Charger 10 in barrel upgrade

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I would like to upgrade my Ruger Charger with a 10 in Acculite barrel. Stock barrel is accurate enough but I would like to increase accuracy. Price seems reasonable. Has anyone tried Acculite on their charger? Did it improve accuracy? 1:9 vs 1:16 ? Thanks for any help and suggestions.
 
I'm not sure what your expectations are but we have two Chargers (one factory stock and one slightly tweeked) and either is more accurate (even @ 100 yards using appropriate optic & 'folding arm brace') than 75% of average shooters can hold.
 
I spoke with the very nice owner of Acculite (formerly WhistlePig) barrels about the 1:9 vs 1:16 for the 10/22 & Charger for shooting 40gr. subsonic & std velocity 22LR. I've had several guns that shot significantly less well with SV and subs than with HV such as MiniMags, Aguila HV 40gr., and even the often vilified Winchester Wildcat. (One of my blued MkII Government Target Models shoots spectacularly small scoped groups with Wildcats while CCI MiniMags are just so-so. Go figure....)

Since I often shoot suppressed at longer ranges, I'd prefer good accuracy with the slower velocity rounds, as the HV's 120dB supersonic crack is annoying with a can, even if not hearing unsafe. He said the 1:9 will usually give good accuracy with 40gr. SV & subs out to about 30yds, but to expect the 1:16 to be better at 30yds+ for that weight range. The 1:9 is really at its best at shorter ranges with the hard-hitting Aguila 60gr. subsonics. He also said that individual barrel/receiver combinations will sometimes surprise you with what rounds they shoot well, which I think most of us have seen ourselves.

IIRC, back in the '80's-90's, Volquartsen offered his various rebarrelled target pistols with a slightly faster 1:14 twist. but someone else would need to confirm that. I've long wondered whether 1:14 or 1:12 might be a better twist rate for the slower 22LR rounds at longer distances, but I've not seen any data to that effect.
 
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If you're going to shoot 22lr at distances which will slow a HV bullet below 1000FPS, you'll probably see better 'long range' accuracy by using sub-sonic ammo to begin with.
My 'bragging' pistol has a 4" barrel and coupled with CCI sub-sonic 40 grain HP ammo is as accurate @ 100 yards as many/most rifles. Groups with HV 40 grain ammo are typically 2x bigger at that range.
I've not tried the 60 grain ammo but I'm seeing some good results in a factory Charger barrel with 42 & 45 grain 'sub-sonic' ammo in terms of functionality and accuracy.
 
fwb124 said:
I spoke with the very nice owner of Acculite (formerly WhistlePig) barrels about the 1:9 vs 1:16 for the 10/22 & Charger for shooting 40gr. subsonic & std velocity 22LR. I've had several guns that shot significantly less well with SV and subs than with HV such as MiniMags, Aguila HV 40gr., and even the often vilified Winchester Wildcat. (One of my blued MkII Government Target Models shoots spectacularly small scoped groups with Wildcats while CCI MiniMags are just so-so. Go figure....)

Since I often shoot suppressed at longer ranges, I'd prefer good accuracy with the slower velocity rounds, as the HV's 120dB supersonic crack is annoying with a can, even if not hearing unsafe. He said the 1:9 will usually give good accuracy with 40gr. SV & subs out to about 30yds, but to expect the 1:16 to be better at 30yds+ for that weight range. The 1:9 is really at its best at shorter ranges with the hard-hitting Aguila 60gr. subsonics. He also said that individual barrel/receiver combinations will sometimes surprise you with what rounds they shoot well, which I think most of us have seen ourselves.

IIRC, back in the '80's-90's, Volquartsen offered his various rebarrelled target pistols with a slightly faster 1:14 twist. but someone else would need to confirm that. I've long wondered whether 1:14 or 1:12 might be a better twist rate for the slower 22LR rounds at longer distances, but I've not seen any data to that effect.
Click to expand...
Thank you!
 
