Author Topic: How short is too short?  (Read 692 times)

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Offline burntmuch

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How short is too short?
« on: January 26, 2008, 01:22:04 PM »
Im thinking about cutting down a huntsman barrel to 18-20 inches.& mounting a williams peep sight Then putting it on reciever with a shortened wood stock.Im thinking this will make a nice little treestand gun. Right now Im using Hodgens RS Im thinking a 200 grain xtp
 &sabot sitting on top of 65 grains Hodgens . Any suggestions on a different powder for the short barrel. Any thoughts would be appreciated     Jay
I dont care what gun Im using as long as Im hunting

Offline MSP Ret

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Re: How short is too short?
« Reply #1 on: January 26, 2008, 02:17:53 PM »
I have cut a bunch of TC Renegades down to between 20 and 21". I did mine first and it shot and handled GREAT!!!. After a while others started asking about it. I have done 2 .56 cal smoothbores, 4 (or 5?) .50 cal rifled barrels and 2 .54 cal rifled barrels. I shot mostly loose Pyrodex but lately have been shooting 777. I like the 777 for clean up but am more familiar to shooting Pyrodex since I used it for years. The barrels shoot great at the 20" - 21" length with loose powder ( I determined the length by cutting and finishing them so a stock TC White Mountain Carbine ram rod would be a perfect fit for them), the accuracy is great, and they handle superbly in the woods. Go for it, I think you will like the outcome, I did, and many friends did....<><....:)
"Giving up your gun to someone else on demand is called surrender. It means that you have given up your ability to protect yourself to a power that is greater than you." - David Yeagley

Offline tscott

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Re: How short is too short?
« Reply #2 on: January 27, 2008, 06:24:29 AM »
MSP... tell me more on loads for White Mtn. Carbine. I am thinking of staying with my Huntsman load of 80 777, and 245 Powerbelt, although I have some Maxi balls that I will try as well. I have a great place to hunt that owner wants sidelock only...
Also I have a lot of creep, and too much weight to the trigger...! Easy to adjust? Sure looks like it!

Offline plumberroy

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Re: How short is too short?
« Reply #3 on: January 27, 2008, 01:17:46 PM »
I have a cva hawkins cut to 16.75"  that shoots 2" groups at 50 yards  I'm thinking of cutting it on down ti 14"
msp : I would love to have one of the 56 smoothbore every time I find one  I don't have the cash when Ihave  extra cash they are  not to be found  round ball for big game shot for small game  51 navy sidearm should be good for about any game
Roy
Every breath I take as a Free man was paid for with the blood of an American Soldier

Offline MSP Ret

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Re: How short is too short?
« Reply #4 on: January 27, 2008, 02:29:17 PM »
about 85-90 grains of Pyrodex and a patched round ball has given me the best accuracy and is plenty for deer in .50, .54, and .56 caliber. Less in my .45 caliber TC Cherokee because it kicks like heck with the small brass buttplate. By the way, I also shoot shot loads (7 1/2 shot) out of my .56 smoothbore TC Renegade with cardboard wads which I now cut myself since I cannot seem to find the wads that TC used to sell just for that purpose. It is a great close range foraging load and fine for potting partridge on the side of logging roads....<><....:)
"Giving up your gun to someone else on demand is called surrender. It means that you have given up your ability to protect yourself to a power that is greater than you." - David Yeagley