Barrel Shortening

[3175darren 1,101]

 

This debate,is one that's never got a true answer, I had my Remington 223 cut down as with a silencer on, it was like pointing a clothes post with a breeze block tied onto the end,the difference is unreal its turned it into a superb rifle very usable, I also have a 22 rim-fire CZ 452 which was cut down by the dealer or so he say's, just before I bought it and I can tel you its spot on for me,my 22 hornet has a full length barrel and I see no reason to alter it it handles very well,as for chokes in a rifle barrel well I have to say I have never heard of it, and wouldn't be sure of the affects on the harmonics of the barrel due to the pressure change at the squeeze,as the bullet leaves the barrel,also if there's a choke, is it within the barrel diameter or the Rifleing or both,

 

The debates I got into when shortening my 223 was a round loss of velocity, and had lots of different advice,I believe the problem was with unqualified opinions as everyone had one,and the decision I made was if I screw it up,I would have a border barrel put on made exactly as I wanted it, as the gun was unusable as it was,

The main argument I encountered was around the expansion of gasses, as to where in the barrel the volume/expansion of gas stops pushing, and the friction between the bullet and the barrel took over, no one I found could give a definitive answer,

however I think the guy doing yours has lost his nerve and doesn't want to screw your gun up, I can tell you my 223 went from 25 inch to 19 and the handling benefits far out way the risk of cutting it,and I can say I have seen no real change in its ability,and its more accurate than I am.

There is no definitive answer, that will all come down to the powder/bullet/etc used!

 

Anyone who is well into reloading will be able to give you a good idea, and you will need to talk to the manufacturers of factory ammo to get their full spec!

 

Even then the state of you rifle will also play a part..... and everything else I have forgotten.

 

Suffice to say for the majority of people, even using factory ammo, the difference of a barrel chop will commonly be unnoticeable, and if you are reloading you can tweek the load to make almost any compensation.

 

 

I know what you say,but the explosion of powder is only a rapid expansion of gases, there should be a formula somewhere that says for example one grain off n130 will expand x amount,which when taking into account your barrel internal diameter, would give you a idea when multiplied by the total amount of powder used, I know velocity is the key and the rate of expansion,which would be unique to each powder company, its a fascinating subject one that's above my education level,but would help influence any one considering shortening a barrel,

[danw 1,748]

No, I'm not quite so sad as to go around the gun shop with a set of callipers and a clip board. I'm just going off of sporting reviews.

 

If they are more accurate after chopping than before, that makes no conclusion on whether a 16" barrel on a 455 is choked or not. The only thing it does conclude is that something has changed by shortening that improves accuracy.... choking? But that's neither here nor there.

 

I was simply commenting that I'm led to believe from sporting reviews that the 455 is choked in 20" as well as 16" formats.

 

I may very well be wrong....

 

 

P.s Good to know the accuracy improves though. I've been playing with the idea of having my 20" varmint barrel reduced to 16".

The thing that normally has improved the accuracy after shortening is the crown is recut normally to a far higher standard than the original factory crown

[Born Hunter 17,818]

What about with a hacksaw and black and decker job in the shed Dan?

[danw 1,748]

What about with a hacksaw and black and decker job in the shed Dan?

Never had anyone ask me that before lol what will the beaters say ??

[Born Hunter 17,818]

HA!

[riflehunter583 58]

if you decide to shorten get a really good smith to do it, and ask around about his rep. as there are some smiths that are dodgy and others that are craftsmen, choose wisely who you use. go for reputation not cost basis as the crown is very important to accuracy.

 

shorter barrels tend to be stiffer and a little more accurate, however there are many long barrels that are very very accurate. the best is a balance 18 - 22 inch is a good range.

 

some of the best shooting teams in the world shoot with long barrels but I suppose they are shooting off the deck.

 

I can recommend an outstanding smith if your prepared to travel.

Edited November 24, 2014 by riflehunter583

[Deker 3,478]

if you decide to shorten get a really good smith to do it, and ask around about his rep. as there are some smiths that are dodgy and others that are craftsmen, choose wisely who you use. go for reputation not cost basis as the crown is very important to accuracy.

 

shorter barrels tend to be stiffer and a little more accurate, however there are many long barrels that are very very accurate. the best is a balance 18 - 22 inch is a good range.

 

some of the best shooting teams in the world shoot with long barrels but I suppose they are shooting off the deck.

 

I can recommend an outstanding smith if your prepared to travel.

What makes you suggest that as virtually every competition barrel is Flagpole length in every calibre you can think of! :hmm:

[riflehunter583 58]

why do you ask such questions deker :hmm:

[charlie caller 3,654]

Presumably because he does not quite understand the ambiguous nature of your post old chap