I just ordered a 10" tapered barrel from Feddersen. After talking with the rep he reported that they had found that the 10" tapered barrels were in the same league as their longer 10/22 barrels. Most likely the harmonics playing a big part in their accuracy. I'm looking forward to running it through its paces. Will report back.
 
Mobuck said:
If you're going to shoot 22lr at distances which will slow a HV bullet below 1000FPS, you'll probably see better 'long range' accuracy by using sub-sonic ammo to begin with.
My 'bragging' pistol has a 4" barrel and coupled with CCI sub-sonic 40 grain HP ammo is as accurate @ 100 yards as many/most rifles. Groups with HV 40 grain ammo are typically 2x bigger at that range.
I've not tried the 60 grain ammo but I'm seeing some good results in a factory Charger barrel with 42 & 45 grain 'sub-sonic' ammo in terms of functionality and accuracy.
Click to expand...
Mobuck,

Thanks for your input! I have frequently read that, and look forward to exploring longer range subsonic ammo at 75-100yds in the next month or two. I've been using the B-Square slip-on Mark I-III mounts for testing due to their convenience and because they still permit use of irons with only a small increase in overall height of the scope over the bore. They also make it easy to fit anything from 2x pistol scope up to 18X or 24X rifle scopes for increased precision off the bench.

It's fascinating that your best long range shooter is a 4 inches. Is it one of the heavy barrel Lipseys' models, or another variant?

After limited testing, my most accurate Mark II is one of my three KMK-10's (a final <200 factory drilled and tapped w/circled 'B' matching case & accessories). I'm hoping at least one or more of my other Mark II's will prove at least as good so I can pass it on to a true collector. I'm a shooter, and feel a little bad shooting such a nice example, but not bad enough to stop...I just work hard not to nick it up. (I also keep being tempted by Volquartsen's $400 10" threaded Mark IV upper. (Once the $200 SBR tax is gone in January, I may SBR one of those with a pistol stock, though I admit it's pretty much reinventing an SBR 10/22, which would have much better ergonomics and trek-carrying capability than a stocked pistol.)

I have a 6" Acculite barrel for my model 4938 Charger 8", but I'll have to drop it into a different stock due to it being a .920 that won't fit into that model's tapered barrel channel. That short a barrel may require me to use a 3oz Volquartsen Firefly 2.0 bolt to get reliable function; I understand the shorter barrels may not work with the factory 7oz bolt, particularly with subsonic or SV ammo.

I just picked up a near mint KMK-678 on GB for a very reasonable price with only a single magazine. It's showing great promise after one range outing. I bought it because it was identical to my first Mark II, bought in the mid-1980's, which I sold after I bought a KMK-512 to have threaded for suppressor use about three years later.

Nice as the 5.5 inchers are, I've always found the heavy taper 6 7/8" stainless and blued models supremely elegant by comparison. It's nice to have that model again. I've always liked this photo of Bill Ruger in his prime shooting a T-678:

IMG_7786.jpeg


Here's the uncropped original, with more T-678's and his spotter partly in view:

IMG_7786.jpeg


(The pistol lying on the table looks like it's in the white and unblued. Either that or it's blued and the bright outdoor lighting makes it look otherwise, which sometimes happens. The stainless Mark II's didn't arrive until the mid-80's, and by then Bill Ruger (1916-2002) was in his 70's and always pictured with a mustache and/or beard.)
 
