Short barreled 22-250?

[2ndAmendmentNut]

The 22-250 I do most of my hunting has a 26” varmint barrel on it, and I have often wondered what would be wrong if I had it cut down to 20”? Would I loose accuracy? Obviously I will loose some velocity but I am inclined to think a 20” barreled 22-250 would still beat a 20” barreled 223.

[JeffinNZ]

I can't imagine it being less accurate but it sure will be LOUD.

In practical terms you might find there is nothing between a .223 and short barrel .22-250.

[spqrzilla]

You will lose some velocity but people usually overestimate how much. I'd go ahead and do it. If it is well done, with a good clean crown, you may even find improved accuracy.

[bobthenailer]

a freind has a ruger light sporter in 22x250 with a 22 inch barrel its sweet ! i also have a 26 inch heavy barrel in 22x250 with a 6.5 x 20 with target knobs that i use for longe range shots but my stalking rifle is a 22 hornet with a 2x7 for shots out to 200 yards

[AZ-Stew]

As long as it's properly re-crowned, it may shoot better. It will be stiffer. You will lose some velocity, which may affect long range performance.

Regards,

Stew

[izzyjoe]

:smile: i had a handi-rifle in 22-250 when i was younger. the guy i got it from cut the barrel to 19'' to make it more handy (ha ha), the muzzel blast just plain sucked. and at dust/dawn it made some pretty fireballs. i was told the velocity was at or neer 223 speed, so all was lost. i sold it before i knew you could buy replacement barrels for the sb2. but it's your gun you do what you whish. lol

[swheeler]

Here are two Ruger rifles, same handloads, same day

55 Hornady V-Max
38.0 gr Special ball
WLRM primer
PMC brass
70 deg F
26 inch target=3751 fps
22 inch K77 MkII=3483 fps

[DLCTEX]

I had a Savage Stryker in 22-250 and the muzzle blast and flash were something else. I never chronoed it, so I have no idea what the bullet speed was. The barrel was 14". Traded it for a Stevens rifle in 22-250, a much more practical gun.

[GabbyM]

One would think loading with a fast powder like RX7 would reduce muzzle blast over the much slower powders usually loaded into 22-250. You'd loose less velocity than book stats which use 24 or 26" barrels because the short barrel would handicap faster powder to a lesser degree. You could probably match 223 velocity while shooting a 40K CUP load. Faster powder would also be useful for cast bullet loads.

[flounderman]

wear your earplugs or you will do permanent damage to your hearing, with it.

[DLCTEX]

I searched for pistol loads for the Stryker and all recommended loads were no different than rifle loads. I guess there wasn't enough interest in short barrel 22-250 loads to merit development work, 22-250 owners generally are after speed, hence longer barrels.

[Crusty Deary Ol'Coot]

I once had a RUGER #1 - B which someone had shortened from the standard 26" to 22".

WOW. was it a short sweet rifle!!!!:bigsmyl2:

Because of the the already short action, the #1 is typicaly no longer with a 26" tube then a bolt action with a 22, so that RUGER #1 was a very handy rifle as well as a very good shooter.

Keep em coming!

Crusty Deary Ol'Coot