To chop, or not to chop

[bbassi]

So, I just had a Remington 204 factory barrel re-chambered to 20 practical and screwed on a Ruger American by my smith for coyote and fox hunting. The barrel finished out just short of 24 inches. I had originally asked him to chop and thread the barrel @ 20 inches for balance and swing-ability but he forgot. Here's the problem - I took it home and shot it. I've only put 25 rounds through it, but the last 2 5 shot groups measured under a nickle without any real load workup. My chrono is DOA right now so I don't have velocities unfortunately.

The smith offered to chop it and thread it for nothing because he forgot, but now I'm second guessing myself. 95% of my shots will be less than 150yds but maneuverability is very important here. It does seem a little muzzle heavy and the balance could be better. Do I stand to lose accuracy if I chop it or just velocity? what would you do?

 

[ratbuster]

So, I just had a Remington 204 factory barrel re-chambered to 20 practical and screwed on a Ruger American by my smith for coyote and fox hunting. The barrel finished out just short of 24 inches. I had originally asked him to chop and thread the barrel @ 20 inches for balance and swing-ability but he forgot. Here's the problem - I took it home and shot it. I've only put 25 rounds through it, but the last 2 5 shot groups measured under a nickle without any real load workup. My chrono is DOA right now so I don't have velocities unfortunately.

The smith offered to chop it and thread it for nothing because he forgot, but now I'm second guessing myself. 95% of my shots will be less than 150yds but maneuverability is very important here. It does seem a little muzzle heavy and the balance could be better. Do I stand to lose accuracy if I chop it or just velocity? what would you


On paper a shorter barrel is more accurate but we're splitting hairs talking 4" difference. The most accurate barrel I've ever shot was a 10 inch long 30 30 barrel on a TC contender. Short barrels are more rigid thus less affected by harmonics. If it loses accuracy from shortening it by 4 inches then it was crowned improperly which is unlikely

 

[hogpatrol]

Chop it. You won't lose enough velocity to make a difference at 150 yards. You may need to tweak the load.

 

[Pappy42]

If it ain't broke???????

 

[hogpatrol]

If it ain't broke???????

That extra four inches always clips the door frame.

 

['Freak]

Whack it. I hate longish barrels anywhere other than propped up on a bench.

 

[CharlieNC]

I love my barrels that are 20 to 22inches. In addition to handling, the balance is also much better.

 

[Tommie]

As long as you're OK with losing some velocity, go for it. Accuracy may change (better or worse).

 

[ab_bentley]

Chop it.

Adam

 

[Cuando]

Chop it! 21" or less sure makes a handy rifle.

 

[Liven The Dream]

Leave it be . you chop it and maybe she no shot so nice.
Like the Lady say longer better .

 

[Schism]

I chopped my CZ 527 varmint in .204 Ruger to 20" and shoot suppressed exclusively. I don't regret it one bit. Accuracy is every bit as good with the short barrel as the 24" factory length.

FWIW I am getting the following velocities from the 20" bbl, .223 Mack Bros suppressor, and Magnetospeed: (Unfortunately I don't have data before the barrel was cut.)

Factory 32 VMax: 3780
39 SBK, 24.3gn Benchmark, Nosler brass: 3309
39 SBK, 25.7gn Benchmark, Nosler brass: 3505

These velocities are about 100 fps less than Sierra published data.

Hope this helps.

 

[matthias]

i like stubby barrels for carrying around. like xp100 short . so i say chop it

 

[nakneker]

Short fat barrel are tend to be very accurate if its a good barrel and chambered right.

 

[dedogs]

Cut it to 21-1/2" and go have fun! dedogs

 

[6MMWASP]

I'm sure that it could happen but I have never seen a barrel not shoot better after it was shortened.

 

[long40shot]

21 3/4" is the magical length. If you know what i mean

 

[chkunz]

Since it is shooting well, why not shoot it until performance drops off and then set it back to the shorter length?

 

[rifleman700]

Chop it. Accuracy will not change.

 

[TAJ45]

Just like actual twist rate, most every bbl bore will be a smidge tighter or looser - somewhere along the way. A good smith, with a straight cyl contour will check the bore for uniformity and choke or blunderbuss tendencies and chamber and or recommend chopping accordingly.
A profiled bbl may also be trimmed on ea end to find the sweetest spot. Yes, the 21.75" seems to have been determined to be "magical" but bet your sweet bippy (here, here Laugh In)
a top notch smith determined where it was the most uniform and which 21.75" section was optimal and which bbl(s) to sell off uncut, unchambered. Yes, the big boys buy several at a time, not just looking for the chance Hummer but requiring bore uniformity and or slight choke at muzzle end. Iirc, I've read that Bill Calfee has measured several .O001" expansion after threading a muzzle.......