[aztman]

I have a 99 built in 66 in 308 im thinking about having it cut down to 16" and adding a 1-4 var. scope for elk sized game in the brush, any thoughts? oh and its not mint.

[hiwall]

Think twice about cutting the barrel. Its a lot of bad with very little good. Muzzle blast will be awe full, you lose velocity(power), more recoil, harder to hold steady, when shooting with people nearby they will hate you, elk 600 miles away will here your gun fire, fireball coming out the short barrel could start forest fires, in low light conditions people on the space station will see the fire from your shots, if you wear ear plugs AND muffs you will only slightly hurt your hearing when you shoot. Plus side- save a few ounces and be slightly handier walking thru thick brush.

[JonM]

Better off buying a 45-70 lever gun

You will get a lot more boom as in sound. More recoil than what little a 308 has to begin with. And more flash. You give up some velocity.

16" 308 are a hoot to shoot but i think your ruining the gun when you could use it as an excuse to get a new one designed as a brush gun from the get go!!

[aztman]

oh yes loud,cutting up a classic, but one of a kind and COOL IMHO.Maybe go 20" that would help with the noise and flame. Then I can change the scope and hunt deer out to about 250 yards.

[jpattersonnh]

Just don't do it. The 99 is a fast accurate rifle as is.

[skeniger2002]

I'm with Patterson with that if you want a brush gun go with a 35 rem. Marlin.

[HockaLouis]

17" maybe.

[aztman]

soooo the consensus is put a low power scope on it and use it as. next question what load should I start with factory ammo?

[hardluk1]

If you can't swing a standard barrel on a model 99, buy some junker to hack up. Not a great old rifle. I am not even sure about the low power only. get a 2-7 or 2.5-10 and go hunting. Some of us our long range rifles up close too. i have killed deer as close as 20 feet and many under 40 yards with a 21" bolt rifle 308 and a 27" 7mm rem mag over the years.

[aztman]

2 to 7 would be perfect . I really just wanted to play with this one its a great rifle. maybe just clean it up and maybe a reblue the finish is almost gone.