Scope Mount For 348 Winchester - Just To Show It Can Be Done

[RANisbet]

I wanted a scope on my model 71 Winchester and definitely did not like the side mounted types, so I decided to design make my own.
I made 2 different models, one that uses the factory drilled and tapped holes that many of the model 71s have for a side mounted peep sight, and no permenent modifications are made to the rifle. The other is designed to take advantage of a set of holes that were drilled by a former rifle owner to mount one of the side mounted scopes.
My mount is secured two ways. It has an integral dovetail that fits the factory dovetail cut-out in the barrel and a side section which is secured to the side of the receiver with typical gunsmith type screws. Additionally, there is a set screw in the center of the mount dovetail that locks the mount dovetail to the barrel dovetail so that it remains true.
Other than bluing and installation, my two mounts are completed.
I am not selling these. In fact I am giving the design away for the asking.
I am attaching a few pictures.

Scope Mount Top View.jpg

Mount Bottom View.jpg

Mount With Scope.jpg

Rifle With Mount - A.jpg

[CEMENTHEAD]

Cool !!

[TedH]

Nice work.

[Ben_Rumson]

Nicely done! Now let's have a range report !

[Ben_Rumson]

Nicely done! Now let's have a range report !

[RANisbet]

The scope base will accept either WILLIAMS rings that have the 1/4-28 threaded stud and also the CONETROL rings which have studs that are engaged by the scope set screws.
I love the CONETROL rings, but at $70+ per pair, I used the WILLIAMS rings I already had.
It would probably be easy for these base designs to be reconfigured for other brands of rings.
You may notice that the side of my scope base has not been drilled yet. I plan to "match drill" to the holes in my receiver. To do this, I am going to make a small two diameter stud where the smaller diameter will fit into the recever holes and the larger diameter will act as a stop. The large end will also be sharpened to a point, then the scope base installed and moved up against the stud point, then a light tap on the scope base will mark the exact location where the base mount screw hole needs to be drilled.
Bob Nisbet

[nemhed]

Wow, nice work! I'll volunteer to do the range work and report for you!

[Pathfinder09]

How many holes did you have to drill in the reviever?

[RANisbet]

I didn't drill any holes.
One of the designs utilizes factory receiver holes that are there to hold the Lymand or Redfield original peep sights. Note: Not all model 71s have the holes for peep sights, so there will be some original rifles that these designs will not work on. I believe those are ones manufactured between 1936 and 1946. My later date may be off a bit.
The other design was made for a rifle that a prior owner had already drilled for a side mounted scope. The side mounted scopes are in my opinion very "unsightly" and awkward, requiring
the shooter to position his head off to the side to see through the side mounted scope. My design places the scope directly above and low on the barrel, aligned to the bore.
Bob Nisbet

[JReed]

Cool scout mount.

[.45colt]

Wow!! Very Nice.Great Job. I could see that mount with the corners rounded,polished and blued to match a Winne .

[Pete44ru]

The pics make your mount look to me like it's basically a "scout" style mount, that places the scope ahead of the bolt face, and requires the use of either an intermediate eye relief (IER) "Scout Scope", or a long eye relief (LER) "Pistol Scope" , as a "normal" (3 1/2" -4") eye relief rifle scope will not give the shooter a full sight picture - Is that correct ?

.

[Nate Kiowa Jones]

The scope base will accept either WILLIAMS rings that have the 1/4-28 threaded stud and also the CONETROL rings which have studs that are engaged by the scope set screws.
I love the CONETROL rings, but at $70+ per pair, I used the WILLIAMS rings I already had.
It would probably be easy for these base designs to be reconfigured for other brands of rings.
You may notice that the side of my scope base has not been drilled yet. I plan to "match drill" to the holes in my receiver. To do this, I am going to make a small two diameter stud where the smaller diameter will fit into the recever holes and the larger diameter will act as a stop. The large end will also be sharpened to a point, then the scope base installed and moved up against the stud point, then a light tap on the scope base will mark the exact location where the base mount screw hole needs to be drilled.
Bob Nisbet

That is some fantastic work, but was the plan to build something so you could avoid drilling and tapping. I guess what I'm saying is with your metal working abilities why not just build a scout mount and D&T the barrel for it.

I used a modified Rossi 92 mount for this one.

[Lawyer Daggit]

Nicely done, but detracts from the guns visual appearance on the Left Hand side. Saddest thing about scoping some lever actions and bold actions.

[AJMD429]

Nicely done, but detracts from the guns visual appearance on the Left Hand side. Saddest thing about scoping some lever actions and bold actions.

True, but once he finishes the mount's construction, the corners can be rounded, the shaft slimmed, etc., and with a good finish, it will become part of the gun.

I like it.

[RANisbet]

Definitely a Scout configuration.
I have a Nikon LER scope in 2X that I bought on eBAy a few months back.
Since my model 71 Winchester had been receiver drilled by the previous owner, it seemed natural to utilize the holes he had made.
I can still use iron sights, but find that aging eyes, more easily do right by the "game" I hunt, when aided by a scope.

As for rounding edges, I thought about that and even beveling.
I'm just a hobby machinist and the possibilities of screwing up what I had convinced me not to do that.
If I ever decide to do that, I can, because I have the radius cutters.

One more thing: About 30 yers ago, I made a unique scope mount base for the Marlin 39A that I bought when I was 12 years old, way back in 1956. It's design is not too much unlike this one. Has Conetrol rings and has provided lots of enjoyment over the years.

Bob Nisbet
Supporting Army Aviation
Redstone Arsenal, Alabama

[71fan]

That's very nice work. I really like the design for it's intended purpose of preserving the rifle in factory condition.

I have one thought...more of a question...whether those tiny receiver sight holes / screws will have enough shear strength once mounted up. I suppose the dovetail will take most of the force, but you may get some concentric loading on those receiver screws. I really do think it will work just fine though if everthing stays nice and tight.

At any rate, it's certainly a neat idea and I really hope it works out for you, and I'm looking forward to the report.

[RANisbet]

I am going to be using the Brownell's Original Rust Blue. Hope to have it completed in a week or so.
When done, I will be borrowing a laser boresighter and do the final installation on my rifle. I used a laser boresighter to match drill the scope base to the recever. That use of the laser should have the elevation real close. Next use will be to get the lateral (windage) pointing real close. Once aligned, I will use the set screw in the center of my dovetail to lock it in place.

I too wondered about those small Lyman sight screws. With the whole scope base made from steel, I think the dovetail will absorb the recoil shock, and any transfer energy will be minimal. When considering this, tight receiver screws will hold the side against the receiver and the rigidity of the receiver and scope base pressed hard together should keep everything from moving. If I remember correctly, the lyman sight is held in place with two #4 screws.
Bob Nisbet

[Chuck 100 yd]

#6 x48 screws are standard for the receiver sight mounting holes. If you have a set screw in the center of the dovetail in the barrel, be careful not to over do it and distort the bore. The barrel can be fairly thin at that point.

Nice work. Let us know how it works.

[RANisbet]

Range work showed that the rifle likes 200 grain Hornadys at 2500 fps using R-19 powder.
Groups were just a hair over 1 inch at 100 yards. Rifle may be capable of better than that, but I found the 2X scope may be a limiting factor.
Shot just under 50 rounds and ther scope mount and scope held tight. The side screws in conjunction with the set screw in the dovetail seem to be able to handle the recoil.
Bob Nisbet