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Shortening a barrel

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Joined
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I have question about shortening a barrel. I have a Pedersoli Pennsylvania rifle in .50 cal, 1 in 48 twist, and 41 1/2 inches long. My question is Can I shorten this berrel to 30 inches, without having problems with it being to short, ????. What would some of the problems be, if any, ????.
It is actually a Pedersoli kit, I bought from Dixie Gun Works. Not to much to do on one of these kits, so I'm going to customize it a little, as I work on it.

This rifle is just too long and heavy for me, and is why I am thinking of shortening it.

Thanks
Dave
 

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30” is fine for a 50 calibre in my opinion. You could also remove all the wood from the fore arm in front of the entry pipe then mount an under rib to carry the ram rod pipes. If you have a lathe the part of the barrel that the under rib is mounted could be turned round. Let your imagination run wild!
 
Also consider trading it for something lighter or shorter.
Experiments are fun but can end in untoward outcomes.
Trade it for a carbine version of something you like.
The long barrel might be a historical aspect to preserve.
Check out the various carbine versions out there.
 
question is Can I shorten this barrel,,?,,
,,This rifle is just too long and heavy for me, and is why I am thinking of shortening,,
Sure, Cut square and with proper care of the muzzle crown you should be just fine.
But don't be too hasty in your decision.
Adding weight to the butt section can make a world of difference in the balance of a rifle.
It's as simple as drilling holes in the butt, under the butt plate, and filling with lead. It's a fairly common fix.
 
This is a traditions w 32 and I have a tennesee .50 that my son shot his first 2 deer with 24 inch both shoot well . If you cut be carefull with the crown. 30 is fine
DSC03293.JPG
 
Take the barrel out of the stock.

Wrap it well to prevent any kind of scratches or damage

I would wrap a piece of tape around the mark where to cut.

Squeeze it in a vise so you can have it secure while you do the cutting

use an 18 tooth or finer hacksaw blade and cut it

use a flat mill bastard file to smooth
 
Think you'll be happier having the barrel cut off at a machine shop, gunsmith, or someone with a serious setup to ensure a square cut. Crowning isn't rocket science but a sharp edge on a land can be tough on patches and harder to load. Then there's the front sight dovetail to consider- a machinist can do this with precision in a few minutes.

Cost of having this done is peanuts compared to the cost of the kit. Had this done on a rifle for my son many years ago, even relieved a short section of the muzzle to make loading really slick. Cheapo Italian rifle into a boy's rifle turned out better'n I could ever do. 25 years later, it's ready for my grandkids.

For me, a machinist with proper equipment beats limited skills and hand tools.
 
I bought a boat and had good money in it

on launch day it began filling with water and going down fast

No damage done other than the flaming attention to my ignorance

it would almost make you cry

Well, I looked at it and said to myself, "it is mine and I own it, therefore I can do anything I want to to fix it'.

So I cut the stern out of it will a sawsall and rebuilt the steering compartment

It served me well and paid for itself along the way, it did some deep water work and made the papers

Sure was a good learning experience and I grew from that

Make that rifle yours
 
Too many years ago to remember I bought my first BP rifle. A charming full stocked Pennsylvania of 45 caliber. After the trials and learning on my own (no local BP shooters or internet) to shoot the rifle true and tight the barrel seemed to wear out in the upper 18 inches of the bore. The patched ball would go down tight for the first few inches then slide for the next foot before becoming tight again. Needless to say the great groups I had worked so diligently to develop in the preceding years went to pot. Rather then ditching the rifle I decided to shorten the barrel to 20 inches and undertook the process with some simple tools, hacksaw, files, drill etc) and modified the rifle quite handsomely I must admit. Too my great surprise the once rifle now carbine shot like a charm with reduced loads and became a dandy small game rifle.
 
I bought a boat and had good money in it

on launch day it began filling with water and going down fast

No damage done other than the flaming attention to my ignorance

it would almost make you cry

Well, I looked at it and said to myself, "it is mine and I own it, therefore I can do anything I want to to fix it'.

So I cut the stern out of it will a sawsall and rebuilt the steering compartment

It served me well and paid for itself along the way, it did some deep water work and made the papers

Sure was a good learning experience and I grew from that

Make that rifle yours
Drain plug?

wm
 
I once had a 42" barrel flintlock .50 that was so accurate for offhand shooting because the muzzle heaviness made it lock on target and not move. It weighed around 9.5 lbs and accounted for several deer and tight groups. A physical problem I developed required that I get something lighter to replace it and that's what I did. But I went to a 38" swamped barrel. I also owned a 24" .50 for over 20 years that took more deer than I can recall off hand.
 
I have question about shortening a barrel. I have a Pedersoli Pennsylvania rifle in .50 cal, 1 in 48 twist, and 41 1/2 inches long. My question is Can I shorten this berrel to 30 inches, without having problems with it being to short, ????. What would some of the problems be, if any, ????.
It is actually a Pedersoli kit, I bought from Dixie Gun Works. Not to much to do on one of these kits, so I'm going to customize it a little, as I work on it.

This rifle is just too long and heavy for me, and is why I am thinking of shortening it.

Thanks
Dave
I built an Hopkin and Allen umder hammer match rifle a few years back with a 34 inch barrel on it and cut it back to 30. It feels much better in off hand work and is just as accurate as ever.
 
I had a 40” barrel that’s made my rifle front heavy and did not fit in a blind when hunting. I had it cut to 34” professionally. Of course, recrowned and front sight installed. It cost around $100 at Pitchford Custom Gunworks. What a well balanced and user friendly rifle ITV turned into. Money well spent!
 
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