SKS muzzle crowning

[Robert Nicholson]

How is the quality of the crown on your SKS? I wish I had some pictures to share but first I need to learn how
to take worthwhile pictures and then how to get photobucket to work for me. Until then, perhaps someone can
provide some crown pictures to give us some examples to discuss.

Most of my SKS crowns are not counter bored except for my 1954 refurb Izhvesk which has a very professional
looking, squared, slight counterbore with a diameter of about 8mm and my 1954 Tula WSS supergrade has what looks like a
freshly done, beveled counterbore. Both those SKS have good accuracy. I also have a 1952 Tula refurb, which has
what looks to be chrome lining extending out onto the crown area with a little chip missing from the end of one of the lands.
This SKS has no accuracy and shoots two feet high at 20 yards so that I have been thinking that it has a bent barrel.
What do you think? Perhaps just a bad crown is the problem?

 

[louthepou]

That is an interesting hypothesis. It is true that it doesn't need much to damage a crown, and a damaged crown has a significant effect on accuracy... and these guns have seen many hands...

 

[warrenlikesboats]

My SKS has some chrome chipped off the crown, but yet it will still pattern anywhere from 2-3" @100yrds........ i just presumed crown conditions would only come into play for people who are playing in the Sub MOA capable rifle category. But i aint no expert on accurizing guns.

 

[gewehr76]

Sorry no pics on my part, but all my SKS crowns look sharp and defined. Chrome lined barrels are pretty durable and no matter how vigorously soldiers cleand them they stay sharp. If barrels are not chrome lined then as with any other barrel wear will be evident and edges of lands and grooves will be rounded off. To identify if barrel is chrommed or not just get some cold blue and dab the edge if it turns blue then barrel is not chrommed. Look for shiny metal as well.