Shortening a Mosin-Nagant 91/30 barrel???

Post by **BK Meyers** » Sun Sep 09, 2012 8:32 pm

Have recently seen 2 threads/replies which referenced having the barrel of a Mosin-Nagant 91/30 cut down to 16".

What is the purpose and/or benefit to doing this?? I can see being able to recrown the barrel but cutting to 16" would also seem to be counter-productive to long-range ability.

Thanks,
BK

Post by **son of liberty** » Sun Sep 09, 2012 8:45 pm

You will loose velocity when you reduce the barrel length , there is just no way around that. Velocity is only one part of range, often reducing the length of a barrel can reduce barrel whip and actually make the rifle shoot smaller groups.

Also the maneuverability and weight of a 16 inch might be worth the velocity loss for some folks, I know a stock Mosin would be a pain to carry through the woods in deer season, but a carbine version might be what the doc ordered.

Post by **etownguy** » Sun Sep 09, 2012 10:21 pm

I cut mine down to 21.5" still have not shot it so I cannot tell you adverse effects at all.

Post by **guncrank1** » Sun Sep 09, 2012 10:50 pm

You loose about 300 fps with each inch.
Short is 16 inch with out a SBR stamp.
Length has a bearing on velocity
The crown has everything to do with accuarcy

Post by **etownguy** » Mon Sep 10, 2012 12:25 am

300fps is wayyyyy off

Here is a VERY in depth paper on shortening the barrel of a mosin.

http://honors.usf.edu/documents/Thesis/U82488180.pdf

Post by **guncrank1** » Mon Sep 10, 2012 6:21 am

etownguy wrote:300fps is wayyyyy off

Here is a VERY in depth paper on shortening the barrel of a mosin.

http://honors.usf.edu/documents/Thesis/U82488180.pdf

Oh pardon missur

Ok you loose about 300 fps total so it is about 30 fps per inch.
May it miss typed, always some body to correct a mistake. :llama:

Post by **guncrank1** » Mon Sep 10, 2012 7:19 am

As a side note velocity does have effect on terminal proformance , especially when the diameter/weight of bullet is factored in.
In a 20 M-16 enough velocity is lost with the 14.5 inch barrel of M4 that at 300 meters as to have the war fighter question the effectiveness of it.

Post by **kyswede** » Mon Sep 10, 2012 1:44 pm

BK Meyers wrote:Have recently seen 2 threads/replies which referenced having the barrel of a Mosin-Nagant 91/30 cut down to 16".

What is the purpose and/or benefit to doing this?? I can see being able to recrown the barrel but cutting to 16" would also seem to be counter-productive to long-range ability.

Thanks,
BK

I cut mine to 16 1/4" for 1 reason. FIREBALLS.

Post by **Dave1965** » Mon Sep 10, 2012 3:50 pm

I just have a couple of the carbine versions.

Post by **BK Meyers** » Mon Sep 10, 2012 6:25 pm

Thanks for all of the replies. The reason I have asked is that I have one of my 91/30's at Guncranks shop getting some work done. I had not really considered reducing the barrel length until I saw the thread by Etownguy on his modified 91/30.

The comment about maneuverability makes a really good point and is something I had not considered. This rifle is being set-up as a hunting piece so definitely a good piece of advice.

Currently it is a non-numbers matching 91/30 in an ATI stock with a Guncrank scope mount. He is also set to do some trigger work and remove the rear sight base from the barrel. I have an anticipated maximum shooting range of 400 yards with most shots being made between 100-300 yards. Am waiting on his recommendation for barrel length to accomodate this distance.

Thanks again to all who replied,
BK

Kentucky Armory Club