Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Custom Rifles & Wildcats Should I or shouldn't I ?????

I have a custom 98 in 30/06 with a 25" barrel in what I would call a #4 contour (maybe a hair under), it is certainly a little too barrel heavy. Thinking if I chop off 2-3 inches that might help things out.

Problem is it flat out shoots, and I am ALWAYS afraid to change anything.

Watcha think?

Cut it off Steelhead.

CUT IT OFF!

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

GB

it shoots, and you can shoot it. move on to another "problem". <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Cut it to 22" and get a good crown--It'll still shoot--CJ

as long as you get the crown right, that rascal will keep on shootin' don't ya reckon? you might try 3/4 or an inch at a whack until balance is what you want.

I've always been of the opinion, if it shoots, don't mess with it! I'm also of the opinion, if you buy a rifle to be a donor as a custom, never shoot it in it's parent chambering, as it might cause you to refer back to item #1.

With that said, if it shoots now, shortening it is very unlikely to ruin it's accuracy, provided you have a real gunsmith with a lathe re-cut the crown. I've used a variety of lesser ways to crown a barrel, and it has never been as good as having a smith zero the bore in the lathe, and cut the crown.

Cut that sucker down! You shouldn't have any problems.
Paul

That's it, off with his head.........

You could have it fluted.

Yuk.........

Guess what, MORE RAIN TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I would re-chamber to a cartridge that could use the extra barrel length. Running it out to a 300winmag would make it probably MORE accurate if done correctly.

Fluting looks cool, of course that may be because I don't have one.

It is supposed to rain all week I think. I just hope it aint raining in St Augustine next weekend.

Technically you should never flute a barrel unless you have the means to relap the bore. Cut rifled, button rifled of hammer forged all have stresses in the steel that when machined (either turned or fluted) can be released and change the bore dimensionally. Inconsistant bore diameter is one of the most significant contributors to inaccurate barrels.

My uncle could feel a difference in as litlle as .0002 variation in the bore just by pushing a lap through it. But then again, I don't think anyone will ever argue that Pat McMillan made the best barrels ever made.

Depends on who is doing the fluting.........

And whether you are viewing from above or not <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

I'll steal a line here...

Grow Stronger.

Rifles like that are something you shouldn't fool with. If it ain't broke...

Accurate, barrel a hair long (I like 'em a touch long), utility caliber... I would sell it quick before the wide realizes what you've got. The 30-06 is just plain evil that way. Too damn good.

If it's accurate, don't mess with it. What's the weight, all up? Maybe 4-6 oz of lead under the buttplate would balance her out for you. Maybe a lighter scope, too.

You know, I hadn't thought about adding some weight to the butt. Weight isn't a problem (though it is a tad heavy) but the balance is way off. I like a bit more weight out front, but this one has a little too much for me.

Scope is a 2-7 Leupold, can't get too much lighter there.