308 ultra

[Jim Thomas]

What effect if any will shortening from 22"to 17"on 308 ultra accuracy out to 200 yrds? Thank You For Any Replies.                                                                                                                               

[kennyd]

Other than less weight and length to balance the gun off hand, and loss of velocity, it should be the same.   That is assuming the new crown is good.


The only thing I have shortened is a .303 Brit, and it stayed the same (poor).


Someone else on here will have done this.

[tykempster]

Usually the end of the barrel is the tightest part.  If you cut it down you run the chance of it losing accuracy.  Of course it could by some miracle gain accuracy.  Or most likely stay similar.  Your gamble

[quickdtoo]

Usually the end of the barrel is the tightest part.  If you cut it down you run the chance of it losing accuracy.  Of course it could by some miracle gain accuracy.  Or most likely stay similar.  Your gamble

It's just the opposite on H&R barrels because they aren't stress relieved, when they're contoured the muzzle ends up slightly larger than the chamber end by about .0005", every barrel that I've slugged has been this way. But shortening a barrel a little isn't going to make any difference other that provide a new crown which can make a big difference in accuracy. 

Tim

[cwlongshot]

There are many opinions on this...

Some say a shorter barrel is stiffer, a stiffer barrel will "whip" less so be more accurate...

Personally, I see only one, negative reason for doing this. calibers like .308 get a bit loud when made short. (You actually do not increase the sound, you simply are moving the muzzle closer to the shooters ears.) I like short barrels, but only on the pistol caliber rifles. I have a couple short barreled Marlins and do not like shooting them for this very reason.

As mentioned, spend the $$ on a good quality crown for better accuracy. A good crown REQUIRES a true and square muzzle. A out of square muzzle is a often overlooked acpect of accuracy loss form a home "pruned" barrel.

Good luck,
 CW