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Joined: Nov 2013
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Nov 2013
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Hello. This is my first post on the forum but have lurked here often.
I am looking for some advise.
I would like to make my go-to rifle a wee bit better?
I have M70 action that has a Hart stainless barrel chambered in 280 AI. McMillan stock. Shoots very well and has about 600 rounds through it. It currently has a 25 inch barrel.
It is a light rifle now but it would be easier to handle at altitude and backpack with a shorter barrel.
What could go wrong having it cut to 24 or maybe 23"?
Runs 160 accubonds at 2840 or so and less than 1 MOA past 300. I don't want to give up much velocity. With powders and bullets I have tested, accurate loads are usually at the top of the Hodgdon manual, can take more without any pressure signs but have always stopped at the high end of the Nosler guide (seems like another node right past there though).
Anyone have an idea how much 1 - 2 inches in length would change velocity or charge where the accuracy node would be? It's a #3 contour barrel if I remember.
Leaving it alone is an option too.
Thanks
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 96,162 Likes: 3
Campfire Oracle
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Campfire Oracle
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 96,162 Likes: 3 |
Always figured 25 fps per inch of barrel. If it were mine,I'd leave it alone. And Welcome to the 'fire Lostleader.
Life Member SCI Life Member DSC Member New Mexico Shooting Sports Association
Take your responsibilities seriously, never yourself-Ken Howell Proper bullet placement + sufficient penetration = quick, clean kill. Finn Aagard
Ken
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Joined: Jan 2008
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jan 2008
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Based on what you posted, it would make me want to not change a thing.
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Joined: Apr 2011
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Apr 2011
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... If it were mine, I'd leave it alone. ... This ^^^^
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 874
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 874 |
25" and done. Leave it alone.
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Joined: Jul 2009
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jul 2009
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Joined: May 2002
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: May 2002
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I'm in the "leave it alone" camp, too.
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Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 96,121 Likes: 1
Campfire Oracle
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Campfire Oracle
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 96,121 Likes: 1 |
Off with it's head if that's what you want. I'll take handy over a few FPS any day of the week.
Making rifles shoot ain't magic, cutting a few inches off ain't gonna ruin a good shooting rifle.
"Dear Lord, save me from Your followers"
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Joined: Oct 2011
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 2,926 |
Off with it's head if that's what you want. I'll take handy over a few FPS any day of the week.
Making rifles shoot ain't magic, cutting a few inches off ain't gonna ruin a good shooting rifle. X2! David
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Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,969
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,969 |
My favorite barrel length is 20". I own 4 rifles with stubby barrels, they are a joy to pack. With your rifle I can't see how bobbing it to 22" would hurt anything. Make it a lot more handy for sure, and no critter is gonna know that torpedo bullet was going 75fps slower, or whatever it might come out to.
Let us know what you decide, I would be curious to see what actual velocity loss is if you do cut it back.
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Joined: Jul 2013
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jul 2013
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I think those extra fps are awesome! It annoys me that most rifles are sold with short stubby things. 25in is about the perfect compromise of wt and length for a 280AI to at least make it worth the AI. My vote is to leave the bbl alone. You can only get rid of a few oz by lopping off inches of bbl anyway.
I belong on eroding granite, among the pines.
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Joined: Apr 2009
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
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Short and thick� Same way I like my women.
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Joined: Oct 2002
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Campfire Oracle
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Campfire Oracle
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 96,121 Likes: 1 |
He didn't say anything about doing it to save weight.
Amazing how many folks are scared to 'mess' with something. Just shows how many believe there is juju in rifles.
I've never missed a shot and thought 'Gee, I would have made that shot with an extra 2" of barrel'
"Dear Lord, save me from Your followers"
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 27,692
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 27,692 |
My .280AI has a 23 inch #3 Shilen and it works fine. 3325 fps with the 120 NBT and 2840 with a mild load of 7828 and the 162 AMax.
Its also handier than a longer snouted rifle.
I'll take handy over length in a hunting rifle everyday and twice on Sunday.
Member: Clan of the Turdlike People.
Courage is Fear that has said its Prayers
�If we ever forget that we are one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under.� Ronald Reagan.
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Joined: Nov 2013
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Campfire Regular
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OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: Nov 2013
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I was going to switch to lower scope rings, repaint the stock and maybe cerokote the stainless.
Then I started thinking through other stuff to go through if taking it to a smith. If the rifle wasn't going around on horseback and backpack, I'd probably be trying to figure out how to make the barrel longer.
Probably should be worried about building another rifle instead.
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Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 997
Campfire Regular
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OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 997 |
I was going to switch to lower scope rings, repaint the stock and maybe cerokote the stainless.
Then I started thinking through other stuff to go through if taking it to a smith. If the rifle wasn't going around on horseback and backpack, I'd probably be trying to figure out how to make the barrel longer.
Probably should be worried about building another rifle instead.
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 12,155 Likes: 2
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: May 2007
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lostleader; Welcome to the 'Fire from just across the medicine line in the south Okanagan.
Over the years I've cut down a few rifles, though most if not all that I can recall off the top of my head were pre-chronograph days so I'm not able to comment on velocity loss.
For me the decision to cut the barrel down was solely to improve what I thought was the overall handling or feel of the rifle. Depending upon how you like to hunt and subsequently shoot game, that may or may not be an issue to you.
That being said then, for me the balance or handling didn't change much with only an inch taken off. One that stands out ended up with a 21" barrel that to me felt "just right".
Horseback and backpack rifles are a whole different topic - I ran a Ruger No 1 for a horseback rifle and whatever was the lightest in the safe for a backpacking rifle, but again that's personal preference for sure.
Hopefully that information was somewhat useful to you or someone out there sir. Again welcome to the 'Fire and good luck with your rifle whichever way you decide.
Dwayne
The most important stuff in life isn't "stuff"
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 48,235 Likes: 27
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 48,235 Likes: 27 |
I'd cut it to 23", recrown and be done with it.
I try to stick with the basics, they do so well. Nothing fancy mind you, just plain jane will get it done with style. You want to see an animal drop right now? Shoot him in the ear hole. BSA MAGA
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,893 |
I'd go to 23" in a heartbeat and would prefer 22".
Ask all these dumb [bleep] who are fretting a "velocity loss",what boolit they are shooting and how they are arranging POA/POI...if only because it will be funnier than [bleep]. A BC increase,will wayyyyyyyyyyyy more than offset the "velocity loss". Hint.
162A-Max/Re-22 and 22" of spout,with an erector of repute,will get you to the 1200yd line easily. You'll get 2800fps+,standing on your head.
I mean EASILY.
As in real [bleep] EASILY.
Hint.(grin)
Beware the Window Licking Clueless Dumb [bleep] and their ever eager Imaginations and copious Pretend.
Re-hint.
(Addendum: if only for pointy-headed slowwwwwwwwwww "learners")
The aforementioned 162 at a 22"/2800fps launch at 2500' elevation in standard atmosphere,from a 250yd zero,eats exactly 25MOA to 1000yds. Wind is 5.9MOA in 10mph full value. That boolit retains 2000fps+ of impact velocity to the 625yd line. 1000ft lbs of "energy" to the 925yd line.
Build for balance/handling and rest assured...that EVERYTHING else will easily fall into place as defaults. I'd not go 25" until STW case capacity,in .284" bore sizing,if only because I shoot 7-08,7-08AI,284Win,280,280AI,7mmRemmie and STW.
Re-hint.
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Joined: Jan 2012
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jan 2012
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First off welcom. Second ......by all means mess wit it that is what we do
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