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Will shortening a barrel hurt accuracy.....
#6945902
11/04/17 02:29 PM
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 8,841
DocHorton
OP
THF Trophy Hunter
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OP
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 8,841 |
I have a .243 that is a good shooter, but has a 22 Barrel. Im considering cutting down to 18 but am concerned it will hurt the accuracy or change how well it shoots. I know short barrels can shoot accurately, but have never cut one down after knowing how it shoots. Any personal experiences on this? Thoughts?
Thanks guys.
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Re: Will shortening a barrel hurt accuracy.....
[Re: DocHorton]
#6945928
11/04/17 02:51 PM
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 11,657
colt45-90
Texas colt45
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Texas colt45
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 11,657 |
should only affect velocity
hold on Newt, we got a runaway
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Re: Will shortening a barrel hurt accuracy.....
[Re: DocHorton]
#6945944
11/04/17 03:03 PM
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Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 3,022
pertnear
"Demolition Man"
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"Demolition Man"
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 3,022 |
It's possible but not probable. If the rifle is properly fitted to the stock, there should be no change in accuracy. Accuracy may even improve with a shorter, stiffer barrel & a better crown. If you shorten it & accuracy drops off, check the crown first. Then the next step would be to re-bed the stock.
I've a 26" .22-50 that was shortened to 24" with no ill effects. I have a buddy that has had several barrels shortened & he never complained of any accuracy drop off.
FWIW
"Who controls the past controls the future. Who controls the present controls the past.” - George Orwell
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Re: Will shortening a barrel hurt accuracy.....
[Re: DocHorton]
#6945982
11/04/17 03:24 PM
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Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 632
505ed
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 632 |
Some say it helps...as it should be somewhat stiffer. I have not seen any change on any of mine I have cut down...
Ed
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Re: Will shortening a barrel hurt accuracy.....
[Re: DocHorton]
#6946024
11/04/17 04:21 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,173
J.G.
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,173 |
Shorter barrel = stiffer barrel. The more stiff the barrel, the greater the liklehood it will do well with a larger number of mass produced ammo boxes.
Shortening the barrel will reduce velocity, though.
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Re: Will shortening a barrel hurt accuracy.....
[Re: DocHorton]
#6946035
11/04/17 04:31 PM
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 8,841
DocHorton
OP
THF Trophy Hunter
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OP
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 8,841 |
All I need to know, Thanks guys.
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Re: Will shortening a barrel hurt accuracy.....
[Re: DocHorton]
#6946139
11/04/17 06:22 PM
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 5,519
tannerlst
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 5,519 |
My .243 was cut to 19" ( Bartlein barrel) and is my most accurate gun
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Re: Will shortening a barrel hurt accuracy.....
[Re: tannerlst]
#6946463
11/04/17 11:21 PM
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 8,841
DocHorton
OP
THF Trophy Hunter
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OP
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 8,841 |
My .243 was cut to 19" ( Bartlein barrel) and is my most accurate gun Just curious, why 19?
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Re: Will shortening a barrel hurt accuracy.....
[Re: DocHorton]
#6946665
11/05/17 03:19 AM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,448
aggiehunter03
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,448 |
Morgan cut my Savage Predator 243 down to 20" from 24". It shoots my pet load exactly the same. It's sure a lot handier now though.
Last edited by aggiehunter03; 11/05/17 03:19 AM.
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Re: Will shortening a barrel hurt accuracy.....
[Re: aggiehunter03]
#6946858
11/05/17 02:09 PM
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Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 55
sendit
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 55 |
Hmmmmm thinking about cutting my wife's 7mm-08 down to 20-22" to make it more suppressor friendly. Decisions decisions
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Re: Will shortening a barrel hurt accuracy.....
[Re: sendit]
#6946917
11/05/17 03:12 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,173
J.G.
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,173 |
Hmmmmm thinking about cutting my wife's 7mm-08 down to 20-22" to make it more suppressor friendly. Decisions decisions I've got that exact combo. It drives a 162 gr A-Max at 2635 fps MV.
800 Yard Steel Range Precision Rifle Instruction Memberships and Classes Available
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Re: Will shortening a barrel hurt accuracy.....
