Author Topic: To drill or to Soder (Read 1880 times)

Tcallbuilder · « **on:** February 19, 2004, 12:58:54 AM »

my buddy and i are into a friendly debate about the best way to mount a scope base onto a partner shotgun barrel. 12 ga.
He says to drill and tap the chamber section.......but as thin walled as the barrel is i have to wonder if there is enough steel there for the project.

My thoughts were to silver solder a steel base.

Anybody have any thoughts on the subject......or any other ideas?

thanks in advance for any info.

TCB

Markus · « **Reply #1 on:** February 19, 2004, 01:33:19 AM »

Opinions varie on wether there is enough metal to drill and tap. I am by no means a gunsmith but it doesn't look very thick to me>I think the soldering route you be to way to go if you have the ability to do that. I remember some disscussion of that on the old board but I don't remember reports of anyone actually doing it.

savageT · « **Reply #2 on:** February 19, 2004, 02:31:13 AM »

I'll jump in here and give you my 2 pence! If the barrel and receiver are too thin to Drill & Tap then you do not want to silver solder either! Too much heat generated to braze. Instead,, go with conventional low-melting solder like 50-50 or 60-40 lead/tin as was done with Mauser military rifles. Just watch the torch and heat sink everything to prevent problems.

Jim

MSP Ret · « **Reply #3 on:** February 19, 2004, 02:35:54 AM »

Tcall builder, To silver solder a base onto the barrel the base must be steel, the H&R bases are alloy, can't solder them on. Try a base by TC for the Encore, I have heard the contour matches the 12 gauge H&R pretty well and there are 4 mounting screws on the base, or contact Brownells, they may have a steel base that might match. To silver solder you have to get the barrel VERY hot, possibly to hot in the chamber area, check with a GOOD gunsmith. Of course a GOOD gunsmith would probably drill and tap the barrel, many have been done that way with no disasters that I have heard of yet. It seems to work even though H&R says not to do it. Make sure your gunsmith does not drill through the chamber wall and possibly attach the mount with a total of 3 or 4 screws if you could instead of 2. You could even have the gunsmith adill 2 more mounting holes in the alloy H&R mount. Remember they are only in a short/shallow way. That is why the TC Encore (fits the 12 gauge barrel contour closely) mount is so good, 4 screws....<><.... :grin:

Ebjonnes · « **Reply #4 on:** February 19, 2004, 11:09:15 AM »

Hi. I set my TrakkerII up with a one piece steel weaver style mount. I positioned this 5in. base 7 1/2 in. foward of the breech and welded it on. With a 2x7 Burris extended eye relief scope this scout configuration gives me 12 to 14in. of eye relief, an important consideration with a 5 1/2lb.slug gun.I shoot Win. Partiton Gold 12ga.2 3/4in the gun is a real good shooter ,but recoil is STOUT.Also the scout setup alows a one hand around the frame carrying position, very handy!

scruffy · « **Reply #5 on:** February 19, 2004, 11:18:38 AM »

tcallbuilder, another option coming is the vent rib barrel in 12 gauge. You could pick it up as an accessory barrel. Then there are multiple ways to attach a scope. I have a remington mount that fits on remington vent ribs (3/8" thick). Or you could have a flat bottom weaver base installed on the rail (dill through, screw/nuts), or make some custom clips to put on millet angle lock rings and attach the rings right on the rib.

Just some ideas, most of them random. :wink:

later,
scruffy

Airsporter · « **Reply #6 on:** February 19, 2004, 11:34:44 AM »

Silver solder also means a reblue job.

VarmintController · « **Reply #7 on:** February 19, 2004, 02:24:26 PM »

i have a NWTF 12ga that was drilled and tapped w/o any trouble, and it now has a holosight on it. and i love it. now H&R does say not to drill and tap any of the shotguns. but i can tell you it can be done, and it can be done safe. i would say the only thing i would do is make sure you have a GOOD GUNSMITH do the work.

WNY_Whitetailer · « **Reply #8 on:** February 20, 2004, 07:25:36 AM »

I agree with VC...H&R recommends that you do not drill and tap the Pardner or Tracker shotguns. Several guys said that they have had it done to their guns with success. The key is a competent smith to do the work. I wouldn't recommend doing this at home unless you are skilled enough to do it. I believe H&R's recommendation comes from a legal/liability standpoint. I guess they just want to be safe.