How hard is it to drill and tap scopes bases?
01-13-2002, 10:41 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location:
Posts: 1,168
How hard is it to drill and tap scopes bases?
Is it really hard or something about anybody can do if you have the right equipement ( drill press, tapping set, and and secure mount to hold the gun in place). I am thinking about trying it on a gun of mine just because it sounds like something i would like to do. I think i would feel confident if i did some trial runs on some steel and mounted the scope to that and then did it for real. What do you all think?
01-14-2002, 05:38 AM
#2
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Ashley Ohio USA
Posts: 93
RE: How hard is it to drill and tap scopes bases?
BAD IDEA
there is a coating on gun barrels about as thick as an egg shell you have to get through that first (die grinder will do it) it is some tough stuff just like a bearing race. If you want to see how hard it is take a bearing race and try to drill it or damage it.
If you are lucky enough to get a hole through it when you mount the rings they have to be perfect or it will put a slight bow in your scope. gunsmiths have jigs for this and you can't put a price on there experience either
Mike
there is a coating on gun barrels about as thick as an egg shell you have to get through that first (die grinder will do it) it is some tough stuff just like a bearing race. If you want to see how hard it is take a bearing race and try to drill it or damage it.
If you are lucky enough to get a hole through it when you mount the rings they have to be perfect or it will put a slight bow in your scope. gunsmiths have jigs for this and you can't put a price on there experience either
Mike
01-15-2002, 05:16 PM
#5
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 2,918
RE: How hard is it to drill and tap scopes bases?
You would be better off having a gunsmith do it. It would be allot cheaper paying him then ruining a good gun .Unless you know what you are doing you should leave it to a professional. Ruger Redhawk
01-15-2002, 05:28 PM
#6
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Michigan
Posts: 3,476
RE: How hard is it to drill and tap scopes bases?
Its pretty easy to drill and tap a gun for a scope mount........but it is darn near impossible to get it just right unless you are experienced and have the proper set-ups for it. Find a well recommended smith and pay the pro. You'll be pleased it's done once and for all.
01-15-2002, 07:46 PM
#7
Typical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Greensboro NC USA
Posts: 563
RE: How hard is it to drill and tap scopes bases?
A couple of things about this you should know, that absolutely has to be right. First, you would need a traveling table or vise on you drill press. Second, you have to square the vise to the drill chuck. Third, you have to find top dead center of the receiver rings, front and rear. Forth, you will need a new sharp center drill for drilling thru the harden skin of the receiver. If you get one thing out of square, then you can ruin a receiver. One thing you need is an indicator readout dial and magnetic base.
I would take it to a gunsmith and ask if you can watch him do it. Then you will see just how much time and detail is envolved in just the set up alone. The actual drilling and tapping is the easy part and even then you have to be careful.
I would take it to a gunsmith and ask if you can watch him do it. Then you will see just how much time and detail is envolved in just the set up alone. The actual drilling and tapping is the easy part and even then you have to be careful.
