45-70, 223, 12Ga shorty project

[bodie4]

I'm at the beginning of a Survivor stock combo shorty project.  I'm cutting down 45-70, 223, and 12GA all to 18 inches.  The 223 will have a scope and the 12GA I'll re-install the bead.  The big question is the 45-70.  I'm thinking the Williams WGRS peep sight and ? for the front.  Has anyone done this that can help out? I DON'T want to and don't have the money to have anything gunsmithed.  Can I just epoxy on the Williams Shotgun Shorty Ramp and then install the correct height? firesight bead?  Any and all ideas/help will be greatly appreciated.  Thanks

[kid_couteau]

I have successfully used one of those hand worked dovetail cutters.

I cant remember the make but google dovetail cutter rifle barrel and you should see it.

It works with just the device files and a saw.

I cut the dovetail in my Marlin 336 for a front sight and it came out ok.

[quickdtoo]

I've cut dovetails for sights on an octagon muzzleloader barrel using a 3-square(triangular) file, just takes some time, but it works, it would be a little harder on a round barrel because the flats on the ML barrel help keep the DT square to the barrel, but it can be done with a little care and patience. 

I've also epoxied front sights on, good metal prep is essential tho.

Tim

[Catshooter45]

Generally, epoxy & sights, especially front sights don't play well together.  Not in the long run.
 
If you're going to drill & tap a new shotgun bead, then why not drill & tap for a new ramp on your 45-70?
 
 
Cat

[bodie4]

If I blow thru the 12GA, no big deal.  I'd be stressed about the 45-70, but might give it a go.

[quickdtoo]

As I said, good metal prep is required for using epoxy, I've had excellent results by sanding both mating surfaces with course sandpaper and degreasing prior to making the bond, if you just degrease and try to bond two smooth surfaces, it will likely fail. I epoxied a front and rear sight on a 12ga shotgun for turkey hunting about 20yrs ago cuz I don't like just a bead, a few years ago I tried to remove the sights cuz I didn't use that gun anymore, they wouldn't knock off, I had to use heat to remove them.

Tim

[Jimbow4570]

My 2 cents...I have JB welded front sights on before...I use a rubber mallet to test the hold from all sides......and I have NOT been able to get them off...even shooting heavy 120 grain FFG with my 62 cal round ball gun. For 3 years.
But, thats just me.

[Ranger99]

last thing i cut was a 12 ga. down to 20"


to make the bead regulated correctly and
at the proper height i used a base and
bead from brownell's , and silver-soldered
it on.
before i chopped it, i affixed a line from the
original bead hole to the firing pin hole in the
breech to have a true center to re-attach the
replacement bead and base.
i got really lucky and when i checked my
work with a laser sighter, the bead is dead-on
with the beam.
if you don't feel jb will work, try silver solder,
but with correct prep jb should hold indefinitely.

[bodie4]

Thanks for all the advice everyone.  Ill start chopping soon and report the outcome.

Sent from my LG-LS670 using Tapatalk

[Catshooter45]

I'd say from some of the responses, especially Quick's, that epoxy could well work.  I like the idea of roughing up with a coarser sand paper first.  I'll have to remember that.
 
 
Cat