Question about holes

13 June 2008, 22:01

Howdy Gents,

Can the holes drilled into a Westley Richards/Mauser receiver for scope bases be filled such that they are hard to see? Or do you just have to put filler screws in and live with it? Sorry if it's a dumb question. Thanks.

Paul Smith
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13 June 2008, 22:16

Westpac

Myself, I would have to see the particular piece before giving a quote, but yes, they can be filled.

14 June 2008, 02:28

PSmith

Thanks! I'll get a photo and post it as soon as I can.

15 June 2008, 21:02

homebrewer

I know nothing about those guns, but can the holes be welded up, then ground down and finish-filed to ultimately make them invisible after a reblue? I assume this gun is in the process of being restored?

16 June 2008, 22:42

M Pursell

Homebrewer,

I thought I was the only one that had problems with plugging holes until I sat in on an ACGG seminar on the subject and listened to some well experienced gunsmiths talk about it. Sometimes welded holes will show and sometimes they won't. The welding process can cause the plug and surrounding area to blue differently than the rest of the gun. Cold peening a plug into a properly prepare hole can work better than welding. The devil is in the details.

16 June 2008, 23:20

Westpac

quote:
Originally posted by M Pursell:
Homebrewer,

I thought I was the only one that had problems with plugging holes until I sat in on an ACGG seminar on the subject and listened to some well experienced gunsmiths talk about it. Sometimes welded holes will show and sometimes they won't. The welding process can cause the plug and surrounding area to blue differently than the rest of the gun. Cold peening a plug into a properly prepare hole can work better than welding. The devil is in the details.

You first have to pick the right fill rod, but, you can eliminate most of the visual problems with the weld by carefully reheating the area surrounding the weld and allow it and the weld to cool together, like you would do to eliminate hard spots from a weld. Which is essentially what you are doing. This requires packing the critical areas with a good heat control paste, but it is very doable.

17 June 2008, 01:28

Jim Kobe

Westpac

I've got a half a dozen pre-'64 model 70s that have been drilled and tapped for side mounts. If you can weld those up without showing you've got a bunch of welding to do.

17 June 2008, 02:13

Westpac

quote:
Originally posted by Jim Kobe:
Westpac

I've got a half a dozen pre-'64 model 70s that have been drilled and tapped for side mounts. If you can weld those up without showing you've got a bunch of welding to do.

Why did you drill them for side mounts?

Go ahead, send me one. I'll let you clean up the interior and blue it. It won't look like it was in a fire either.

Don't forget the bolt and trigger in case I want to make me something.