25 06 Barrel chop question

[chrmayo]

I traded for a 25 06 last year and it wears the synthetic stocks. It is the standard 26" barrel but its much heavier than most standard barrels on other rifles (non handi rifles). It doesnt really ballance good, its very front end heavy. I was thinking maybe having it cut down a little to help with this but not sure how much I should go. I want to use this gun for treestand hunting so I want it to balance good and be manueverable. Also want to keep it in the truck so when I am out at the farms that I hunt regular. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

[wreckhog]

No such animal as an adult size small bore handi with syn stocks that balances well. A .22 Hornet Super Light contour or a short barrel 45-70 would be as close as you get, but you are a long way off from that.

[gendoc]

yep, it can be done... with excellent results, if its done right !!!! 
what length are you look'n for ?

[chrmayo]

Im not really sure on how much to go. Thats kinda what I was wanting to know. Would 4" be too much?

[JW307]

The 26" barrel is what really makes the 25-06 shine.  If it was me I'd look at adding weight to the butt stock before I took any barrel length off, if all you're really trying to do is make it balance better.  That being said there is no reason you couldn't take it down to 22" like the rest of the standard Handis.

[gendoc]

not much loss between 22 and 20, i'd go 20... but don't expect it to be a 200 yrd match lighter
after that.  we did a remington bg to 20 a coupla years ago. because the owner wanted
an easier handle'n gun in a multiple window shoot'n house. it turned out fine within his
shooting range.  she just would breath alot of fire !!!

[gcrank1]

There's a lot more to balance and handling than barrel length. Even as is it is no longer than most shorter barreled bolt actions. Mess about with other stuff before cutting it off.

[trotterlg]

If you pay the shipping I will cut and crown it to any length more than 16 inches that you want.  Larry

[GreenMachine79]

I wouldn't cut it, the over all length is already similar to a bolt action with a 21" barrel. 

[S.E.Ak]

If most of your shooting is 200yards or so 4" off will still do fine. To me heavy barrels are for bench rest or varmits not a carry hunting gun so make it work for you.

[briannmilewis]

If you pay the shipping I will cut and crown it to any length more than 16 inches that you want.  Larry

Larry, you are one of the most generous people I have ever come across. This is why hanging out at GBO is very special.

[MSP Ret]

I also agree with the idea of leaving it 26". A nice 26" long H&R barrel is a thing of beauty and a joy to those who would like to have one (I have one already). I suggest either balancing it out at that length or buying a nice lightwieght standard coutour 7mm-08 barrel for your treestand hunting, a great deerslayer from any reasonable distance and a great treestand gun. Also think about a H&R/NEF 30-30 with either Leverolution ammo or your own reloads, a wonderful deer gun and capable of much longer shots than you would believe when loaded right....<><....

[SHOOTALL]

Some of the magic in a 25-06 comes from its bbl length i would never cut one . If the gun rides in a truck or sits in a tree stand and all you want is blance just weight the stock . Hey the recoil reduction is a gravy.

[thejanitor]

I would not cut it, if you are not too stuck on 25-06 trade it for a .270 or 30-06. plenty of these GBO folks would be happy to make you happy. If 25-06 is what you really want then cut it, but that length is special to only a couple select calibers. thejanitor

[gendoc]

for a $125 barrel, and an easy one to come by.....do what you want !!!
trotterlg has the fix for ya. and a fine offer at that !!!!

[Couger]

I would not cut it, if you are not too stuck on 25-06 trade it for a .270 or 30-06. plenty of these GBO folks would be happy to make you happy. If 25-06 is what you really want then cut it, but that length is special to only a couple select calibers. thejanitor  

Anything the .25/06 can do - the .270 can do better - and with a shorter barrel length!

Actually I DON't LIKE THE .25/06 - but love the 'Roberts' and .250 Savage!

The advice about the .25/06 "shining" at 26inches is correct.  And 24inches is a huge advantage over 22 in that round as well.

Twas me and I was looking for a long-distance shooter to shoot from a tree stand or other 3-4hundred yard distance, I'd either choose the 7mm-08 or .270Win.  Both do well with a 22inch barrel (and even better with a 24!, but don't come with that length).

If you need a 20inch 'stand gun,' consider getting a .30-30 or .308W and chopping the 2 or even 4inches (I assume you reload and can tailor your handloads accordingly).

ADDED:  I won't go into a big schpiel but cartridge "efficiency" and things like "expansion ratio," but those things are important when considering barrel lengths versus compact tree-guns.     A .308W with a 20in barrel is still a good 300yd shooter.   A .30-30 with a pointy bullet could also do many things better than with a "blunt" carbine bullet.  

Keep the .25/06 for varminting and bench rest shooting, or sell it to someone who will use it for those things.

[SHOOTALL]

Anything the .25/06 can do - the .270 can do better - and with a shorter barrel length!



Except shoot .25 bullets faster than .27 bullets 


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