455 Tacticool - 16 or 24 inch barrel?

[TheMO]

I've decided to pick up a 455 Tacticool.  This will be my first precision rimfire rifle.  My goal for this rifle is a .22lr precision rifle training between 50 and 200 yards typically.  I plan to scope it with an Athlon Midas TAC 6-24x50 or similar. 

I have other .22 rifles; 10/22's and an AR22 I set up for action rimfire carbine matches.  These are accurate enough for their purposes but they aren't precision rifles.

The 455 Tacticool is offered in a 24 inch barrel version or a 16 inch.  I can't decide which one to choose.  Considering that this is a .22lr so do you think there is any velocity to be gained by the 24 inch?   Most importantly is there an accuracy advantage between the two? 

Thanks

[openspaces]

I bought a 16? rifle  and bought a 24? barrel to trial in the same receiver. In my experience the longer barrel was not more accurate.

Both shoot well but seemed to prefer different ammo. I recently swapped the 16? back in and sold the 24? barrel.

[TheMO]

That's helpful feedback and I appreciate your sharing it. 

I've continued to read about .22lr and barrel lengths which leads me to believe the 16 inch may suit my needs.  It appears .22lr should reach max velocity within 14 to 15 inches of barrel. 

Accuracy, as you indicated with your experience, shouldn't be affected by barrel length alone. A longer barrel with iron sights can offer benefits due to sight radius but a scoped rifle doesn't gain that advantage.

The 16 inch option, for me, should do nicely.  As well, with a suppressor mounted the OAL will be about the same as the 24.

[dale5150]

I much prefer the 16. The accuracy will depend on the barrel not the length.