Mount a Scope on Winchester 1300 shotgun?

[Big Paulie]

I am considering getting a Winchester 1300 with the rifled slug barrel for deer hunting.  Unlike the Rem. 870, I think that the Winchester has an aluminum receiver instead of a steel receiver.  (Am I right?)

    I know that it is prettly easy to mount a scope on an 870. But how bout the Winchester 1300?  I don't think that you can really drill and tap an aluminum receiver?

    Any information or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Big Paulie

[gunnut69]

It is possible to drill and tap an aluminum receiver but perhaps there is a saddle mount available.  Or maybe braze a cantelevered mount on the barrel with the back over the receiver. That way one could take down the weapon with a minimal chance of loosing zero..  Check Brownells for a saddle mount for your winchester..

[Big Paulie]

The 1300 I was thinking about is a 20 gauge.  All of the saddlemounts offerred for this gun are only for the 12 gauge.

   I note that in the new Winchester 1300 Deer Specials (12 gauge) the receivers come drilled and tapped for a scope.  Hopefully, this means that I could drill and tap a 20 gauge receiver with no problem?

[gunnut69]

Aluminum receivers can be tapped and they work just fine.  If your worried there are bases available that move the holes to the top edges of the receiver where it's usually a bit thicker and they usually also have more holes..  It is also possible to mount a cantelevered moount onto the barrel.  The base extends over the receiver allowing use of a normal scope and the barrel stays attached to the barrel..  that would be a lot more expensive..  I would check with Brownells first to be certain a saddle mount isn't available for your gun.  This is the cheapest and quickest way to go and is usually quite acceptable...