shortening 550 barrel

[vino53]

Has anyone shortened their 550 (I have it in .270) barrel? To make it similar to the Remington Model 7, which is 39" in length; looks llike one would cut about 3" off the end and have it re-crowned. How much weight is saved & how much is accuracy compromised?

Thanks.  Bill.

[Frank in Montana]

Shortening your barrel will have a few results; you will lose approximately 30-50 fps per inch of barrel removed*,you will change the harmonics or vibration of the barrel possibly helping or hurting accuracy, you will make the OAL shorter but that can also change the balance of the gun. that balance can affect how well the gun "hangs" when fired off hand or from say a sitting position. It can feel butt heavy. One needs to have a shortening job done by a qualified person as the crown or end of the barrel needs to then be ground/lapped or turned on a lathe so the crown is precise and consistent. Will the shortening hurt the value of your gun if you choose to sell it? You will lose a few ounces but is the loss of velocity worth the loss of ounces?

 * A general rule of thumb. Some barrels lose very little from say 24" to 22" others will lose quite a lot. I'd figure on anywhere from a 50 to a 150 fps LOSS on the 3" you wish to remove.

 Personally I like longer barrels in the 24-26 inch range on my hunting rifles. Then again I'm 6'2" and have long arms. Plus I like ALL of my velocity, and hate to lose it with a short barrel. BUT I do not generally hunt in heavy cover where a shorter OAL IS convenient. though I have hunted in heavy cover with both 24" and 26" barrels on full sized rifles with NO ill affects.

FN in MT

[vino53]

Frank:
Frank:

Thought the forum was dead; thanks for the reply; as you may know, the 550 FS model is 3" shorter than the American model; it's just not available in the US(at least not from my source); and I don't like the stock going all the way to the end of the barrel. American barrel length is 23.6" (600mm), the FS is 20.5" (520mm). Harmonically speaking, one would think that CZ knows of such things, & if I were to shorten my CZ American barrel I should go to the 20.5" (520mm) length;the same as their FS model. But, then there's the other side of my brain telling me to try 2" & if not happy, I can always cut another 1" off. But, then there's the added expense.

[Frank in Montana]

Once you cut it OFF you can't put it back!  I would not go less than 22". IMHO I thnk the barrel as it is is about perfect.
 UNLESS.....your hunting in really thick stuff a majority of the time. Then I would go 20" as velocity shouldn't matter as your shots will probably be short range anyway.

 FN in MT

[vino53]

Frank:  

Appreciate your advice; will let you know what I decide.  

Bill.