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Cutting a barrel

Sig220_Ruger77Sig220_Ruger77 Member Posts: 12,754 ✭✭✭
edited February 2009 in Ask the Experts
I have a 24" barrel that I am wanting to get cut down to around 20". I don't have the necessary tools for the job, so I have to find someone in my area to do it. Anybody have a rough estimate on what the cutting, recrowning, and drilling for a new front site would cost? Thanks,

Jon
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Comments

  • Sig220_Ruger77Sig220_Ruger77 Member Posts: 12,754 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Can the barrel of a Winchester M59 be cut? I have a Winchester M59 full choke.....fiberglass wrapped barrel. I would like to cut the barrel so that it would become a cylinder....perfect for small game.
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  • SP45SP45 Member Posts: 1,761 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Depends on where you live, what barreled action it is and weather it can be done without taking the barrel off. Anywhere from $60.00 and up I would expect.
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  • nononsensenononsense Member Posts: 10,928 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Jon0322,

    It not only depends on your area but the type and quality of the job that you want done.

    Cut and Crown can be as simple as letting some cobbler cut the barrel off with a hacksaw and then use a crowning tool to cut the crown. I have no idea what the shade tree gun plumbers charge for this and I don't care because I can't recommend this idea.

    When approached properly, the barrel should be cut off and the crown cut concentric and perpendicular to the bore. Without this, the rifle is basically ruined. The crown is the last part of the barrel that has any influence on the bullet so if it's not done correctly, the rifle will not shoot accurately. This is not the place to skimp.

    Next, the top dead center of the barrel has to be located and the holes drilled and tapped to the proper depth.

    Then the barrel needs to be re-finished.

    I can't think of anyone right now in Wisconsin but you can get in the phone book or try this list:

    http://www.shooting-hunting.com/results.html?Keywords=gunsmithing&City=&State=WI&Zip=&Country=

    Best.
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  • NwcidNwcid Member Posts: 10,674 ✭
    edited November -1
    This place is the #1 listed across all the boards I read for doing it, http://www.tornado-technologies.com/

    His main job is cutting and threading barrels. NFA guy for suppressors and SBR's love him cause he does it right. He had done 3 of mine. I have yet to hear a single bad thing about him. I drove about 4hrs too see him and have mine done. Awsome guy.
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  • Sig220_Ruger77Sig220_Ruger77 Member Posts: 12,754 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I don't need nothing fancy done, but like you guys mentioned, I want it done right. There is one place on that list that you gave me Nononsense, that is fairly close to me. I will have to give them a call and a visit. Thanks guys, much appreciated.

    Jon
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  • nononsensenononsense Member Posts: 10,928 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Jon0322,

    That's the stuff!

    Ask any questions or have him describe the methods he uses to get your work done. Be satisfied with his answers before committing to a price.

    Best.
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  • NwcidNwcid Member Posts: 10,674 ✭
    edited November -1
    I will mention about my link that he has very fair pricing. I called a couple of local places that said they could "probably" do it and they wanted twice as much. The link I sent you the guy, Mike, makes his living JUST doing this kind of work. Even if I had to ship it I still would have come in under the closest quote and good great service.

    Not sure what gun you are doing but one of the very nice things that made me go with him was that he has a "jig" for doing Remington 700's properly with out pulling the barrel. One of my guns I had done was a 700p LTR.
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  • Sig220_Ruger77Sig220_Ruger77 Member Posts: 12,754 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Went and spoke to a local shop owner who does custom gun work. They are actually located about 10 minutes from me. I knew they did duracoating and stuff, but didn't realize they did this as well. Only reason I found out is because they are the ones handling the FFL transfer of the rifle I bought and am planning on doing this to. They quoted me $125 for the complete job(chopping the barrel, recrowning, and drilling for the front sight). Does this seem fairly resonable?

    They use a cnc machine, so the job will get done right. Really some very nice folks as well. I have spoken to them a couple of times in the past and they are always willing to help, or point you to someone who can.

    BTW, the rifle is a Savage 116 .375 H&H. Do you think it would be worth having them port it as well? I have never really like the idea in hunting rifles myself because of the noise factor, but just how much recoil would it reduce? Probably not going to do it, just kind of curious what you guys think. Have never had a problem handling the recoil of my other .375, but this one will be a little lighter yet, and have a shorter barrel once I am done with it. I am going to install a nice recoil pad as well, but that can wait.

    In the end, all this work is relying on the fact that I haven't got the gun yet and am going to have to wait and see if I like the way it handles and shoots. Something tells me I will though.[:D]

    Jon
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  • vdms55vdms55 Member Posts: 298 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    jon0322
    there is a specific reason those magnum calibers are made with 24 and 26 inch tubes. i am not knowledgable enough to explain it for you but there are plenty of other people here who can. it has to do with the velocities they are capable of developing. just a thought before you end up with a h&h 375 that shoots like a 30-30.
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  • nononsensenononsense Member Posts: 10,928 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Jon0322,

    CNC by itself does not necessarily guarantee accuracy since it is the programmer that makes or breaks the process. I'm glad you like these folks and have confidence in them. That helps a lot.

    Cutting down a .375 H&H is not as much of a problem as it is with other cartridges. It's been done before for some very good reasons but I'll warn you right straight up, this thing is going to bark louder than anything you've ever shot before. I strongly recommend muffs and plugs both 'cause it's going to rattle your brain!

    My loads for these short rifles were based on the 270 gr. Barnes TSX over various loads of VVN-550, AA XMR-4064, IMR-4895 and Ramshot Big Game. I'll also warn you to avoid shooting any of these loads anywhere near sunrise or sunset. That is unless you have a pair of welder's goggles...[8D]

    Enjoy the project!

    Best.
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  • Sig220_Ruger77Sig220_Ruger77 Member Posts: 12,754 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    vdms55,

    I am not worried at all about the barrel length change. It has been done by many people before me(Alaskan hunter's, guide's, etc.). IMO, there really is no comparing a 30-30 to a .375 h&h. Two completely different animals designed for completely different reasons.

    nononsense,

    Thanks for the words of encouragement. I have some Barnes 235 gr. XLC's that I bought to use in my Remington 700 .375 for deer hunting. I will probably start with these in the Savage and work my way up to 270's and then 300's eventually, just to see the accuracy and wrath that this thing can bring.[:D] I will keep you updated on the project. The rifle is suppose to be in next Tuesday. I will probably take at least a couple of weekends to make sure I am happy with the rifle and then hand it over to the gunsmith to do his job.

    Jon
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