Author Topic: Chopped BC Barrel (Read 2028 times)

Big Blue · « **on:** May 30, 2004, 03:43:07 PM »

I remember reading a post, on this forum or the previous, where someone was considering chopping the barrel on their BC to 26-28" length. Does anyone remember this post, or better yet has anyone tried this? I originally wanted to keep my BC as is, but with the scope added, and then the recoil pad, it's already been changed a bit, and the 26-28" length would be a bit handier.
Don

Deadeye47 · « **Reply #1 on:** May 30, 2004, 04:29:03 PM »

I'm sure it can be hacked but it would have to be recrowned too..I agree as I'd like a little more metal on the end of my 22in barrel...I don't know of anyone who has done it but let me know how it turns out!

handirifle · « **Reply #2 on:** May 30, 2004, 04:31:24 PM »

Big blue
That was me and No I haven't done it, was just in the thought stage. I'd do it just like you are doing. I agree, for hunting it would be a lot more managable in 26 or 28".

Some posters feel there is nothing more to gain in velocity from 22 to 28" but I don't think that is the case. Factory loads, MAYBE but handloads I feel for sure.

Paul5388 · « **Reply #3 on:** May 30, 2004, 04:42:32 PM »

Don,

If you start chopping barrel length, you'll be looking for a new place to stick some more weight! I guess you could always drill some new holes in the stock to fill with lead. :wink:

handirifle · « **Reply #4 on:** May 30, 2004, 08:45:04 PM »

I think with this barrel on a stock with a good recoil pad would make it much more tollerable. I don't think losing 4-6" of hollow tube steel (barrel) would make THAT much difference in recoil. The pad would compensate easily. My BC was easily tollerable with warmer than factory loads. A 400gr Speer at 1500fps wasn't unbearable at all, and that was with the metal buttplate.

handirifle · « **Reply #5 on:** May 30, 2004, 09:04:36 PM »

I just checked, and a handi with a 28" barrel is still 1/2" shorter than my Savage '06 bolt gun with a 22" barrel. Should still be pretty "handi" in the woods.

Mac11700 · « **Reply #6 on:** May 31, 2004, 07:35:53 AM »

This is one that I had plans on having done before deer season...does anyone have a good smith that can do this work reasonably and doesn't take 6 months to get it back?

??

The 2 barrels I would like to get would be the BC 45-70 and a 26" 280...and not to mention the 20ga. ultra rifled too.....then again with those durn .17cals shooting sooooo goood...it's hard to figure out which one to go for next :wink:

Mac

MSP Ret · « **Reply #7 on:** May 31, 2004, 08:40:31 AM »

My friend and gunsmith, Ed Gagnon of Centerville, Massachusetts is a fine person, a gentleman and christian and a gunsmith of excellence. He is well known locally for his skill and expertise in building beautiful Match quality Colt .45's. His work is beautiful and of top-notch quality. I am not sure what the shipping and work would cost but I am sure it would be worth every penny and in line or below the cost of others. Also, his turn around time is excellent when compared to other 'smiths I have known and used...Be advised, when you speak to him on the phone you will get the impression he is a gruff, grumpy old Cape Codder but he is truly a fine and caring person, an artist and craftsman in guns, if you want, feel free to mention my name if you call him....<><.... :grin:

Big Blue · « **Reply #8 on:** May 31, 2004, 11:34:26 AM »

I think I'll stop by my local smith, and see what he says. Chop job and recrown shouldn't be too pricey. With that recoil pad, I haven't needed the extra weight in the stock, and the heaviest loads I'm using aren't any worse than shooting my 7mm-08, and that little bit of 4-6" barrel weight shouldn't affect that. Hopefully the velocity shouldn't suffer all that much. I'll let you know how it works out.
Don

safetysheriff · « **Reply #9 on:** May 31, 2004, 12:40:35 PM »

Big Blue

with the chop job you'll lose a little velocity, and the bullet will have a little less barrel time -- which will shorten the recoil pulse as well as reduce it because of the lower velocity. all in all, i'd do it. your rifle will wind up something like a 26" barreled muzzle loader that i own and am happy with.

it's probably the long barrel time that these projectiles have in the BC that hurts the most, even with some of the reduced velocity loads.

brownells (sp?) might have the tool you need to recrown the rifle yourself. if you cut it square and recrown it carefully i'd say you'll be "in the chips"

take care.

handirifle · « **Reply #10 on:** May 31, 2004, 01:43:32 PM »

Big blue
What scope do you have on it and are you satisfied with it?

Big Blue · « **Reply #11 on:** May 31, 2004, 03:19:36 PM »

Quote from: handirifle

Big blue
What scope do you have on it and are you satisfied with it?

I put a cheap Tasco 4X on it, and no I'm not satisfied with it. I needed something better than the iron sights for working up loads and this fits that bill for now. My eyes :shock: aren't what they used to be, and I couldn't be sure if the loads were good and I was off, or the other way around. I'm not sure what I want to end up with on this. I like the speed of the peep type sights, but would like something adjustable for range. I looked at some sights that were posted on the old sight, from Track of Wolf, and might want to end up with that if I go with iron sights. I also have a red dot that may work for quick shots. That might be a good choice along with the scout set up that HH had put on one of his rifles. To be honest I'm still puzzling on this.
Don

handirifle · « **Reply #12 on:** May 31, 2004, 07:44:53 PM »

BB
I have wondered many times about a Bushnell red dot on the 45-70 barrel. They make one with multiple reticles, several size dots and even a crosshair. Looks like it might be the thing with unlimited eye relief, you could mount it forward of the hammer.

missed_shot · « **Reply #13 on:** June 01, 2004, 01:57:57 AM »

Why chop the barrel of such a beautiful thing. Why not sent and get a shorter 45/70 barrel from NEF?

