Crown

[gunnyart]

I have a PSS LTR in 308 that shoots as near as makes no difference 1/2 MOA (with Black Hills 168 BTHP). Its basically stock. I'm planning to have the barrel threaded to accept a suppressor. What profile of muzzle crown would be appropriate for suppressor use that won't compromise accuracy but might even improve it.

While I'm at it what would you consider "must do" items for a stock rifle of this type.

Currently the only mod is a large tactical type bolt knob and stock trigger adjusted down to 2.5#

 

[X Ring Accuracy]

When your smith is threading the muzzle, have him cut a standard recessed crown.

 

[Keith Glasscock]

It depends on what you want to shoot for ammo... If factory ammo or 168's are your thing, it probably won't help much, but if the barrel is off, a quick setback of the chamber with a reamer than provides a reasonable (much less than factory) freebore will probably do a lot for your accuracy.

I always wondered about that with my stock Remington until I got it rebarreled. The new barrel would shoot 1/2" instead of 5/8" at 100, but the accuracy stayed the same at all ranges (up to 600 yd) whereas the stock chamber was only able to give me 5/8 MOA at 1-200 and it only would do it with a couple of loads. The new chamber is much more tolerant of everything. It shoots everything into 1/2 MOA (including hunting bullets) and does like some loads that come closer to 1/4.

This is not a must-do in my book because it depends on what you want the rifle to do. If it is for banging steel - not necessary, shooting varmints at 300 yds, I'd do it for sure...

 

[gunnyart]

great suggestion. Is there a spec for freebore or should I just ask my smith to ream it to the minimum?

 

[Keith Glasscock]

Sorry, I forgot to also tell you that the barrel will get a bit shorter (up to an inch is possible) in order to get the rifling back near the chamber.

Assuming that you will shoot 168's for most stuff, a reamer with a freebore of .075 will work well (depending on where things are measured from) In the case of my Remington, the reamer print shows 2.095" from the bolt face to the end of the freebore. It is called an M852 and it does do very well with factory match ammo (FGMM goes into 1/2 MOA @ 300 yards without difficulty). FGMM (168's at 2.800 OAL) jump .026" in my barrel.

Another option would be an Obermeyer reamer. It is also very good with the 168's and 175's seated to "standard" lengths. Any reamer that isn't specially throated for heavy bullets would be an improvement except a "Palma" reamer. Some Palma reamers are perfectly suitable, others are reported to give excessive pressure with factory ammo.

My best advice is to show the gunsmith what you are shooting for ammo and have him throat accordingly. The smith will have to measure to make certain that the chosen reamer will clean up the chamber. Remington chambers tend to be more than slightly too big and setting them back can be a chore. I've seen a few that were done with amazing results.

 

[Keith Glasscock]

BTW,

Your smith doesn't have to remove the action to do the suppressor threads... This would be a much bigger (more expensive) job that could be delayed until later.