a moderator of a fine shooting forum. That's not what it is. Anyone who reads it will see, that's not what it is.
So. If you want to ban me, go for it. I have decided that I am not going to back down from your debate. You know why Rob?
I'm not going to lay down on things that you're clearly wrong about, because you're a moderator on an internet forum. Maybe I should. Maybe Donald Trump should have laid down for Hillary Clinton. Not that I'm comparing myself, or you, to either.
Even tho you're probably a decent guy. And to answer an inquiry, so to speak: Nope. I do not know if this is your first rodeo. But I do know that this is your first rodeo with me.

At the end of this, I want to say that, no, it's not about making people feel like children, it's about true and correct information regarding 22 rimfire guns. And Optics. Hi. So to all the acquaintances I've made in my short duration on this site. I bid you farewell. Because this guy is gonna lose it.

Respectfully.
T.S.

P.S. have you any idea how much I hated to add " respectfully" ? Man up and continue the debate. Don't be scared.
Your status as a mod doesn't earn you respect by internet default. I was trying to be nice. Which is rather hard for me. Most of the time.
But. It never did me any favors. And that is why I have been trying to turn it around. Til last we met. Be well.

Airgun.
best group.jpg
 
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Lol well you got yourself banned somehow but not from me. I have no problems debating but guess it's over now.

ETA: saw your 2am good bye to the forum post that was also deleted by another mod. Not sure why the hatred or aggression. None coming from my side. We were just having a discussion. At no point was I going to "lose it" and if you knew me as well as you think you would know I don't ban people over differing opinions with my own. Would have discussed it at 2am but some people, myself included, like to sleep at night and can't be up on the internet. Sorry it couldn't be continued. Have a good one.
 
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I'm brand new to the Vudoo game. I specifically bought it to be a trainer for the centerfire gun, but of course, I'll shoot some .22 matches, too, cause why not? I originally intended to run a 20" MTU, but Altus had a 22" in stock (and no 20") when I was ready to go, so that's what I ended up buying. It actually feels almost exactly like my centerfire gun in terms of balance and heft, although it's definitely a bit lighter. Without a can on it, it balances directly in front of the magazine, just like my centerfire gun. It looks like I'm losing just a shade of velocity vs. my friends that have 20" barrels, but not by much. Certainly, it's still super acceptable. And, at the risk of posting a "wallet group", the group below seems to be reasonably typical using Midas+ (that's a 1" sticker - the center circle is 1/2" - 5 shots at 43yds). I'm in search of less expensive ammo that will run similarly, if I can find it, and will likely run SK Rifle Match or SK Long Range Match for practice, at least.

I was actually surprised by just how much recoil I'm aware of with the rifle. The gun doesn't move off target at all, but there's definitely some recoil pulse. I sort of expected that I'd basically feel "nothing" vs the centerfire gun, maybe naively. It actually feels similar to shooting a 10/22 or other .22 semi-auto.
 

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I'm brand new to the Vudoo game. I specifically bought it to be a trainer for the centerfire gun, but of course, I'll shoot some .22 matches, too, cause why not? I originally intended to run a 20" MTU, but Altus had a 22" in stock (and no 20") when I was ready to go, so that's what I ended up buying. It actually feels almost exactly like my centerfire gun in terms of balance and heft, although it's definitely a bit lighter. Without a can on it, it balances directly in front of the magazine, just like my centerfire gun. It looks like I'm losing just a shade of velocity vs. my friends that have 20" barrels, but not by much. Certainly, it's still super acceptable. And, at the risk of posting a "wallet group", the group below seems to be reasonably typical using Midas+ (that's a 1" sticker - the center circle is 1/2" - 5 shots at 43yds). I'm in search of less expensive ammo that will run similarly, if I can find it, and will likely run SK Rifle Match or SK Long Range Match for practice, at least.

I was actually surprised by just how much recoil I'm aware of with the rifle. The gun doesn't move off target at all, but there's definitely some recoil pulse. I sort of expected that I'd basically feel "nothing" vs the centerfire gun, maybe naively. It actually feels similar to shooting a 10/22 or other .22 semi-auto.
That is one fine 5-shot group. Centered as well as precise. What did you use for support?

RLS
 
That is one fine 5-shot group. Centered as well as precise. What did you use for support?

Prone, off a bipod with a pint sized heavy Game Changer as a rear bag. I had favorable wind, which definitely didn't hurt anything. I had just sighted in with that ammo, and shot the group to confirm it (which it clearly did). I labeled it a wallet group, since most of my groups with the gun (shooting other ammo) have been a bit larger. But, it seems to like Midas - I shot a couple other quick groups that were comparable, but not quite as small, in the same session (3 shots each on those, as I was zero'ing). I look forward to testing further and see how repeatable it is on different days.