ErikD: You must have a prized supply of the now-defunct North Forks, yes?

Also, what does the silencer cost? And what is round count life of the thing when fired thru with full power loads? And...does POI actually stay the same with the thing on and off?

Daryl, that is what I'm thinking but as you say, running some over the chronie will tell the tale for sure.

I just had a Limbsaver pad hung on my light 46, and I've been mulling over the trimming of the tube back, too, as much for curiousity's sake as any other.

Mulling Erik's shorty over, a fellow could set a goal for velocity of several favorite loads, then bring rifle and hacksaw to the range, saw and chronie, saw and chronie until the minimum is reached and then call it good. Hang a front sight on it and have it crowned and it would be golden. In the example of the x57, a 286 grain minimum might be 2025 fps. In the example of the x62, 2150 or something like that. Or who knows, maybe more? I think the x62 appears to be a good short-tube round and might do a bit better...2200 with a really stubby barrel like the 18-incher. Or maybe I am wrong and the x62 wouldn't do much better than the x57. I know that with a long leade and the longer magazine, my 146 will handle charge weights {not chronographed} that I will not quote as they are skyhigh over the regularly kicked around norms for the x57.

I'm guessing that 46 of mine might go 5 lbs with an 18-inch tube! Even with the 24-inch barrel, I haven't yet found a better bear gun for chasing bear with hounds in these mountains.

In theory at least, using a 24-inch barrel to start off with, the thing gets "stiffer" as the length is lopped, and should hold its accuracy very well, particularly with scope, tho the shortened sight radius might have an impact on fine bench accuracy. No worry for 50 meter stuff on hjort, elg or, for that matter, even on rådyr.

Can't wait to see your Brno, Erik. I hope pictures are planned once it is dressed up and ready to dance.