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Strawdog said:
I just ordered a 10" tapered barrel from Feddersen. After talking with the rep he reported that they had found that the 10" tapered barrels were in the same league as their longer 10/22 barrels. Most likely the harmonics playing a big part in their accuracy. I'm looking forward to running it through its paces. Will report back.
Click to expand...
Thanks! Please do. 👍
 
For several years I shot IR50/50. Game was 25 shots for score on on individual targets. Center of ea target was a 1/32" dot, surrounded by a circle that approx .250 diam. to get 10pts you had to hit the circle. If you hit the dot, you got an X. So perfect score was 250 w 25X's. Range was 50yds.
Match coodnt start before 9a. Had to hav the wind blowing. You can learn a lot about the accuracy of the 22 rimfire. You can also learn quick why some bxs cost upwards $15/bx 50
Accuracy is in the eyes of the beholder. Some people think 1" group at 50 yds is spectacular, some maby 1/2" group, some 1/4". But the smaller the group the more exponentially expensive it gets
My current favorite toy is a Tippmann AR pistol in 22LR. Dont hav a clue on group size. Always shoot CCI SV suppressed. But it is a skunk, Armadillo, Possum, Coon killn lil machine!!
 
"It's fascinating that your best long range shooter is a 4 inches. Is it one of the heavy barrel Lipseys' models, or another variant?"
To test/prove the accuracy of this pistol (nothing special-just a run of the mill 22/45 non-tapered barrel series 3), I installed a VQ accurizing kit plus mounted a 3X handgun scope and a muzzle extension for better support over sandbags-best I could come up with unless I'd used a vise. I feel the accuracy was basically limited by ammo performance and I have no reason to assume this pistol is any better than any other Ruger 22 pistol.
That said, I'm not sure it's my "best shooter' since I haven't tried the others with magnified optic and trigger upgrades. I do know that everyone who has shot it tried to buy it. :rolleyes:
This pistol is my current host for a Form 1 suppressor and is the one I drag out if I feel the urge to show off.
 
I woodnt try to reinvent the wheel. I wood stay 1-16 regardless of length. IMO, there is not a just reason to shoot 'heavy' 22LR. Very minute increase in energy (and possibly less at distance due to velocity drop) and expansion is already poor at lower velocity's. I own 2 Rimfire suppressors and all I ever shoot is CCI SV. And I am satisfied with them. Hard to kill critters with slower dedicated subsonic ammo. Giv the CCI SV a try
 
krw said:
I woodnt try to reinvent the wheel. I wood stay 1-16 regardless of length. IMO, there is not a just reason to shoot 'heavy' 22LR. Very minute increase in energy (and possibly less at distance due to velocity drop) and expansion is already poor at lower velocity's. I own 2 Rimfire suppressors and all I ever shoot is CCI SV. And I am satisfied with them. Hard to kill critters with slower dedicated subsonic ammo. Giv the CCI SV a try
Click to expand...
Thank you. CCI 1070 is my go to for all rimfire.
 
fwb124 said:
Mobuck,

Thanks for your input! I have frequently read that, and look forward to exploring longer range subsonic ammo at 75-100yds in the next month or two. I've been using the B-Square slip-on Mark I-III mounts for testing due to their convenience and because they still permit use of irons with only a small increase in overall height of the scope over the bore. They also make it easy to fit anything from 2x pistol scope up to 18X or 24X rifle scopes for increased precision off the bench.

It's fascinating that your best long range shooter is a 4 inches. Is it one of the heavy barrel Lipseys' models, or another variant?

After limited testing, my most accurate Mark II is one of my three KMK-10's (a final <200 factory drilled and tapped w/circled 'B' matching case & accessories). I'm hoping at least one or more of my other Mark II's will prove at least as good so I can pass it on to a true collector. I'm a shooter, and feel a little bad shooting such a nice example, but not bad enough to stop...I just work hard not to nick it up. (I also keep being tempted by Volquartsen's $400 10" threaded Mark IV upper. (Once the $200 SBR tax is gone in January, I may SBR one of those with a pistol stock, though I admit it's pretty much reinventing an SBR 10/22, which would have much better ergonomics and trek-carrying capability than a stocked pistol.)

