Filing in screw holes instead of cutting barrel?

Dultimatpredator

Dultimatpredator

Well-known member
I removed the front sight off my rifle. My question is can the hole it left be filled in so it is not visible or is it better to remove an inch. The hole is approx a 1/2"-1" from the end of the barrel. The rifle is chambered in 30-06 and has a 23 1/2" barrel. It shoots like a dream and I fear of altering it could cause accuracy problems. Once I make up my mind on what to do I am going to send it in to have blued, preferably in black matte like on the Remington varmint rifles. Dose anyone have a lead on who dose this at a reasonable price?
 
Any good smith can do that. Here is the process.

http://www.gunsandhunting.com/Midway_Nov07.html

If you have the metal finished with one of the new high tech coatings you won't even see where it was.

If it is gloss blued you would see a small circle. But with the flat black finish I don't think you would notice it.

With the 6-48 plugs Dan mentioned you could have the option of putting the front sight back on. Just a thought.
 
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I have done this with good results. I take the screw that held the sight on and put it back in the hole. Using a dremel I carefully cut the screw off making sure not to hit the barrel. Now using a small flat file from a needle pack, I file the screw down to the barrel. If you are really carefull, you can do this with minimal barrel contact. clean the area with acetone and wipe some cold blueing on the filed spot. Use a buffing wheel from my dremel to polish the spot and wipe with oil. You will have to look hard to see where the work was done.
 
All this cutting and filing reminds me of the groan my Brother let out when he found that I cut off the front sight on my DPMS AP4 with a dremel. Believe me if you hunt at night this is a must.
 
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Save yourself some time and money and just use the plug screws from the scope base holes.



+1.

There are two kinds of plug screws. The most common is the kind which will screw into the hole as deep as it is threaded, which may require some locktite to hold the top of it flush with the barrel if the hole is a bit deep.

The other kind has sort of a very small "flange" or "head" on it, which acts as a stop or depth limiter. It will stickup a small amount above the surface of the barrel, but you won't need to use locktite on it to hold it in place. It will tighten as the "flange" hits the top of the screw hole. I have used both and they both work.
 
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I'd figure you can just fill the hole with 2 part epoxy and let it harden, then color the epoxy with a black permanent marker.



Or just use black duct tape. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif

I've nicknamed it "hippie bluing". /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
Can anyone recommend a smith that can do a good job and has experience on the fill procedure listed above and then black matte it? I want it to look as professional as possible and to also look like the hole dose not exist. I am paying to have it reblued and dont want a cobbled looking job half done.
 
I had my front sight removed from my .270 10 years ago..
They put Allen head plugs in it(Gander Mountain?). I'm glad I didn't fill it like I wanted to, 'cause my wife prefers iron sights. If I set it up now for her to shoot I'll probably end up with a new gun out of the deal!!!!
 
Why Larry Potterfield will have you an answer! Send him an E-mail and it will be done!He has the tech and the tools.I like his tech tips on the Outdoor channel,altho he goes a lot further than I would with his tips.
 


Never cutt the barrel,just screw it.Is it a hunting rifle or a show peace? If a show peace hang it on the wall so you can just look at it. Then use a beat up rifle to hunt with.

I have been useing one rifle for big game 38-40years a BLR Browning in 308 win. I have taken Bull elk ,Deer, Bear in numbers I can't remember them all.

I have had pretty rifle's I just can't hunt with a pretty one. My hunting rifle that I hunt with I camo painted. Its an old War Horse,never let's me down.
 
It will be one of those show pieces hardly ever used. I have way too many rifles the way it is. Its an adictive hobby. I have my work horses as well that I couldnt care less if I walk through the brush or bang against a tree. This is going to be a looker
 
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It will be one of those show pieces hardly ever used. I have way too many rifles the way it is. Its an adictive hobby. I have my work horses as well that I couldnt care less if I walk through the brush or bang against a tree. This is going to be a looker



If it is going to be a looker have it cut off and crowned.Then when it's blued no one will ever know. It will still be a shooter..
J
 
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