lopping off a barrel - am I crazy?

[BOOM]

I'm not crazy about the compact guns I've found and held out there, i.e. Model 7, Browning Micro, Win Compact. I like the fit, feel, and features of the Rem Mountain DM and the Tikka T3. Yet, I'd prefer to have a 20" barrel. The Rem has a 22", and Tikka a 22.5".

Would I suffer any ill affects if I had the barrel cut down and recrowned? (other than the obvious loss in velocity )

BTW, 7mm-08 is the caliber.

 

[runninmike]

It depends on what caliber, and what distances you will need it for.
Like for instance, to shorten a 7mm rem mag,300 mag, 338 mag,any of the short mags or similar, you would defeat the purpose of having a magnum as they all perform best with at very least a 22" preferably a 24" or even 26". But in the case of some standard cartridges like 30-06, 270, 308, 243, 257 roberts, 7mm mauser, and similar, these will still be making great performance from a 20" tube.
Best-MC

 

[Art Eatman]

Don't think you're crazy to do that. Not my bag, generally, but it would indeed help the "quick and handy" aspect. I've been very pleased with my little Sako Forester .243 carbine with a 19" barrel. I just haven't put it to the same use as my 26" '06...

FWIW, google up "Houston Warehouse" and read the findings of several years' shooting inside a 300-yard no-wind situation. One statement is that the absolute optimum barrel length for best benchrest accuracy is 21.5" or 21.75", I forget. Anyway, interesting read.

Art

 

[Don't Tread On Me]

Be aware that some barrels are not stress-relieved, so if you cut them down accuracy might suffer a lot. Usually, these types of barrels have a "band" somewhere near the muzzle.


I would ask a knowledgable gunsmith or barrel maker to make sure the type of barrel your looking to cut down is one of quality that will not lose accuracy as a result.