Threading and chopping a barrel?

[golfer]

Gun is 300wsm r700 with sporter barrel. Took it to smith to thread barrel for a can. Will need a shoulder/collar according to the gun smith. Question is for those that have chopped a barrel what are pros and cons. Can length is 6”.

 

[nhenry]

Lower velo, better form. Bout it in my experience.

 

[golfer]

Lower velo, better form. Bout it in my experience.

Better form?

 

[Potsie]

Better form?

Rifle will handle much better.

My rifles have all been bobtailed to 18” or less. Now all are the same length (or shorter) than they were coming out of the factory with the can on.

You will loose 25 - 35 fps of muzzle velocity per inch you loose.

 

[brockel]

Pros
Handle better
Lighter

Cons
Velocity loss(add an extra click or two to make up for it)

I’m a 20” or less. Prefer 18”

 

[Mock53]

Short barrel chopped rifles shine for mountain hike in hunts light, compact, easy carry, great suppressor balance. Sporter 6" 300 WSM sneaky sneak power, quick runs to tundras.

Cons 30% less velocity energy 180gr 3,000 fps at 25 860 fps at 6 . Less wind resistance in long shots, slightly lower energy at distance, needs proper threading specs.

 

[Dakotakid]

I have a Winchester model 70 in stainless that I had threaded and canned- 300 wsm. Works really well. I did not have to shoulder/ collar. 1/2x28.

I have picked up a Kimber Montana in 300 wsm that I am planning to replace barrel with Lilja or proof in 18”
Would like to go down to 7wsm or 6.5 prc but haven’t decided.

Cons might be some velocity loss but I have not seen 30% loss.

Much more comfortable to shoot. My win is a little heavy, but I have heavy scope on also.

 

[Potsie]

Ya, gonna toss out a [citation needed] on that 30% loss….

 

[Forkyfinder]

Loss in velocity. Might or might not matter to you. I dont think theres a lot of justification for the longer barrels pragmatically - especially for hunting. Almost all of mine are short now (18" or less).

With the suppresssor its a way more pleasant gun with comparable length. Without the suppressor its a lot handier rifle.

Went from around 2700 fps to 2540 losing 6.5" in a 308. Or not even 10% for those mathing along in the thread.

 

[golfer]

Well I think I’ll go down to 20”. But smith seems adamant that even at 20” I need to have a collar. I’m not a fan of that. I think it’ll look like s*** but I’m also not a smith.

 

[Wyoming270]

If short barrels work just as well as 22 or 24" barrels, why do barrel and rifle manufacturers waste money making barrels longer than 20"?

 

[Deez Nutz]

If short barrels work just as well as 22 or 24" barrels, why do barrel and rifle manufacturers waste money making barrels longer than 20"?

Nobody said just as good but loss of velocity doesn't mean "not as good". Always trade offs.

I have a 300 wsm that I chopped to 20". That's making a sacrifice because I'm shooting heavy bullets and could use the extra barrel length. I took the loss in velocity to have a shorter overall length with a suppressor. Every group I have shot with it so far has been sub moa out to 1000 yds. Not as fast, but still extremely accurate.

 

[Deez Nutz]

Well I think I’ll go down to 20”. But smith seems adamant that even at 20” I need to have a collar. I’m not a fan of that. I think it’ll look like s*** but I’m also not a smith.

There are some gun smiths out there that can make a pretty slick looking collar.

 

[jbseamus83]

I threaded my 7 PRC without chopping the barrel and am really wishing I had now. I will likely take it in after hunting season and have it done. Just gets to be too long and unwieldy in the field.

 

[jimh406]

Better is relative. It seems to me that 22 and 24 are just what people were used to seeing.

Now with suppressors being available there is a desire to shorten the overall package. There are enough charts out there that show how little velocity you generally lose by shortening, and how little difference it makes to have a bit less velocity at distance. Everything is a tradeoff though.

 

[Forkyfinder]

If short barrels work just as well as 22 or 24" barrels, why do barrel and rifle manufacturers waste money making barrels longer than 20"?

If you dont really want a suppressor - why not have the extra speed?

Places where suppressors have been available have been

Well I think I’ll go down to 20”. But smith seems adamant that even at 20” I need to have a collar. I’m not a fan of that. I think it’ll look like s*** but I’m also not a smith.

Can always go with a QD system and muzzle brake too.

 

[Fire_9]

Just chop it and thread it and be done with it