Author Topic: anyone make a shorty with a rifled barrel?  (Read 1285 times)

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Offline bikerbeans

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anyone make a shorty with a rifled barrel?
« on: December 10, 2011, 12:08:25 PM »
Hi All,
 
I am getting ready to put my 20 ga 24" Tracker II barrel under the knife.  It is a fully rifled barrel and shoots very well.  Just curious if anyone has chopped a rifled slug barrel and how it shot before/after.
 
thanks
 
BB
RIP Tom: Tom Nolan, ( bikerbeans) passed away this afternoon (02-04-2021).

Why be difficult, when with a little extra effort you can be impossible?

Wife's Handis;  300 BLKOUT

MINE:  270W, 308x444, 44 Bodeen, 410 shorty rifled slug gun, 445 SuperMag Shikari, 45 ACP shorty,  45-70 Shikari, 45 Cal Smokeless MZ, 50cal 24" SS Sidekick, 50 cal 24" Huntsman, 50 cal 26" Huntsman, 50 cal 26" Sidekick, 50-70 Govt Shikari, Tracker II 20 ga shorty, 20 ga VR Pardner, 20ga USH, 12ga VR NWTF, 12ga Tracker II shorty WITHOUT scope, 12ga USH, 10 ga  Pardner Smoothbore slug gun & 24ga Profino Custom rifled slug gun.

Offline Markus

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Re: anyone make a shorty with a rifled barrel?
« Reply #1 on: December 11, 2011, 03:33:27 AM »
I remember a couple over the years. I think the members name was Coorey . If I recall he cut a 12ga USH to 19" and fluted the barrel.  I have a chopped trackerII 20ga in the works.
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Offline Lon371

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Re: anyone make a shorty with a rifled barrel?
« Reply #2 on: December 11, 2011, 08:37:30 PM »
 BikerBeans
 Here is a little talk of shorties. I also think CW has a couple, not sure if he has rifled ones or not.
http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,132990.0.html
 
 Let us know how she comes out. I have a shorty smooth bore. But I have an Ultra Slug 20 that needs to go on a diet. ;)
 
Lonny

Offline bikerbeans

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Re: anyone make a shorty with a rifled barrel?
« Reply #3 on: December 15, 2011, 09:48:35 AM »
Ohio has a 2-day deer gun hunt this Saturday and Sunday, as soon as I get back the 20ga Tracker II goes under the knife.  Going to rough cut at 19" and hope to be at 18.75" time I file down my crooked hacksaw work. :-[   Do a quick crown job, install the Simmons 4x scope (looks like a prodiamond but with a more "normal" crosshair) that just arrived from Natchez SS and on my way to the range with a box of handloaded lyman sabots.
 
BB
RIP Tom: Tom Nolan, ( bikerbeans) passed away this afternoon (02-04-2021).

Why be difficult, when with a little extra effort you can be impossible?

Wife's Handis;  300 BLKOUT

MINE:  270W, 308x444, 44 Bodeen, 410 shorty rifled slug gun, 445 SuperMag Shikari, 45 ACP shorty,  45-70 Shikari, 45 Cal Smokeless MZ, 50cal 24" SS Sidekick, 50 cal 24" Huntsman, 50 cal 26" Huntsman, 50 cal 26" Sidekick, 50-70 Govt Shikari, Tracker II 20 ga shorty, 20 ga VR Pardner, 20ga USH, 12ga VR NWTF, 12ga Tracker II shorty WITHOUT scope, 12ga USH, 10 ga  Pardner Smoothbore slug gun & 24ga Profino Custom rifled slug gun.

Offline wardy

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Re: anyone make a shorty with a rifled barrel?
« Reply #4 on: December 17, 2011, 08:42:29 AM »
 I have thought about shortening the barrel on my USH also...I would be interested in seeing how this turns out for you and would like for you to shed a little light on how you are dealing with the crown after the cut down..

