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Offline gunther66

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chopping a 44 Mag barrel?
« on: April 01, 2011, 04:28:30 PM »
This has been done so much I'm sure we have some experts here. I'm thinking of  shortening a 44 Mag barrel.What is the best length for Balance while carrying? This rifle has a 1x4 leupold scope in the leupold vert. split alum. rings  and Monte Carlo pallet wood stocks.
My wife has a BC 45 colt  20" and it is muzzle heavy so I assume it should be shorter still. G66
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Offline SlimPigguns

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Re: chopping a 44 Mag barrel?
« Reply #1 on: April 01, 2011, 06:01:25 PM »
I like my .44 at 18 inches. I was going to go for 16.5,as others have, but was worried that there might be a legal issue if I used a shorter stock at some time.
Pete
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Offline phatgemi

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Re: chopping a 44 Mag barrel?
« Reply #2 on: April 01, 2011, 07:25:57 PM »
My son just bought a .44 that came stock at 18.75 inches. Pretty decent shooter.
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Offline Steve Gold

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Re: chopping a 44 Mag barrel?
« Reply #3 on: April 01, 2011, 07:51:15 PM »
16.25 with a youth synthetic stock here, utilitarian and accurate. It sends 240 GR Winchester white box downrange at 1800 fps.

Steve
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Offline petemi

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Re: chopping a 44 Mag barrel?
« Reply #4 on: April 02, 2011, 02:29:26 AM »
I have a 16.5 inch 357 Maximum and a 18 inch .38-55, both on BC Carbine stocks.  My .44 mag, now .445 supermag  is soon to go to 18 inches and find a home on a BC stock.  They're a pleasure to carry, swing easily and shoot dead on.

My .45LC BC Carbine with the standard stock balances well one inch in front of the trigger guard with a red dot installed.  I don't understand the problem with that one.

Pete
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Offline cwlongshot

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Re: chopping a 44 Mag barrel?
« Reply #5 on: April 02, 2011, 02:39:55 AM »
Its a personal thing...

BUT if you think the 20" is muzzle heavy, chop it a couple times and check it.  I mean, its easy to cut and you do not need to crown to feel or even test fire.

CW
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Offline gunther66

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Re: chopping a 44 Mag barrel?
« Reply #6 on: April 02, 2011, 03:05:54 AM »
Chop and carry and shoot 'till we get it right.I guess that is the plan.
Again someone.What is the minimun overall length for a rifle? G66
I cut a Mauser barrel using a Hacksaw with a new Nickleson blade and that took 560 strokes.
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Offline bikerbeans

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Re: chopping a 44 Mag barrel?
« Reply #7 on: April 02, 2011, 03:29:53 AM »
G66,

Assuming it isn't a SS barrel I don't think it will take as long as your Mauser barrel.  I've cut off a 45-70 & 30-06 handi, using $0.79 Wallyworld hacksaw blades and it didn't take me very long.  Actually took me a lot longer with a file to resquare the muzzle. :P  The next time I chop a barrel I will make a jig or guide to keep the cut square.

Also, I would research this because your local/state laws may differ, but I believe the minimum lengths are 16" barrel & 27" overall for a rifle.

BB
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Offline cwlongshot

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Re: chopping a 44 Mag barrel?
« Reply #8 on: April 02, 2011, 04:19:37 AM »
Quote from: gunther66 on April 02, 2011, 03:05:54 AM
Chop and carry and shoot 'till we get it right.I guess that is the plan.
Again someone.What is the minimun overall length for a rifle? G66
I cut a Mauser barrel using a Hacksaw with a new Nickleson blade and that took 560 strokes.

RIFLE OAL 26" and BARREL alone 16". 

Most people like to hedge this by 1/2" and this is where some confusion exists. This is where 16.5 and 18.5 came from. 16" for a rifle and 18" for a shotgun, so add 1/2" for safety and you get 16.5" and 18.5"...  ;D

CW
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Offline quickdtoo

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Re: chopping a 44 Mag barrel?
« Reply #9 on: April 02, 2011, 07:06:18 AM »
Quote from: gunther66 on April 02, 2011, 03:05:54 AM
I cut a Mauser barrel using a Hacksaw with a new Nickleson blade and that took 560 strokes.

It takes about 20 seconds with my Milwaukee Sawzall, just be sure to put some leather or duct tape between the shoe and the barrel or it will remove the bluing where it contacts, don't ask how I learned that!  ::)

Tim
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Offline gunther66

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Re: chopping a 44 Mag barrel?
« Reply #10 on: April 02, 2011, 08:25:20 AM »
Duuh..Never thought of using my sawsall.Guess I do things the hard way. I could use the metal cutting chopsaw but that might burr up the inside of the barrel?
Is there any way for a hobbyist to put that nice H & R crown on without a lathe? Thanks for the help.G66
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Offline quickdtoo

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Re: chopping a 44 Mag barrel?
« Reply #11 on: April 02, 2011, 08:31:06 AM »


Tim
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Offline Buckwheat Jack

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Re: chopping a 44 Mag barrel?
« Reply #12 on: April 04, 2011, 04:49:36 PM »
I am amazed at how many people want to chop barrels. My 45-70 Handi and 45LC Classic have barrels shorter than I like, but are great anyway.
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Offline quickdtoo

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Re: chopping a 44 Mag barrel?
« Reply #13 on: April 04, 2011, 04:54:38 PM »
 I have a several 22" big bores including the 20" 45LC(460S&W), the shorter barrels are not only lighter,  but Handier when you go under 18" or so, don't condemn them until you try them, you might very well be surprised if you do, I was.  ;)

Tim
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Offline Buckwheat Jack

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Re: chopping a 44 Mag barrel?
« Reply #14 on: April 05, 2011, 02:29:25 AM »
I guess it's because I use nothing but iron sights that makes me like longer barrels to get a better sight picture, but I love longer barrels. My Handis are the only short ones I have. They shoot great, but I wish that front sight was farther out there. I guess it's a matter of taste. I also want real wood on the stock.
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Offline petemi

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Re: chopping a 44 Mag barrel?
« Reply #15 on: April 05, 2011, 05:14:02 AM »
I don't think I'd chop any of my bottle necked Handis, but my pistol calibers seem to scream for it.  Think about it.  A pistol bullet coming out of a 6 or 8 inch barrel is gonna be a lot happier coming out of a 16 to 18 inch rifle barrel.

Pete
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The growing Handi/Sportster/Pardner/Topper Family:  .22 WMR, .22-250. 223, Two Superlight 7mm-08s and one .243, .30-30,  .308, 32-20, 18 inch .356/.358 Win., Two 16.5 inch .357 Max., 18 inch 38-55 BC Carbine, 16.5 inch .445 Super Mag., .45LC, 16.5 and 22 inch .45-70s, .50 Huntsman SS, .410, 20 ga., 12 ga., 20 ga. Pardner Pump, Versa-Pack .410 - .22
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Offline tzimm007

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Re: chopping a 44 Mag barrel?
« Reply #16 on: April 05, 2011, 04:27:40 PM »
What is a bc stock?
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Offline quickdtoo

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Re: chopping a 44 Mag barrel?
« Reply #17 on: April 05, 2011, 04:30:01 PM »
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