Short barreled Topper 30-30

[carbineman]

I have a use for a short barreled rifle and acquired a Topper barrel from a forum member. I was thinking of having my smith shorten and recrown the barrel. My present Topper shoots so well I would not want to shorten that one.

Of course I will be keeping it legal but wondered if any of you guys have undertook such a project. Is there any good length past 16" that seems to work? I know I'll be losing some velocity but that is ok.

[handi243]

Should be very "handi" i think that may be what i do.

[quickdtoo]

Several members have cut their own barrels themselves, there are a couple links on it in the FAQs. I've done it myself, just cut it a tad longer than you want or is legal, then if it doesn't work, you can always have a smith fix it.

Tim

[carbineman]

Several members have cut their own barrels themselves, there are a couple links on it in the FAQs. I've done it myself, just cut it a tad longer than you want or is legal, then if it doesn't work, you can always have a smith fix it.

Tim

I'll check that out Thanks............

[bscman]

I've seen a few tests that were to figure out how critical having the end of the barrel squared truly is.

In one test they even cut the barrel off at a 45° angle. Point of impact changed, but group sizes remained constant.

What has an effect on accuracy is if there is a burr on the edge (transition) of the crown (right where the rifling comes to an end).
As long as it is crisp and burr free, I doubt you'd see much/any different if the barrel isn't cut perfectly square.

I have a few rimfire rifles I have shortened with a chop saw and re-crowned with one of those fancy "Acorn" decorative nuts (covered in lapping compound). Accuracy is as good (or better) with the new crowns than the old.

My truck/beater brush rifle is a Mosin 91/30 I chopped the stock, bedded, slugged/shortened the barrel and re-crowned. With winchester/S&B ammo my groups went from about 3" average at 100yds to just under 2".
I used the chop saw to trim this barrel, and used a carriage bolt and 280 grit valve lapping compound on this crown.

My point?
Try it yourself, and leave yourself a smidge of lee-way. I bet you'll be satisfied with doing it yourself--if not, as mentioned above, you left enough barrel to have smoeone else do it again.

[Daniel Laws]

I have a 45-70 that I cut to 18 in.  The recrown was done in a lathe, just about like the factory barrels are done.  It is truly handy in a box blind or tree stand, and so far this year it is 5 shots for 5 deer.  Two bang flops and 3 real short tracking jobs.