Offline gcrank1

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Re: anyone make a shorty with a rifled barrel?
« Reply #5 on: December 19, 2011, 05:24:58 AM »
Ah, Doctor BB, your peers are eagerly anticipating your post-op analysis and presentation. You may start a movement.......
"Halt while I adjust my accoutrements!"
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We are only temporary caretakers of the past heading toward an uncertain future
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Offline wardy

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Re: anyone make a shorty with a rifled barrel?
« Reply #6 on: December 21, 2011, 05:11:40 AM »
Is "BikerBeans" a Doctor too???...Awesome!....Yea, I am awaiting the finished set-up and info...lol
 
 The one(s) that Corey did and also fluted look freakin good! I've got access to a mill but am extremely apprehensive about cutting flutes in the barrel! I'm not really a machinist.

Offline bikerbeans

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Re: anyone make a shorty with a rifled barrel?
« Reply #7 on: December 21, 2011, 05:44:46 AM »
The Tracker II is scheduled for Surgery tomorrow morning. ::)
 
I am not a doctor and don't play one on TV.   I have been accused of doctoring the chili and beans at deer camp with a few too many hot peppers.  I hunt with a bunch of sissys. ;)
 
BB 
RIP Tom: Tom Nolan, ( bikerbeans) passed away this afternoon (02-04-2021).

Why be difficult, when with a little extra effort you can be impossible?

Wife's Handis;  300 BLKOUT

MINE:  270W, 308x444, 44 Bodeen, 410 shorty rifled slug gun, 445 SuperMag Shikari, 45 ACP shorty,  45-70 Shikari, 45 Cal Smokeless MZ, 50cal 24" SS Sidekick, 50 cal 24" Huntsman, 50 cal 26" Huntsman, 50 cal 26" Sidekick, 50-70 Govt Shikari, Tracker II 20 ga shorty, 20 ga VR Pardner, 20ga USH, 12ga VR NWTF, 12ga Tracker II shorty WITHOUT scope, 12ga USH, 10 ga  Pardner Smoothbore slug gun & 24ga Profino Custom rifled slug gun.

Offline wardy

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Re: anyone make a shorty with a rifled barrel?
« Reply #8 on: December 21, 2011, 02:34:14 PM »
Well BB...I'll be looking forward to your report or "post-op" report (Hahaha)

Offline STUMPJMPR

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Re: anyone make a shorty with a rifled barrel?
« Reply #9 on: December 21, 2011, 04:13:18 PM »
I have thought about shortening the barrel on my USH also...I would be interested in seeing how this turns out for you and would like for you to shed a little light on how you are dealing with the crown after the cut down..

You can clean up a crown by using a round grinding stone, followed by grounding compound and a button head screw.  I did this on an old marlin 22.   It never would group and now it shoots .75" at 50 yards

Offline bikerbeans

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Re: anyone make a shorty with a rifled barrel?
« Reply #10 on: December 22, 2011, 09:11:18 AM »
Surgery was successful and patient is in the recovery room. ;D   Entire process took less than 30 minutes.  Marked @ 19", put barrel in a vise and cut with a hacksaw blade.  Squared up the cut with a vertical 1" belt sander, finished length at 18 & 7/8 inch.  Crowned by hand with a 1" diameter rotary grinding stone (stone meant to be used in a hand drill).  Touched up the crown with a Birchwood casey repair pen.  Installed a Simmons 4x Prosport Shotgun scope ($26 NIB including shipping).  To the range early next week and see how it works.
 
Now if someone can tell me how to remove the rear sight base w/o wrecking the barrel.  I think it is welded or brazed, don't like looking at it.

BB
 
RIP Tom: Tom Nolan, ( bikerbeans) passed away this afternoon (02-04-2021).

Why be difficult, when with a little extra effort you can be impossible?

