Cutting the barrel on my Rem 700

[neo-con]

I bought a Remington 700 30/06 with a barrel that is to long for my tasts. I'm thinking of cutting it off (having a gunsmith cut it off, and recrown it). I'm wondering how much the ballistics would suffer if it was missing 4"?

 

[taliv]

it would help to know how long it is now.

 

[neo-con]

oops 24"

 

[jlmurphy]

There is a tradeoff when cutting the barrel, longer usually gives more velocity and will not be as loud, shorter will be louder, slower, and possibly a little more accurate. You will probably lose 50 - 75 fps per inch, depending on the load. It's a tough call and a lot harder to put it back on.

 

[neo-con]

Ya.. I think I'm going to do it. If it doesn't turn out well I think I'll get it rebarreled in something like the 35 Whelen

 

[rangerruck]

I would take it down, you will lose 2-3oo fps on it , but how far a shot do you wanna make with a 30/06 anyway? matter of fact , you could take it down to 18 , and that would be fine as well.

 

[DnPRK]

Most 30-06 hunting ammunition uses slow burning powder. In addition to losing muzzle velocity, you will get a lot of unburned powder coming out the end of the barrel resulting in a large muzzleflash.

 

[dfaugh]

I had a Winchester Bolt gun in .270, with a "short" 19" or 20" barrel (this was some years ago, I've forgotten the details). The muzzle blast was REAL impressive. But the gun was definately "handier" out in the woods, and balanced well. You'll lose some velocity, but not enough that the deer will ever know.

 

[USSR]

neo-con,

That would be the biggest mistake you could make. You will have just reduced your .30-06's ballistics into that of a .308 Win with a huge muzzle blast. If you want a .308 Win, sell your .30-06 and buy one.

Don