Thread: .22 with subs, how short and what suppressor?

I want to chop my .22 bolt gun quite short for making easy in vehicles etc. It will be for subs only, but still want to be maximize potential velocity (around 1050fps) from Winchester or CCI subs (or what ever shoots best).

How short can I go with the barrel and still get good performance and accuracy? At legal minimum length it will be just over 11". Do I need it to be longer?

Also what brand suppressor? Given subsonic ammo are dirty I want one that can be opened up and clean and also it will go onto a .17HMR one day. DPT and Kaimai (I know, I know...) both look pretty good. What do you prefer and are there any others to consider?

be aware if you go too short you will struggle to keep rounds subsonic.....there are plenty of folks have done the testing on this,cutting and chronoing each inch.... my old manders suppressor that came with norinco is as good as any other... for the 17hmr you might be better with the likes of a DPT so you can switch out end baffle to smaller hole.

I’ve got a stock standard braveheart on mine, opens up easy to clean etc. shoots well but hasn’t been shortened though. But if I had the choice Ild probably stick a dpt with a couple extra baffles

I thought I read somewhere that you get maximum velocity from 12 inches of barrel in a 22 LR. I might be wrong on that so I hope somebody can verify or correct me on that one.

Originally Posted by Mooseman

I thought I read somewhere that you get maximum velocity from 12 inches of barrel in a 22 LR. I might be wrong on that so I hope somebody can verify or correct me on that one.

You are right mate. I was always of the opinion it was 16 for general HV 22 ammo but saw a post on here a long time ago where it showed some tests done and from 16 down to 12 was nowhere near as bad as I thought. I may have saved the page-I'll see if I can dig it out.

Can't answer your question directly, but had my CZ452 chopped to 15 inches by DPT and very happy with the results. Also, consider an over-barrel suppressor. If you're having the barrel chopped, it's a shame to put 6 inches of suppressor on the end. I know Hardy do them. DPT might on request? Currently, I have a Hushpower Braveheart which does a good job (I only use subs) and it is take-apart, or at least it used to be!

Hmmm good replies thanks guys.

I found this BBTI - Ballistics by the Inch :: .22 Results

I’m surprised at all this talk of cleaning suppressors, I’ve got one I have used on my Gevarm for years and never considered cleaning it.

Only use subs in it and barrel would be 12”.

Support those who support the forum. Dpt suppressor

Yeah, good call @bigbear

I currently have a plastic Huush brand one and its pretty shit, quite loud compared to my mates skinny metal one (might be an old parker hale)

These are 14", they hold subs at sub velocities pretty reliably (maybe 1:100 rounds goes "crack" with CCI, less with Eley match etc).
@Kiwi-Hunter cut his to 12" and its about the same, however his gunsmith cut a 1/2x28 thread on it to suit a suppressor he had at hand and now its too short to cut a new thread, point being if you "fly close to the wind" sometimes it can bite you further down the track

@Dama dama well done I reckon that was the page
@Tentman make a little short adapter like a muzzle brake for the different silencer.

Theres heaps of ar15 over barrel cans sitting round so why not use them , just get barrel threaded to 1/2 x 28 bit of overkill but you won,t wear it out .

Great read thanks @muzza

Seems around 12" would work well but thats getting real close to legal minimum length and @Tentman makes a good point about "flying close to the wind"!