Author Topic: shortening .280 m77 all-weather (Read 2528 times)

adirondacker · « **on:** October 26, 2004, 03:23:38 PM »

i have a full size 24" barrel m77 all-weather in 280 i love the rifle but am spoiled by the weight/size of my mkII's.how short do i dare have the barrel cut down to.{?20"?}i know that the 280 requires a long barrel to acheive maximum velocities. i am not really concerned with that just wondered about effects to accuracy. would also like some suggestions on final length.thanks shawn

Iowegan · « **Reply #1 on:** October 27, 2004, 10:51:45 AM »

You're right about the 280 Rem. It does like a 24" barrel better than a shorter one. If your barrel was cut and recrowned properly, you probably won't see a loss of accuracy. You definitely will see lower velocities. Cutting 4" will only reduce your weight by 4~6 ounces so that's not much of an improvement.

Personally, I would leave it alone. Your losses outweigh your gains.

adirondacker · « **Reply #2 on:** October 27, 2004, 11:21:58 AM »

i am not as concerned with weight as much as carryability{is that a word?}.i am not a very tall guy .5-9 and have short legs ,the long barrel spends a lot of time plowing up dirt.except for a couple of varmint rifles most all of my rifles sport short barrels.so i would sacrifice a little barrel length for some ground clearence.

adirondacker · « **Reply #3 on:** October 27, 2004, 01:02:29 PM »

i made a mistake in my first post the barrel length now is 22" not 24" as i thought.thinking of lopping off 4".make a nice little package then.

ScoutMan · « **Reply #4 on:** October 30, 2004, 07:50:24 AM »

Adirondaker,

You will lose about 25-30 fps per inch of barrel loss. That works out to about 200 fps going from 24" to 18". Most shots in the Adirondacks will be 100 yds or less so the velocity loss is not significant.

If you reload stick to the faster burning powders for the shorter barrel (e.g. 3031, 4064, 4895, etc.).

Iowegan · « **Reply #5 on:** October 30, 2004, 10:00:02 AM »

Hope you have a good set of ear muffs. Muzzle blast and noise are going to be real bad no matter what you load.

De41mag · « **Reply #6 on:** October 30, 2004, 06:45:06 PM »

adirondacker;

This may not what you want to hear, but here goes.....
Try a MK II in a 7mm-08 Compact Stainless. I think this is where the little cartrige shines. I've got one and man does it shoot. A hand load of IMR-4064 and a Sierra 120gr. Spitzer will group one inch, for five shots at 100 yds. Also have a Rem. Model 7FS w/ a 18-1/2 barrel, and IMR 4064 w/ a Speer 130gr. SPBT, it groups one inch at 100 yds.
Both, you can carry all day long and wont get hung up in the bushes w/ the shorter barrel.
Just my opinion.

Dennis

adirondacker · « **Reply #7 on:** October 31, 2004, 01:29:30 PM »

i have plenty of rifles to carry,actually have a large variety levers ,bolts single shots,semi's,mostly all rugers and marlins.those little compact are a touch on the small side for me ,would prob fit my son or wife better.i have had this 280 for quite some time and just don't carry it because of the length.i shoots real well like it is i just like having something a little different.a 18 inch 280 all-weather carbine would be different.you can't disagree with that.i know a couple guys that carry 7-08's they do a nice job on deer thinking of a encore barrel in that caliber.