Thread: Question for .22lr experts.

How short would you have to cut a .22lr barrel to get supersonic ammo below the speed of sound? Is it possible/practical?
I know this would vary depending on the ammo used but has anyone tried it or know anything about it?

@gundoc ???? - Also at what distance you looking to shoot - big diff between 25 and 100 in 22lr land.

Also is it a special type of 22lr supersonic projectile you want to use otherwise - why not use a good subsonic brand and work from there???

Sounds like the sort of thing @mudgripz would have tried. The nzrimfire page doesn't get used much, but is still there. Lots of good info. Also try rimfirecentral

Hey not many people realise but 22 Le gets faster as you shorten the barrel. Use subs

The problem as I see it with this idea & the ported/suppressed barrels that make supers subs is there is no going back.

If you ever want to shoot supers you can't.

I believe subsonic ammo has softer lead & bigger cavities to allow it to work efficiently subsonic, super sonic ammo is a different story.

Not sure it would be feasable or legal. Firing hv from a pistol doesn't make it subsonic. in fact, i'm guessing you would have to have an impracticably long barrel to actually slow the projectile sufficiently, because it's about speed. Just use a 16 inch shorty with subs.

Originally Posted by Carpe Diem

@gundoc ???? - Also at what distance you looking to shoot - big diff between 25 and 100 in 22lr land.

Also is it a special type of 22lr supersonic projectile you want to use otherwise - why not use a good subsonic brand and work from there???

Good questions.
I would be using it for small game at short range,Up to 50m maybe.
I figure if I use sub rounds the velocity will drop to below optimum with the shorter barrel. I would like to be just under sos to give it as much usable range possible.

Originally Posted by 300_BLK

Hey not many people realise but 22 Le gets faster as you shorten the barrel. Use subs

Ok. Thanks for that. I definitely didn't know that.
Now I will just have to decide how short to go so subs don't go supersonic.

Originally Posted by Shearer

How short would you have to cut a .22lr barrel to get supersonic ammo below the speed of sound? Is it possible/practical?
I know this would vary depending on the ammo used but has anyone tried it or know anything about it?

Depends what round you want to shoot but could be as short as 3-4"

BBTI - Ballistics by the Inch :: .22 Results

Not really practical for a rifle.

Originally Posted by Shearer

Ok. Thanks for that. I definitely didn't know that.
Now I will just have to decide how short to go so subs don't go supersonic.

They don't tend to in fact as 300_BLK says they are not going to go much faster with a longer barrel (look at the chart). I recon 14-16" is ideal.

The longer the barrel the quieter it will be with a suppressor

I was just thinking that. If you have ever fired a .22 pistol they are definitely louder than a rifle. My 10/22 with a 16" barrel and MAE suppressor is plenty quiet.

Excellent. I don't particularly want a very short barrel but am cutting the "big fat bit" off the end of a Toz to put a suppressor on. Looks like the plain old sub will do the trick.

the winchester power point subsonic 42grn are in a class of thier own ....by far my favourite round for small game at the under 100yard range.

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

the winchester power point subsonic 42grn are in a class of thier own ....by far my favourite round for small game at the under 100yard range.

Thanks. Was going to try a few different rounds to see what the old thing liked.