I have a 6" Acculite barrel for my model 4938 Charger 8", but I'll have to drop it into a different stock due to it being a .920 that won't fit into that model's tapered barrel channel. That short a barrel may require me to use a 3oz Volquartsen Firefly 2.0 bolt to get reliable function; I understand the shorter barrels may not work with the factory 7oz bolt, particularly with subsonic or SV ammo.

I just picked up a near mint KMK-678 on GB for a very reasonable price with only a single magazine. It's showing great promise after one range outing. I bought it because it was identical to my first Mark II, bought in the mid-1980's, which I sold after I bought a KMK-512 to have threaded for suppressor use about three years later.

Nice as the 5.5 inchers are, I've always found the heavy taper 6 7/8" stainless and blued models supremely elegant by comparison. It's nice to have that model again. I've always liked this photo of Bill Ruger in his prime shooting a T-678:

View attachment 83055

Here's the uncropped original, with more T-678's and his spotter partly in view:

View attachment 83057

(The pistol lying on the table looks like it's in the white and unblued. Either that or it's blued and the bright outdoor lighting makes it look otherwise, which sometimes happens. The stainless Mark II's didn't arrive until the mid-80's, and by then Bill Ruger (1916-2002) was in his 70's and always pictured with a mustache and/or beard.)
Click to expand...


Could that be Bill Ruger's personal chromed Mark I pistol?

chromed Mk1 owned by Bill Ruger.jpg
 
TINCANBANDIT is back said:
Could that be Bill Ruger's personal chromed Mark I pistol?
Click to expand...
I think you nailed it! I wasn’t aware of this chromed personal gun before now.

Looking more closely at the photo, you can see it’s lying just behind and slightly above a clearly blued one, which appears much darker, plus it appears to have a highly polished or chrome finish.
 
Strawdog said:
I just ordered a 10" tapered barrel from Feddersen. After talking with the rep he reported that they had found that the 10" tapered barrels were in the same league as their longer 10/22 barrels. Most likely the harmonics playing a big part in their accuracy. I'm looking forward to running it through its paces. Will report back.
Click to expand...
I installed my Feddersen barrel on my Charger and finally was able to take it out to the range today. If it is true that a new barrel will improve and get better after break in and seasoning, this barrel is going to be awesome. I zeroed the scope, and put 250 rounds down range on the 25yard pistol range at the club. With varying winds around 15-20mph coming from my 5 o'clock position truthfully it was not the day to be testing for accuracy, but it was the day I could get out there, so it is what it is. at the range we clip our cardboard to a loosely attached snow fence that is moving with every breeze. Waiting for either still air or a breeze that held the target firm worked only somewhat at best.
That being said I was impressed right off the bat at the results.
Pictured is today's "First Shot's" outing. Ammo used to start off was CCI 45gr Suppressor HP. Shots 1-6 walking it to zero, 7 moved to area without black dot so I could see it, clicked a couple left before 8-9, clicked back right 1 click for 10, left same for 11. Happy happy... I then started shooting groups of five above shot 10 then moved clockwise. At the bottom of the page I switched to Minimags for 3 five round groups, wind was shifting greatly and I wasn't able to keep the groups together. But I waited then shot bottom to top up the left side of the page still using Minimags. Then attempted another five shot group over shot 11.
Either the barrel didn't like the minimags/HV or the wind just wasn't buffeting the 45gr Suppressor ammo and the others in the same way. Noted that there was only a minor POI change on the four ammo choices I had with me.
Moving on, in all I tested CCI Suppressor, CCI SV, CCI Minnimags, and Geco SemiAuto Target. The Geco and SV both performed quite well and will need to be proven on a much calmer day against the Suppressor.
dSXkfs5l.jpg
 