Wife's Handis;  300 BLKOUT

MINE:  270W, 308x444, 44 Bodeen, 410 shorty rifled slug gun, 445 SuperMag Shikari, 45 ACP shorty,  45-70 Shikari, 45 Cal Smokeless MZ, 50cal 24" SS Sidekick, 50 cal 24" Huntsman, 50 cal 26" Huntsman, 50 cal 26" Sidekick, 50-70 Govt Shikari, Tracker II 20 ga shorty, 20 ga VR Pardner, 20ga USH, 12ga VR NWTF, 12ga Tracker II shorty WITHOUT scope, 12ga USH, 10 ga  Pardner Smoothbore slug gun & 24ga Profino Custom rifled slug gun.

Offline OldSchoolRanger

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Re: anyone make a shorty with a rifled barrel?
« Reply #11 on: December 22, 2011, 09:31:45 AM »

Now if someone can tell me how to remove the rear sight base w/o wrecking the barrel.  I think it is welded or brazed, don't like looking at it.

BB
 

Amputate! Use the hacksaw! 

Just kidding, nice looking job there BB.
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Offline quickdtoo

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Re: anyone make a shorty with a rifled barrel?
« Reply #12 on: December 22, 2011, 12:42:19 PM »
Now if someone can tell me how to remove the rear sight base w/o wrecking the barrel.  I think it is welded or brazed, don't like looking at it.

BB

If it's the old style H&R sight with the screw adjusted elevator, you have to remove the hinge roll pin to get at the mounting screw, if that doesn't work, PM Brian56, he'll know.  ;)

Tim
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Offline bikerbeans

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Re: anyone make a shorty with a rifled barrel?
« Reply #13 on: December 22, 2011, 02:46:42 PM »
Now if someone can tell me how to remove the rear sight base w/o wrecking the barrel.  I think it is welded or brazed, don't like looking at it.

BB

If it's the old style H&R sight with the screw adjusted elevator, you have to remove the hinge roll pin to get at the mounting screw, if that doesn't work, PM Brian56, he'll know.  ;)

Tim

Tim,
 
It is a newer style rear sight, accessory barrel post 2004 production.  No screws to be found, I think it is either resistance welded or maybe brazed.  The front sight appears to be installed by the same method and since I have the front 5 inches of the barrel with sight attached I think it is time to get a couple of "shim stocks" out of the fridge and do a little bit of destructive testing. ;D   I will PM Brian and see what he can tell me.
 
BB
RIP Tom: Tom Nolan, ( bikerbeans) passed away this afternoon (02-04-2021).

Why be difficult, when with a little extra effort you can be impossible?

Wife's Handis;  300 BLKOUT

MINE:  270W, 308x444, 44 Bodeen, 410 shorty rifled slug gun, 445 SuperMag Shikari, 45 ACP shorty,  45-70 Shikari, 45 Cal Smokeless MZ, 50cal 24" SS Sidekick, 50 cal 24" Huntsman, 50 cal 26" Huntsman, 50 cal 26" Sidekick, 50-70 Govt Shikari, Tracker II 20 ga shorty, 20 ga VR Pardner, 20ga USH, 12ga VR NWTF, 12ga Tracker II shorty WITHOUT scope, 12ga USH, 10 ga  Pardner Smoothbore slug gun & 24ga Profino Custom rifled slug gun.

Offline Winter Hawk

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Re: anyone make a shorty with a rifled barrel?
« Reply #14 on: December 22, 2011, 04:48:26 PM »
Epoxied on?  Try heating it with a propane torch to see if it will come loose.  As per your post, try it on the front sight first....

-Kees-
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Offline bikerbeans

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Re: anyone make a shorty with a rifled barrel?
« Reply #15 on: December 23, 2011, 01:19:58 AM »
The sight base is brazed per our favorite H&R employee.
 
BB
RIP Tom: Tom Nolan, ( bikerbeans) passed away this afternoon (02-04-2021).

Why be difficult, when with a little extra effort you can be impossible?

