Barrel cut down questions [Archive]

kmrtnsn

12-26-11, 23:47

Okay, I have my eye on a bolt gun for the new year. So far, I am liking the Remington 700 Target Tactical, short action, .308 for my purposes. My only issue with the rifle is that it comes with a 26" barrel. The twist is 11.25:1. I am thinking that I'll get all of the performance that I could want or need out of an 18" barrel.

So, is cutting this down to a reasonable, maneuverable length possible with this twist and who would you recommend for the work? I am thinking cutting it down and threading it for a break, although I haven't decided which break yet.

Comments, thoughts, ideas?

mkmckinley

12-27-11, 00:07

Any competent gunsmith should be able to cut down your barrel. From what I understand it's not much different than cutting a crown. If you don't have someone local there are a couple recent threads asking about bolt gun smith recommendations.

markm

12-27-11, 08:00

If you're not lusting after the idea of getting 155 Scenar bullets out to 1000 yards, I'd cut that thing down to 20".

Pappabear's 5R has the same twist, I think.... and we're shooting all kinds of long bullets just fine.

kmrtnsn

12-27-11, 10:57

If you're not lusting after the idea of getting 155 Scenar bullets out to 1000 yards, I'd cut that thing down to 20".

Pappabear's 5R has the same twist, I think.... and we're shooting all kinds of long bullets just fine.

Mark,

I don't have my heart set on 18". I was thinking 18" as the target length, threaded for a brake. 20" is still well within the ballpark, for sure. One thing is for certain, 26" is just too damn long, especially if I ever get an opportunity mount a surpressor to it, and just packing the thing around in general.

Any recommendations on a shop for cutting down and threading a barrel?

Thanks,

Ken

markm

12-27-11, 11:04

We have a guy right here in town that is a master. I can scan you his business card later.... Pappabear has already spent a fortune with the guy.

But you may be able to find a guy local for a simple cut down.

I'm really happy with 20". We have no trouble getting 175 smks over the 2500 fps mark. Pappabear wants a 26" 308, but I think he's nuts. We're killing it with our 20s.

kmrtnsn

12-27-11, 11:12

We have a guy right here in town that is a master. I can scan you his business card later.... Pappabear has already spent a fortune with the guy.

But you may be able to find a guy local for a simple cut down.

I'm really happy with 20". We have no trouble getting 175 smks over the 2500 fps mark. Pappabear wants a 26" 308, but I think he's nuts. We're killing it with our 20s.

What are you guys running for glass?

markm

12-27-11, 11:17

What are you guys running for glass?

I'm just running a Super Sniper Fixed 10 right now. I can't complain about it at all... and can't justify an expensive upgrade... YET...

I'm going to try out a Bushnell Elite Tactical Variable mil/mil scope next. Pappabear has a hookup at Bushnell and is getting me one for a smoking deal.

Pappabear is running some NightForce NXS scopes. That fool called and MADE a 600 yard head shot on my steel target yesterday with his 700 5R 20" .308. I'll have to put a pic up later tonight.

kmrtnsn

12-27-11, 11:46

I'm just running a Super Sniper Fixed 10 right now. I can't complain about it at all... and can't justify an expensive upgrade... YET...

I'm going to try out a Bushnell Elite Tactical Variable mil/mil scope next. Pappabear has a hookup at Bushnell and is getting me one for a smoking deal.

Pappabear is running some NightForce NXS scopes. That fool called and MADE a 600 yard head shot on my steel target yesterday with his 700 5R 20" .308. I'll have to put a pic up later tonight.

Nice!

rickp

12-27-11, 12:37

I'm REALLY thinking of doingthe same thing to my AW. With my suppressor, the barrel is a bit long when running and gunning. I was thinking of going to about 20" as well.

I'm running a S&B 5x25x56

Ironman8

12-27-11, 13:39

What kind of range are you guys pushing with the 20's? What would be your guess as to a "max effective" range?

markm

12-27-11, 13:51

What kind of range are you guys pushing with the 20's? What would be your guess as to a "max effective" range?

They stay supersonic to a thousand with 175 SMKs. At our level though..... maybe 700 to 800. Pappa made a 600 yard Head shot... and he called it before he did it. I'll have to put a pic of that one up. That may be "so what?" to some people... but that's a hell of a shot for our equipment in our environment.

We got to watching the wind flags really closely yesterday.... and our shooting spot changes wind speed and direction on a dime... dramatically.

The wind is our killer.... it's generally not more than 4-8 mph... but it's all over the board....

arizona98tj

12-27-11, 15:16

The reason for a brake on a .308 Win? They don't have enough recoil to warrant one, IMO.

USMC_Anglico

12-27-11, 15:16

Had my 20" krieger cut down to 18" recently on my gas .308. Absolutely no change in accuracy, but it certainly is lighter and handier. I wanted to go to 16" but the 'smith said it might be asking for trouble with regards to function, so I settled on 18". Unless you have some niche application, I can't see the benefit in going over 18" with a .308, I think 16" is even better.

Todd.K

12-27-11, 17:17

Remington makes a 20" threaded model.

http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/centerfire/model-700/model-700-sps-tactical-aac-sd.aspx

markm

12-27-11, 19:13

The reason for a brake on a .308 Win? They don't have enough recoil to warrant one, IMO.

True... but people put the AAC mounts on them. Even my 11 year old son doesn't mind shooting my .308

SteveS

01-01-12, 17:23

20 inches is a really nice length. I did a Rem 700 heavy barrel 308 in the 90s and it shot super.

rjacobs

01-01-12, 17:34

Remington makes a 20" threaded model.

http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/centerfire/model-700/model-700-sps-tactical-aac-sd.aspx

Thats what I am going with

kmrtnsn

01-01-12, 17:41

I think I'll go with 20".

Anchor Zero Six

01-02-12, 10:11

Short barrels, heavy projectiles and fast twist...go together like bacon, lettuce and tomatoes.

markm

01-02-12, 11:53

Short barrels, heavy projectiles and fast twist...go together like bacon, lettuce and tomatoes.

For sure. I don't think I'd go shorter than 20" I don't have to load super hot to get decent velocity.

kmrtnsn

01-02-12, 12:20

I have found a package "deal" over at Sniper's Hide that I am thinking of ordering. It would save me months of work, and waiting, and allows me an a la carte method of piecing together the items/features I want.