Re-crowning a barrel

[Blackstuff]

Is there a way of re-crowning a barrel without removing it from the receiver AND get a decent job?

[ovenpaa]

On a lathe yes as long as the spindle bore is sufficient to enable the barrel to pass through and the barrel is not seriously short, as an example I can crown barrels on receivers down to around 18.5" through the headstock.

Or do you mean a DiY job using a crowning cutter by hand?

[Blackstuff]

Its hypothetical at the moment but i would be wanting irt done professionally, rather than doing it myself.

I can't visualise the technique you've mentioned David or why barrel length would be a factor but then i did get a D at GCSE metal work Is that sort of technique common or specialised? And is 16" considered 'seriously' short?

[huntervixen]

Take it to a gunsmith....you can seriously screw your accuracy if you do it wrong !

I watched my local gunsmith re-crown a milsurp Turkish Mauser on his lathe, with the set up David's talking about....all very interesting.

[Blackstuff]

Oh don't worry i've got no intention of doing it myself!

So with that lathe technique, is that something most gunsmiths should be able to do? The gunsmith i went to only mentioned removing the barrel

[DW58]

I watched afriend (gunsmith) re-crown a Tikka T3 barrel while still attached to the action. In layman's terms, i.e. those I would understand, the barrel is passed right through the lathe and into the chuck from the outside, so it is the barrel length which determines whether or not this can be done, i.e. how much longer is the barrel than the distance from the outside of the lathe to the end of the chuck - clear as mud?

[phaedra1106]

Have you talked to Dave at Bowtec?, he machined off my SSG-04 muzzle brake using the same method.

[TattooedGun]

I'm interested in one of these...

http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-tools ... d7718.aspx

I've watched them being used (youtube) and it makes perfect sense.

I'm sure you can line up the lathe so it cuts concentric to the bore, although I imagine it's timely and a faff, and most crowns would be cut to the assumption that the bore runs concentric to the barrel. This tool uses the bore as it's centre point, and lines up the tool in the bore. A brush inside the barrel stops swarf enterring the breach from the muzzle end and cuts are made.

If it wasn't $360 I would have bought a kit already as it seems like a great long term investment.

I would not be unhappy with a gunsmith providing this method as opposed to having to set up in a lathe. Your mileage may vary, and I'm sure certain people would swear by the lathe method...

There are cheaper versions, but the Manson is about the best available...

[Steve E]

I'm interested in one of these...

http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-tools ... d7718.aspx

I've watched them being used (youtube) and it makes perfect sense.

I'm sure you can line up the lathe so it cuts concentric to the bore, although I imagine it's timely and a faff, and most crowns would be cut to the assumption that the bore runs concentric to the barrel. This tool uses the bore as it's centre point, and lines up the tool in the bore. A brush inside the barrel stops swarf enterring the breach from the muzzle end and cuts are made.

If it wasn't $360 I would have bought a kit already as it seems like a great long term investment.

I would not be unhappy with a gunsmith providing this method as opposed to having to set up in a lathe. Your mileage may vary, and I'm sure certain people would swear by the lathe method...

There are cheaper versions, but the Manson is about the best available...

Saw one of those being used by probably the best gunsmith in the world, at the back of the firing line at Camp Perry last year. A shooter dropped his rifle on the muzzle in the carpark and was going to retire from the comp until said gunsmith offered to re crown. Job was done and shooter went on to finish In the top ten of the US Long Range Champs. I know of two well respected gunsmiths who use them without any issue.

[Blackstuff]

I watched afriend (gunsmith) re-crown a Tikka T3 barrel while still attached to the action. In layman's terms, i.e. those I would understand, the barrel is passed right through the lathe and into the chuck from the outside, so it is the barrel length which determines whether or not this can be done, i.e. how much longer is the barrel than the distance from the outside of the lathe to the end of the chuck - clear as mud?

So, er, the gun is 'inside' the lathe and the barrel sticks out of the chuck!? Or the barrel goes right through the chuck and is worked on from the inside of the lathe!? I literally have no idea what people are describing would look like!

BTW in my mind, this is what a lathe is;

Have you talked to Dave at Bowtec?, he machined off my SSG-04 muzzle brake using the same method.

It was Dave i went to Jeff, he said the barrel would have to be removed from the receiver.

On a TOTALLY unrelated note; has anyone been in touch with Caledonian Classic Arms of late? Been trying them for nearly 3 weeks without any luck