ok guys, here's something begging for some "subjective' opinions. this is for full-blown gunsmiths and amatuer "basement' smiths alike. what is the general consensus regarding barrel crown angles???? is 11 degrees applicable??? i've tried 8 degrees with good success, or maybe just recess the muzzle slightly and leave no crown whatsoever?? i realize "concentricity" is the most important factor regarding bullet release, but is there something i'm missing when it comes to smithing a b.p. cartridge? maybe this is just like everything else in this sport, trial and error and let sucess be your guide????....comments are welcomed....thanks...blue

thanks dave, good info there. i  know that 11 degrees is generally "standard' from most sources that i've been reading, and it obviously works for alot of shooters. reason for posting this question was my observation of a few shooters with no apparent crown.......merely a "recessed" muzzle for protection of the rifling. both seemed to be working, so hence my curiosity. i believe comparing nuiances of blackpowder to smokeless is a little like comparing an apple to an orange...both qualify as fruit, but thats where the similaritys start ending........many thanks for the info...blue

pete, i tried an 8 degree crown on a 40-65 winchester highwall that performed quite well, but  the barrel was shortened from 33" to 32" ,[by the new owner],and the muzzle merely 'recessed ' back and reports are that it is performing fine also. it appears crown angle is less critical, at least in this case, where back powder is concerned.  from what i've gathered thus far, a recessed muzzle with absolutely no crown is appealing to me the most...i think it's the most uncomplicated......blue

blue,

  I sometimes wonder about those recessed and crowned barrels such as Browning put on their BPCR's. It just might be me but I think after a while that recess loads up with fouling and seems to loosen the accuracy up a bit. I haven't done enuf testing with my .40/65 to say this is a fact, but I like to see a nice grease ring and star develop as I'm shooting and it certainly doesn't seem to be the case with my rifle. After 10 shots or so that recess fills up with fouling and being the anal type I'll get in there and clean it out.

  I'd have to agree with what Grampa says he's read. Looking over several of my SS's I think I have about every configuration and angle both old and new makers put on a crown and they all shoot very well if you take the time to work a load up for them.

  Would be an interesting experiment for someone to take a rifle and start out with no crown and work it up to 15 or 20 degrees and see if there is a difference.

PETE

Gentlemens:

I would not spend much time worrying about the recessed crowns. I have been shooting recessed crowns on BP rifles for a long time with no fouling problems. I prefer that sort of crown as it protects the very critical and delicate end of the bore. Granted it is not exactly a "period" look, but it does serve a purpose.   

The first year or two of production  Browning put a relatively deep small diameter recessed crown on the BPCRs. This was changed to more of a "Cereal Bowl" configuation in the later rifles. This change was made, as I understand it, to make cleaning the crown easier, not from any accuracy problems. 

The radius cornered recessed crown is perhaps the best for BP rifles as it is effective and easy to clean. 

Glenn

thought i'd try something new, [probably tried 500 times before], regarding a crown. spooled up a .40-65 barrel and recessed the muzzle back .050, then merely 'rolled 'the edge of the rifling into the bore. it made a very fluid like transfer into the bore with no discernable, compound angle. can't wait to give it a go....blue