Author Topic: To cut or not... (Read 7390 times)

Spanky · « **Reply #60 on:** February 26, 2014, 08:03:40 AM »

Actually Pete you're one of the guys I look up to on this site and I respect your opinion greatly. We just disagree on shorties... no harm no foul. You are probably one of the few that actually puts in the time behind the trigger (and the loading bench) and I respect that. I don't mean any disrespect to you or anyone else personally and I hope you guys don't take it that way.
My point is this... there are alot of variables and one website doesn't tell the whole story. I'm a strongwilled guy and so are you all... we're gonna butt heads sometimes and that's OK... it's part of being family.

Spanky

clearwater · « **Reply #61 on:** February 26, 2014, 08:24:45 AM »

My maxi lost 25 ft per second after it went from 22 to 16.5". This is with 28 grains of 1680 and 180ssp bullets.

It is louder now, but my little boy can hold it up, unlike before.

petemi · « **Reply #62 on:** February 26, 2014, 08:29:24 AM »

Spanky, we may disagree at times. I understand your concepts on the shorty issue, I agree with some and not with others. I still respect you and your opinions. That's what makes this place special. You were one of the guys that helped me get started reloading. Remember the .32-20 load? We're a family, and all families bicker from time to time, but the family members are still loved.

Pete

gcrank1 · « **Reply #63 on:** February 26, 2014, 08:53:06 AM »

Thanx Pete! I guess with that 5.5" Handi barrel I will finally have my shorty

. I'll let ya all know how it works out.

AtlLaw · « **Reply #64 on:** February 26, 2014, 10:38:59 AM »

Quote from: Spanky on February 26, 2014, 07:25:16 AM

Unless you are shooting the factory ammo that's listed on the chart those numbers don't mean a thing.

Geeeeze! Burst my bubble why don't ya...

I guess I'm back to my meaningless and statistically insignificant 'speriment!

Lessee here... $:-\$

1) Start with developing my best hunting load in 44 Mag and 445 and my best plinking load in 44 Spl. in the 22" barrel; record accuracy and velocity.
2) cut .5 inch from barrel length, reshoot same loads and record velocity and accuracy.
3) repeat #2 above until barrel length reaches 16.5 inches.
4) report findings as definitive answer to question at hand!

Yup! Got y'all covered now!

Wait!

I just cut up my pistol barrel in half inch chunks!

And what if it shoots better at 18" then 16.5!?

This forum sure complicates my life...

Well, not really now that I think on it... $:-\$ I don't have a 44 Mag barrel to make into a 445 Mag anyway! And I do have a 4" chunk of 45-70 barrel from some other project!

Guess y'all are just gonna haveta wait a bit!

jeepmann1948 · « **Reply #65 on:** February 26, 2014, 11:01:17 AM »

Richard to un-complicate your life i have a 44 mag barrel that I am not using but am running short on hacksaw blades so you are on your own there

George

AtlLaw · « **Reply #66 on:** February 26, 2014, 11:21:49 AM »

Well thanks George! You're one ina million!

Guess I'd better get Tim to send me the chamber reamer and beg some brass off of Pete!

WAIT! All my gun stuff and tools are packed up ready to move!

I won't be able to do anything until I get set up in the new house! Life ain't fair...

sethk · « **Reply #67 on:** February 26, 2014, 11:59:57 AM »

Ah, man. Now it looks like I need to get 2 different 357 barrels: one to start chopping down a quarter inch at a time til is starts loosing speed with my stoutest handloads; the second will be so I can cut it to the previous length to regain that ~5 FPS I lost with my previous cut.

In any case, I'll just start with one maxi barrel within a month or two (depending on when i free up the funds and time) and provide some inch by inch data at least. I'm going to start handloading too so I'll test everything from light 38s to heavy custom max loads. If anybody has any favorite loads they'd like me to try (or donations from your stock), let me know and we'll get to the bottom of this.

petemi · « **Reply #68 on:** February 26, 2014, 05:58:16 PM »

Richard, when you start getting mail at the new address, PM me with it and I'll send the brass. When you can buy some, just send it back.

Pete

jackddavis · « **Reply #69 on:** February 27, 2014, 01:45:53 AM »

There may be other reasons to shorten a barrel and OAL of a rifle....other than performance, that is. I live and hunt in Western Oregon where the trees and brush are thick. A short rifle is a definite advantage for fast handling in these conditions. If you hunt in open country, a long rifle is not so much a disadvantage. In tight brush/timber a .357 shorty is nearly perfect. Long range performance not needed.

AtlLaw · « **Reply #70 on:** February 27, 2014, 02:03:37 AM »

Quote from: sethk on February 26, 2014, 11:59:57 AM

Ah, man. Now it looks like I need to get 2 different 357 barrels: one to start chopping down a quarter inch at a time til is starts loosing speed with my stoutest handloads; the second will be so I can cut it to the previous length to regain that ~5 FPS I lost with my previous cut.

