Wow all I can say is wow. I look at the 308 and say to myself that is extreme. I would really like to know how these short barrels shoot? I my self am considering a 20'' 308 and wondered if that is to short. Did you cut the barrels yourself? Did you have them re crowned? Please just tell us more. Dale
Thanks Guys!.... to answer the questions, I have always believed that the shorter barrels have an inherently accuracy potential due to the greater "stiffness" of the barrel, and all other things being equal, (crown, twist rate, loading, etc.) The shorter barrel is not only lighter, but also more consistent.
The trade of, of course, is that generally you will see a decrease in muzzle velocity, I think of the 16½" .308 as a stoked up 30/30 or 300 Savage. T
he rifle as pictured weighs 7 pounds 10 ounces.
I got the .308 from another board member in trade, but I was activly looking for a 308 bull and intended to cut it to 18 or 20 inches. the muzzle was square and the cut looked ok, so I did the brass carriage bolt/grinding compound crowning job and intend to wring it out a bit like this before making a final decision on crowning. I have only fired it for function, but the muzzle flash is impressive to say the least. I originally thought I'd have a brake installed to help with recoil, but believe it or not, she's a big ol' pussy cat. Recoil is very manageable. I have ammo, and as soon as I get some range time I'll submit a report on accuracy etc.
I cut the 22 barrel myself by using a tubing cutter to make a groove around the barrel and then hacksaw it using the groove as a guide. It turned out pretty well and I did the carriage bolt crown job on it as well. I took it out on the back porch the other day and found that I was able to keep 5rds of CCI CB Long's in a nickle sized target dot at 60 feet +or-.
I will likely have them both 11degree target crowned eventually and I will likely cut the .223 down to 18". The 12ga is going to get an Accu-Choke adjustable choke as soon as I can find one,(like the old mossberg pumps) and either a scope base or a set of rifle or ghost ring sights.
This will make me a woods roaming gun for rabbits etc. that weighs 4pounds and has the potential to shoot #7 shot out of the Aguila mini shells for snakes and starlings all the way up to a 3" slug with a choke I can change without tools at anytime. I will have the barrel cut so that the length including the choke is 18½"
.....more to come.....
DG
