Cutting a Barrel down

[adamm88]

My first gun i every paid for(age 13 or 14) was a winchester model 70 with a 26 inch barrel in a .270. I hunted with this gun for lots of years but only ever killed 1 deer with it, It is sentimental to me and i dont want to get ride of the gun but i dont hunt with it, were i hunt its just seems too big.

My question is im thinking about getting the barrel cut down to 20 or 22 inches. Should there be any concern about accuracy being afffected? My first response to my self is iv never gotten the gun shooting great with any loads. But done want to trash the barrel because the accuracy went down hill. Any thoughts or advice? Also what should it cost for me to take it to a gun smith and have them do this?

Thanks in advance

 

[Cahunter805]

It may actually improve the accuracy. A proper cut crown helps a lot. I'd chop it 22" and be happy.

 

[Fire_9]

It may actually improve the accuracy. A proper cut crown helps a lot. I'd chop it 22" and be happy.

Right on the money. It'll give you a stiffer barrel too which is a good thing. Shouldn't cost you much to do it. Pretty simple job. I would be surprised it you didn't see an increase in accuracy.

 

[Superkodiak38]

Make sure it is crowned properly if not it will create issues

 

[Frito]

Make sure it is crowned properly if not it will create issues

This for sure. There is a lot to say for how a bullet exits a barrel.
I only have second hand experience with cutting a barrel down...a buddy had a Sendero in 25-06 and he took 2 inches off, improving the accuracy.

 

[mrgreen]

I'm sure more experienced guys will weigh in. BUT, I looked at this pretty hard before I had my -06 cut down. I found studies that showed that (in general) accuracy is not effected. Velocity drops about 12fps per inch lost (Phil Sharpe 1950), I figured I wanted a shorter gun to hunt a denser area where long distance shots were unlikely.

So go ahead and have it cut, but- as previously stated, just make sure your smith will put a proper crown on the muzzle.

 

[GKPrice]

I'm sure more experienced guys will weigh in. BUT, I looked at this pretty hard before I had my -06 cut down. I found studies that showed that (in general) accuracy is not effected. Velocity drops about 12fps per inch lost (Phil Sharpe 1950), I figured I wanted a shorter gun to hunt a denser area where long distance shots were unlikely.

So go ahead and have it cut, but- as previously stated, just make sure your smith will put a proper crown on the muzzle.

there are ample studies going either direction on this topic but most "studies" have shown that, all things being equal, it won't worsen accuracy but may very well improve it somewhat - "remarkably" ? doubt it - the velocity loss findings are diverse but 12 fps/inch has generally been low in the findings across the board, 20fps-35fps/inch is more "mainstream" I think but it's a very subjective topic with lots of "what if" details to sort out - until you get under 21" it's probably fairly a nonissue - 22" is a good length for a .270 if statistics have anything to do with it

 

[N2TRKYS]

I've got a Winchester M70 Ranger in 270 Win with a 22" barrel. I wish it had a 24" barrel everytime I use it.

 

[GKPrice]

I've got a Winchester M70 Ranger in 270 Win with a 22" barrel. I wish it had a 24" barrel everytime I use it.

Why's that ?

 

[luke moffat]

I've got a Winchester M70 Ranger in 270 Win with a 22" barrel. I wish it had a 24" barrel everytime I use it.

Why is that?

 

[GKPrice]

I have a Tikka T3 superlight that started as a 30.06 with a 22" pipe - last year I AI'd it and I'm still happy as can be the barrel is 22", I get all I need or want from that length and it's handy and well balanced - wish for 50 or 60 fps more ? not hardly, any bullet I shoot from it will still have a trajectory curve, I'm after handy and purpose specific ....