Cutting barrel reduce accuracy?

[piercebronkite]

Who here has done it and did it diminish your accuracy?

I have a 26inch heavy barrel Savage 12FV in .22-.250 that is a bench gun and Im getting it threaded for a supressor. I thought about cutting some barrel off while its also being threaded. However, this is a bench/target gun but occasionally hunt pigs and varmint with it.

Thoughts?

[txhunter90]

I have done probably 5 barrels where I have cut down and threaded. Most being pencil thin barrels with a permanent thread adapter to make up for the lack of material. Between the builds I have not ever noticed accuracy issues. My .5" MOA guns are still that and shoots good. I'm not sure the science for everything, but from my standpoint if it changed the accuracy it has not been noticeable. Only thing you will lose of course would be FPS.

[BLACKFINTURKEY]

My 308 that started as a 12fv did not loose any accuracy. I cut it from 26” to 16”. I did have to change my load.

[McClain]

If done correctly, it should not adversely affect accuracy. It might actually improve accuracy to some degree in some cases. For a given contour, a shorter length means a stiffer barrel which in some cases may help to increase consistency.

[piercebronkite]

Thanks for the input guys. Decided to also change the stock as well.

[muzzlebrake]

Hit or miss sorta thing. Changing the barrel length removes mass and changes the harmonics. It can go either way. Improve or scatter or stay the same. A shorter barrel usually means a stiffer barrel which can tighten a group. It can also affect the POI so you might have to re zero it. Properly done assuming the crown is not messed up about all you would lose is some velocity.

[BLACKFINTURKEY]

FYI in my 308 I lost 275fps cutting off 10”.

[jomw10]

Long range accuracy could be impacted. Slower bullets take longer to get there, being more exposed to wind and an such. This make no difference in hunting/short range distance. At what range do you shoot your bench shooting?

[piercebronkite]

Long range accuracy could be impacted. Slower bullets take longer to get there, being more exposed to wind and an such. This make no difference in hunting/short range distance. At what range do you shoot your bench shooting?

The ranges I go to are 100 yards max. Most of my shots are within 100, occasionally there might be a shot at 200-300 yards.

Im not too concerned about losing FPS, .22-.250 is still moving pretty fast within those distances. Im currently shooting Hornandy Superperformance Vmax.

[BrianL]

Didn't change mine but made it a little lighter and still usable with the can. Cut mine to 18" and threaded.

[TPMD Hunter]

Who here has done it and did it diminish your accuracy?

I have a 26inch heavy barrel Savage 12FV in .22-.250 that is a bench gun and Im getting it threaded for a supressor. I thought about cutting some barrel off while its also being threaded. However, this is a bench/target gun but occasionally hunt pigs and varmint with it.

Thoughts?

Accurate barrels tend to remain accurate. I've gone the other way with several of my customs. I always leave room to cut off and rechamber when the accuracy degrades.

The harmonics of the barrel will however change and the velocity can drop as much as 25fps per inch removed but depending on what powders you use you may be able to get that velocity back with an increased load or by moving to a hotter power.

[Outback]

Hit or miss sorta thing. Changing the barrel length removes mass and changes the harmonics. It can go either way. Improve or scatter or stay the same. A shorter barrel usually means a stiffer barrel which can tighten a group. It can also affect the POI so you might have to re zero it. Properly done assuming the crown is not messed up about all you would lose is some velocity.

Agreed. The harmonics/consistency may improve but shorter lighter rifles are harder to shoot accurately at least for me.

[FUB]

I cut an older Browning Varmint Stalker .22-250 26" down to 20" and it's still a tack driver. I'm sure I lost a few fps but that doesn't bother me.

[piercebronkite]

I cut an older Browning Varmint Stalker .22-250 26" down to 20" and it's still a tack driver. I'm sure I lost a few fps but that doesn't bother me.

Thanks. What was your barrel length? Im trying to figure out what is a good length.

[Pushbutton2]

One thing to keep on an eye when cutting a barrel down is the crown.
That's off it can adversely effect accuracy. Years ago a buddy had his bench rifle cut down and he said it shot like a scatter gun.aftwr. He spent months reworking load recipes never could find one. He said him and his mentor where puzzled. His mentor pulled the barrel off and took it to another gunsmith. The gunsmith re did the crown and it started shooting good again.