Wife's Handis;  300 BLKOUT

MINE:  270W, 308x444, 44 Bodeen, 410 shorty rifled slug gun, 445 SuperMag Shikari, 45 ACP shorty,  45-70 Shikari, 45 Cal Smokeless MZ, 50cal 24" SS Sidekick, 50 cal 24" Huntsman, 50 cal 26" Huntsman, 50 cal 26" Sidekick, 50-70 Govt Shikari, Tracker II 20 ga shorty, 20 ga VR Pardner, 20ga USH, 12ga VR NWTF, 12ga Tracker II shorty WITHOUT scope, 12ga USH, 10 ga  Pardner Smoothbore slug gun & 24ga Profino Custom rifled slug gun.

Offline gcrank1

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Re: anyone make a shorty with a rifled barrel?
« Reply #16 on: December 23, 2011, 04:56:21 AM »
Well done , Doctor.......I expect your prognosis is positive, but will the patient require therapy? (or is it the doctor that requires.........oh, never mind.....)
Re. the rear: duct tape the barrel well and scribe the base sides a tad (only a tad) high, try to cut at an angle to clear the barrel at center rather than just straight across to minimize filing. It'll be futzy, but when you get close slow down, or save for another session when you are fresh. With careful work you should be able to tell when you are at the brazing contact point, and have to barely dress that down since cold blue wont work on it. Stones are good there as they will give you polish too.
"Halt while I adjust my accoutrements!"
      ><   ->
We are only temporary caretakers of the past heading toward an uncertain future
22Mag UV / 22LR  Sportster
357Mag Schuetzen Special
45-70  SS Ultra Hunter with UV cin.lam. wood
12ga. 'Ol' Ugly OverKill', Buck barrel c/w  SpeedStock  and swap 28" x Full bird barrel, 1974

Offline bikerbeans

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Re: anyone make a shorty with a rifled barrel?
« Reply #17 on: December 23, 2011, 06:18:30 AM »
gcrank1,
 
thanks for the suggestion on the sight removal.  Maybe I should ship the barrel to SE WI inside a case of Old Style and someone will do it for me. ::)   I am not real concerned with the blueing on the barrel as the barrel and receiver are scheduled for "BubbaCoating" in the near future.  ;)
 
BB
RIP Tom: Tom Nolan, ( bikerbeans) passed away this afternoon (02-04-2021).

Why be difficult, when with a little extra effort you can be impossible?

Wife's Handis;  300 BLKOUT

MINE:  270W, 308x444, 44 Bodeen, 410 shorty rifled slug gun, 445 SuperMag Shikari, 45 ACP shorty,  45-70 Shikari, 45 Cal Smokeless MZ, 50cal 24" SS Sidekick, 50 cal 24" Huntsman, 50 cal 26" Huntsman, 50 cal 26" Sidekick, 50-70 Govt Shikari, Tracker II 20 ga shorty, 20 ga VR Pardner, 20ga USH, 12ga VR NWTF, 12ga Tracker II shorty WITHOUT scope, 12ga USH, 10 ga  Pardner Smoothbore slug gun & 24ga Profino Custom rifled slug gun.

Offline gcrank1

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Re: anyone make a shorty with a rifled barrel?
« Reply #18 on: December 23, 2011, 07:52:54 AM »
Id be glad to do it for you  ;D ; O.S. not required  ;) . Shipping sure is a killer.........
You are fortunate that you have already planned a new topcoat, it sure gives you some room for less than perfect!
"Halt while I adjust my accoutrements!"
      ><   ->
We are only temporary caretakers of the past heading toward an uncertain future
22Mag UV / 22LR  Sportster
357Mag Schuetzen Special
45-70  SS Ultra Hunter with UV cin.lam. wood
12ga. 'Ol' Ugly OverKill', Buck barrel c/w  SpeedStock  and swap 28" x Full bird barrel, 1974

Offline Yak Angler

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Re: anyone make a shorty with a rifled barrel?
« Reply #19 on: December 23, 2011, 07:57:36 AM »
I haven't seen a Tracker II in person before but the after photo's look really good. 24" barrels on a Handi don't look very balanced to me, my 20 gauge needs to be cut down too i just don't know if i want to loose the full choke yet as mine is not a slug gun, that cut length looks much better to me and if you hunt from natural ground blinds it will be less likely to get hung up when shouldering the gun too.

