Barrel trim? Weight Savings?

H

huskerhunter

Member
OK guys and gals,

Thinking about trimming the length of a non-fluted barrel that is 24" long, .75" at the muzzle. Caliber is .204. So how much does each inch of barrel weigh? I'm thiking 22" would be a good compromise....Rifle is synthetic stocked and seems a bit barrel heavy for a carry rifle...

Anyone know?

Thanks

R
 
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I've got some short barreled rifles and love them for their handiness.

Just recently we chrono'd two .204 Rugers with the 40gr Vmax factory load. A Ruger No.1(26in) was 3850fps which I believe is 50fps under advertised.

We also tried a Savage Mod10 Predator(22in.) and got 3680fps.

If 40fps/in means much don't cut it,... my 19in .222Rem doesn't hold me back much when calling.
 
husker,

When looking at the weight savings it is important to look at not just the amount but where the weight is located. For example, 3-4 oz of weight loss from the butt of the stock probably won't be noticed much, but the same amount of weight off the end of the barrel makes a huge difference in the "feel" of the rifle.

I realize this is an obvious point.
 
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Originally Posted By: CalCoyotehusker,

When looking at the weight savings it is important to look at not just the amount but where the weight is located. For example, 3-4 oz of weight loss from the butt of the stock probably won't be noticed much, but the same amount of weight off the end of the barrel makes a huge difference in the "feel" of the rifle.

I realize this is an obvious point.

That is a very good point and actually it's not an obvious point to a lot of folks.

People sometimes don't realize how much just a few ounces can really feel like when it's way out on the end of something (like the end of a barrel). A couple of ounces can feel like a couple pounds in some situations.
 
just a few things to consider. should you really chop the barrel? does it shoot good now? What if for some reason it doesn't group good after the chop?

Whats it going to cost for all that work? Probably about half what it would cost to just buy a lighter rifle like a tikka t-3.

A little muzzle heavy, atleast for me, makes for a steady gun I prefer a slight weight forward feeling.

its true really long barrels even on a light gun can make it seem SOOOO heavy. Example you can go check out right now is shotgun. Go shoulder the exact same shotgun with different length barrels and see how it changes it. 2 inches is SOOO MUCH LESS leverage even though it just saves and ounce or two when your holding the gun up and swinging it really a big change.
 
I cut my Ruger Target rifles down to 22in and dont regret it at all they are lighter and feel way better and still group great.
 
I just cut a 204 in a sps varmit barrel from 26" to 22" and i do not regret it one bit. I also put a H S PSS stock on so the rifle is a little bit heavier than it was but it is easier to carry. The wieght of the 26" barrel made it hard to keep the rifle on my shoulder when walking. It only cost me $60 to have the barrel chopped and re-crowned.
 
Thanks everyone! Good points all. Yes I DO realize that that weight at the end is a BIG deal (give me a fulcrum long enough and I can lift the world!).

I AM worried about a loss in accuracy, pouring good money after bad, etc...

SO it looks like I could trim to 21.5", save maybe 8 oz (which would FEEL huge I'm guessing) and not give up enough velocity for a critter to notice..(Mr. Yote sez: "Hey, wow, the hydrostatic shock of that berger pill that just hit my heart seems a tad lower than factory specs! Guess I'll ask St. Peter about it!)

Local smith says $80 with crispy target crown...
 
I came here thinking you were talking about cutting weight out of the barrel cause I am wondering what are the pros and cons of fluting, dimpling, and twist fluting. The sight I'm looking at has fluting as the most expensive option then dimpling then twist fluting, and that seemed odd to me.
 
Yeah....cutting weight OFF the barrel not FROM the barrel in my case...Maybe a wives tale, but I was always told to be very careful who you let flute a barrel as it can induce stress and otherwise really screw with accuracy if not done properly....
 
I had 4" taken off my Savage 12FV in .204 and I LOVE the gun now, it is much lighter, better balancing and easier to carry. My smith only charges $30 plus tax for a chop and lath cut crown (extremely cheap). I really didn't lose nearly as much velocity as I thought it might. The shorter barrel adds rigidity to the barrel. Mine actually shoots better with the new crown then it did from the factory. The only difference besides weight that I noticed was muzzle blast. I say do it, all I need to do not is have it dipped and I will have a rifle much like a model 10 predator for about 2/3's the price with a much better scope...
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I'll take the few ounces of weight over the loss of velocity any day, don't care if it's only 150 f.p.s. Velocity kills weight don't.

t/c223encore.
 
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