Crown work by hand?

[thefitter]

Thinking about getting a tool to clean up a rile crown. The three that I am considering are the Brownells, PT&G and the Manson.

The Brownells and PT&G are similar designs. The Manson is different in that the pilot is stationary and does not rotate in the barrel. This seems like a good thing to me.

Anybody have any experience with these?

thanks

 

[watercam]

I have the Brownell version and it works if you are careful. Does a better job chucked in a drill but eeaasssyy does it.
I use the brass pilots but that is no guarantee that you will not see some abrasion in the rifling. Regardless, the rifles shoot well. I have not touched up my match rifle crowns since they are shooting great I come from the not-broke-don't-fix-it school of thought. If I were doing it again I am thinking the Manson unit would be worth a try.

 

[thefitter]

I have the Brownell version and it works if you are careful. Does a better job chucked in a drill but eeaasssyy does it.
I use the brass pilots but that is no guarantee that you will not see some abrasion in the rifling. Regardless, the rifles shoot well. I have not touched up my match rifle crowns since they are shooting great I come from the not-broke-don't-fix-it school of thought. If I were doing it again I am thinking the Manson unit would be worth a try.

Thanks for the response.

 

[Stumpy1]

Hi,

I have the Manson crowning tool, and have used it on probably 6-8 different rifles, mine and several friends -it does a simply outstanding job of crowning a barrel. I think it is every bit as good as lathe turned.

it IS spendy, but I think you get a great quality tool for the money.

Hope this helps,

Frank

 

[ebb]

Brass round headed screw and valve grinding compound, is all that is needed for a clean up. I have the brownells tool that I got to cut off a barrel for a friend, Ive used it several times since and it works well. The Manson sounds like an excellent idea, I guess it would depend on how spendy? I asked a benchrest gunsmith about crowning in a lathe verses brass screw for a clean up, he said he has built rifles that have won national championships both ways.

 

[bheadboy]

on black powder muzzle loaders, took a screw and drilled a round ball ( like a marble) chucked in had drill, put 600 grit paper over muzzle, pressed down 4-5 seconds,

very clean

I wait for doubters
bob

 

[GerryM]

PTG makes several designs all are really good The advantage is a self centering pilot that floats , like a chamber reamer.
You could take it along in your shooting box JUST IN CASE''you have a problem and need a touch up.

That and a brass screw with some compound for emergency surgery.