If the rifle currently likes the particular ammo you want to use (Eley subsonic), I don't think I'd mess with it. Chopping the barrel may not make it less accurate overall, but the ammo preference might change as noted.
If it was mine and I wanted to be sure the ammo preference didn't change, I wouldn't chop it. If I didn't mind about potentially finding a new favourite ammo, I'd slug the barrel first to check for tight spots including a choked crown. No tight spots anywhere - I'd chop to whatever length you want. If there were any tight spots I'd want to have the barrel crown sitting right on the tight spot - whether that be a full length barrel, 14", or anywhere in between. Either way it might not respond like you'd expect, but at least you put the odds in your favour!
I doubt you'll get a definitive answer as to whether your barrel is choked without measuring your particular rifle. Or a definitive answer as to whether or not removing the choked section (if it exists) would decrease accuracy measurably. Too many variables.
Bookmarks