Costs and benefits

[wilmsmeyer]

I've got a friend who wants to lighten his Savage. He thought he may chop 3-4 inches off his barrel.

I suggested that he look into a Pac-nor .45 conversion and order a short barrel for it that will probably shoot great.

You .45 guys: Is a .45 Pac-nor barrel lighter then a similar length .50 cal Savage barrel?

The main goal here is weight reduction. He is also a fellow that has a custom bedded Savage and STILL can only hold 1 1/2 - 2 MOA @ 100 yds. He's a very good marksman. I am telling him that almost everyone of you .45'ers are getting bugholes.

So....If weight reduction is not somewhat considerable, he probably won't do it. Cost wise: The barrel will be the biggest part. What about the previous bedding job? Will the barrel drop in? He has an RB 3rd pillar installed and I cannot picture how that adds to the scenario of dropping in a different barrel.

Remember....weight reduction is main goal. Extra accuracy is secondary.

[SW]

The 45 is heavier. There is a smaller hole down the same externally sized barrel. 40 is heavier yet.

[tar12]

Jan 11, 2009 7:28:50 GMT -5 SW said:

The 45 is heavier. There is a smaller hole down the same externally sized barrel. 40 is heavier yet.

Since that is the case,could you not go heavier on cutting flutes?

[dave d.]

:)wilms,sw answered your question on weight but pposey has a shortened .45 and with fluting it would be lighter.just a thought.it will drop in but if he bedded the first 2" of the barrel past the recoil lug he just might have to remove some of that materail.goodluck

[wilmsmeyer]

Thanks guys

[edge]

Personally fluting a barrel may not be safe!

Generally a fluted barrel is made from a barrel with a heavier contour, not the correct contour and then fluted!

edge.

You need to remember that fluting is generally NOT in the area of the chamber or muzzle. Since you have a variable chamber you really could weaken a barrel without some serious consideration.

[mshm99]

You could tie a dozen helium balloons to the barrel and stock .

mshm