Hunting rifle idea? How does this sound..

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xopher

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Im still in search of the "perfect fitting" hunting rifle. A crazy idea just came to mind and i want to see if its a good one.

I am planning on buying or cutting up an existing hunting rifle so the barrel is barely legal (~18.5inchs). Im hoping this will make the rifle lighter, more balanced, and possibly easier for transporting.

Am i crazy?
 
xopher said:
The shortest i can go is 18 inches right?
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If you (or your 'smith) cuts your barrel, the shortest you can go is 18" for a manually operated action, if you go semi-auto the shortest you can cut is 18.5"

The factory however can make them shorter than 18" (EG ruger compact), also you can (theoretically, not saying you're gonna find one!) buy a replacement barrel under 18" so long as that is it's original manufactured length. Overall length of the firearm must be kept over 26"
 
interesting... so basically if its from factory it just needs to comply with the 26' rule?

gotcha!

Thanks for showing me the ruger scout.. that rifle looks like it might be the one because i have a few AI mags lying around..

Any idea where i can find one?
 
Just ordered my lefty Ruger gunsite scout today. I think it will be the ideal short to medium range deer rifle for the bush I hunt. I love the length and the fact that it has iron sights and a rail to accomodate various optic configurations. If you nock your scope out of whack in the field you just pull it off and use your irons. Quick release mounts will be used on mine for this reason. I will need to pick up a few 5 round mags for hunting.

Most dealer are carrying them now, Epps had two that sold quickly. Look around, you'll find one.
 
Try shooting a very short barrelled rifle before you cut the barrel off a regular one or spend good money a shortie. They have terrible muzzle blast, the balance is much worse, certainly not "improved" - but they are handier and look cool if you like that sort of thing. Standard hunting rifle barrels are 22-24" for a very good reason. That length works best for most applications!
 
Longwalker said:
Try shooting a very short barrelled rifle before you cut the barrel off a regular one or spend good money a shortie. They have terrible muzzle blast, the balance is much worse, certainly not "improved" - but they are handier and look cool if you like that sort of thing. Standard hunting rifle barrels are 22-24" for a very good reason. That length works best for most applications!
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Very well said. And to the OP no, you're not crazy, a short barreled rifle is called a 'carbine' and has been in use in many forms for a couple hundred years.

You'll likely find, after experience, 22-24" is best, I did.
 
xopher said:
Im hoping this will make the rifle lighter, more balanced, and possibly easier for transporting.
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And just how much lighter, more balanced along with ease of handling be?
You can likely find better (factory, semi custom) options that will shoot with guaranteed results...Well, maybe not guaranteed reults, but proven at least.
Steyr Scout comes to mindwww.steyrscout.org/general.htm Ok, it has a 19 inch barrel and I will concede that point.
Tight Groups,
Rob
 
xopher said:
interesting... so basically if its from factory it just needs to comply with the 26' rule?

gotcha!

Thanks for showing me the ruger scout.. that rifle looks like it might be the one because i have a few AI mags lying around..

Any idea where i can find one?
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Uhh... that's 26" rule. 26' would be unwieldy! :)

Frontier Firearms has Ruger Gun Sites for sale. Don't know if the free shipping is still on. They are paid advertisers here with their logo & link up top.
 
I have a remmington model seven that I use for hunting in the mountains chambered in 308. It's on the shorter end of what you can find and has a 700 based action. I'd recommend looking at what's available commercially before hacking with a barrel. What is written about how the short barrel behaves when shooting in other posts is very true in my experience. The rifle bucks a little harder than I was expecting. It's very accurate though and I don't hesitate to stretch it out versus my other rifles.
 
xopher said:
interesting... so basically if its from factory it just needs to comply with the 26' rule?

gotcha!

Thanks for showing me the ruger scout.. that rifle looks like it might be the one because i have a few AI mags lying around..

Any idea where i can find one?
Click to expand...

There is one on the rack at Westside Sports in Salmon Arm, BC. Call them. If they won't ship it to you, I'll buy it and you can pay me, and I'll ship it.
 
I've ran 20" pencil barrels, and even with ultralight stocks they balance like utter crap. I couldn't imagine using an 18 barrel unless it was a heavy heavy contour.
 
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