I have the chance to pick up a new Savage 93R17 heavy barrel at a great price and was wondering if I could make a target pistol with it on the order of the Savage Striker but 17hmr caliber.

I have worked with wood the better part of my life and can convert one of the non finished commercial made stocks that fit the 93 to a pistol footprint with no problems.

My question is can I have the barrel shortened to say 12" or so? Will a gunsmith do that and not be breaking the law? Since it would be used as a target pistol I hope so!!

How much will the range/accuracy be effected by this? I know 18" barrels are some of the most accurate for the 17hmr load. Since this is a 21" barrel shortening it to 12 would mean the removal of 9".

Comments are appreciated.

Curt