I had a redfield one-piece mount put on a 1903 springfield by a "gunsmith". Well he put it on about 1/4 inch too far rearward by my calculations. The action absolutely cannot be redrilled. The mount fits fine in the front but is between 1/32-1/16 high in the rear. It is touching only at front on the rear portion (confusing I guess when I type it). I guess my question is it plausible to use bedding compound to fill the void so that it is at least soild. I am not rich so custom mounts are out of the question. Just thought I would get some opinions on this before I went ahead with it. Thanks.

It may be possible to mill the front so the rear is fully engaged. Without actually seeing it I am making a bit of a guess. I would not use a bedding compound.

Consider switching to a two-piece base if the receiver can accommodate one more screw hole.

George

Have you boresighted it yet? Sounds like your scope may be too high in the rear for good alignment. And, 1/4" may just barely be enough to space forward and redrill. More details and/or a photo would help in diagnosis. Also, have you considered having the BASE redrilled or otherwise altered?

First order of business, of course, is to NOT use that particular smith again!

If this is the Redfield base that requires drilling in the middle of the top recoil lug shoulder then you have my sympathy. These are OK for the RF 1922s but not very good for the CF 1903s, I don't know what Redfield was thinking when they designed that one.
Regards, Joe

Could we see a picture of the base mounted on the receiver, it might help with your problem.

Jim

Before scope bases could be had with "built in up" for long range shooting I do know one rifle maker that used bedding comound to angle the scope base.

If you use a 2 piece base then your rings will most likely not be level. I would recommend you get a piece of metal and make a shim of the proper demensions. You will also probably need longer screws for the rear of the base so you have enough screw engagement with the reciever, ie. strength.

Also you might want to pick a scope that has a lot of adjustment to make up for the bad positioning/allignment of the mount base.

When you say "it is only touching at the front on the rear portion." do you mean that the part that is touching is interfering with the base sitting down on the receiver bridge? If you set the base on the action, without lining up the screw holes with the holes in the receiver ring and bridge, does the base fit correctly?

I don't have a Redfield 1903 base in front of me, but I assume the rear part is milled out to fit the raised part of the receiver bridge. If that is the problem, then milling the mount a little further forward to eliminate the interference should allow the the base to settle down nicely on the bridge.

I will try to post pics in morning. Thanks to all who replied. Have to go to work and haul the milk so the babies won't have to go without LOL.

I have an '03 Springfield with a Redfield one-piece base which fits just fine. Is it possible your base is the wrong one for the '03 action? The front of my base is installed flush with the front of the front receiver ring and attaches to the rear bridge with only one screw. The back of the base reaches half way to the rear of the rear bridge. How does that compare with yours? I will pop my base off in a couple of hours and get back to you with a part number if there is such on the neath side.

Stephen