So, looking at .22 rifles for accuracy. 16" vs 20" any huge difference? Both are threaded and a suppressor will be used for most shooting.

Longer barrels with faster twists are starting to make a name for themselves. Check with Sr., they’ve been experimenting for a while now.

just sticking with the 1-16 for now.

Depends on use. Hunting /plinking just generally shooting then I would go 16 inch.
No real accuracy differences in barrel length but for competition longer is the “in” thing with 1.2/1.25 inch diameter barrels up to 26 inches long being the rage to get them to balance better.
Buzz wish you were left handed as I have a couple rimfire that will need to go here shortly.
One Bergara B14 R carbon barrel and a Vudoo Gen1 both with 18 inch barrels I believe.

Your barrel length isn't going to impact accuracy, for the most part. As a lot of bench rest shooters have found, short, rigid barrels are very accurate. I would say it depends more on the rifle as to whether I would hang a long barrel off of it or not. A rifle with a threaded receiver is far less likely to be impacted by a heavy, long barrel than one with a slip fit. I would also say you need a very different rifle for accuracy for steel challenge vs NRL22 vs CMP Sporter, so my advice is a shot in the dark.

If you're going for a factory rifle, I would say chamber dimensions are likely going to play a bigger part in accuracy than barrel length/twist. Excessive headspace is another variable. I corrected headspace on this 10/22 bolt in a surface grinder.


Chamber shortening on an excessively long factory chamber. With a proper chamber, these factory barrels can really shoot well.

very informative FRA