Terminology

USP45usp · March 8, 2005, 04:36 PM

I have a question on terms... what exactly is the crown? Is that the rounded area at the muzzle of the gun?

How much does it affect accuracy?

And how do you create a crown?

The reason that I am asking is that I have a "sporterized" 30-40 Krag (and NO, I didn't do it) and the barrel looks like it was just chopped off. No rounded thing or such.

But it seems to hit POA very well but it could be tightened up (the groups).

Thanks in advance.

Wayne

mete · March 8, 2005, 05:12 PM

There are various shapes for a crown but the critical thing is that the muzzle be perfectly square with the barrel.There also must be no dings or other damage at the crown/bore edge.

USP45usp · March 8, 2005, 05:35 PM

mete,

Thanks.

Wayne

rallyhound · March 8, 2005, 10:06 PM

I believe Brownells sells a crown cutter for a low price. Seems i read a magazine article about it and it was a pretty simple job

USP45usp · March 9, 2005, 11:11 AM

RallyHound,

Thanks, I'll look into it. I would love to get better groups with the 30-40, plan of using it as my hunting gun.

Wayne

Dave Sample · March 10, 2005, 10:48 AM

It is a simple job to crown a barrel if you have a machine shop.

Harry Bonar · March 11, 2005, 10:59 PM

Dear Sir:
A "crown" at the muzzle is the most importand area of a firearms barrel!
There are 11 degree crowns, recessed crowns of various shapes, and target crowns just to mention a few.
The BEST crown (since all bores are , or may not be, concentric with the outside of the barrel) are target, recessed crowns. There is a reason for this; if, as is many times the case you do an 11 degree crown and the bore is not centered in the barrel stock you will have a gas release on just one side of the bullet a nanosecond prior to exit. With a recessed "90 degree" crown that makes no difference (this is predicated on having the bbl' mounted in the lathe perfectly)

.
Really, the hand crown tools worl VERY well due to what I've said.

beenthere · March 15, 2005, 05:17 PM

You'll find it to be an excellent hunting round inless your going for long range flat shooting. I'd have a good gunsmith look it over really well because the Krag has only one lug on the action. Smooth as butter, wondetful rifle. If you reload, don't push the max. Find a midrange load which gives good accuracy.

USP45usp · March 15, 2005, 06:07 PM

Thanks all.

I don't know how well the barrel was cut but I'll probably get the hand tool and try it (and if I mess up then off to the gunsmith I go).

I just like the smooth action of the Krag. And I love the trapdoor loading feature

.

Wayne

James K · March 15, 2005, 08:29 PM

Harry Bonar did a good job of explaining the different types of crowns, but remember that the ONLY purpose of a crown is to protect that very critical area where the bore of the barrel ends. If it is dinged up or uneven, the rifle will not shoot accurately. The reason is that as the bullet exits from an uneven muzzle, gas escaping from the shorter side will tip the bullet in an unpredictable manner.

When a barrel has been cut with a saw, it is first necessary to true up the muzzle before even beginning to cut a crown. And it is very difficult to true a muzzle any way but in a lathe. I don't say it can't be done with one of those crowning tools, but I would not have high hopes if the end of the barrel is not true to begin with.

Jim

USP45usp · March 17, 2005, 02:50 PM

Thanks Jim,

I'll take it out to see where the POA/I is and if I can live with it. If I can't then I'll find a Smith with a full sized shop.

Thanks all again.

Wayne

March 8, 2005, 04:36 PM	#1
USP45usp Junior member Join Date: May 17, 2000 Location: Eugene, OR Posts: 3,427	Terminology I have a question on terms... what exactly is the crown? Is that the rounded area at the muzzle of the gun? How much does it affect accuracy? And how do you create a crown? The reason that I am asking is that I have a "sporterized" 30-40 Krag (and NO, I didn't do it) and the barrel looks like it was just chopped off. No rounded thing or such. But it seems to hit POA very well but it could be tightened up (the groups). Thanks in advance. Wayne

March 8, 2005, 10:06 PM	#4
rallyhound Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 271	I believe Brownells sells a crown cutter for a low price. Seems i read a magazine article about it and it was a pretty simple job __________________ When it's all said and done--- More will be said Free" men do not ask permission to bear arms.

