Barrel cutting question

[MerlinMc]

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A lot of bad info above. It works, not just speaking theoretical, I've done it. If it's what you really want and don't mind the look, do it.

Fluting is, at least in part, about aesthetics. I don't care for this look though it's probably more about what I am used to seeing.

 

[palmtree191]

Since he said the rifle was a Bergara, it's probably a bolt action. I agree that 22" is already short for the round he's shooting. Cutting off 4" would definitely reduce velocity and increase the blast/noise. Here is a video on this specific round:

For me, it's less about losing velocity and energy (the 7 PRC should have plenty at my realistic hunting ranges) and more about OAL of the gun. I'm planning to order a Nomad Ti or LTi (~6" vs ~8") in the next few months. I love the idea of maximum suppression but an 8" silencer on a 22" barrel feels like it could be too much. Maybe I'm overthinking that part?

At the end of the day, it does seem like the best and most likely scenario is I keep this 22" barrel and if I want a shorter one in the future, buy a new one that's already 18" or 20".

 

[JuddL]

You're not over thinking that part. My open country big mag (30 Nosler) is 22" and I only use 6" mufflers. It's the longest barrel I own on a suppressed rig. I think 18-20 is about right. 16" is handy in a blind though.

 

[southpa]

Cutting the solid portion of the muzzle off will change how the muzzle expands as the bullet is nearing and passing the muzzle exit. In the rest of the barrel the raised ribs are supported on either side of the bullet and high pressure gas as the bullet moves down the barrel. It the support of the ribs is removed at the muzzle the ribs are no longer supported on one end and the barrel will expand unsealing the bullet and allowing more gas to outrun the bullet to the muzzle.

Please help me understand how threading the end of the barrel (muzzle exit) doesn't add to this idea of muzzle expansion? I.E. how does cutting into the fluted portion affect the stability of the muzzle end but turning it down to thread a muzzle device not affect it?

Genuinely have always been curious about this.

 

[gpaw94]

Just get a new barrel. Start getting into the flutes and you run the risk of poor barrel harmonics.

 

[Doom2]

Please help me understand how threading the end of the barrel (muzzle exit) doesn't add to this idea of muzzle expansion? I.E. how does cutting into the fluted portion affect the stability of the muzzle end but turning it down to thread a muzzle device not affect it?

Genuinely have always been curious about this.

The threading does reduce strength of the barrel (non fluted or uniform thickness) at the muzzle but only for a very short distance and more importantly the reduction is uniform, that is the thickness is uniform. If the fluted portion of the barrel was threaded the high and low portions may not be uniform so that the expansion is uniform. When the solid portion of the barrel near the muzzle is removed the barrel is weaker for a longer distance.

As others have noted there are numerous factors that can affect the degree to which the barrel is affected.

 

[southpa]

The threading does reduce strength of the barrel (non fluted or uniform thickness) at the muzzle but only for a very short distance and more importantly the reduction is uniform, that is the thickness is uniform. If the fluted portion of the barrel was threaded the high and low portions may not be uniform so that the expansion is uniform. When the solid portion of the barrel near the muzzle is removed the barrel is weaker for a longer distance.

As others have noted there are numerous factors that can affect the degree to which the barrel is affected.

So uniform and weaker all the way down the barrel then uniform and stronger for 1 inch then uniform and weak for the last inch...

A smaller contour barrel is weaker and expands at a different rate than a larger contour...still shoots accurate just has different harmonics...and heats and cools at a different rate ultimately affecting accuracy?

So I would agree it would change the harmonics. But like others have said and seen it doesn't seem that it would ruin the barrel in any way? May need to visit the load again?

Hypothetically would you say you'd be better off turning the barrel down to a smaller contour than cutting it shorter?

 

[Mram10us]

Is it possible for a gunsmith to cut a barrel like this with the fluting? It's a Bergara 7 PRC with 22" steel barrel. I've thought about cutting it to 18" at some point so I'm curious if that's even possible given the 4" cut would go into the fluting.

Do you have a way to measure the bottom of the flute where you want it cut? Your idea is doable. Cut barrels into flutes with no issues and still very accurate. Last one was a 308 with flutes blending into brake.