Question on welding bad scope holes shut.

I have read on this forum and others about welding bad scope holes shut to redrill or hide. I have an old .22 that needs that done to it. My question is . Is there anything I would do different because of it being a receiver? Should I just weld the holes over and clean them up? I'm a mechanic and have been welding for many years so I know what I'm doing on a piece of metal I just have never done anything like this on a rifle. I'm thinking just to back the hole up with a piece of copper and mig them over and go from there as far as finish. Would this be correct?

If you decide to plug weld the holes DO NOT use copper as a backing plate, it will cause cracks in the weld. Use yellow brass or ceramic.

We used wire feed weld to fill holes from screws. A bit of dremel and polishing and they mostly took blue like any other part. Sometimes you have a dark spot. Don't worry about metallurgy. It won't change enough to worry about.

Thanks for the info guys. I will probably eventually try it I just have to add it to the to do list.

FWIW, if you do this in the vicinity of the locking lug recesses, you might want to devise an aluminum or copper heat synch and invest in some thermal paste to draw the weld heat away from the hardened locking surfaces.

drill your new holes before you weld up the old ones..

I wasn't going to put another scope on it just an open sight. Why (out of curiosity) would I drill the new ones first? Is it just so there are no problems drilling if the holes aren't welded perfectly closed? Wouldn't the brass backing up the hole pull the heat away fast enough?

This link is to a video about tig welding old scope holes.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WShQMnUEA9g
There is also a video by Larry potterfield at Midway about plugging with screws.

I think the reason Chuck advised on D/T ing new holes first is because metals react differently to the application of heat. Some will become softer in and around the weld area and others will become so hard as to be next to impossible to D/T holes. There are carbide tools out there to drill into the hardest of metals but to the best of my knowledge the taps to thread them with don't exist, especially in 6-48 and 8-40 sizes common only to the gun industry. One thing to add to Chuck's recommendation is after tapping the new holes run anti-sieze coated screws in to avoid distortion during welding, especially if the hole(s) to be plugged are relatively close to the new one(s).

its next to impossible to drill and tap a welded area, it seems to suck all that crabon right into that spot...iv had a few frustrating jobs...so i learned, drill the new holes, then fill the old ones.

Thanks Chuckindenver I thought about that after my last post. Thanks for the video hookedonhistory. The really cool part about the video is my .22 is also a 69a and I swear the same guy put the scope on it the holes look the same on mine. I almost want to go check the safe and make sure it's still there. It also looks like it was done with a bent bit because the holes are ovaled slightly.

bubba holes all gone,

---------- Post added at 03:25 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:23 PM ----------

repairing holes drilled by bubba.

yup, you can say if done this a few times.

Chuckindenver
I just wish I had someone with your skills I could trust to do mine.
I would rather fret over the holes in need of repair than cry over a botched gun in need of replacement.
If I am patient I will find the guy with the skill to make the repair properly.
Wish I would have developed some welding skills in my mispent youth.

Chuck's in Denver, that's not that far away from you...

unfortunatly , i dont work on .22 bolt action rifles anymore lol..learned my lesson.. i have a few in my safe id love to sell, as well as a couple Marlin Model 60,s that the repair bill was never paid for on..
exceptions...1922 Springfields, and Remington 513Ts..just cuz i like em..
i think iv welded up holes on more 1903A3,s lately then any other weapon...with the new interest in Vintage sniper class, guys are finding all sorts of rifles with too many holes..
i do about 3 a week.

Sorry Chuck. For some reason I had it in my head it was a Springfield. I had to re-read.

not much welding skill is used when filling a small hole...i use a good welder, and #31 wire, set my welder on the second to highest setting it has, stick the wire in the hole just a bit, and touch the switch and pull out..happens in less then a second.
FYI: Harbour frieght doesnt sell a good welder lol.

Some good questions and advice in this thread. Thanks all