To cut or not cut the barrel on sporterized US 1917?

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

I bought this one already sporterized a few years ago, but it still has the original military 25.2" bbl (IIRC) - somewhere in there, in .30-06, including an aftermarket front sight. The rear sight is gone (oddly enough), and of course I have it scoped now. I kind of want to cut it to 22 or 23" to have a handier rifle - should I, or leave it as is? Very much velocity loss cutting off 3"? I know, we've been over and over that subject, but I'm asking again.

 

[smee781]

If its already sporterized with a custom front sight you might as well cut it to what you want.

 

[rcmodel]

An awful lot of 03 & 03-A3 Springfield Sporters had the barrel cut just behind the front sight step to get rid of it.
That leaves a very handy 22" barrel with no noticable effect on bullet performance.

Your Enfield action is quite a bit heavier then a Springfield though, and you might want to make it a 24" to retain more muzzle weight for balance.

rc

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Thanks guys. I'm thinking 23" is about ideal for this rifle's purpose/use (Canada/Alaska hunting).

 

[JShirley]

I might look at the muzzle. If the crown needs to be cleaned up, I'd listen to RC.

John