Cutting down a 45-70 barrel...

[Poopers]

Im thinking about getting a Handi 45-70 for hunting in the thick stuff. Anyone here ever cut their barrel to 18 or so inches? If so, did it affect accuracy much? What is involved in the process? Seems like there would be more to it other than just hacking with a hacksaw.

[fullup3]

Although I've not cut a .45-70 barrel off, I have quite a few rifles that I've had the barrels shortened.  In every instance they shot at least as well as before.  In theory, a shorter barrel should be stiffer and therefore have reduced vibration and better accuracy.   Most gunsmiths charge around 50 to 60buck or so to cut one of and recrown it.  On a job like this, the crown will be the most important factor to retaining accuracy.

[bodie4]

I cut mine to 18 inches,  used bandsaw then filed flat..used the carriage bolt crown method...shes still a shooter...tad more kick though:))

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[quickdtoo]

Cut and crown is well covered in the FAQs, easy to do at home, I've done a bunch of em, sawzall works great if ya have one, lots faster than a hacksaw, but the hacksaw works fine too.  You may lose a little velocity, but not enough to be concerned about, velocity loss/barrel length is covered in the FAQs too.

Tim

[petemi]

I cut mine to 18 inches,  used bandsaw then filed flat..used the carriage bolt crown method...shes still a shooter...tad more kick though:))

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That's an interesting observation.  I know it'd be louder with more muzzle blast, but more recoil?  A lttle lighter perhaps?  I never shot my .38-55 or .356 before they were cut to 18 inches, and the the maxies don't kick enough to notice any difference.  What's the opinion here.

Pete

[quickdtoo]

Reducing weight will increase recoil, a simple matter of physics, the increased muzzle blast may give the perception of increased recoil, but the weight reduction is responsible for any real increase in actual recoil.

Tim

http://www.handloads.com/calc/recoil.asp