The BC does now sport a 27" barrel! Maybe the only one? It feels real different, it has a much better balance and swing, lack of weight front and back, I removed the lead filled 8" copper pipe, it's no longer needed. I have the Leupold 2.5-8X40 on it, and my first shooting, done at 50 yards, gave me 1/2-3/4" groups using 405 gr. cast bullet handloads. The best part, is that I did it myself. After my talk with the smith, I decided to cut the barrel down using a hacksaw with the barrel clamped in a miter box, and then polished the cut smooth with a Dremel tool and cold blued the finished muzzle. I thought I'd give it a shot before getting it crowned, just to see what it would do. I may still get it crowned, but I'm not sure I need it. The biggest difference I noticed is the lessening of recoil. I can only assume that by traveling a shorter distance, the bullet doesn't get a chance to exert as much recoil. It should make a much better hunting rifle at this size, and configuration. I also broke down and put a set of sling swivels on it. I think I'm ready to drop some whitetails.
Don