homemade scout mount

[Brianc]

Just a quick note from a newbie. Showing if you think hard enough, great things can happen. This start out as a $50 clunker. I didn't like the sight mounted scope mount, so I made my own for under $15.This setup has fired about 500rds and so far everything is holding together. I've only been able to fire it at about 60yds, but most everything has been under an inch

[FatDaddy]

That looks pretty cool BrianC. How did you do it? I can't really tell from the photo. Looks like a handy rifle now.

[Brianc]

Well it's a homemade copy of an AO mount. The main body is a 3/4" water pipe, about 5" long, a set (2) Weaver 18a scope mounts, Weaver low rings, and a BSA pistol scope. I put the rings on the scope, placed the mounts in the rings and positioned so it fit level on the pipe. I degreased the pipe and the mounts, placed a couple of drops of acra glassunder each mount and rubber banded the scope mounts ( with the rings and scope attached to keep everything lined up) to the pipe. A day later I removed the scope and rings, Drilled and tapped the pipe right through the mount screw holes. Then acra glassed the screws in place. I don't think these mounts will move anytime soon.Then sand the barrel ( from the chamber end forward about 5" ) and in the inside of the pipe to bare steel with 80 Grit sand paper. I then locked the barreled action level in a vice. I reinstalled the scope onto the mount. Placed acra glass gel around the rear of the mount, and slid it over the barrel until it mated with the front of the chamber area. Then bore sight the the mount with shims on the front of the mount. Looking through the barrel at a distant object and aligning the scope mount assy until it was level and the crosshairs were centered on the ovject. You have about 20 min. for the gel to start setting up so you do have time. The next day stand the rifle upright and fill the inside of the mount area with acra glass. And that's it! I do suppose you could use and aluminum pipe or 1" elec conduit instead of the steel pipe. Maybe alittle lighter. Or swap JB Weld for the acra glass. But I didn't want this thing to move. So far so good!

[BigUglyOne]

What if you need to remove the stock ?

[Brianc]

You remove the action screws... The mount attaches to the barrel, not the stock. Just as if you have a normal reciever mounted scope.

[gunrun45]

I did the same thing to I think the same gun! Can't beat $50 clunker mosin nagants! I lopped my barrel back to 17 inches though with a hack saw. Yes a hack saw. I figured the worst thing that would happen would be that I would ruin the hack saw! It is a $50 gun after all :). I leveled out the muzzle with a bench grinder to make it even. The end result was awesome. My barrel appeared badly pitted so I scrubbed and scrubbed and then used a home made electric cleaning device. It helped to clean out most of the crud in the barrel but lopping it back gave me a 1in shooter at 100 yards! Not bad for a hack saw job with no re-crowning!
Its now my do-all long scout wanna-be rifle.

[Boogyman]

Brianc, that's a great idea! You got me thinkin', now...

I wonder if the same method could be used to mount sights on a shotgun barrel? Too thin to drill & tap, so the right size tubing slipped snugly over the barrel using JB Weld...

Hmmmmm....... <_<

[Brianc]

Fun for all shape and sizes. :) :rolleyes: gunrun45 got any pics. I would love to see it

[ShootinDave]

Wow, very nice and well done. I am working on refinishing a stock right now and am having enough trouble just with that. ( when they say not to get varnish stripper on your skin they mean it!) I guess some got it and some don't.

- Dave

[gunrun45]

Yeah, I'll try to remember to take some pics the next time I get to my gun safe.
Boogy: The shotgun method you sugested works great. I've never gotten around to taking welding (Don't tease to much...I'm sensitive), so I use the glass or JB lots. It works pretty well for the price. The only shotgun sights I've ever paid anyone to install were scattergun ones and I think they drilled the barrel and glassed them after anyway.

[Boogyman]

Which do ya'll think bonds better to metal and stands up to recoil best,,, JB Weld or glass?

JB can be mixed harder or softer...

[Brianc]

I think acra-glass would hold up longer..