Author Topic: Shortened Barrel (Read 2816 times)

JTD305 · « **on:** February 19, 2009, 06:12:29 AM »

I am looking to hear some experiences with Cut-Down barrels. I might have my 300 WM Prohunter barrel shortened to 24.” I am not worried about the appearance (If the machinist angles the flutes after it is shortened, it looks pretty good), but I am concerned about accuracy. It now shoot MOA and I am hoping it will be just as accurate. I primarily use the rifle for hunting and I really like the feel and balance of a shorter rifle when in the thick woods and treestands.

Hopalong7 · « **Reply #1 on:** February 20, 2009, 12:42:11 AM »

As long as the barrel is cut square and the crown is restored properly there is no reason to lose accuracy that I can see. I cut a 21" 30/30 Contender barrel down to 16.25" and it shoots moa easily, even though the bore was off center at the new muzzle. It basically has no crown but does have good clean square cut. I didn't expect much out of it at all, but was pleasantly surprised. It acually is one of my most accurate barrels.
GOOD SHOOTIN', Walt

Cheesehead · « **Reply #2 on:** February 20, 2009, 02:12:45 AM »

I had an Encore barrel cut to 20 inches. It is as accurate as 24", the origanal length. A shortened Encore barrel seems unusuallly short.

Cheese

epanzella · « **Reply #3 on:** February 24, 2009, 09:15:55 AM »

Quote from: JTD305 on February 19, 2009, 06:12:29 AM

I am looking to hear some experiences with Cut-Down barrels. I might have my 300 WM Prohunter barrel shortened to 24.” I am not worried about the appearance (If the machinist angles the flutes after it is shortened, it looks pretty good), but I am concerned about accuracy. It now shoot MOA and I am hoping it will be just as accurate. I primarily use the rifle for hunting and I really like the feel and balance of a shorter rifle when in the thick woods and treestands.

It is a crap shoot with the possibilty of lost accuracy due to changed barrel harmonics but the odds are on your side. A more common side effect is a change in bullet preference. For example, if it like's 180's now it may like 150's or 165's after being cut. Similar to what a BOSS does but a bit more permanent.

JTD305 · « **Reply #4 on:** February 24, 2009, 06:44:58 PM »

We will find out soon. I sent it to my smith, who has worked on Palma Team rifles, and he will be cutting it down to 24" and beveling the flutes. He was not imrpessed with the TC factory crown.

no guns here · « **Reply #5 on:** February 24, 2009, 10:40:46 PM »

JTD305,
Who is your smith? What does he charge for this? I've got one I want to have cut down as well.

ngh

JTD305 · « **Reply #6 on:** February 25, 2009, 04:52:14 AM »

Quote from: no guns here on February 24, 2009, 10:40:46 PM

JTD305,
Who is your smith? What does he charge for this? I've got one I want to have cut down as well.

He usually only works on competition guns, but did this as a favor for me. I will talk to him and see if he will do any others.

WKAYE · « **Reply #7 on:** February 25, 2009, 03:10:36 PM »

That's going to look weird with one flute missing on the bottom of the barrel. I've seen other fluted barrels cut and they don't look too bad as long as the flutes are beveled back.

ricktile66 · « **Reply #8 on:** February 27, 2009, 07:42:23 AM »

I recently had a .308 barrel cut to 18 1/2 inches and threaded for a suppressor. The weather hasn't allowed me to shoot it yet but will let you know when I do.

ricktile66 · « **Reply #9 on:** March 04, 2009, 12:02:17 PM »

Made it to the range today. The short barrel shoots as good if not better than the original. The really surprising part was the subsonic loads shot outstanding both with and without the suppressor. I never expected 180g roundnose bullets going 950fps to shoot inch and a half 100 yard groups.

