recrowning by a smith

[3006bluffhunter]

If a guy would take a rifle to a smith to touch up a barrel crown that was in question... do they take a couple swipes with a crowning tool is that how they do it? Is it expensive? must not be labor intensive if it needs just a touching up? I don't want to try the bolt in the drill touch up would rather pay for someone that can true and check it.....Thanks Dale

[safetysheriff]

i would buy the tools from one of the re-loading or gunsmithing houses and do it by hand.   i'd follow their instructions and would expect a good job doing so.

i don't think you need a drill; and i wouldn't use one.   i'd cut the crown by hand the same way i use taps and dies for other jobs.

take care,

ss'   

[Cknerr]

If the brass screw and lapping compound make you nervous (can't blame you there), then many metal working supply houses have steel balls on the end of a short 1/4" diameter shaft...just right for chucking into a drill. Get a ball a little larger then the bore you want to use it on, at most 1/2 again the diameter of the bore. Follow the FAQ directions that are Handi (ly) provided. There will be a dull ring around the exit of the bore. When the ring goes all around the bore you're done. If it doesn't, repeat until the ring is there. The minimum width should be about 1/16". It doesn't have to be an even width, and most likely won't be. The uneven ring means your crown wasn't square to the bore....and now it is. This is also a good way to get rid of scratch across the crown and other evil dings. Don't bother polishing any further, you are done. Push the patch out from the breech, and really and thoroughly clean the bore of all the lapping compound. Brownell's and Midway sell the same thing, for a little more money. The compound I use is for grinding engine valves, about 220 grit. Paste grit numbers are different from sandpaper numbers, and the Europeans ( & some Canadians) use a another different system to keep things really confusing. Be aware of this.

This may seem a little intimidating at first, you will laugh after you do it from seeing how easy it is. Almost fool proof!

Good Luck,
Chris

[Cknerr]

yikes,

can't find a source for lapping balls outside of Brownell's and Midway. I will have to do some looking. I am way too cheap to pay their prices....not that theirs is bad or deficient. They do sell quality, it is quantity of money out of my pocket book I am complaining about. These are the balls I am talking about ( get your mind out of the gutter!)



If the FAQ don't have enough info, I can't imagine it not, Steve Wagner's site has a lot of tricks for the hobbyist at: http://www272.pair.com/stevewag/muzzle/mz.html wander around a bit, very interesting fellow.

He does show a ball for grinding that looks down right spooky, I would suggest something a little less course, his works though. This one is a bit pricey: (BTW, that is wood dust, not rust on the ball, on the shaft I plead the 5th)



Happy lappy...I mean happy lapping,
Chris

[dave375hh]

Brownells sells a "Piloted" 45 deg. muzzle cutter, and 45 deg. brass laps. I've used these for years and encountered no problems at all. I use 550 grit compond on the lap turned in a drill at slow speed. I used to use a hand drill (eggbeater type) but have found the cordless drill more controlable, and easier to keep straight during the lapping.

[3006bluffhunter]

Thanks to everyone i lapped my first barrel crown tonight.....My machine shop buddy came through with a ball on a stick some where around 1/4 or alittle bigger..... He inspected it before starting and said yep I would recrown...So plugged the barrel and added lapping compound about 10 to15min later we were done.....Now to see if it tightens up the groups......can't hurt I say..thanks to everyone...Will get back to you all on the out come...Dale