Offline bikerbeans

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Re: anyone make a shorty with a rifled barrel?
« Reply #20 on: December 23, 2011, 02:26:45 PM »
Sight base is gone and the primer is drying.  Barrel will be BubbaCoated (Krylon Rustoleum Matte Black Textured Spray Paint) tomorrow.  Although I wouldn't recommend it to anyone it is possible to remove the site base with a 1" table mounted belt sander and not destroy your barrel.  When the base is about the thickness of a underlug pivot shim it falls off the barrel. 8)   
 
gcrank, I don't want to ever make a "perfect" modification to one of my Handis as it would clash with the rest of my modifications. ;)
 
One bit of bad news on the shorty Tracker.  My wife saw it as I was heading out to the possum lodge and had to shoulder it a couple of times.  She told me to cut 2" off the Laminated stock and it would be "her" shotgun. :o   This is my third Handi she has claimed, guess I need to go shopping to replace it. ;D
 
BB
RIP Tom: Tom Nolan, ( bikerbeans) passed away this afternoon (02-04-2021).

Why be difficult, when with a little extra effort you can be impossible?

Wife's Handis;  300 BLKOUT

MINE:  270W, 308x444, 44 Bodeen, 410 shorty rifled slug gun, 445 SuperMag Shikari, 45 ACP shorty,  45-70 Shikari, 45 Cal Smokeless MZ, 50cal 24" SS Sidekick, 50 cal 24" Huntsman, 50 cal 26" Huntsman, 50 cal 26" Sidekick, 50-70 Govt Shikari, Tracker II 20 ga shorty, 20 ga VR Pardner, 20ga USH, 12ga VR NWTF, 12ga Tracker II shorty WITHOUT scope, 12ga USH, 10 ga  Pardner Smoothbore slug gun & 24ga Profino Custom rifled slug gun.

Offline gcrank1

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Re: anyone make a shorty with a rifled barrel?
« Reply #21 on: December 24, 2011, 06:45:00 AM »
IIRC, the line is,"she ought to find YOU handy", not,"she ought find YOUR Handi"...........
Hows about you swap some stuff around on 'her' rifles so she doesnt recognize them and thinks..........
Oh, never mind; the first rule of 'holes' is, that when you find you are in one, stop digging  ;D .
"Halt while I adjust my accoutrements!"
      ><   ->
We are only temporary caretakers of the past heading toward an uncertain future
22Mag UV / 22LR  Sportster
357Mag Schuetzen Special
45-70  SS Ultra Hunter with UV cin.lam. wood
12ga. 'Ol' Ugly OverKill', Buck barrel c/w  SpeedStock  and swap 28" x Full bird barrel, 1974

Offline TxGun

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Re: anyone make a shorty with a rifled barrel?
« Reply #22 on: December 24, 2011, 08:04:42 AM »
Nice and "handy"  ;) , just like I like 'em.

Offline oldmike

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Re: anyone make a shorty with a rifled barrel?
« Reply #23 on: December 29, 2011, 09:51:28 AM »
Cut my tracker II down to 18 in about 2 yrs ago. Very "handi" piece going thru the woods now & group sizes never changed for the worse. On those thin barrels you can use a pipe/tube cutter to get a nice clean, square cut.

Offline Airsporter

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Re: anyone make a shorty with a rifled barrel?
« Reply #24 on: December 29, 2011, 10:31:34 AM »
On those thin barrels you can use a pipe/tube cutter to get a nice clean, square cut.

Not recommended.  Pressure will compress the end of a thin barrel - like a swaged choke.