Crowning a barrel

[alexanderdj77]

One of my Mosin Nagants I have really been playing around with it and customizing it just for kicks. I know the very basics of how to shorten the barrel. I have ordered a crowning tool. Would like to get some input on the procedure after the cut. Anyone that has done one let me know.
thanks

 

[notsorichguy]

I've done it to an SKS.

It's pretty straight forward...... I used the hand crowning kit from brownelles. When I ordered the kit I also orders a 11deg cutter. The kit comes with a 45. I ordered 10 or so brass bore guides for differing calibres.

Once I removed the front sight I measured with the bolt closed the actual barrel length from the bolt face through the barrel with a cleaning rod. I cut the barrel down to 18 5/8" with a grinder. Inserted the crowning tool with the properly sized bore guide. I was a little out of square, so I had to spin for a bit longer than I expected..... I used cutting fluid to avoid chatter and frequently checked the barrel for cuttings.....

After that the hard part was re-jiggering the front sight sans bayo lug.

The only advice I can think of is;
-measure 15-20 times, cut once!
-cut it a 1/4" longer than you think you need to. If you bugger it up it's still salvageable as opposed to scrap
-cut it as straight as you can, it'll save you labor later!
-go slow with the crowning cutter, but don't stop either. even strokes full revolutions are a plus.

Take your time, think it through.

Cheers!

 

[alexanderdj77]

Hi Notsorichguy
that was some really good advise. I seen the brownelles kit is that the one for $400?
Also I was not even thinking that far, because I was going to just stay with a scope, but how did you re jig the front sight. That sounds very interesting. I will actually cut the barrel an 1" longer then I want this, as you mentioned, will give me some room to play even in the future.
Also how does your sks shoot now that you tricked it out?
Also what kind of cutting fluid or lapping compound did you use?
Thanks

 

[notsorichguy]

Hi Notsorichguy
that was some really good advise. I seen the brownelles kit is that the one for $400?



No, iirc it was a $75 kit..... I'll do some digging and see if I can find part#s etc.


Also I was not even thinking that far, because I was going to just stay with a scope, but how did you re jig the front sight. That sounds very interesting.


The front sight was a tube that was 2" long with the bayo lug attached. I cut the front sight off the bayo lug and de-burred the edges. I slid the shortened FSB back onto the barrel to the shoulder that the rear part of the bayo lug used to rest against. I then silver soldered the sight in place after ensuring it was plumb/square. At that point I then drilled through the sight base where the pin used to hold it to allow a new pin to be installed.



I will actually cut the barrel an 1" longer then I want this, as you mentioned, will give me some room to play even in the future.
Also how does your sks shoot now that you tricked it out?

I'm not terribly sure if I made it better..... It sure doesn't shoot worse than it did before. It's still able to hit a 12" steel plate at 220y with boring consistency off a bench. I have never had an optic mounted to this rifle!

Also what kind of cutting fluid or lapping compound did you use?

Yellow label, green writing.... "Taping fluid" from can-tire..... Sorry, it's not real helpful.... It's the stuff I've always used for lubing the tap n die at work.... Not that I do that on even a semi-regular basis.....

Thanks

See answers above!
Good-luck!

 

[alexanderdj77]

Hey thanks again for input

Cheers