Cutting a 500 S&W barrel to 16 1/4 inches

[wayne24]

I am thinking of cutting the barrel of my 500 handi to 16 1/4".Any pros or cons for this idea? My thought is since this is a pistol cartridge it would not affect the velocity that much.I plan on using this gun as my treestand gun and it would be a little easier to handle in the tree.My state law(New York) on rifle barrels is 16" minimum.


Thanks in advance,
Wayne

[Doublebass73]

I personally would do it. I love carbine length barrels in the pistol cartridge Handis. It's much nicer when moving through the thick brush plus you get the added benefit of shaving a little bit of weight off.

[tykempster]

While it depends on what you're willing to give up, it is gonna cut into velocity some.  That said, it's still gonna be a pretty good stomper.

[jeepmann1948]

Check out this page in the big bore section for the ultimate in 500 S&W , a 499HE 
http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,79991.240.html

[jy951]

I'd do it.  I had a 16.5"er and a 16 1/8"er.  In a treestand it's great.  Really easy to maneuver.  I'd do about 16.5" in case you ever need to recrown it, there will be some extra.  You'll get a nice flame shooting out the end.

[maglvr44]

I am thinking of cutting the barrel of my 500 handi to 16 1/4".Any pros or cons for this idea? My thought is since this is a pistol cartridge it would not affect the velocity that much.I plan on using this gun as my treestand gun and it would be a little easier to handle in the tree.My state law(New York) on rifle barrels is 16" minimum.


Thanks in advance,
Wayne

Wayne:
If you often carry a rifle in your hand, you would be wise to cut it to 20" and then down from there 1" at a time, checking for balance, that big bore = a lot of air space, I think you might find 18" to be about perfect balance, there is nothing more annoying than a long gun that is butt heavy! Better to have a perfect balance even if you have to settle for a barrel a couple inches longer than planned, Trust me, you will kick yourself forever if the front end is too light.

[peternap]

I am thinking of cutting the barrel of my 500 handi to 16 1/4".Any pros or cons for this idea? My thought is since this is a pistol cartridge it would not affect the velocity that much.I plan on using this gun as my treestand gun and it would be a little easier to handle in the tree.My state law(New York) on rifle barrels is 16" minimum.


Thanks in advance,
Wayne

Wayne:
If you often carry a rifle in your hand, you would be wise to cut it to 20" and then down from there 1" at a time, checking for balance, that big bore = a lot of air space, I think you might find 18" to be about perfect balance, there is nothing more annoying than a long gun that is butt heavy! Better to have a perfect balance even if you have to settle for a barrel a couple inches longer than planned, Trust me, you will kick yourself forever if the front end is too light.

I agree 100%.
On a hunting rifle, handling characteristics are always #1 on the list, accuracy #2, power #3 and comfort shooting it last on the list.

I had to dump the lead out of my BC stock with the standard 45/70 barrel because it wanted to stand up while carrying it.

[Doublebass73]

Wayne:
If you often carry a rifle in your hand, you would be wise to cut it to 20" and then down from there 1" at a time, checking for balance, that big bore = a lot of air space, I think you might find 18" to be about perfect balance, there is nothing more annoying than a long gun that is butt heavy! Better to have a perfect balance even if you have to settle for a barrel a couple inches longer than planned, Trust me, you will kick yourself forever if the front end is too light.

Very good point here. My .45 Colt is perfectly balanced with the factory 20" barrel. It carries so nicely like that while holding it by the receiver. The first time I picked it up at the gun store and felt the balance I knew I had to buy it. Even with a 20" barrel it still has a very short overall length which is nice when going through the brush.