Cutting a .445 Barrel

[YRUpunting?]

Pete,

How much does the cut piece of barrel weigh?  I'm curious to how much weight is being reduced.  You can reuse that piece of barrel as a stock weight. Fill if full of fishing sinkers and it'll be over a pound. 

Dan

[petemi]

Dan, it's 5.25 inches and weighs 9.1 oz.

I did some studying this morning and came up with a nice load for the .445.  I used up the last of my Montanas.  I'm ordering more today.

Montana Bullet Works .433 SWCGC   39.3 gr. AA1680   Federal Large Rifle Primer  1957 fps. from the 16.75 barrel

It's on the warm side, but not objectionable and is not a full house load.  I didn't shoot it for accuracy yet because of wind and rain, but did poke a couple through the chrony.  I think it's going to work out fine.  I'll know for sure later today or tomorrow.

Pete

[gcrank1]

Barrel steel is not particularly hard to cut with a hacksaw, especially with a NEW blade and it vised up at the right working height, which is actually a bit higher than most waist heights; ie, about between bent elbow and waist for me. This gives great control, so with a properly leveled, straight and squared/marked barrel and cutting on only the forward strokes (you do have the teeth pointed forward), steady and even, it goes pretty quick and you can keep to the line well. You can use the wood guide block or angle iron too, or just keep eyeballin' it to the mark. That hole in the middle requires no cutting  .
BTW, my hacksaw cutting got ever SOOO much better when I spent the few 'extra' bucks on a real, heavy duty HS frame at our Farm&Fleet.; puts those chinzy hardware store cheapies to shame.
Now I suppose there is some 'Zen' thing to doing it this way, its just you the barrel and your consciousness transferred to the blade cutting teeth, but hey, its all in good, careful workmanship  .

[petemi]

You're right about the rugged hacksaw frame.  I've used Kleins for forty years and threw away the junk wigglers.  Cheap blades are no bargain either.

Pete

[jeepmann1948]

Just this morning Pete told me the best hacksaw was in the hands of his helper!! I am sure he was not  talking about his lovely lady Patty.......................
George

[petemi]

George, that's a fact.  Years ago we wired a six story round motel.  All the rooms were identical and pie shaped.  We had the helpers down on the ground with a list of cuts and bends while we installed the conduit and pulled the wire.  I never touched a hacksaw on that job    It was boring though.....room after room the same.

Pete