March 11, 2005, 10:59 PM	#7
Harry Bonar Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2004 Location: In the Vincent, Ohio general area. Posts: 1,804	re-crown Dear Sir: A "crown" at the muzzle is the most importand area of a firearms barrel! There are 11 degree crowns, recessed crowns of various shapes, and target crowns just to mention a few. The BEST crown (since all bores are , or may not be, concentric with the outside of the barrel) are target, recessed crowns. There is a reason for this; if, as is many times the case you do an 11 degree crown and the bore is not centered in the barrel stock you will have a gas release on just one side of the bullet a nanosecond prior to exit. With a recessed "90 degree" crown that makes no difference (this is predicated on having the bbl' mounted in the lathe perfectly) . Really, the hand crown tools worl VERY well due to what I've said.

March 15, 2005, 05:17 PM	#8
beenthere Senior Member Join Date: November 16, 2004 Location: NE Indiana Posts: 460	30/40 Krag You'll find it to be an excellent hunting round inless your going for long range flat shooting. I'd have a good gunsmith look it over really well because the Krag has only one lug on the action. Smooth as butter, wondetful rifle. If you reload, don't push the max. Find a midrange load which gives good accuracy.

March 8, 2005, 05:12 PM	#2
mete Senior Member Join Date: June 14, 2004 Location: NY State Posts: 6,575	There are various shapes for a crown but the critical thing is that the muzzle be perfectly square with the barrel.There also must be no dings or other damage at the crown/bore edge.

March 8, 2005, 05:35 PM	#3
USP45usp Junior member Join Date: May 17, 2000 Location: Eugene, OR Posts: 3,427	mete, Thanks. Wayne

March 9, 2005, 11:11 AM	#5
USP45usp Junior member Join Date: May 17, 2000 Location: Eugene, OR Posts: 3,427	RallyHound, Thanks, I'll look into it. I would love to get better groups with the 30-40, plan of using it as my hunting gun. Wayne

March 10, 2005, 10:48 AM	#6
Dave Sample Junior member Join Date: December 10, 2004 Location: Prescott, AZ Posts: 1,002	It is a simple job to crown a barrel if you have a machine shop.

March 15, 2005, 06:07 PM	#9
USP45usp Junior member Join Date: May 17, 2000 Location: Eugene, OR Posts: 3,427	Thanks all. I don't know how well the barrel was cut but I'll probably get the hand tool and try it (and if I mess up then off to the gunsmith I go). I just like the smooth action of the Krag. And I love the trapdoor loading feature . Wayne

March 15, 2005, 08:29 PM	#10
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	Harry Bonar did a good job of explaining the different types of crowns, but remember that the ONLY purpose of a crown is to protect that very critical area where the bore of the barrel ends. If it is dinged up or uneven, the rifle will not shoot accurately. The reason is that as the bullet exits from an uneven muzzle, gas escaping from the shorter side will tip the bullet in an unpredictable manner. When a barrel has been cut with a saw, it is first necessary to true up the muzzle before even beginning to cut a crown. And it is very difficult to true a muzzle any way but in a lathe. I don't say it can't be done with one of those crowning tools, but I would not have high hopes if the end of the barrel is not true to begin with. Jim

March 17, 2005, 02:50 PM	#11
USP45usp Junior member Join Date: May 17, 2000 Location: Eugene, OR Posts: 3,427	Thanks Jim, I'll take it out to see where the POA/I is and if I can live with it. If I can't then I'll find a Smith with a full sized shop. Thanks all again. Wayne