I am considering cutting a barrel down to 21.75' from 26' because I want this particular rifle to carry better and be a bit more portable. I have read that 21.75' is the ideal length for accuracy so I figured I'd give it a try. When cutting a barrel to 21.75', do you measure from the recoil lug, bolt face, or breech end of the barrel?
Barrel length
- Thread starter ctrout
- Start date
Because I don't have the time or money to keep sending it out to have work done. I'd rather just settle on a proven length and have the work done once. If I had 1000s of dollars in prize money riding on it, I might think about it. Then again, If I was a high stakes competition shooter, I wouldn't be shooting a factory barrel anyway.
If you are trying to make a better balanced or lighter rifle or trying out Bench Rest shooting it makes sense. Otherwise if you are looking for enhanced accuracy from a sporter there are other ways to accomplish that goal without losing over 100fps in velocity. There are a lot of long whippy barrels that shoot inside MOA out there. Is the action bedded? Barrel free-floated? Decent trigger? Crown in good shape? Cutting the barrel seems to be a last resort. If the gun is not somewhat accurate now, any increase would be incremental.
That being said, Brownells sells hand cutting tools that are reasonably priced and would allow you to cut and crown a piece at a time to minimize velocity loss.
That being said, Brownells sells hand cutting tools that are reasonably priced and would allow you to cut and crown a piece at a time to minimize velocity loss.
ctrout, the article you mention was originally posted in Precision Shooter magazine back in the 80's. I believe all the testing was done in a warehouse in Houston at night. The majority of the rifles tested there were of the PPC variety.I think you should be fine with the .308 cartridge and below and dont forget the fact that these guys were shooting in some of the best conditions that can be had, 'total calm'
ctrout, the article you mention was originally posted in Precision Shooter magazine back in the 80's. I believe all the testing was done in a warehouse in Houston at night. The majority of the rifles tested there were of the PPC variety.I think you should be fine with the .308 cartridge and below and dont forget the fact that these guys were shooting in some of the best conditions that can be had, 'total calm'
The rifle is a Savage 12FV. It has a heavy barrel 26'. It shoots pretty good right now, 1/4-3/4'. I am wanting to get a lighter weight and better balance and I figured that 21.75' would give me that. I also figured that since that length has been claimed to give the best accuracy, it made good sense. I am just wondering where the measurement would be made from. Is it from the bolt face like the ATF would measure or is it from the recoil lug or from the breech end of the barrel? The gunsmith that I was going to use is asking where to measure from.
BATF measures from bolt face to muzzle. Put a cleaning rod in the bore, bump it against the face of the bolt,in battery) mark it and pull it out and measure it. On a 26' factory barrel, it should be 26' within a few thousandths. Work from the outside of the barrel to mark the cut for the new length.
Good shooting, Tom
Good shooting, Tom
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