From the Gunrack
By Jared Acuna
Sportsmen and target shooters alike enjoy hitting what they aim at. What many people don’t know, and often disregard, is just how critical the muzzle of the barrel is in getting the most accuracy out of your firearms.
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Courtesy Matt Acuna
The muzzle of a firearm, located at the end of the barrel, is primarily important for a variety of reasons. Chief and foremost, the muzzle is the absolute last place that a barrel has contact with a departing bullet.
A tiny ring cut into the end that transitions the rifling of the barrel to the muzzle is called the crown. If the crown has been damaged, no matter how good the aim or how expensive the optic, accuracy can be lost.
One of the most common ways that damage to the muzzle occurs happens by dropping the gun onto the ground, barrel first. Improper cleaning can also be problematic. To avoid indentations, burrs, or nicks, it is advised to avoid steel cleaning rods. Brass is preferable.
When purchasing a brand-new gun, it is wise to carefully examine the muzzle first. Many come flawed straight from the factory and will need to be recut to maximize accuracy. Rust as well as normal wear and tear on the crown also attributes to a loss of precision.
Another element on the operable health of a gun’s crown is the gas. Whenever a round is fired, expanding gases are the force that propels the bullet down the barrel. While the projectile is in the barrel, these gases stay behind it as it is pushed out. As it leaves, the gases travel faster than the heavy lead bullet. This means that if the crown has been damaged or improperly cut, the gases expanding around the bullet will push it off in an undesirable direction.
Damaged crowns are the number one cause for inaccurate guns. A gunsmith can recut a crown and help anyone decide which style of cut is most appropriate for what they want their gun to do.
There are three main types of crowns to choose from. A Hunter Crown is rounded, affordable and is built with heavy use in mind.
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Courtesy Jared Acuna
A Target Crown is also known as a Recessed Crown. Target Crowns have carefully positioned and symmetrical indentations. Notably more accurate than a Hunter Crown, these Recessed Crowns are also protectively built to last a long time.
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Courtesy Jared Acuna
The last and most accurate type is called an 11° Crown. These crowns have a concave cone that enhances the maximum accuracy available to choose from. However, 11° Crowns are extremely delicate and are best suited for target shooting and competition environments.
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Courtesy Matt Acuna
Accuracy is affected by many factors. Aim, wind and a gun’s operating condition are just a few examples. To maintain the most precise shots, don’t take intensive adjustments into your own hands. For questions, recuts and other muzzle options, visit your local gunsmith, Matthew Acuna Gunsmithing, located at North Coast Shooter’s Supply in downtown Warrenton, or call 503-298-8879. www.ncshooterssupply.com/maintenance.
