Cutting my chappy down to a 24 incher

Rowdy Fulcher · May 21, 2009, 05:44:16 AM

Howdy Pards
Today I plan on having 4 inches cut off my barrel . I decided that I wanted all my 76's to have a 24 inch barrel . When I get home tonight I will tell you how things went . I have been thinking about doing a video on both 76 rifles The Chappy and the Uberti kind of a battle of the rifles .

ndnchf · May 21, 2009, 06:15:40 AM

I hope you take step by step pictures - we like show-n-tell

Dirty Brass · May 21, 2009, 08:02:42 AM

When you say "having four inches cut off" do you mean having it done or doing it yourself? I've done three rifles so far, and they all turned out VG - even in the accuracy department after recrowning. Hope yours turns out as well. I know you like the 24" model, as do I. Are these both in 45/60 caliber? Looking forward to seeing the finished product. I LIKE the idea of a video report on a head to head battle between the two.

Rowdy Fulcher · May 21, 2009, 08:45:08 PM

Howdy Pards
Today I drove over to a Friends , who is a Gunsmith . And he was able to fit me into his schedule , and we went about making a BIG improvement in the Chappy . I didn't take any pictures sorry fellows . We took it all a part and cut the barrel down to 24 inch then put a crown on it . Then we cut dove tails ,blued the end . Then we cut the magazine tube down ,we also trimmed the mag spring . After all this we reassembled the rifle and took it outside and test fired it on his range . We had the sights close enough to ring the gong every time at 100 yards . I am planning to have a little shooting contest between the 2 Italian 76's they both have 24 inch barrels.And the sights are basically the same . At the end of a long day it was all worth the long drive . I am very Happy with my rifle and wish I had of done it 2 years ago .

ndnchf · May 22, 2009, 06:31:59 AM

Just curious - did you remove the barrel from the receiver for trimming? How was it cut - lathe or saw? Did you crown the barrel in a lathe or by hand? Dovetails cut with a milling machine or by hand? Inquiring minds want to know

Dirty Brass · May 22, 2009, 09:51:11 AM

I'm sure Rowdy will share his procedures when he gets some spare time. In the mean time, FYI, when I did my guns, I left the receiver attached. Barrels were saw cut and then face ground with lots of cooling time - squared off on the table. Polished by hand with #400 paper. Crown was done on a small horizontal lathe setup on my Shop Smith with an end mill bit. Dovetails were cut on a smaller table-top mill, and finished of with set of files as needed. I inherited some (quite a few) machinest files from my wifes grandfather that really get a lot of use!

Not sure if you wanted to hear about it, but thought I'd share the info....

Rowdy Fulcher · May 22, 2009, 06:11:39 PM

Howdy Pards
We took the barrel off and we used a lathe to do the cutting . we also crowned it on the lathe , his lathe is computerized and that was really amazing . He cut the dovetails on a milling machine which was also computerized . Watching all this made think what a bone Head I was for not videoing this . Maybe next time ? I hope I've answered your questions and if you have another Question
ask away .

ndnchf · May 22, 2009, 06:58:53 PM

Thanks Rowdy, sounds like your smith has got the right equipment. Maybe you need to buy a .50-95 now and cut it down too

Definately bring the camera along...

Rowdy Fulcher · June 23, 2009, 10:21:35 PM

Howdy Pards
Today I loaded up a few rounds of black and went shooting . I was surprised how well it shoot . I used 60 gr. of 2 f goex and a 350 gr . bullet lubed with spg . I was shooting off hand at close range but had a clover leaf group . I put a smith enterprise rear sight on it to work with the brass blade front sight . It has taken some time to work out all the little bugs , but it will shoot and now that the barrel is shortened it is a pleasure to shoot . Would love to take a bear with it in the fall using that same load .

Rowdy Fulcher · July 21, 2009, 12:16:52 PM

Howdy Pards
Cutting my rifle down was the BEST decision I've made in a while . For the last 2 days I have been shooting and have had a Blast . Today I put a target (steel plate ) out at 65 yards . I like to practice shooting while standing unsupported , like your in a hunting situation . Today I fired about 40 rounds in all . I'm thinking about putting a woods walk together to add to my shooting practice .
I'm thinking about ranging my targets from 40 yards to 150 yards if I can stretch out a shot that far .

Dirty Brass · July 21, 2009, 03:09:21 PM

The woods walk is a great idea Rowdy. I do that up where I hunt (and practice when I can get there). I too have the 45/60 in 24" (cut down) and I see no reason why this shouldn't shoot accurately to 150 yards. I have shot consistant groups at 80 and 90 yards with Triple 7 loads, and I'm sure it would stay tight even further out. I am shooting a 300 gr. LFN from Montana
Precision Swaging lubed with SPG type lube. I know it doesn't need to be SPG, but hey, it can't hurt.

My 45/75 hosts a 350 gr. bullet though.....

Rowdy Fulcher · July 27, 2009, 02:48:54 PM

Dirty Brass
We are digging up targets for the Woods walk that will be Fun . I will keep you updated on that .
The original rear sight that came on my rifle was sad at best . I called Brownell's and ordered a Smith Enterprise and installed it .
The ladder actually works , when you fire the rifle your elevator stays where you adjusted it to .

Dirty Brass · July 28, 2009, 09:50:15 AM

I plan on doing the same thing with my rear sights, since they are in essence carbine length. The buckhorns are nice, but leave a little to accuracy on quick shots. The ladder would help a lot for the longer shots..

Rowdy Fulcher · July 30, 2009, 10:40:57 PM

Dirty Brass
We have talked about the Cut down Chappie , Why not shoot a video of the chappie and let the smoke fly .
That way everyone can see the 24 inch barrel , and the smith enterprise rear sight . I even thought about dragging
out my favorite hog leg .

Dirty Brass · July 31, 2009, 08:25:03 AM

Me in a video clip??? That's an interesting scenario...

I'll leave the PR stuff to the professionals.....

Rowdy Fulcher · August 04, 2009, 09:53:24 AM

Dirty Brass
Have you shot that ole 76 lately ? Plan on shooting mine Thursday .The smith site works for me , I got it from Brownell's .
I would like to put my targets out to 200 yards and see how the ladder works .

Dirty Brass · August 05, 2009, 08:58:46 AM

Not for awhile now Rowdy - summer has been pretty hectic. Plan on heading up to my hunting land real soon, and I'll be taking my 76' 45/75 and a couple of 45/70 lever models along to test some smokeless loads in them. Going to plant about 2 total acres of food plots (3 separate spots) so I'll be pretty busy, but I'm sure I'll get a little quality time in too

Maybe I'll drag the 45/60 along, but that was shooting very nicely at 70 yards last hunting season, and I still haven't gotten around to ordering a rear sight yet, so we'll see.
I'm more interested in getting the Browning 86' SRC zero'd in for some 200 yard pokes - haven't fired it yet, so some work to be done there.

Did I call that work???

Rowdy Fulcher · August 06, 2009, 04:21:45 PM

Dirty Brass
Well I shot a video for the New Powder Inc. 45-60 Black Dawge ammo . Used the ole Chappie and it shot pretty darn good .
I just dearly love that ole 45-60 it's FUN to shoot . I will be using it to Deer Hunt this Fall . And yes I will be using the Black Dawge ammo . Can't think of a better way to Smoke a Deer .

Rowdy Fulcher · August 15, 2009, 01:12:29 PM

Dirty Brass
Have you seen the Chappie I had cut to 24 in. It's in the Powder Inc. Video