?? :eek:

handirifle · « **Reply #14 on:** June 01, 2004, 09:23:02 AM »

22" IMHO for overall asthetics, is too short, and 32" is too long.

Big Blue · « **Reply #15 on:** June 01, 2004, 01:58:45 PM »

And 27" is just right! I called my local gun dealer, I know he's friends with the local gunsmith, he called the smith and set everything up for me. I'll drop it off before the weekend, and should have it back sometime next week. I don't know if I'll be able to choose from different angles on the crown, but if I can, what should I request?
Don

handirifle · « **Reply #16 on:** June 01, 2004, 03:25:33 PM »

I seem to hear an 11 degree crown for target, but, I have no knowledge of which is best or why. Maybe some on here do.

handirifle · « **Reply #17 on:** June 01, 2004, 03:28:29 PM »

How much are they quoting you?

MSP Ret · « **Reply #18 on:** June 01, 2004, 03:29:56 PM »

I believe Handirifle to be correct. From what I have read. 11 degrees has shown to be the optimum angle for crowning....<><.... :grin:

Big Blue · « **Reply #19 on:** June 01, 2004, 03:59:15 PM »

My dealer told me it would probably run about $30, can't beat that! I saw an article on target crowns, and the 11 degree crown seems to be their standard. They also showed a step type target crown that had many angles to cut, and a countersink. If I remember correctly, that gunsmith from Tenn. that we had discussed on the old board, was only charging about $10 for a target crown. Of course cutting and squaring off the barrel would add to that.
Don

handirifle · « **Reply #20 on:** June 01, 2004, 04:05:49 PM »

Ya know if you want a different look, a straight stock (with recoil pad) and BC forend make it look like the sharps "Business Rifle"

1874 BUSINESS RIFLE
$1504

CUSTOMIZE NOW
Standard Grade Wood
28" Round Tapered Barrel only
Shotgun or Military Buttstock
Blade Front Sight
No Cheek Rest
Buckhorn Read Sight: semi or full
No Pistol Grip

I even remember a poster on the old forum that had a source for a trigger guard like the Sharps. All this for about 1/5th the price :grin:

like2shoot · « **Reply #21 on:** June 01, 2004, 04:34:39 PM »

My local 'smith charges $52.00 to cut and recrown a barrel. The price you got sounds a lot better. Your project sounds interesting. How did you arrive at 27" ?

Big Blue · « **Reply #22 on:** June 02, 2004, 12:51:42 PM »

Quote from: like2shoot

How did you arrive at 27" ?

I'll be honest, I couldn't decide between 26" and 28", so 27" it is. Besides, how many people can say they have a 27" barreled gun?
Don

Big Blue · « **Reply #23 on:** June 03, 2004, 04:29:22 PM »

I called the gunsmith today, and talked to him about the chop job. He said he would recrown the barrel with the 11 degree target crown, and rechamfer(sp.?) the outside edge of the cut barrel, for $35.00. I guess the gun dealer I spoke to was off by $5.00. He said he would cut it, or I could do it if I cut it square. Well I had nothing to lose, so I took the hacksaw out, used a good mitre box, and now have a 27" barreled BC. I checked the bore, and there was no damage in it, so what the heck, I took a few shots. Without having it recrowned yet, it shot 3/4" groups at 50 yards with 405gr. lead bullets over 45.0gr. of Varget! It points quicker, and in my oppinion it kicks less, and really looks sharp with that heavy barrel. I put an old Leupold Vari-x II 2.5-8x40 scope on it before trying it. I'm dropping the barrel off to the smith in the morning.
Don

MSP Ret · « **Reply #24 on:** June 03, 2004, 04:37:00 PM »

Well BigBlue, you also got a nice 5" paperweight out of the deal!!!....<><.... :grin:

Big Blue · « **Reply #25 on:** June 03, 2004, 04:46:03 PM »

Quote from: MSP Ret

Well BigBlue, you also got a nice 5" paperweight out of the deal!!!....<><.... :grin:

That's what I'll tell the NJSP's it is, when they ask why I'm carrying it in my hand when I'm working in less than desireable neighborhoods. It sure beats a roll of quarters! :-D You know what it took for me to get up the guts to take a hacksaw to that barrel? I'm surprised I did it with my eyes open. :shock:
Don

Deadeye47 · « **Reply #26 on:** June 04, 2004, 02:49:45 PM »

Dang it Blue... ya got me thinkin about orderin me one of those BC cannons and doing the same thing... :idea: Does the BC have the forearm stud in the same location as on all the other barrels? :?:

Big Blue · « **Reply #27 on:** June 04, 2004, 03:00:42 PM »

Quote from: Deadeye47

Does the BC have the forearm stud in the same location as on all the other barrels? :?:

Yes it does, the forearms are interchangeable.
Don

Mitch in MI · « **Reply #28 on:** June 04, 2004, 03:42:38 PM »

Looks like they've got it listed on the barrel page now, $103 plus $10 shipping for the barrel.

http://www.hr1871.com/barrelAcc/index.htm

Mitch.

http://www.libertyforall.net/2004/june6/visitor.html

Deadeye47 · « **Reply #29 on:** June 04, 2004, 04:35:17 PM »

I just may do it....I got to check with them to see if my mannlicher forearm profile will fit the barrel though...is the BC drilled for a scope base..I know it's drilled for sights but I will be mounting a scope for sure...