[Re: DocHorton]
#6947108
11/05/17 07:59 PM
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 7,981
T Bone
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 7,981 |
I just had Morgan chop my Tikka 7/08 to 16 1/2" and for what I need it's been a good decision.. Much easier to handle in the stand w/ the suppressor & it fits (barely) in my Voodoo Tac bag.. Our shots are mainly 125-200 yrds so the loss in velocity isn't noticeable..
I really hate to do what I am about to do, because it will be very painful for you.
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Re: Will shortening a barrel hurt accuracy.....
[Re: DocHorton]
#6950032
11/07/17 05:26 PM
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Joined: May 2014
Posts: 1,100
TackDriver
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 1,100 |
Example if I may ask,,,If using the 140 grain bullet weight you are using is on the edge of the stable borderline in the twist rate calculator before cutting a barrel, for example if you are shooting a 140 grain bullet and its on the borderline in the stable / unstable in the twist rate calculator of a 1-12 twist barrel, and cutting a barrel two inches might put the bullet more in the unstable edge in the twist rate calculator chart. Just a thought, I am not Albert Einstein nor a professional gunsmith, just curious if that would happen.
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Re: Will shortening a barrel hurt accuracy.....
[Re: DocHorton]
#6950044
11/07/17 05:35 PM
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 4,755
ccoker
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 4,755 |
my 17" 7mm08 is shooting 140s right at 2800 FPS and 120s at 2900, with a can on it. I HATE long barrel rifles for hunting as I always run a can..
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Re: Will shortening a barrel hurt accuracy.....
[Re: DocHorton]
#6950928
11/08/17 03:33 AM
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Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 560
CharlieSierraDelta
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 560 |
Jim Gilmore states a barrel of any caliber at 21 3/4" long is the optimal length. I will post the article in a separate thread. Super cool read.
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Re: Will shortening a barrel hurt accuracy.....
[Re: CharlieSierraDelta]
#6951071
11/08/17 11:28 AM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,173
J.G.
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,173 |
Jim Gilmore states a barrel of any caliber at 21 3/4" long is the optimal length. Well, he's wrong.
800 Yard Steel Range Precision Rifle Instruction Memberships and Classes Available
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Re: Will shortening a barrel hurt accuracy.....
[Re: DocHorton]
#6951090
11/08/17 11:53 AM
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,775
P_102
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
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Posts: 3,775 |
I wondered about that also, bbl weight, thickness, etc...but I figured Mr. Gilmore has a great deal more experience and knowledge than me so I took it with a grain of salt. I do agree that shorter ( to a certain extent) is better for accuracy...I've had 2 cut down and both improved, unfortunately I also had other things done at the same time so I cannot be 100% sure on how much it helped. P_102
Do not trifle in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy and taste good with ketchup.
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Re: Will shortening a barrel hurt accuracy.....
[Re: DocHorton]
#6951687
11/08/17 06:59 PM
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Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 659
Nitro27
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 659 |
a shorter barrel may not affect the rifles accuracy but it sure does affect mine. Handiness is one thing shoot ability is another.
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Re: Will shortening a barrel hurt accuracy.....
[Re: DocHorton]
#6952029
11/08/17 10:33 PM
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 4,755
ccoker
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 4,755 |
how? I don't remotely understand how it would.
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Re: Will shortening a barrel hurt accuracy.....
[Re: DocHorton]
#6952519
11/09/17 05:13 AM
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Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 793
MClark
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Oct 2015
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There is quite the difference between a rifle the barrel has been shortened and a proper short barrel rifle. A rifle that was cut off should shoot as well as before cutting off the bench but the balance is off (assuming it was right in the first place) and offhand handling may be poor. I has a Contender with 16" barrels is several cartridges that have proper balance and stock fit and they shoot offhand as well as a long barrel bolt gun. And are easy to swing in a blind or brush..
M
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Re: Will shortening a barrel hurt accuracy.....
[Re: DocHorton]
#6952544
11/09/17 10:27 AM
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,775
P_102
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,775 |
If the balance is going to be off, I'd much rather have it heavy in the butt vs. the barrel. Keep in mind, many people do this with the thought of adding a suppressor at some time. P_102
Do not trifle in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy and taste good with ketchup.
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