11 degree crown facing tool ..and me

[moosemoose]

I purchased a CZ 453 American in .22 LR, the previous owner removed some obstruction from the muzzle with a drill bit and ruined the last 3/4 inch of the barrel. I decided to buy a crown facing tool from PT&G cut the barrel with a hacksaw and recrown the muzzle myself.

I felt you cringe when I mentioned hacksaw but gunsmiths in my area are hard to come by and I felt if I ruined the barrel I could buy another later... but would like to try it myself and learn,possibly the hard way) from the experience. It goes with out saying that I did not cut the barrel square, and interestingly enough the rifle shoots nice groups to fifty yards.

I thought about just leaving it but it is just too ugly to do so.

I would like to hear from some of you who have done a similar recrown of your muzzle and learn from your experiences.

I love this site!
Jeff

 

[Bob3700]

Check out Brownells for a piloted crowning tool. If not, contact Pacific Tool. They can fix you up with the tooling you need.

A piloted tool will allow you to use a cordless drill and some cutting oil to finish the crown square to the bore.

Bob

 

[mpryne]

you don't really need a smith as much as a good or average machinist, or just a lathe to get the same results.

 

[watercam]

I second the Brownell's tools. I've cut and crowned half a dozen barrels that all shoot great. Once cut, face square with a 90 deg. cutter,centered with caliber specific spud), then the 11 deg., then finish the edge of the crown with a 45 deg. brass lap and 600 grit lapping compound and a hand drill. It's not a tough or time consuming job at all.

 

[moosemoose]

Thanks to all who replied by post and pm I feel confident enough to do this job. I'll post the results later.

Jeff