My favorite rifle is my Pre 64 model 70 338 with a 22" Douglas barrel. My second favorite rifle is a Model 70 Classic 338 with a 26" barrel. Both shoot the same loads within about 50 fps of each other and accuracy is absolutely the same. I wouldn't fret cutting one off if it makes it more handy to your tastes. Accuracy won't suffer because of a shorter tube and the amount of drop difference isn't worth a moment of worry.
Boxer knows of what he speaks. Cut it, crown it, load good bullets, kill stuff.
Bob
Never underestimate your ability to overestimate your ability.
I posted a leave it alone. I don't care about velocity loss as I shoot anyting from a 16"-26" barrel on my rifles. My favorite all around day to day rifle uses a 20" barrel but if I had it to do all over again I'd run a 22"-24 on it. I'd like to change the balance of it a bit more towards the muzzle end.
Cutting the barrel down from 25" to 22" isn't going to change accuracy or velocity enough to amount to anyting in the end. I also feel that lopping of 3" of barrel isn't going to make the rifle any more portable or easier to handle. The only thing cutting off 3" could do is change where it balances.
I like my rifles a little muzzle heavy, IMO it makes them settle down a little better for off hand shooting. If shortening the barrel a few inches doesn't affect that, then I'd have no problems shortening a barrel. However if you really want to change the way it handles you need to shorten it on both ends. Shorten the stock as well as the barrel and keep the balance where you like it, and then you'll see a real difference in handing and portability.
Boxer: I'm using IMR4831. With this rifle seems best accuracy and good enough speed with 160s. Have used RL22 and plenty fast but not quite as accurate. Have RL 22 to re-try and IMR 7828 SSC to try if I shorten this. Might hit a different node that is just as fast or faster (I'm such an optimist).
taylorce1: Agree about the muzzle heavy bit and never thought about cutting the stock back.
BC30cal: my problem is the horseback and painful forced marches often occur on the same trip.
This is a great group and thank you all for the suggestions. Will talk it over with the smith.
This may have to wait...I had planned on taking a fall off from mountain hunting but I got a phone call today. Need to decide if I can get in good enough shape fast enough. It's such darn steep country!
This may have to wait...I had planned on taking a fall off from mountain hunting but I got a phone call today. Need to decide if I can get in good enough shape fast enough. It's such darn steep country!
You'll be as good as you can get, never ever refuse a hunt!
Don't cut it. You will end up with a long action 7mm-08 and not save much weight. In my humble opinion, The entire reason a 280ai exists is to try and replicate 7mm rem mag ballistics in a non-magnum action. Why go the other way with it?! Save the money trying to tinker with this gun and put it toward a short action lightweight 7mm-08. Now you are getting a true weight savings (1lb +) and not creating a hybrid gun that is trying to be something it isn't (lightweight or fast).
I thought the reason for the AI rounds was the cartridges look much more cooler than the parent round. Seriously, I do know should get 2 more rifles actually.
On the other hand, it does shoot like this now. Needs more than a 10x scope to see how it really does.
You'll not notice much either way by cutting an inch or two from the barrel. Cut it if you want. Handy wins. Is there is a tight spot in the barrel near the length you want it to be? If so hedge your accuracy bets by crowning there. If there isn't a tight spot it will still be just as accurate given a good crown but maybe a different load.
Cut any from the back of the stock and you'll likely notice a difference from the LOP change. Is that something you really want to screw with.
Just my .02.
Dave.
Those who are always shooting off at the mouth usually aren't shooting straight.
Build a man a fire and he’ll be warm for a day. Set a man on fire and he’ll be warm for the rest of his life.
