Shorten a barrel to...?

[blpenn66502]

I've got a standard contour 357 mag barrel that I'm considering having rechambered to 357 max.  If I send it out instead of going the reamer rental route, I'm also considering having it shortened (it seems front heavy to me).  This will likely be the rifle I'll have my son use for his first hunt with this coming season.

Since once it's gone, you can't go back and add it back on, what is the recommendation on the right length for a good handling, well balanced gun.  I'm not especially concerned about some nominal velocity loss, so my focus is on handling.

Thx,
Brian

[canon6]

I have cut them(Handi's) as short as 16 1/8, but I think 18 would be a good compromise.This is a picture of my wife's 30-30.It is 16 1/4.  Doug

[trotterlg]

Keep in mind that the shorter it is the easier it is to point around, Personally I would think real hard about having a really short rifle in the hands of an inexperienced user, could be OK, but just not around me.  It also bothers me to carry a rifle on a sling when the muzzel is lower than my ear.  Larry

[LaOtto222]

I would not go any shorter than 18". Personally I like the 22" barrel. The gun is still not very long and I can carry it straight down and not touch the ground. Maybe a shorter person could not do that and like Larry has stated, having the barrel next to my ear is not appealing to me. I have a 17" (actually it is a 14" with an unremovable 3" aluminum muzzle brake to make it 17") 44 mag barrel on a Contender and I do not carry it on a sling - straight down. Being that short does make it nice in a tree blind. Good Shooting and Good Luck.

[coyotejoe]

You won't lose a great deal of ballistic performance by shortening the barrel of a .357 mag or max, they are pistol rounds after all, but you won't lose a great deal of weight either. I took a full pound off my own handi .357 max by thinning the barrel contour  while leaving it at the 22" length.

[Couger]

I would not go any shorter than 18". Personally I like the 22" barrel. The gun is still not very long and I can carry it straight down and not touch the ground. Maybe a shorter person could not do that and like Larry has stated, having the barrel next to my ear is not appealing to me. I have a 17" (actually it is a 14" with an unremovable 3" aluminum muzzle brake to make it 17") 44 mag barrel on a Contender and I do not carry it on a sling - straight down. Being that short does make it nice in a tree blind. Good Shooting and Good Luck.

Essentially I agree with the thoughts expressed here.  Regardless of whether the .357 Mag or Maxi's are pistol rounds, on a Handi or Contender or Encore I wouldn't want a barrel shorter than 20-21 inches, and being already 22inches probably wouldn't ever touch it!  Unless I needed the crown cleaned up after an accident or whatever imagined unforeseen event.

If you were using it yourself - esp on a side-folding stock, cutting it to 16+ inches might make sense.

But most folks who chop their guns to 16 or so inches I think are ONLY INTERESTED IN "LOOKING" COOL.

As for your boy, part of shooting and learning to hunt in my opinion is for the youngster to "step up" and use a real gun and not a "cutesie" warm and fuzzy toy!

Was I equipping a beginner like you are?  I'd get a wooden stock (two if necessary) and shape, shorten or whatever was necessary to provide that youngster or small adult with a rifle that "fit."

Also, barrel length again - I've always believed the perfect length (if determined in a ballistics laboratory) for a .357 Maxi would be between 19 and 21 inches - to get maximum velocity from a 200-220 grain boolit.  A 180grainer?  Maybe a tad bit shorter,  IMHO.

[pelican717]

blpenn, I just copied a design from phatinjun(I think), and shortened my 357mag to 16&1/2 inches with a youth synthetic stock. The result is a great small gun to carry with you anywhere! The gun comes to hand easily and with open sights is ready as soon as it hits your shoulder! I really like the feel of mine, it is light handling , easy to point, and easy on old eyes. It should be a great starter rifle, easy to go up from, just not so intimidating fom the start.
Just my .02 worth.
Thanks , Robert

[blpenn66502]

Thanks to all for the input.  More to consider and think about.  I believe we'll work using the 357 mag as is for a while before I decide if a max and possibly a barrel chop is appropriate.  I did order a stock set when I ordered the barrel so we've got an extra stock set that we will modify and take it from there.  Best, Brian