Crown, what Crown!

[Truman]

After last weeks efforts at trying to find a good pellet for the Maxima, I decided to see what was the state of the crown! Well, after removing the plastic muzzle and shining a torch down there, I could not see a thing so I decided to manufacture a bore torch!! I found an old lighter that had an LED torch on it and pulled it apart! Got the LED and its little watch batteries out and taped them back together with the LED on a short length of wire! Well When I stuck the LED in the breach end of the gun, all was reveiled! The rifling is not concentric at the muzzle end! The bottom has some rifling and the top is as smooth as a smooth thing! The Crown is non existant! This is about an inch down the barrel! Apart from being pleased with the LED bore torch showing up all the detail, I was a bit what's the word......*_*_*_*_*_*ed to find the barrel in such a state!

Any advice? Do I cut the barrel back an inch or so and re crown or do I use this gun for plinking and buy a disco or a S400? :p

[Gene_SC]

Funny you mentioned that Truman, cause I was just talking to Ed aka Shadow and he ran into something similiar with one of his newer gamo's with the plastic shrouded barrel. Maybe he can chime in and explain what he did to correct it. I guess now it is killer accuate after his mod.

[shadow]

Yup my Shadow Sport didn't have a crown and the rifling doesn't come to the end of the barrel, smooth as a babies well you know. I just removed the barrel and block and chucked and leveled all in a vise then with my dremel and a extra fine grinding stone went to work on it. I slathered polishing compound on the stone and leveled it above the barrel then proceeded to create a crown. I plugged the barrel with a ear swab to keep out any shavings etc. In five minutes I had a smooth centered crown, ran a wooden dowel up the barrel to remove the swab followed by several more swab's to clean it out and done. My group's were good before but not enough for me since I hunt and I'm a fusebox shooter so I need tight group's at 25yrds and beyond . My Gamo1250, Viper are the same way, the rifling does not go to the end of the barrel but the accuracy is spot on with them so no need to mess with them. I imagine if the Gamo owner's start eyeballing their barrel's they may notice the same thing. I would try the crown first then take it from there. My group's just got a whole lot better just with the crown. Ed

[Truman]

Thanks Ed for your crowning method. Looks like I've got a bit of work to do then!

[ChrisS_NC]

ok, So I saw this post and when out to the shop to take a look at my Varmint Hunter. Sure enough, no crown. All my pellets have been shooting left and no matter how much I adjust the scope I can't get them to come to center. I'm hoping a new crown can help fix the problem. I have just one question though.

How do I get the barrel off and take the plastic shroud off to re-crown it?      
I have tried turning the the screw that acts as the henge for the barrel but it won't budge. Any hints?

Chris in Raleigh

[Gene_SC]

It is amazing how we can help each other with problems. Eveyone has much to offer and it is just a matter of asking a question and most of the time someone has been there and done that..

[shadow]

Chris those screws can be tough. might try a touch of heat and some break away oil. A impact screw driver that fit's the slot should be used too, any play there will just mess up the head and slot. The Bull Barrel, plastic shroud does not come off and that's where I took great care in the crowning process not to tear up the muzzle end, stopping and checking my progress. Ed

[ChrisS_NC]

Ed, I got the barrel off using the old impact driver no problem. No to put a crown on this baby and see if I can get her shooting ok. I've not been happy with this Gamo since I got it a year ago. I may have to break down in learn to tune it or con someone into doing it for me.

Now my B26-2 I love and would love to tune it myself if I could get the spring.

[ChrisS_NC]

I agree Gene. I love this forum but don't spend enough time on it.

[Truman]

Hey Chris,
 Glad you got your barrel off. As Ed said, go slow when doing the crown. If it's like mine, there's not a lot of space to play with!
Good luck Andy. :emoticon:

[ChrisS_NC]

I got it re-crowned and will post before and after pics later. It will be the weekend before I am able to get out and shoot it.

[shadow]

Keep us posted and hope that does the trick. Ed

[speedturtle]

Could someone among you please post some pics of the crown and the before and after mods so I can understand the process more? Thanks a lot!

Speedturtle

[Gene_SC]

Try this link. It may help.

http://www.lasc.us/Brennan_CrownBarrel.htm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OorpZlG28fI

[speedturtle]

Thanks Gene!