barrel cut and recrown

[robco]

I am considering cutting the barrel of a 22-250 varmint barrel from 26in. to 22 or 20 in. Has anyone out there done this? And if so were you happy with the outcome. pros and cons? It shoots well now but I would like to improve on weight, balance and maneuverability, My 9 year old grandaughter and I use this rifle for walk and call coyote and road hunting coyote here in Idaho. Thanks

[Bugflipper]

 Besides the velocity loss (guessing 100 or so) shouldn't be much different in performance. I chopped a bolt 223 from 24 to 16 and recrowned some years ago for that purpose.  If you put a target crown on it accuracy can actually improve.
 On the other hand you could trade it in on a little model 7 rem and have a perfectly balanced walk around rifle without any down time. Reduce more weight to boot.

[Totenkopf]

 I like the model seven as well. Less than 8 lbs with scope and sling. It really is a tack driver.

[LaOtto222]

I cut a heavy barrel 221 FB from 24" to 18". At the crown, it was nearly 1" in diameter after the amputation. This was to save weight. It was still heavy. It did not hurt accuracy and I did not loose much velocity maybe 100 fps. It does make it more maneuverable. If I had it to do over, I would have bought a lighter weight barrel to start with. I could have ended up with a much lighter weight gun and I would have had the barrel at 20". With a 22-250 you are going to increase the muzzle blast considerably. I seriously doubt if you would save enough weight to make it a walk around gun. I did not weigh the chunk that was cut off, it was around 1/2 pound (guessing). So it you have a gun that weighs 9 1/2 pounds it will weight some where between 9 and 9 1/4 pounds when done. Still too heavy for a walk around gun IMHO. I want one that is no more than 7 1/2 pounds, scope included. Good Luck and Good Shooting

Here is a picture of the gun with the 18" barrel

[243dave]

I think a 22-250 cut down to 20'' would be awfully loud and muzzle flash would be bad but it would change balance and be alot handier. Back in the spring I traded my heavy varmint gun for a savage predator in 223 and glad I did. It has a 22'' medium contour barrel and weighs 7.25lbs(also chambered in 204,22-250,and 243). I've only shot winchesters 45gr (white box) factory loads through it and its does half inch at 100yds. What I like about the rifle is the weight, not to heavy to carry around but shoots well off the bench. If you like camo guns, this is for you. http://www.savagearms.com/10Predator.htm

[robco]

Thanks for the replies, After talking to a gun smith He suggested 24in. to start, and he offered to cut it again if needed for the same price. I'm still considering 20inch. just need the nerve to try it. I might have bought a predaor model but was a special order. I like the camo.  Rob