I have been looking in brownells, and cannot locate any tools to hold the receiver , or a jig or something like that. What do you guys use to drill scope mount holes? BTW it is a Remington long action.

OK, I found one that Williams makes, only prob it is $125! What else is there?

I have been using this for 5 years:
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=603260

It works well on Mausers and Arisakas, everything else I put in the mill and do the arithmatic.

I use a Forster Universal Fixture...but if you consider $125.00 too expensive for the Williams tool you’re really gonna dislike this one.

Unless you plan on working on more than one rifle it is seldom economical to purchase specialized tools and jigs for the job, and I would suggest taking the rifle to a gunsmith so you know the holes are drilled and tapped properly. The last thing you want is off center, cockeyed holes in your receiver.

If this is totally out of the question you can make a fixture to support and hold the receiver in a drill press/milling machine vice by using a wood block and epoxy...but this is gonna take you some time and lots of care in getting everything square, and then you still need the proper size drill bits and taps.

point well taken, its not like I will be drilling receivers once a week. Next question, how much is too much to have a smith to do it? I got one quote for $45 for 4 holes drilled and tapped, and another guy wants $35 a hole. The standard holes are already drilled, I am gettin em opened up to 8/40.

What are you going to use to drill the holes with? mill or?
I have a setup that works well with my mill, I can send you a picture if you like.

quote:

Originally posted by gixxer:
Next question, how much is too much to have a smith to do it? I got one quote for $45 for 4 holes drilled and tapped, and another guy wants $35 a hole. The standard holes are already drilled, I am gettin em opened up to 8/40.

I charge $15 per hole on an 8X40 conversion. I use my milling machine in case I have to bring an 'out of whack' hole into alignment. Nothing worse than scope base hole that is out of formation!

$45 for 4 holes isn't terrible. Especially when you consider that the going rate most places is $15-$20 per hole. At $45 for the lot, I'd go with that smith and be content.

#1 - bridgeport
#2 - good vice
#3 - digital readout

gixxer

If you are simply opening up the existing holes to 8 x40 I would think a drill press would be sufficient (with a good table vise). The drill is going to follow the existing holes if you have everything lined up. Sounds like a simple drill and tap job to me. If you don't think you have the ability to handle something like this you should take it to smith. No reflection on you, just the facts. Good luck.

Ray

quote:

Originally posted by butchloc:
#1 - bridgeport
#2 - good vice
#3 - digital readout

I don't have the DRO but other than that it's the way to go!!!

quote:

Originally posted by Cheechako:
gixxer

If you are simply opening up the existing holes to 8 x40 I would think a drill press would be sufficient (with a good table vise). The drill is going to follow the existing holes if you have everything lined up. Sounds like a simple drill and tap job to me. If you don't think you have the ability to handle something like this you should take it to smith. No reflection on you, just the facts. Good luck.

Ray

You illustrated the very reason drill presses shouldn't be used drill larger holes. the drill will follow the existing holes. And, as Malm pointed out, if they are off center so too will be your new 8x40 holes.

Best done in a Mill.

I guess I'm a dinosaur. I've drilled and tapped hundreds of receiver sight and scope base holes with a drill press, most of them before anyone knew what a DRO was. If the existing holes are already lined up properly, opening them to 8 x 40 is one of the simplest jobs in the world. If they aren't lined up and the guy isn't experienced enough, he should take it to a smith who knows how to fix it. JMHO

Ray

quote:

Originally posted by tnekkcc:
I have been using this for 5 years:
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=603260

It works well on Mausers and Arisakas, everything else I put in the mill and do the arithmatic.

That looks like an excellent jig for the job, and at a reasonable price!

Thanks for the info!

quote:

Originally posted by Cheechako:
gixxer

If you are simply opening up the existing holes to 8 x40 I would think a drill press would be sufficient (with a good table vise). Good luck.
Ray

Me too!

That jig is great...except it doesn’t work on round bottomed receivers!

Pay the smith $45.00 and be done with it.

quote:

Originally posted by Rick 0311:

Pay the smith $45.00 and be done with it.

Yup.

Do you have the barrel off? A #39 drill is the size you want. The set up can be done in a B.P.
mill just fine. Use your current bases screwed to the action to put a level on them to get the rotation correct in the vise, check both front and back for levelness. take the bases off Dial in each hole useing a pin guage or a screw head of a 6x48 for location x4. You'll have to put the action on parallels to get it up high enough in the vise. should get you there. send me your action I'll do them 15.00 a hole.
regards Timan

quote:

Originally posted by Timan:
Do you have the barrel off? A #39 drill is the size you want.

If you're going to use a #39 drill, you first might want to get some experience at removing broken taps.

As far as how best to accomplish the job, if set up isn't that critical on existing holes, then he should be able to get by with an electric hand drill and #28 drill bit. He can even run the tap by hand if he's steady enough.

I agree with another poster,

Bridgeport,Digital readout,machine tap., dont have that? ......then just pay the guy who has them the $15 per hole, and be happy.
Put it this way, how much would you charge if you invested in all that gear,plus set up time for the job & doing the drilling/tapping.
If the job came back with 4 holes spot on accurate inline&vertical, its dam cheap and id be happy

Guess the smith gets my money. The rifle is still in one piece, so I have no desire to remove the barrel. If the smith decides to do so, I hope he has go/no go gages for a 375 RUM.