Shortening a 223 heavy barrel?

[stevex]

I have thought about shortening my Ultra barrel to lighten the rifle.It seems a little too front heavy.I have a 223 Ultra with synthetic stock/forearm.

1)Has anyone tried shortening a NEF Barrel ?

2)What is the best barrel length for a 223 with 1 in 12 twist?

3)How much weight would it loose if I cut it from 24 inches to about 16 1/2 inches?

Thanks

Steve

[scruffy]

What's the rifle used for?  You'll loose velocity and therefore have a more arched trajectory with a short 16" barrel.  For coyotes out to 200 yards you'll never notice the velocity loss.  For pdogs out at 400 yards the velocity loss from cutting 8" off the barrel would be more noticible, ie more drop.  If it were mine I wouldn't go any shorter than 20", a compromise length.

Also, what's the overall short limit for a firearm from the batf?  I think you're still over it with a 16" barrel, but you might want to check to be sure.

Also for the price of cutting/crowning you might consider sending your reciever in for a 22" standard 223 barrel.  Just another idea, ultra barrel/bench, standard barrel/hunting.  Might cost a bit more getting the new barrel but you'll retain most of the velocity of the 24" bull and have a more balanced lighter rifle.

later,
scruffy

[Deadeye47]

BATF states 16 inches...not 15-56/64th ...and ya better add a 16th or better to be sure other wise its an SBR and your in deep ca-ca if caught with it and it's not registered with Uncle Sugar !!  :roll:  I have a 16-1/8in. barreled .357 that is really accurate....I also have a 14" with a 4"brake permanently attached to a rechambered 308....it's a 307 Winchester now and has a rimmed case...unfortunately I have not been able to fire this thing since I had it done... :oops:  Hopefully no more stuck cases and it will have pretty good accuracy.....it did before I hacked it...the short barreled contenders in rifle calibers seem to shoot fairly well is the reasoning why I did it... :roll:

[Mitch in MI]

ya better add a 16th or better to be sure other wise its an SBR and your in deep ca-ca if caught with it and it's not registered with Uncle Sugar !!

...or Ashcroft will send Lon Horiuchi to your house to kill your wife and little kid. (no, I don't trust Ashcroft any further than I trust Reno)
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=14810

[Wlscott]

If you cut it down, measure from the chamber to the end of your barrel to be on the safe side.  Then add a 1/16" just to be even safer.

I don't think you'll miss the extra velocity.  I think the rule of thumb is about 30 fps per inch of barrel.  I don't know this from experience, just what I've heard.

Good luck, and let us know how it shoots after you do it.

[mt3030]

I shortened a Handi 30-30 from the standard 22 inches to 18 inches to make it "Handier" in the truck. There was no difference in it's groups after the cutting and since it is scoped there is no need for a front sight to hang on anything.  I find it faster to swing and get on target.
Good shooting..mt

[ScatterGunner]

i would put some weight in the stock to balance the rifle instead of shortening the barrel.

shortening the barrel will cost more, change the interior ballistics significantly, and is most likely not the best trade off for what you are looking for.

sg

[handirifle]

Steve
Why not order this barrel instead

SY3 223 Rem., 20"  82.00

The youth model barrel, standard weight and only 20" long.  Stay away from the superlight model.  Most are not happy with them

[marv]

If you cut a barrel off be sure you have at least 16 inches.
 Better to have16 1/4 or 1/2 And at least 26 inches over all.
Or you have BTAF looking down your collar.  Marv.