Is it to late to shorten my barrel?

muggs13

Sergeant of the Hide
Full Member
Minuteman
Jun 22, 2008
161
33
SEPA
My rem 700 has 2500 rds. down the barrel and still shoots about 1/2 moa. I want to shorten the barrel to 20' from 26'. Is is worth it to get it cut and crowned ? I hear I could possibly get up to 7000 rds before it needs to be replaced. I would rather spend a little now than replace the entire barrel. opinions please?
 
Re: Is it to late to shorten my barrel?

Nobody over the internet is going to be able to give you a 100% yes or no. There is too much involved in it other then the 2500 rounds fired.

For the cost of cutting and crowning I would do it in a heart beat. Dont sweat it. If it works for you, you will be money ahead. The cost will be far less then a new barrel. With the new crown you may be able to keep your 1/2 MOA for many more rounds.

Good luck.
 
Re: Is it to late to shorten my barrel?

If you want to save the expense of a new barrel but are worried about throat wear, why dont you have the smith cut off the threads, rethread it and run the Reamer in to clean up the chamber. You want it shorter anyways. When he gets that done he can cut off whatever else he needs to off the front to make it however long you want it to be. Then you have the best of both worlds without going for a new barrel.

Nathan
 
Re: Is it to late to shorten my barrel?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Brux Barrels</div><div class="ubbcode-body">+1 Set it back an inch and remove whatever else you want after. </div></div>

What Brux said... Stay with SAAMI spec'd chambers for reliability unless you want a bench gun, the tighter the chamber the less tolerance for dirt etc. Have the OAL cut to 20" (see many discussions on SH re 20" barrels) and recrowned and go shoot.
 
Re: Is it to late to shorten my barrel?

Cut it down and shoot it until time to replace it. Because it is a factory barrel I would not waste any more money on setting it back with new chamber. As well as you probably do not have enough room anyway.
 
Re: Is it to late to shorten my barrel?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Brux Barrels</div><div class="ubbcode-body">+1 Set it back an inch and remove whatever else you want after. </div></div>

I dont think the shank is long enough on a SPS or P series to st the barrel back an inch. Have the smith cut it down to 20" and recrown it.