Can a barrel be shortened and recrowned while attached to the action?

[Mike Powers]

I have my late father's NRA shooter, a pre-64 Winchester Model 70 target action that would be perfect to repurpose as a CMP vintage class B sniper EXCEPT that has a 26" douglas barrel and a thumbhole custom stock. the rules call for 24" length only. A wood stock could be found. Is it possible to shorten it while attached to the action or should I just shoot it as is twice a year? Thanks.
Mike Powers

 

[DaveTooley]

Yes it can be done. Not a big deal.

 

[GenePoole]

It's possible. I've chucked up an action in a 4-jaw to clean up a dinged crown.
But why? Not that hard to remove.

 

[boltfluter]

Yes you can, why pull the barrel if not needed. I do it all the time. Just my personal opinion.
Paul

 

[SVT_Tactical]

Done it many times

 

[AlNyhus]

I just did this on an Interarms Mark X I'm rehabing. The original 24" barrel had a few pits at the muzzle and the crown was pretty beat up. I shortened it 2" with a cut off blade, squared the muzzle with a Manson piloted cutter and then did a 11 degree crown with the same tool. Broke the edge with a brass lap in a cordless drill and some 600 grit compound. Turned out pretty nice.

Good shootin' -Al

 

[paperpuncher]

Summoning my inner Johnny Cochran.... If the barrel fits it can be clipped
If it will fit through the hole in the headstock it is pretty straightforward operation. Turned one for a frt sight base a couple weeks ago.

 

[NZ_Fclass]

Sure provided the barrel will stick out far enough through the headstock.

 

[Carl S]

Yes not a problem.i only remove the action if necessary.it's no issue if I have to remove it.do what ever makes the job simple for you.

 

[Hal]

Any idea how many round down the barrel ?
You might cut some off the chamber end and freshen the throat.

Hal

 

[LVLAaron]

I have my late father's NRA shooter, a pre-64 Winchester Model 70 target action that would be perfect to repurpose as a CMP vintage class B sniper EXCEPT that has a 26" douglas barrel and a thumbhole custom stock. the rules call for 24" length only. A wood stock could be found. Is it possible to shorten it while attached to the action or should I just shoot it as is twice a year? Thanks.
Mike Powers

Will it be the correct diameter at the muzzle?

 

[DR_2297]

Hacksaw and Manson muzzle crowning kit.

 

[rijndael]

 

[Mike Powers]

Will it be the correct diameter at the muzzle?

.700 at the muzzle, ~.720 2" back. Apparently what Douglas calls a Magnum Sporter or possibly a Win Model 70 target.
Mike

 

[ebb]

Ive done several like Al mentioned, I used tools from Brownells but the same procedure.

 

[Machinist John]

Grinding the muzzle here for a banded front sight ramp, but the same setup can be used to crown a barrel.

Precision arbor inserted in the receiver and chucked in the 4 jaw.

It is a roller bearing steady. Works like a outboard cathead (spider to you gunschmidts)

 

[Machinist John]

Tooling is the answer!