I got a rifle from my uncle. It is a Pre 64 Winchester 264 win mag Westerner.He had ridden in his saddle and in his truck so long barrel down that the barrel was worn off and was not straight. The crown was not even round. It was more oblong.
After shooting it many times it was put aside because it shot 2" to 3" three shot groups.
This year a gun smith friend of a friend told me that the crown would have to be re-cut. So I decided to give it a try my self since I had nothing to lose.
I know there will be a bunch of guys say I should not have done this to a pre 64 but it was useless the way it was.
So I decided to give it a new crown. I sanded the barrel down so it was more straight, Then I crowned it. I wish I had a before pic.



Then I shot my first group with it. It isn't anything super it was just some loads I had from testing before. But it went from 3" to this.



Today I shot these two groups.




I realize that 3 shot groups don't say much but these do. Now I can focus on finding what it likes.

Looks like you did good!


BH63

Yes indeed. That 264 is a great calibre that never got the acclaim that it deserved.

How?
Round head brass screw & lapping compound?

I'm also curious what technique you used.

Seems to me like it worked out just fine.

It looks really good.

Please tell us how you did this.

Thanks

Now get some Oxpho Blue from Brownells and touch up that crown.

I see you're using "pistol powders" like 4831 and RL22 in your .264. If you want optimal velocities you're going to have to go to somewhat slower powders. Personally, I use some military surplus powder in my .264, but I wouldn't recommend that to anyone else since those powders can vary considerably in burning rates.

However, you might try RL26 or RL33. Hodgdon's US869 is also a candidate. If you don't own a chronograph, however, don't try to load a .264 to its optimal velocities.

quote:

Originally posted by gunmaker:
How?
Round head brass screw & lapping compound?

Yes that is how I did it.

RL22 is a fabulous .264 Win mag powder for the 130s and lighter, and you can go get a pound or 8 just about anywhere today.

Envious of that sweet rifle, Ron. You did a fine job and the targets show it.

quote:

I see you're using "pistol powders" like 4831 and RL22 in your .264.

H4831 and R22 are pistol powders?????

guess it depends on your pistol.
I used 4831 in my 308 contender for quite some time.
figured I didn't really need to go looking for a ton of velocity in a gun I could only shoot well out to 200 yards.
but I could beat a 30-30 rifle by a little with that load and it was enough.

quote:

Originally posted by Bill/Oregon:
Envious of that sweet rifle, Ron. You did a fine job and the targets show it.

Thanks!!

quote:

Originally posted by Idaho Ron:

quote:

Originally posted by gunmaker:
How?
Round head brass screw & lapping compound?

Yes that is how I did it.

I read about doing that back in the 70s in my Outdoorman's Handbook. I've never used that method, but back when I used to stop by Pete Grisel's shop, he had a little walnut block with several different sized brass balls with a mandrel. He said you could cut a barrel off at an angle and put the ball in the drill press and using lapping compound perfectly straighten the crown. No need for a lathe.

Don't really know how long the method has been around..Clyde Baker (MODERN GUNSMITHING) described in his 1920's book

Awesome work Ron! I love fixing things myself as well...although I'm not sure I would have attempted to re-crown myself!

Saddle scabbards can wear the sides off at the crown, but for the life of me the shape of the outside does not mean the bore is crooked..I suspect the crown had a burr in the rifling and you whittled that out. or perhaps it had some cleaning rod wear that you got fixed..