Cut and Crown .308 Barrel

[bornhunter04]

I have a factory 700 in .308 with the 26" heavy barrel sitting in a HS stock.. It's a good tube for a factory barrel, with 155 amax hand-loads it'll shoot about 1/2MOA.

I've been spoiled with my light weight 22" 6.5CM on a manners EH1, and love the way it handles, so now i'm considering having my .308 chopped and crowned but not sure to what length. I'm thinking either 22" or 20". Velocity loss isn't a big concern with going to a shorter barrel. Eventually my plans are to change this rifle over to a switch barrel design. So i figured I'd get the factory tube cut down and then i can get a match grade long tube when i really want to stretch out. But for right now, i want it to handle better and not be so damned nose heavy. It never bothered me until i got my CM and just love the way it handles now.

What does everyone suggest from their experiences.

 

[Mgordon]

A 22" or 20" length are good to go. Its going to boil down to personal preference. If you are going to cut it down, I would say go for the 20" length. You will notice the difference quickly and unless something is up with your barrel, it should still shoot good once the work is done.

Let me know if you need help with the cutting to length, crowning and threading portion. I would love to help.

Mark Gordon
Short Action Customs

 

[Scooter64]

What are typical cost for cutting and crowning?

 

[2guard]

I really like an 18" barrel for handiness. I have had several 308s and some others in this length and it has become my favorite. The last barrel I chopped to 18 was on a 700 pss that sets in an AICS now, and wears a badger micro brake. Factory barrel still shoots sub moa at 400 and in (not a lot of ranges longer around here) with FGMM 168gr, haven't worked up a load for it yet. When I rebarrel it, it will be the same length. I have a 223 700sps that is 20" and I think I am going to have it cut to 16.5 when I rebarrel it.

I think I paid around $135 last time I had mine done, but I had it cut and threaded and the brake timed.