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #10 on:** March 04, 2009, 01:28:51 PM »

My question is why?
what is 2" going to do for you? belted mags work best with a 26" barrel. Does it not fit in a case? it has to be cheaper to buy a new case than hack 2" off the front end.

ricktile66 · « **Reply #11 on:** March 12, 2009, 11:14:34 AM »

Thought ya'all might like some photos of the short barrel.

Keith L · « **Reply #12 on:** March 12, 2009, 01:00:13 PM »

Where do you live? I am guessing not in the US. Can you hunt with the suppressor on the gun?

troy_mclure · « **Reply #13 on:** March 12, 2009, 02:26:33 PM »

suppressors are legal in the us with a $200 tax stamp.

ricktile66 · « **Reply #14 on:** March 12, 2009, 04:29:25 PM »

Yes, a suppressor is legal to have and to hunt with here in PA. There is a bunch of paperwork, photos, fingerprints, background check and several months of waiting for the BATF to put a $200 stamp on your paperwork before you can take one home. The best money I ever spent was for my 77/22 with integral suppressor and this 30 cal can. They are worth every penny as far as I am concerned.

Slowpoke Slim · « **Reply #15 on:** March 12, 2009, 05:32:37 PM »

I guess it varies by state. Arizona prohibits hunting any game with a suppressor.

JTD305 · « **Reply #16 on:** March 14, 2009, 04:59:43 AM »

Quote from: mcwoodduck on March 04, 2009, 01:28:51 PM

My question is why?
what is 2" going to do for you? belted mags work best with a 26" barrel. Does it not fit in a case? it has to be cheaper to buy a new case than hack 2" off the front end.

I just like the feel of the shroter rifle.

Lawdog613 · « **Reply #17 on:** March 24, 2009, 05:31:29 AM »

Quote from: Cheesehead on February 20, 2009, 02:12:45 AM

I had an Encore barrel cut to 20 inches. It is as accurate as 24", the origanal length. A shortened Encore barrel seems unusuallly short.

Cheese

In the picture it almost looks like the 26inch bull barrel. Is it the 24inch standard taper barrel? It looks real nice. What caliber is it?

Cheesehead · « **Reply #18 on:** March 24, 2009, 05:36:08 AM »

Lawdog,

It was a standard taper 24". You can see the left over piece of barrel in the pic. It is a 308 Winchester chambering. The rifle is very compact and carryable and accurate.

Cheese

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #19 on:** March 24, 2009, 05:52:05 AM »

Here is a lousy picture of my T/C with two other 223 rifles I have.
The top is a Rem 700 SPS
the middle is a CZ 527 American
and the bottom is my T/C carbine.
It is really tiny it is even shorter than a kid 22 I have.
I do not see how you want to go smaller.

JTD305 · « **Reply #20 on:** March 25, 2009, 08:42:48 AM »

I received my barrel from my smith today and he did a great job with the flutes and the crown is much better than the factory crown. I don't know how to post pics, but you can e-mail me @ jtd0314@ne.rr.com for pics.

Keith L · « **Reply #21 on:** March 25, 2009, 12:41:20 PM »

That's great. What makes it a better crown than factory?

JTD305 · « **Reply #22 on:** March 25, 2009, 06:14:15 PM »

The factory crown had a couple of burrs. My smith said he was suprised TC let it leave the factory.

Keith L · « **Reply #23 on:** March 25, 2009, 07:11:36 PM »

You said the barrel shot moa before you had it shortened, so it couldn't have been to bad. The important thing is that you are happy with the job.

hogrdr · « **Reply #24 on:** March 26, 2009, 06:45:35 AM »

Quote from: JTD305 on March 25, 2009, 08:42:48 AM

I received my barrel from my smith today and he did a great job with the flutes and the crown is much better than the factory crown. I don't know how to post pics, but you can e-mail me @ jtd0314@ne.rr.com for pics.

Thanks for pictures IMHO I think the Pro Hunter barrel looks fine shortened into flutes. All the talk of how stupid they would look had me wondering but I think it looks great!
Hog