I've got an old Marlin Ranger 22LR. Is the correct method of measuring the length of my barrel to measure from the crown to where the barrel threads into the reciever? Just read a thread about longer LR barrels slowing the bullet down. This gun is definately front heavy but the stock is short. hard to say.
THNX

Measure from the crown to the bolt face. That's legal for everything but revolvers. IIRC, optimum barrel length for a .22 Long Rifle is 16-18 inches.

Bye
Jack

Recommended method? Bolt closed I assume.

Yes, bolt closed in firing position. A cleaning rod works well as a measuring aid.

Bye
Jack

Just read a thread about longer LR barrels slowing the bullet down.

If you concerned about point of impact changes, read this thread:
http://www.shootersforum.com/showthread.htm?t=32846

I hadn't really thought about POI changing but frankly this rifle will shoot almost any decent bulk ammo and perform at the range as well as the gun in the article. I feel like a proud daddy when I take it out. This Ranger's probably 60 or 70 years old. Wasn't fired much by my grandfather when he was a kid and we're the only two to really shoot it. Anyhow. The Ranger's got a 24.25" barrel!I knew it was long. I'm gonna look around and see who else makes LR's that long. I like knowing its quirks, ie, Does its longer barrel slow down his ammo a little? We'll see. It's d@mn accurate within 120 yards so this purely a fact finding mission.

Some of the old match .22's had barrels that long or longer. Longest one I recall seeing was a tapered heavy octagon barrel single shot with a non-fixed multi-lug rotating bolt. Was in a museum in Germany and had 30"+ barrel. It was built in the Schuetzen match rifle style but chambered in .22LR.

did the bullet just sort of roll out of the muzzle like a marble or what?

cz has some long barrels on their Lux's i thought. i think the longer barrels where more desireable by the open site shooters as they provided a longer site radius. if it shoots good i certainly wouldn't try to change anything.