7 1/2" barrel ..... Wil Terry question?

[hutchman]

I did not want to make the hi jack of the other thread worse, so I'm hoping Wil Terry chimes in here....

You described a 7 1/2" barrel on a single six that you have with a .219" barrel. I want to learn here so I am asking.....

I am having some trouble understanding the physics of this barrel. A normal 22 LR should run about .223 and a mag about .224 if I am correct. Ruger Single Six barrels are known to run .224 and are sized for the mag which sometimes gives less than spectacular accuracy results from the smaller LR. You stated your barrel is .219 which would be 4 or 5 thousands undersize.

From your results, and I do not doubt them at all, it appears this barrel just plain works. I guess my questions are then:

How small, diameter, is too small for a 22 barrel?

Is there any pressure issue with the small bore?

Do you experience any leading?

Your SS seems to exhibit excellent accuracy. You obviously shoot a LOT and shoot much better than the average shooter, but how much of the accuracy do you attribute to the barrel? And is that accuracy due to the quality of the barrel or the size of the bore, or maybe both?

Again, I want to understand this and maybe build something similar in the future.

Thanks in advance for any information you can share.......!

 

[ndcowboy]

Lots of good questions here. I'm eagerly awaiting the response. One more question - are there any smiths out there who will put these smaller diameter barrels on a single six?

 

[flatgate]

"You obviously shoot a LOT and shoot much better than the average shooter".

I've been shooting a few times with Mr. Wil Terry and he is, indeed, very qualified to "back up" what he says.

It's one hell of an experience to have the opportunity to shoot along side such an experienced marksman.

JMHO, Flatgate

 

[Chuck 100 yd]

Depends if you are talking bore size or groove size. :wink:

 

[hutchman]

"You obviously shoot a LOT and shoot much better than the average shooter".

I've been shooting a few times with Mr. Wil Terry and he is, indeed, very qualified to "back up" what he says.

It's one hell of an experience to have the opportunity to shoot along side such an experienced marksman.

JMHO, Flatgate

And that's exactly why I am interested in his insight into the small bore barrel....

 

[WIL TERRY]

THAT Super Single Six was re-barrelled by Hamilton bowen in Tennessee with a target grade barrel at least 20 years ago now. TARGET GRADE are the opporative words here, guys. These BBLS are tighter in their specs for all the right reasons ie: accuracy.
The 22MAG will put it's .224" bullets through that BBL like phitt through a goose with superb accuracy and high velocities because of the proper forcing cone in the BBL. Remember the words, Taylor Throating. ON the other hand, any forcing cone that is NOT oversized will usually work just fine also if it is properly lines up on center of the BBL.
SOME ruger BBLs will shoot this good as well. The problem with the Ruger BBLs is their tolerances which used to be .224" plus or minus .002". IF you get the BBL with the minus spec, .222", you had a fine shooting pistol, get the .224" tube and you were probably pretty happy with yore SSS pistol, get the phattassed .226" BBL and in all probability you were not a happy camper if finite accuracy was of interest to you. THESE .226" guns would shoot the 22WRF with it's big 45GR lfn bullets usually, and this is a fine sub-load for any 22MAG pistol anyways as a 45gr LFN at 1150 is a fine small game load.
I have only seen leading in one Ruger 22 pistol in my life and that is an ammo problem that was solved by a tight brush knocking the lead outta the BBL. The same lead ammo NEVER leaded again once it had been stopped.
ALL ACCURACY IS THE RESULT OF A FINE BARREL AND FINE BULLETS THAT ARE A TIGHT FIT TO EACH OTHER PERIOD. DO NOT overthink this as it is not rocket science and has been known now for 150 years at least. NO kidding !!!
NOTE THIS : my Ruger Bisley 6 1/2" 22 will shoot down around .70" all day loang with it's factory barrel and dang near any 22LR ammo you can stuff in the chambers. AND THAT brings us to the other half of the accuracy equation: you MUST have tight chambers that line up correctly with the barrel. MOst all the ruger 22LR chambers I have ever used were just fine and correctly tight to do their purpose.
you should take some time and 'mike' your 22LR ammo. You will be amazed at how much it varies between brands and even production lots. A difference of .005" is not uncommon and a really tight BBL like the 7 1/2" will shoot all those sizes pretty dang fine as is !!!
And finally, if you're looking for a cheap way out, or think you can buy skill, you cannot as it is not for sale. WHAT you can do is have a true craftman like BOWEN OF TENNESSEE do his thing and do it right, and you'll now know when you miss it is YOU not the gun !! Believe me, I have had a lot of practise missing !!!
LEt me note also thatt the SSS i had Bowen re-barrel was the ONLY Single Six i own that needed it to shoot 22LR ammunition accurately. ALL the rest of my Single Sixes of various vintages shoot beautifully, fully the equal of my three S&W K22 pistols.
And guess what has really entranced me lately with it's accuracy, great trigger, wonderful handling, and perfect functioning to date through 1400 rounds, THE STURM RUGER & COMPANY's NEW SR22........I YI YI YI YI....what a cool little pistol this really and truly is NO foolin' .
And so it goes....

 

[hutchman]

Very interesting and thank you for your insight. I have owned several SS Rugers over the years and they have all shot to my satisfaction. Your experience with these guns seems to support my experiences. I do know that some complain about the accuracy of these revolvers with LR ammo and again, what you state about Ruger factory tolerances explains that too.

For my use, if they can hit 1" spinners at 25 yards 6 out of 6 I am a happy camper.

Again, thanks for taking the time for your reply........I have learned something today and that is a good thing.

 

[ndcowboy]

Wil,
Thanks for the great info!

 

[CraigC]

It's one hell of an experience to have the opportunity to shoot along side such an experienced marksman.

I can only imagine!