Barrel length.
 

I was killing time going back through some old articles on this forum.I ran across one article showing how to cut a barrel off.I think it was written by Semisane but since I have CRS,I might have to edit this.Anyway its a good article and it doesn't seem to require a lot of tools,,just patience.I have one fine shooting rifle,it weighs a ton,has a 28 inch barrel.I can get a light weight stock and was thinking about cutting 3 or 4 inches off it..If I cut a couple of inches off will it still be accurate if done properly??And not having a proper crown like some rifles,,will this mess things up ??My thought is that if you order a custom barrel to length you want,say with a 1-28 twist ,24 inches long,it should be just as accurate as a 25,26,28 barrel with the same twist..So I am up for thoughts n suggestions.

Have you considered selling it first? If it's a 10 lb T/C Hawkens, it may sell faster than you think.

Should be about 8 1/2 lbs.

Ever weigh it?

I prefer 38-44 inch barrels on my flinters...

No,its an old Austin and Halleck 50 cal. bolt action.Its about as long as a Hawkin rifle tho..I saw where Boyds offered a nice left handed, light weight thumbhole stock and I thought if I cut the barrel off some it would be easier to handle in the woods..I wouldn't attempt to saw a Hawken barrel off..I think the rifle weight is a little over 8.5 pounds.

If that's what you really wanna do...

Take it to a GOOD smith... they should be able to chuck that barrel up in a lathe and indicate it in (after they make the rough cut) and then face it smooth and re-crown it.

BPS

dbowling just cut one of his Knights down over 5" and it turned out great and shoots well. Maybe you can PM him for more info.

I am just thinking about it at the moment ,while waiting for the weather to break,so I can go back to work..I guess I will try n locate me a good gun smith..That should keep me busy for a while.

Thanks for that info. 5 inches off the Austin&Halleck would still leave me a decent brush gun. I have to figure out how to find him on this site and PM him,,lol

I figured it out,,thanks for your help WV Hunter..

Do it yourself. It's easy, and if you're careful the results will match anything a smith can do.

I believe this is the thread you referred to.

http://www.huntingnet.com/forum/blac...l-shorter.html

Yes that's it..I am thinking of trying it..I already have the tools,since at times I think I am a plumber,lol.If I mess it up,I can always go to a gun smith.So how did your rifle shoot afterwards?

I would sell it and depending on finances, would consider purchasing a short, lightweight CVA Wolf for brush-style activities.

My recently purchased (on clearance $199) Knight Vision (all black) will be my go anywhere, get all scratched-up and bloody ML of the future. It's a bit on the heavy & long side, but gun slings do serve their purpose.:party0005:

Sell an Austin Halleck to buy a CVA Wolf?????
:hit::hit:

Because it's a better gun. :happy0157:

Yep, if you've been following his reason on being too heavy.

CVAs are a sin to me too. But I allow them with CVA-loving passengers inside my vehicle for transporting MLs to hunting cabins and really, it's all about helping another member here remain comfortable with his ML and keeping him attached to this fine sport.

But I will never recommend / allow any Traditions owners inside my truck..... NEVER.

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........................... just kidding there........ I love my Traditions Shenandoah:woot:

I have decided to leave the Austin & Halleck be and instead cut the barrel off my Knight T-bolt.It already has a composite stock and is stainless.I think that might make a good brush gun for those rainy days..Now I will just have to decide how long.

It shot fine. The 100 yard groups tightened up a small bit, but nothing spectacular.

Barrel length is not a factor in accuracy so long as the load is tuned to the barrel. If your objective is to reduce weight and have a shorter/faster handling gun, go for it.

The condition of the crown is a factor, but it's really not that hard to end up with a good quality crown when cutting a barrel.

good decision.:D Is that AH by any chance a 420???

Yes that's what I am looking for,is a short fast handling rifle.And the fact of doing it myself would make it better.

Yes its a 420 with the walnut stock.It shoots fine.I try to match my guns to where I think I will be hunting at..sometimes a short rifle is a better choice.