The CZ is getting ready to go off to the smith for a barrel band and a NEGC front sight. I want to cut the barrel down from 25" to a more maneuverable 22". Before I do that are there any dissenting opinions?

Nimrod - I have an opinion - Don�t do it.

You lose gun weight and increase felt recoil
You increase muzzle climb
You alter gun balance
You lose velocity
You can lose accuracy

3" means beans as far as maneuverability in the field. All my big bore hunting rifles are 24" to 25" and I have hunted in the most dense brush that Africa can throw at you with no hangups. If the gun shoots well don't mess with it. If it is an older gun, you might as well re-crown it while you are fitting the front sight. If it is new, shoot it a bunch before you make any decision to cut it. Look at it like a circumcision - It is easy to cut, but tough to grow back, and the results may be painful.

Kentuck, do not do it !!.

I reckon the 25" barrel swings beutifully and that barrel gets near .416 weatherby ballistics. I also think the CZ sights are fine. Save your money mate everything Zero said is spot on.

I do not think that you will see any loss of preformance. It should have have a good barrel so I would not believe that you should lose any accuracy. As to balence if it is muzzel heavy it will improve balance if not a little lead in the forearm will cure that. The short barrel is nice to manover around in the pickup to shoot pheasants and deer and coyotes. So if you want a short barrel go for it. By the way I have cut 30 or so barrels and never had trouble. But those done with a pipe cutter might.

Kentucky - I don't think anyone has considered the real issue here for you. How does the gun feel and balance for YOU? Obviously there is some sort of problem or you wouldn't be having these thoughts. I don't think you are taking such a step for the fun of it.

Most of the objections Zero raises to your doing this are true enough, but the big question is: "To what degree?" The answer is probably nothing you will notice. We are talking Very little weight. Very little velocity loss. Very little change in recoil. And as for accuracy loss, this is bit of a wild assumption. I once had a 26" heavy barrel .308 that was a tack driver. I got sick of the weight and chopped it back to only 19" barrel and it was STILL a tack driver. But it was a lot lighter and a hell of a lot more enjoyable to carry and hunt with.

If this .416 is your benchrest rifle, I would say don't do it. If it is your hunting rifle, I wouldn't give it a second thought. I would chop it if the gun feels heavy and awkward to you.

The difference I think you will notice more than anything is more blast. The gun is just gonna be a tad more "BOOM." And you MIGHT hurt the resale value of it to some purist.

Anyway, I don't see this as a monumental decision. Do it if you feel it will improve the gun's qualities for YOU.

In my experience, your height and arm length has more to do with the "correct" barrel length than anything else. Also, make sure you trim the right end. I am 5'9" with a barrel chest and stubby arms, but I think my ZKK 602 in 375 was stocked for an NBA player. I removed the recoil pad and the rifle fit me much better. I had the stock cut to match that LOP (with the pad in place) and I was in business. Also, if removing the pad doesn't help, you can always put it back.

I have found that taking a quarter-inch from the butt can make more difference than taking four inches from the barrel. Hope this helps, Okie John.

Almost all of my rifles have either 24 or 26" barrels. The only exception is my 416 Taylor which has a 23" barrel. I like it, a lot. I think that is a good balance between velocity and manouverablility. It sure points like a dream, and seems to suit the calibre and the purpose of the rifle (ie. hunting big things at close'ish' ranges).

Personally I think that the difference in velocity will not be noticeable for all intents and purposes. Anytime you mess with a rifle you might lose accuracy, but you might gain it too!

A 416 anything with a 22" barrel is going to handle anything out there. If that's what you really want, I say go for it.

Canuck