What is the best muzzle crown?

[P.B.Walsh]

Hello, me again!!

I am getting my barrel cut in the very near future and I would like opinions on muzzle crowns.

This is for a hunting/target rifle. During hunting season (11/10/09!!!) it sees a good deal of knocking around, I do avoid (to the best of my abillity) touching the muzzle, so I'd like something to protect my bore.

If it matters, this is for a .308, 20x.750" barrel (the Remington 700 SPS-V barrel cut down)

Any suggestions, thanks,
P.B.Walsh

 

[FlyinBryan]

maybe a nice 11 degree recessed target crown?

 

[jpwilly]

Yes, a recessed target crown seems to work best:

 

[P.B.Walsh]

What's the difference in the angle of crowns?

 

[justashooter in pa]

the 11 degree pitch is standard, whether recessed or not. it is optimal in terms of reduction of instability in flight caused by gas blow by at the moment of the bullet's exit from the muzzle.

 

[Maverick223]

FB got it right. The 11* target is less susceptible to damage than most other crowns because it shields the sensitive area near the bore. You will be hard pressed to find one crown that will noticeably outperform another (if it is square, and properly machined), but other crowns are more easily damaged.

 

[P.B.Walsh]

Ok, 11* recesed it is then!!

Thanks to all,
P.B.Walsh

 

[rangerruck]

I don't know why, but most 'smiths agree on the 11 degrees.

 

[Mr_Pale_Horse]

I wonder if 11° is optimal for boattail bullets in particalur? You can still get 45°, 60° and 90° crowning cutters. I wonder if square base bullets like a different angle?

 

[FlyinBryan]

I wonder if 11° is optimal for boattail bullets in particalur?

in my opinion its not too specific on different bullet performance.

its an angle that lends itself well to being a very durable release point.

if im not mistaken, there is an 11 degree target crown, and then there is an 11 degree recessed target crown like the one in jp's pic, which i much prefer for obvious reasons

 

[P.B.Walsh]

What does a 90* crown look like?

 

[FlyinBryan]

the 11 degree pitch is standard, whether recessed or not. it is optimal in terms of reduction of instability in flight caused by gas blow by at the moment of the bullet's exit from the muzzle.

yes. this.

 

[FlyinBryan]

that would be if it were cut perfectly flat, as if to cut it straight through on a bandsaw (which wouldnt be perfectly flat, but you get the idea.

 

[P.B.Walsh]

Oh ok, that makes sense.

I don't know if I will be able to cut and crown this hunting season, the 'smith said that it would be awhile before I would get it back, and the other shop is asking $140!! :banghead:

Thanks to all,
P.B.Walsh

 

[plumbernater]

I dont know about best crown. But if you have no crown . a round head bolt , check head to be alittle bigger than bore size. put bolt in drill on slow speed and some compound and make your own crown. It works . Seen Larry Potterfield from Midway USA do it for a do it your self video.

 

[P.B.Walsh]

yea.., I don't have any power tools..

 

[Maverick223]

I wouldn't try to do it myself (and I have a pretty decent selection of tools), wait on the lesser priced smith...it should cost no more than $80.00USD to cut and crown.

 

[FlyinBryan]

what mav said. within 5 dollars of what ive seen

 

[Maverick223]

what mav said. within 5 dollars of what ive seen

Let me guess...$75.00...that is what my smith charges. BTW...PM is inbound.

 

[dubbleA]

$75, $80, $140 for a cut and crown really? In the wrong business I guess .....I am blessed with having a lathe and milling machine. It takes about 5 minutes to dial in a barrel and part it / face it off to whatever degree, 11° is common. It takes another couple of minutes to lap the final cut with compound and a brass ball. I will burnish it until I can run a Q tip in the bore without it snagging. Not a smith but this works for me.

 

[Bart B.]

Tests with several rifles in the early '60's showed an 11 degree "face" (from the groove diameter out to the edge produced the best accuracy. The "crown" is how the front edge of the rifling's finished, a brass ball charged with fine lapping compound does great and just lap enough to smooth out the rough edges from facing the barrel.

 

[browningguy]

A standard 11 degree recessed target crown works well for all uses and is easy for a gunsmith to cut. I have several rifles with the older style rounded crown which seems to me easier to ding while in the woods.

 

[FlyinBryan]

Let me guess...$75.00

yup. actually, 75 dollars is his min charge for anything, and he was nice enough to say that that since he could crown it AND hand lap the bore for the minimum 75 bux.

i jokingly said "wait a second here, are you trying to sneak extra work in for free on this deal?"

when i picked it up he had crowned it beautifully, hand lapped the bore like it was his own baby, AND replaced a questionable extractor.

the charge was 75 dollars with the new extractor thrown in for free.

 

[Maverick223]

Good deal FB...did you receive my PM?

 

[P.B.Walsh]

Yes, I could have it done for $45-$85 but he said that it would "be a while"..