I feel your pain brother!

Pete, you always go above and beyond!

I checked everywhere and there isn't a piece of 445 to be had!

I even looked at forming dies to see if I could make 445's from some other brass! But, GBO members come through again!

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #71 on:** February 27, 2014, 03:03:19 AM »

I would worry more about accuracy than 5 fps .

petemi · « **Reply #72 on:** February 27, 2014, 04:20:27 AM »

Richard. I have some .445 old brass I bought on the reloading classifieds quite a while ago that was made from .30-40 Krag. I don't know the process. It works fine. I'm gonna send you at least 50 new nickle plated Starlines. Whatever you can find and send back is fine. It doesn't have to be Starline or nickle plated. It'll be available eventually. I'm Okay, I have enough to keep me going. 20 to 25 below Zero tonight...I ain't shootin nuthin soon.

I'm shooting a 240 gr .433 SWCGC from Montana that shoots great. IIRC, it's available in .431, 2 and 3. Missouri and Montana's stuff is not super expensive, and just now, the key word is "Available".

Pete

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #73 on:** February 27, 2014, 04:48:49 AM »

I have thought about cutting barrels before . Some of the thoughts I had , If you use one load to work with what happens if you switch loads later ? like in times like now when components are hard to get ? Is the jacket material of another bullet made with a metal that is slicker and faster or slower ? If you test in summer will winter cold effect the load in a bad way ? Is the load that is accurate in a 20 inch barrel going to give a good account in a 16 inch barrel ?
In no way saying cutting is a bad thing but how much effort should be put into research as the cuts are made ? Harmonics can play a big role in accuracy and barrel weight and length can affect it .

Badnews Bob · « **Reply #74 on:** February 27, 2014, 05:37:27 AM »

Almost all test I have read concerning barrel shortening have shown almost no change in accuracy and in some cases it improved slightly. The only real change was in bullet speed, That will really not have much affect until you get past 300 yards, Then it is mostly bullet drop that changes.

I can't see any major reason not to shorten a barrel.

The only reason I don't do it is......I like long barrels.

kawasakifreak77 · « **Reply #75 on:** February 27, 2014, 03:49:27 PM »

I love short guns!

My AAC Micro 7 came with a 16" & change barrel & that thing SHOOTS! It's just so quick, light & fast.

Got me to thinkin'...

I had a old Wards shotgun that come to find out splits right in the middle... So I lopped it off to 18.5" & it's currently at the local smith having a nice white bead installed & stock shortened to match the length of the barrel / tube assembly. I'll make a case for it & it'll be easy to stuff in my baggage compartment.

I plan on shortening the .35 Remington I'm building, along with having irons added for as quick & light of package as possible.

But!

I don't shorten everything.

I've got a Swedish Mauser I just got a 25" Shilen barrel for & I would have gotten a longer one if they had it. It's my reach out there & touch things rifle so I want as much sight radius as possible.

northkid · « **Reply #76 on:** February 28, 2014, 05:57:07 AM »

A shorty barrel or a long barreled handi don't really matter, its the person behind the trigger. If guys are hitting 100 meters in 200 meters with handguns a short barrel rifle will not make that big of a difference that's just my opinion. For your average hunter a 16 and a half for 18 inch barrel is plenty. Forget it comes down to the shooter and loads your using.

northkid · « **Reply #77 on:** February 28, 2014, 06:01:33 AM »

What kind of Accuracy are you guys getting with your 16-1/2"-18", .308, 30/06's?

don29 · « **Reply #78 on:** February 28, 2014, 07:02:12 AM »

here's a thought:

16.5" barrel with a muzzlebrake installed?

cwlongshot · « **Reply #79 on:** February 28, 2014, 07:24:24 AM »

Quote from: don29 on February 28, 2014, 07:02:12 AM

here's a thought:

16.5" barrel with a muzzlebrake installed?

NOW your talking loud!!!

CW

petemi · « **Reply #80 on:** February 28, 2014, 08:00:51 AM »

You're not kidding CW. I call my 16.5 inch .45-70 "The Flame Thrower". She's a rude lady. She's not only loud, she spits too. Kidding aside, I don't see a gnat's worth of difference between that one and my 22 inch .45-70. It's been too cold and rotten to wring them both out. (Minus 28 this morning). When things warm up some I'll do some comparative shooting and post the results. At this point I can tell you I see no difference in accuracy. They're both tack drivers. I am curious to learn the velocity and trajectory difference between the two with the same load. I'll probably do it this summer. That is scheduled here for July 31st., from 10 til 2. I put it on the calendar so I don't miss it and have to get the snow blower out instead.

Pete

gcrank1 · « **Reply #81 on:** February 28, 2014, 10:37:26 AM »

Hope yer septic system thaws out before the summer sunbathing crowd gets there! We are running about 8 feet of hard frost and systems are failing

,
'course yer used to hard winters der in da UP.