Customize a CZ rilfe (cut down barrel)

[SamlautRanger]

Ok, here is the question. Looking at getting a CZ rifle in .308. For various reasons I like the CZ action. I am looking at their model with the heavy target barrel on it, but it is longer than I like. It is 25". Question is if I cut and recrown down to say 21" or 22" how will that effect the accuracy. Will it just be the same as if I originally had a 21 or 22 inch barrell installed?
Thanks.

 

[dakotasin]

shorter barrels are stiffer, so it will likely be more accurate as long as you are using a scope. open sighted rifles tend to make the shooter more accurate if they have longer barrels because the longer sight radius helps, but the rifle is less accurate. also, shorter barrels develop less velocity than longer ones.

so to answer your question: if you shorten the barrel, you will lose some velocity but will be more accurate, and yep, it will be the same as if the factory had originally installed a shorter barrel - perhaps better because factory crown jobs suck, and 'smiths usually do a far better job.

 

[arcticap]

Only Her Hairdresser Knows For Sure!

I'll bet 99+% of barrels are rifled straight. But I always wondered whether or not some rifle manufacturers have a "secret" process of rifling barrels (like Anschutz?) which creates a taper or choke toward the barrel crown. Some airguns have this type of barrel as well. If a manufacturer did have some sort of process, they may not want to let it out that THAT is what makes their rifles so accurate. Anschutz barrels are made by only the most loyal employees in a super isolated room (I've read) to protect their trade secrets. Whether any center fire manufacturer's practices are similiar, I don't know, but then how would anybody?
I'm not so sure that it can be generalized that a shorter, stiffer barrel will usually be more accurate than it's longer twin, particularly when the additional
velocity is helping the bullet reach a far downrange target. The more accurate barrel will be the one that quite simply shoots a particular round better, and that may be the longer one. When it comes to recrowning a barrel, like any other gunsmithing, there are inherent risks and no guarantees.

 

[cracked butt]

But I always wondered whether or not some rifle manufacturers have a "secret" process of rifling barrels (like Anschutz?) which creates a taper or choke toward the barrel crown.

Nope. .22 rimfires can benifit from a choked bore, but centerfire barrels do not.

The only exception that I can think of where cutting the barrel will drastically hurt accuracy is with very old oddball rifles with gain twist rifling.