If I were to cut down my 700 barrel...

[Howie Feltersnatch]

What length is typically good? It's a Remington 700 SPS 26" 1x12 bbl. It's currently shooting .5-.75MOA as it sits. I've heard anywhere from 20"-24" is ok with capabilities still reaching out to 1000 yds. I have about 2000 rounds of either 168gr or 175 (can't remember as I'm at work) SMK's that need to be built for the gun.

I guess what I'm asking is what is to short and how much does the deflection increase the shorter you go and how much does the velocity and accuracy decrease the shorter I go?

It shoots great now but if I can cut it down a little and not affect how it shoots now greatly then I'd like to know what you've experienced. Thanks.

Erik

 

[Willys46]

Re: If I were to cut down my 700 barrel...

I went with 21" because I could not decide between 20 or 21.

It was a pss 26". with 175's at about 2700 fps, at 21" I am getting 2550. I had to increase the load to get back in the sweet spot.

With 175's it still gets to a 1000 no problem.. actually hit 1225 steel with it.

If I were you, I would not waste the money. you have 2000 rounds down the tube, save the money for a new barrel. I am kicking myself for wating the money. I had it cut and a muzzel break installed..

 

[Howie Feltersnatch]

Re: If I were to cut down my 700 barrel...

No no I don't mean I have shot 2000 rounds. Only 40 have been shot. I have about 2000 SMK's to make for my rifle. A guy I bought reloading equipment from gave me 2000 of boxed SMK .308 that I need to load up!

 

[Pusher591]

Re: If I were to cut down my 700 barrel...

I say cut it to 20" and put a surfire (or which ever you prefer) muzzle brake on it. and it will be a sweet little shooting rig. The theory is that a shorter barrel is stiffer and has less harmonic disturbance so you should see your groups tighten up a little bit(hopefully). Post pics when your done.

 

[kraigWY]

Re: If I were to cut down my 700 barrel...

This will give you an ideal, for my grandaughters science project I cut down a 26 in barret, 2 in at a time to 16 inches. We used Rem Factory 180s but it will give you an ideal.

The first col is barrel lenght, then, MV, ME, 300 yard Vel, 300 yard Energy.

26 2826 fps 3,192 2240 2,005
24 2722 fps 2,961 2149 1,846
22 2713 fps 2,942 2141 1,832
20 2677 fps 2,864 2109 1,778
18 2654 fps 2,815 2089 1,744
16 2552 fps 2,603 2000 1,599

 

[Howie Feltersnatch]

Re: If I were to cut down my 700 barrel...

Thanks for the replys guys. So based off that chart 22-23 appears to be fine? Any other ideas?

 

[mavrick10_2000]

Re: If I were to cut down my 700 barrel...

I went from 26" to 20" with my factory tube, I've only lost about 70-80 FPS - again "FACTORY Barrel". You'll have to modify your loads a little up or down in charge weight due to changing the harmonics but you should be gtg.

I wanted it short to be handy suppressed or unsupressed. Suppressor attached will have my overall length at 27.25. It's really up to what you want to do. I'm building another rifle that will be finished at 27" and I will run the suppressor on that occasionally and deal with it being more nose heavy.

 

[Howie Feltersnatch]

Re: If I were to cut down my 700 barrel...

I guess in a perfect world I'd want something short enough (for moving in and out of safe and also transportability) but long enough to touch 1000 yds nicely. I have a 1000 yd range local that I'd like to start using.

It seems the consensus from the people that posted and also the gentleman that I bought this from says 20 is GTG.

Is there any reason now this barrel should not be married to this length? Speak up now or forever hold your peace.