Strawdog said:
I installed my Feddersen barrel on my Charger and finally was able to take it out to the range today. If it is true that a new barrel will improve and get better after break in and seasoning, this barrel is going to be awesome. I zeroed the scope, and put 250 rounds down range on the 25yard pistol range at the club. With varying winds around 15-20mph coming from my 5 o'clock position truthfully it was not the day to be testing for accuracy, but it was the day I could get out there, so it is what it is. at the range we clip our cardboard to a loosely attached snow fence that is moving with every breeze. Waiting for either still air or a breeze that held the target firm worked only somewhat at best.
That being said I was impressed right off the bat at the results.
Pictured is today's "First Shot's" outing. Ammo used to start off was CCI 45gr Suppressor HP. Shots 1-6 walking it to zero, 7 moved to area without black dot so I could see it, clicked a couple left before 8-9, clicked back right 1 click for 10, left same for 11. Happy happy... I then started shooting groups of five above shot 10 then moved clockwise. At the bottom of the page I switched to Minimags for 3 five round groups, wind was shifting greatly and I wasn't able to keep the groups together. But I waited then shot bottom to top up the left side of the page still using Minimags. Then attempted another five shot group over shot 11.
Either the barrel didn't like the minimags/HV or the wind just wasn't buffeting the 45gr Suppressor ammo and the others in the same way. Noted that there was only a minor POI change on the four ammo choices I had with me.
Moving on, in all I tested CCI Suppressor, CCI SV, CCI Minnimags, and Geco SemiAuto Target. The Geco and SV both performed quite well and will need to be proven on a much calmer day against the Suppressor.
dSXkfs5l.jpg

Strawdog said:
I installed my Feddersen barrel on my Charger and finally was able to take it out to the range today. If it is true that a new barrel will improve and get better after break in and seasoning, this barrel is going to be awesome. I zeroed the scope, and put 250 rounds down range on the 25yard pistol range at the club. With varying winds around 15-20mph coming from my 5 o'clock position truthfully it was not the day to be testing for accuracy, but it was the day I could get out there, so it is what it is. at the range we clip our cardboard to a loosely attached snow fence that is moving with every breeze. Waiting for either still air or a breeze that held the target firm worked only somewhat at best.
That being said I was impressed right off the bat at the results.
Pictured is today's "First Shot's" outing. Ammo used to start off was CCI 45gr Suppressor HP. Shots 1-6 walking it to zero, 7 moved to area without black dot so I could see it, clicked a couple left before 8-9, clicked back right 1 click for 10, left same for 11. Happy happy... I then started shooting groups of five above shot 10 then moved clockwise. At the bottom of the page I switched to Minimags for 3 five round groups, wind was shifting greatly and I wasn't able to keep the groups together. But I waited then shot bottom to top up the left side of the page still using Minimags. Then attempted another five shot group over shot 11.
Either the barrel didn't like the minimags/HV or the wind just wasn't buffeting the 45gr Suppressor ammo and the others in the same way. Noted that there was only a minor POI change on the four ammo choices I had with me.
Moving on, in all I tested CCI Suppressor, CCI SV, CCI Minnimags, and Geco SemiAuto Target. The Geco and SV both performed quite well and will need to be proven on a much calmer day against the Suppressor.
dSXkfs5l.jpg
Click to expand...
They have Bull, fluted and tapered. I like the factory stock. Will the 3 different styles fit?
Click to expand...
 
My original Ruger barrel was a tapered one that fit my stock/chassis. Others have modified the stock tapered chassis to fit the bull sized barrels by sanding the channel to size. If you have an aftermarket chassis or if your Charger came with a bull barrel they will fit all three styles.
Any of the three styles will mate with your stock Ruger receiver. I ordered the tapered style because to tell the truth I am still not sure if I like the PMACA Chassis I acquired.
 
Strawdog said:
Vortex 1-4x24 Crossfire ll ... The 1x does real well for quick shooting and follow ups with both eyes open, while 4x allows me to zoom in if I'm wanting to reach out a little further or needing detail.
I need a more recent photo...
8lJV9ajl.jpg
Click to expand...
the picture you used over on the Wisconsin Sporting forum showing the other side is pretty good
 
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