cutting down a fluted barrel

[papatee]

Can a 28 inch pro hunter ss fluted barrel be cut down to 24 inches? I'm planning on buying a .308 prohunter ss but I don't need any longer than 24 inches. thanks for your input.

[kyelkhunter3006]

Yeah, you can do it, but it's going to look like crap.  There won't be a taper to the end of fluted area like there is now on your factory barrel profile.  You'll just have sharp edges where the flutes end. 

IMO, you'd be better served buying a 26" factory heavy barrel and just keeping it that length.  2" isn't going to add anymore weight, and with the short overall length of the Encore anyway, it's not going to make a bit of difference in the handling of the gun.  You could also get a 24" factory tapered barrel if it just HAS to be 24".  Buy a Pro-Hunter frame by itself, then you can match up the barrel and forend as you like it.

[Grumulkin]

Yes, if you cut down a fluted barrel it won't look very nice.  If you want a 24 inch barrel, just order one from the T/C Custom Shop; in the long run, that will be cheaper and the barrel will look better.  Flutes add bling but not accuracy.

[papatee]

thanks for the info.You've convinced me not to have it cut. 

[blacknwhite]

Sorry to disagree with the others but they are wrong. SSK cuts fluted barrels and they look great. If you have a good smith doing the work you will be very happy with the results. Click the link below

http://www.sskindustries.com/contender.htm


They look SWEET! 

[hogrdr]

I would agree with blacknwhite if who ever does it rounds off outside edge of barrel as in picture in link. I did see a Pro Hunter barrel cut down at a gun show and it look nice.
Hog

[kyelkhunter3006]

Nah, I still think it looks like crap.  Also, nowhere on SSK's site does it say that it's a factory barrel they cut, they claim that it's their fluting design on the barrel.  I like the un-fluted muzzle end on a barrel to make it look finished.

If I was going custom with an SSK, I think that I'd go with the octagon shaped barrel myself, over a fluted barrel.

[JTD305]

I got a deal on a 300 WM Prohunter barrel.  I want to add a muzzle brake to it, but I don't want it to be 30" + long.  Thank you for all of the info.  I think I will give SSK a call.

[kyelkhunter3006]

Have it Magna-Port-ed.  It doesn't add any length to the barrel, and they cut the ports in the barrel itself, even with the flutes.  It doesn't reduce the kick as well as some, but it will help with the muzzle jump considerably.  The Pro-Hunter is a bit of a heavy gun once you've got it scoped, using your average rings and bases and around 14-16oz for a scope, it's going to be close to 9lbs.  With the Flex-tech stock, the weight of the gun, a long barrel,  and the porting, it should be pretty comfortable.

[JTD305]

Have it Magna-Port-ed.  It doesn't add any length to the barrel, and they cut the ports in the barrel itself, even with the flutes.  It doesn't reduce the kick as well as some, but it will help with the muzzle jump considerably.  The Pro-Hunter is a bit of a heavy gun once you've got it scoped, using your average rings and bases and around 14-16oz for a scope, it's going to be close to 9lbs.  With the Flex-tech stock, the weight of the gun, a long barrel,  and the porting, it should be pretty comfortable.

I was thinking about going the magnaport route, but I hear it doesn't help much.  Do you have a barrel with magna porting?

[tlyne]

May I give my personal opinion. I am not a fan of cutting off barrels. I would sell what you have and them buy what you want. Resale value is about 25% of cost for the Warranty. Cut-off barrels have no warranty value.

[kyelkhunter3006]

I haven't shot any rifles with it, but I've shot a couple of pistols with it.  Helped muzzle jump a good bit, but I couldn't really tell any difference in the recoil. 

My best advise is to just shoot the gun first, before you change anything.  From what I've heard, the Pro-hunters are easy shooting rifles, in the bigger rounds.

Brakes are very loud and I hate them.  I hate the gases being re-directed to the rear as some brakes do, I find it very distracting.  I've shot a lot of "assault" rifles with various brakes and flash hiders on them, and just don't care for it.

Another option to have a really good smith (such as SSK) cut off the end of the barrel, make a brake out of that piece, and then have it threaded to screw back on and match the factory fluting.  Then you have a brake with the factory barrel profile and no additional length to the barrel.

[JTD305]

I haven't shot any rifles with it, but I've shot a couple of pistols with it.  Helped muzzle jump a good bit, but I couldn't really tell any difference in the recoil. 

My best advise is to just shoot the gun first, before you change anything.  From what I've heard, the Pro-hunters are easy shooting rifles, in the bigger rounds.

Brakes are very loud and I hate them.  I hate the gases being re-directed to the rear as some brakes do, I find it very distracting.  I've shot a lot of "assault" rifles with various brakes and flash hiders on them, and just don't care for it.

Another option to have a really good smith (such as SSK) cut off the end of the barrel, make a brake out of that piece, and then have it threaded to screw back on and match the factory fluting.  Then you have a brake with the factory barrel profile and no additional length to the barrel.

That sounds pretty good.  MGM has a nice threaded brake with and end cap.  I like this concept.  You can practice with the brake and hunt with the cap as long as it doesn't change the POI.

[JTD305]

I shot the might 300 WM yesterday and the recoil is more than tolerable so I won’t be cutting the barrel and adding a brake.  My T/C Icon in 300 WM recoils much more than the Prohunter.

[kyelkhunter3006]

Cool.  That's why you always shoot it first, then start tinkering.  Saved you some $$ that you can use on ammo or whatever.