Zastava Mauser front ring d/t'd off center

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Workin Man

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I have a Zastava mauser in 458wm and the front ring is not drilled and tapped on center. It is offset to the right, which also puts the center of the front base lower than the rear base. I have shimmed the front base and used windage adjustable rings to get the scope lined up to the bore (bore sighted only). I am starting to rethink this, thinking I should maybe get the front ring re drilled. It would probably have to be set back or forward a bit from the original holes so they are not too close to each other. I am using two piece bases, so that should not be an issue. Moving the holes to the rear a bit would preferable as the spacing between the bases is quite long and limits my choices on optics. Would doing this weaken the front ring? Any other reasons not to do this? Rifle is not under warranty.

Thanks, Jim
 
"would this weaken the front ring" - just red-necking it, but I can not see how the receiver would not be "weaker" with 4 holes in it compared to two holes. I have at least one used purchase here - when I took off the front base - like an f'n "zipper" - six gawd damn holes under that base!!! From a previous post I asked how is moving base holes done - depending how far you have to move - is possible to fill old hole with rod - peened in, then re-drill and re-tap new hole - sometimes is done by going up from #6-48 to a slightly off centered #8-40 and then re-do base holes to accommodate larger screws?? I suppose might be possible to just re-do holes in the base, so base sits top dead centre, even though the attaching screws are not centered? A dab of epoxy with no release agent likely accommodates for off centre mounting screws??

From somewhere, I got the notion that it is a bad thing on a mauser to drill and tap into the top lug support - so want that rear screw going into the recess that the bolt lug lives in - not into the support behind it. I no longer remember where that came from - one of those things that I have never questioned - maybe I should have??

Another thought - I had always fussed with calliper jaws, etc. to get scope bases sitting square at top dead centre on the receiver for Mauser. I recently bought a Forster receiver drilling jig - it does the aligning on V-blocks that the barrel sets on - so does not "centre" on the receiver - it "centers" on the outside of the barrel. Maybe need to fire the thing a couple times to verify that the scope base holes are truly misaligned with where the bullets go??
 
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Maybe need to fire the thing a couple times to verify that the scope base holes are truly misaligned with where the bullets go??[/QUOTE said:
With the scope bases installed as you usually would, and rings installed on them, setting the scope in place and installing the rear ring cap leaves the front of the scope about 1/8" off the front ring and off to the left. This was my first clue that there was a problem. Taking the rings off and shouldering the rifle clearly shows that the front and rear bases are not sitting on the same plane. If I even tried to finish installing the scope like this, it would ruin the scope, let alone trying to shoot it like that. Shimming the front base up and using Weaver Grand slam windage adjustable rings and a Wheeler scope alignment tool I have the rings sitting level to the action and aligned with each other and nearly aligned with the bore. I have it lined up now. I just don't think this is the best answer.

Jim
Click to expand...
 
I would open up the counterbores for the front base screws, and make excentric bushings to realign (move over) the base. I wouldn't want to swiss chease that receiver with more holes. Misdrilled holes are always not quite far enough off for another hole, but too far off to drag it and go the next size up... what a kick in the nuts! Good luck!
 
Jim,
The holes simply need to be plugged and new holes accurately located and drilled in the milling machine. The new holes will overlap the old ones but that is ok and your front base will hide the mistake. It's not as bad as it appears.
pjs
 
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