Want to flute & cut barrel. Should I?

[WaCoyote]

I own a Ruger 77 MKII Heavy Target in 22-250. I love this rifle but It's too heavy for coyote hunting.

Thinking about have the barrel fluted and shortened to drop the weight. Will this have an adverse affect on accuracy? The thing shoots very well now and I don't want to screw it up but I'm sick of the weight and I don't want to sell the rifle since I may actually have snow camo put on it for my winter yote gun.

Actually thinking about having it cut from 26" to 22", fluted, and having a comp installed. That should cut weight quite a bit.

What do you think?????

[AJ]

Re: Want to flute & cut barrel. Should I?

Having a factory barrel fluted is a very risky project. Unless its done right on any barrel it can turn a good barrel into something only good for a tomato stake. You will loose a bit of speed going that short also. You could probably do some work on the stock to reduce some weight also. Talk to your gunsmith and see what he recommends. Maybe just having it rebarreled with something slightly smaller taper is the best way to go.

[WaCoyote]

Re: Want to flute & cut barrel. Should I?

Losing some speed is ok but I don't need another tomato stake!!

There's a guy here in town that I'm going to talk to and see what he thinks.

Thanks AJ.