Help. I want to shorten my barrel

[KarlG]

I have a Ruger 10/22 take-off stock and barrel. I have significantly modified the stock to fit my 5 year old. I want to cut the barrel down close to the legal 16" limit so the gun will be lighter and balance a little better. What do I do? A friend loaned me a book of gunsmithing tips from the 70's. The book literally tells you how to hack saw the end off, file the end square, and crown the end. Is this the ticket? Where do I get a tool to form the crown (the book eluded to such a tool)? It seems like the squareness of the end and the crown would be crucial to accuracy.

Any guidance is appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Ian Sean]

Brownells and Midway carry crown cutters. Both have on-line catalogs, I personally have only dealt with Brownells and have had good service from them.

A local smith can probably crown your barrel for a lot cheaper than what a quality cutter will cost you though, and may offer some guidance to help fitting that rifle also.