I've got an FN Browning .458. It was made in '64, it came to me with a brake. I have already decided to cut it off and shorten the barrel. Will it totally destroy the value of the gun if I go shorter than 22" or is it done as soon I go below 24. I have no plans to sell it and was thinking 20 or 21". Just curious as to what opinions might be.

value was lost forever when the brake was added.
It's yours to enjoy now as a shooter. I would think you will turn it into a hot-loaded 45-70 with a much shortened barrel...like 20". JMHO, and free advice...which is what it is worth.

Rich
DRSS

Thanks Rich, thats really what I figured. I'm not to worried about velosity loss with a short barrel and a .458.

Lots of muzzle flash under 23"

worry more about having the crown done well

jeffe

quote:

Originally posted by Idaho Sharpshooter:
value was lost forever when the brake was added.
It's yours to enjoy now as a shooter.

Rich
DRSS

If the brake can be totally removed by shortening to 22" I'd do it in a heartbeat as I'd bet the value will go up!

When I made my VZ-24 .458WM I cut the bbl @ 22"& love it. I havent shot it at nite & probably wont so I have no idea about muzzle flash

I was thinking 22" and I think thats what it"ll be. I have a great gunsmith/machinist/buddy who has done lots of barrels for me so no worries about the crown. Thanks for the opinions gentlemen.

The best gun I ever had for shooting was a Savage Safari in 458. But it had the terrible AMB in it. It was a great shooter though with the Brockman brass inlayed front post and Ashley outdoors rear peep. Not traditional but quite easy to get on target. That gun is yours and Jeffe is right. Get a proper crown and hunt with it! Packy

One customer brought me his .458 WM with its Mag-na-ported 20" barrel and had me rechamber for .458 Lott. He told me on his first trip to Africa with it in .458 WM he set the grass on fire with it. I told him on his next trip he'll now be able to set trees on fire with it!

I don't recommend less than 22".

I shortened a Zastava 458WM from 24" to 22". I'd be happy with something as short as 20" but prefer 22".
Cheers...
Con

Mine had a 21 on it, but I like short barrels. Will go 20 next time.

505ED

My Roger Biesen 458 had a salt and pepper shaker muzzle break on it when I bought it from Champlins.

I had JJ cut it off and recrown it. It ended up 21". Then I had Roger Biesen punch it out to a 458 Lott.

I could not imagine a more handy and effective rifle than a short barrel 458 punched out to a Lott.

My Watts has a 21 inch barrel. Factory Lott ammo chronographs at 2260 fps. Rifle is short, handy and balances perfectly. This is the only Lott/Watts I have ever fired so I can't comment on muzzle blast, but I don't think it is that bad.
Jeff Collins

If it is a 458 Win then I would go 18". I like
the flash.

I wouldn't go below 22".

I would first consider the overall balance of the rifle. Whether you cut it to 20 inches or 22 will not make any difference to the game you will be shooting with it.
Cutting it to 20 inches will not make it a 45-70 as you can still safely and easily push a 500 grain bullet over 2100fps in a 20 inch barrel.

Question for you guys who have 21" and under barrels, just how big is that fireball when you light off that 458?