L42 Replica

I now have the 4BA taps I need so all I have left is a drill press and the knowledge on how to drill a hole perfectly square. I do believe I have a winter project though.

I now have to think about doing everything and have read Peter Laidler's articles numerous times.
The one thing I am not sure about is how to drill holes exactly square. The only thing I can think of is to use a square and prop the action up with something. Has anyone made a jig to hold their action or anything I can plagiarize ?

Set the body up square to the backsight axis pin hole and then drill. That way you can be sure that the drill is square in both planes

I made an action body fixture that works well. For checking/adjusting squareness, just use a gage pin run through the rear sight pin holes and tram in. Bore axis isn't as critical for poking holes, but it can be established using centers in the muzzle and in the false bolt insert.


https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...stuff066-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...stuff067-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...stuff068-1.jpg
The "false bolt" is made to be a hand press fit- maybe 0.001" over the dia. measured in the action- don't use the bolt diameter(s).
So far it's been OK on several rifles, but, if needed, another custom fit rod will be made. Depends on the job at hand.

Thanks guys.

I finally bit the bullet and modifed the rear sight to be able to put the scope on as well. Of course, I forgot you now have to take the scope off to take the bolt in and out.

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...earsight-1.jpg

I am starting to lean towards getting someone else to do the mounting.... I don't want to ruin the whole thing and be the Ultimate Bubba.

If you look closely you will see that the battle sight filing isnt too flat... my eyesight is a little dodgey these days hence not wanting to ruin a servicable rifle but stuffing something up because I can't see properly.
Good thing I can use a scope just fine !

You should be able to modify the underside of the rear sight to allow removal of the bolt with the scope on/sight folded down. This is detailed in Peter Laidlers book on the No4T. If you havn't got it, you can order a copy from BDL Ltd in the USA. Looks like a really easy mod.

Thanks TBone ... I have got the book but might invest in an illuminated lamp first. This getting longsighted blows and sucks.

Here is my project of bringing an old range rifle back to some sort of military config and gaining a useful sporting rifle still inside my collecting theme.

She is a 1943 dated Savage Mk 1* fitted with a heavy Sportco target barrel. The mount and pads came from ebay, as did the 3 power Weaver scope. The 'scope number' on the butt is the date the job came together.

Still some small things to sort, but as of now is has Savage, Long Branch, Sportco, BSA and Lithgow parts from my 'bits box' but certainly looks the part.

I'm really after a 7.62 mag of my own as the one currently fitted is loaned from a mate and will have to go back soon, and leads in Australia would be great.

The next phase will be a poor Mk II No 32 scope I was given when I displayed this at my collector's meeting. I'm thinking it could be rebuilt as a Mk 2/1 and not be a huge loss as it was recovered from a city dump and at the moment is not pretty.