Author Topic: Barrel Length for 357 Mag (Read 619 times)

Prince of Wales · « **on:** November 28, 2003, 07:31:54 AM »

I have a Marlin Mod 62 which i had converted from 256 mag to 357 mag. The original stock had been shortened on the forarm and the 24 in barrel was way too long. When I had the gun rechambered I requested a length of 18 1/2" to 20". The smith told me that it would be 18" because it was all that he could get in that caliber. But when I picked up the gun he stated "it came out to be 22". Where as to my eye 24" was way too long for a shortened stock 22" is too long. Not way too long just too long. I want to shorten the barrel to a more visually appealing 19". I have tried to get used to this length but cannot. The gun was converted to be used as the grandkids first centerfire. I want a carbine.
So now I have two questions. First is 19" going to extract all the velocity from the 357 cartrige? and secondly can I shorten this myself with ordinary tools. Can I cut the barrel and crown it to produce accaptable accuracy. Thanks and best of luck. POW

lgm270 · « **Reply #1 on:** November 28, 2003, 01:30:43 PM »

My adivce is to get the barrel length you like and feel comfortable with and go for it. I don't know about "extracting" all the velocity you can get from the .357 magnum, but if you're that interested in high velocity you probably need somehting else anyway.

Prince of Wales · « **Reply #2 on:** November 28, 2003, 04:38:22 PM »

I`m not talking about extraxcting the last drop of energy from the roundhere. If i was I would have ketpt the 256 Win round. Just wanting to know if a 19" barrel will give a clean burn to a 357 Mag.
Also looking for methods of doing the job myself. Thanks. POW

Graybeard · « **Reply #3 on:** November 29, 2003, 04:45:42 AM »

I would NOT recommend doing the job yourself since you have to ask. IF you were up to doing it and doing it right you'd have known and not had to ask. Can you? Sure. Should you? Nope not in my opinion.

But it can be cut with a hacksaw and smoothed using a flat file and then crowned using lapping compound and a round brass headed screw. It makes a perfectly serviceable crown IF you cut straight with the hacksaw or if you are able to square it up afterward with a file. I've seen it done and it worked pretty well. You're not expecting sub MOA from this rifle anyway and if the job is done decently you'll likely not notice any deterioration in accuracy from it in this chambering.

As to barrel length I'd go with the standard 20" carbine length. To me on a lever gun that barrel length seems kinda short and I'd personally not want one shorter. But I am more of f long barrel kinda guy. Heck I traded off my perfectly fine and super accurate Rem. 7 with 20" barrel in 7-08 for a R700 LSS Mtn. Rifle in 7-08 just cuz it had a 22" barrel and was otherwise "almost" the same size.

All of my lever guns at this time have 20" barrels on them.

GB

Prince of Wales · « **Reply #4 on:** November 29, 2003, 07:36:02 AM »

Thanks Graybeard. Thats the kind of information I was looking for. I had read some time ago about using a bolt in a drill with lapping compound to do the crown but had forgotten the details. I do`nt think thay even stated that it was brass though.
I to have mostly long barrels but in this case the short berrel is more appropriate. Four reasons. Its to be handed down to the grandkids as a first centerfire. The forearm has been shortened. I will use it as a packpackers gun til then. Its a small case capacity caliber not requiring a long barrel.
What size bolt will be about right for this bore diameter?
Thanks and best of luck. POW

Graybeard · « **Reply #5 on:** November 29, 2003, 08:08:25 AM »

POW you definitely want to use brass not steel. Size? I dunno. Just get one with a round head and I'd guess 3/8" or larger would be plenty big enough. Main thing is head needs to be a fair bit larger than bore diameter.

GB