Help with soldered scope base

Mauser Oberndorf

Mauser Oberndorf

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I’m wondering if any of you folks have got experience with removing soldered on scope bases. I have an older bolt-action rifle with weaver-style scope bases. Tried to mount a Leupold 3-9x40 scope, only to find out that the rings are about a 1/4” too far apart. Then I thought, that’s an easy fix. I’ll just take off the front base, flip it around so the slot is closer to the rear and it’ll clear perfectly. I removed the screws from the base, out the base appears to be soldered to the receiver.

Is there an easy, safe way to loosen off this base, so that I can flip it and re-attach it? I’m guessing heat would do the trick, but I’m nervous to disturb the perfect bluing on the receiver. And then, will I be able to re-attach the base without a bunch of ugly residue?

G5OrIH5_d.webp
 
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You did say "weaver style", not weaver brand bases - most of the weaver bases i had installed are the aluminum ones, but I know they also make steel ones. If aluminum bases, they can not be soldered - perhaps epoxied? If steel, they could be soldered, although a bit curious why it would have both screws and solder? I have a couple Parker Hale rifles with "soldered on" bases (actually a braze, I think), but they do not have screws.

So I think I understand your concern about "messing up" that finish on the receiver. Have you considered using off set rings?

It might also be possible, depending what you have there, to cut a new slot in one or other of the bases - possible that your existing rings might cover up the "spare" slot?
 
Are you sure its soldered?

If it is soldered then only way to get it loosen it is with heat. I would heat the ring only and try and get it free without putting too much heat into the receiver. Blow torch and go slow.
 
I got turned around a while ago about "solder". "Silver solder" is a kind of braze temperature thing - iron/steel needs to be taken pretty much red hot to "silver solder" - so actually a braze, I think and definitely will undo any "heat treat" that was done. "Soft" or lead/tin solder is also silver coloured, but melts in the 400 degree F ranges - also comes as "silver bearing" solder - so 3% to 5% silver mixed with tin - has even slightly lower temp than the 50/50 lead tin stuff. Removing pretty straight forward with propane torch heat - won't mess up bluing finish, with care - but re-installing without spill or flux runs will be harder to do. To "stick", have to first tin both surfaces, then "sweat" them together with flux used all the way...
 
Mauser Oberndorf said:
I’m wondering if any of you folks have got experience with removing soldered on scope bases. I have an older bolt-action rifle with weaver-style scope bases. Tried to mount a Leupold 3-9x40 scope, only to find out that the rings are about a 1/4” too far apart. Then I thought, that’s an easy fix. I’ll just take off the front base, flip it around so the slot is closer to the rear and it’ll clear perfectly. I removed the screws from the base, out the base appears to be soldered to the receiver.

Is there an easy, safe way to loosen off this base, so that I can flip it and re-attach it? I’m guessing heat would do the trick, but I’m nervous to disturb the perfect bluing on the receiver. And then, will I be able to re-attach the base without a bunch of ugly residue?

G5OrIH5_d.webp
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I told you already, use a torch! Lol
 
I don't think anyone would silver solder a base on, steel, try a small magnet, hit it with a heat gun, if it is glue.
If it is silver solder, I could try a different scope
It it was silver solder , the blue would be toast.
Soft solder, propane torch.
 
I have a few scopes and rings are are solder on ones. Old ww1 brass tube scopes and half rings.. I used low temp jewelry solder when i installed it. Not sure what they used back in the day. Id assume lead solder would work. i tinned both parts assembled them then heated them together until it melted.
Getting it off, id use heat and a lazer thermometer to watch the temp of areas.
 
Can’t slide the rings. It’s 2 bases with one slot in each. But I may have to try the offset rings. Would be the least invasive method anyways. I’m worried about messing up my receiver if I try to heat this base in an attempt to get it off. Thanks for all the input!
 
Mauser Oberndorf said:
Can’t slide the rings. It’s 2 bases with one slot in each. But I may have to try the offset rings. Would be the least invasive method anyways. I’m worried about messing up my receiver if I try to heat this base in an attempt to get it off. Thanks for all the input!
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You can always cut another slot where needed.
 
I don't understand why it would be silver soldered or soft soldered in place and use screws... remove the screws... and use a large brass drift and a 1 pound hammer... holding the action in padded jaws of a vice... give the base a few good whacks. If it is epoxy that should break it loose.

... and then there is the suggestion you take it to a gunsmith for inspection and opinion....
 
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