Cutting barrel down from 20" to 16"

[ndekens]

I have a remington 597 that I want to cut the barrel down from the stock 20" to 16". Can anyone tell me what this will do to accuracy at distance? Also how does one go about cutting the barrel on one of these? It's the 22lr version not the magnum. Thanks.

[BigFatGuy]

The cut needs to be very square and clean to not mess up the crown.

You'll also want to recut the crown.

Also, if you are in any way too short you are a felon... And that includes the kerf of your precision cutting blade.

Take it to a smith. This isn't a shotgun.

[ojisan]

- Never cut to the 16" minimum...always cut to 16.25" in case Law Enforcement's ruler is a little bit shorter than yours.
- No real effect on accuracy, depends on the ammo, might be just a little better due to less barrel flex.
- You need a flat and true muzzle face and good crown otherwise your current level of accuracy will go away.
- Best to use a lathe to cut and crown it.

[gemini1]

I have a Marlin 60 that I cut down to 16.5". I then used a cone shaped grinding stone mounted in a drill, and carefully grinded the crown area, making sure theres no burrs. The rifle shoots dead on at 100 yards.
If you have to tap and drill the front sight, use a drill press.
I messed up on centering the front sight, I ended up having 3 holes that was still not centered. Covered up the holes with JB weld and applied a flat black high heat spray paint.

[mnichols]

Try posting in the gunsmithing section. or try member 'ar15barrels'

[fast318]

If you are not handy/patient with hand tools then take it to a gunsmith but I'm sure that can be pricey nowadays. Depending on the condition of your current crown you could gain much accuracy by cutting a new one.

There's no need for an expensive tool kit, just get a small piece of angle iron and file or grind the outside corner flat in one area to make a c-clamp pad sit flat (be sure to use plastic pads or tape on the c-clamp where it touches the barrel). Line up the edge of the angle iron where you want to cut the barrel and use as a guide to ride the hack saw blade against. Once you cut all the way through simple hit the muzzle with a flat file with the angle iron still attached to make sure it's flat.

It doesn't have to be perfect in my opinion since the crown cutter has a caliber specific pilot that fits into the bore to make sure the tool rides square to the bore axis.

Clean up any burrs with high grit sand paper and apply some type of bluing to the fresh metal and a coat of oil.

Once you buy the crown cutter you can restore other barrels.

[Occams Rasor]

This guy charges ~$40 to cut/crown a 10/22 barrel.

http://www.hangingtreearmory.com/#!__barrel-pricing

If you really like the gun, best to let a gunsmith do it.
If you are interested in a DIY project, then you can experiment around.
Like other people have said, best to go 16.5" just to be safe.
Best of luck.

[Mr. Beretta]

- Never cut to the 16" minimum...always cut to 16.25" in case Law Enforcement's ruler is a little bit shorter than yours.
- No real effect on accuracy, depends on the ammo, might be just a little better due to less barrel flex.
- You need a flat and true muzzle face and good crown otherwise your current level of accuracy will go away.
- Best to use a lathe to cut and crown it.

Great advice.

The only thing I would add is shorten the barrel to 16.5" not 16.25".

IMHO.

[hermosabeach]

OP-
If you want to do this yourself, start at 19" and see if you like the results... a simple practice run....

Based upon the results, you can recut at 16.25-16.5" or take it to a smith to
Cut
Re Crown
Blue

Cut a new dove tail for the front sight if needed

some examples

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b43odFm0mrI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2id8VqD-d8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHRQkv0e2PE

[Sunday]

For the $$$$ buy a new barrel. Think about it.