Bead installation

[NORTEXED]

I ordered a drill, tap, and set of beads from Brownells, and I have a drill press, now, 64 dollar stupid question, how do I determine exact top dead center of barrel to center punch and drill. Also, I have a couple that are tapped through, installed, and I assume filed to bottom out flush on the inside, and one apparently bottom tapped to less than full depth.

ps: this is on the 18 1/2" barrel of the 1897 I'm working on.

Thanks a bunch for the help.

 

[oneounceload]

If there is already an existing sight, use that as your reference and install right behind it

 

[NORTEXED]

No, my Brother cut the barrel back and never got around to "re-beading" it, so I have no frame of refrence.

 

[oneounceload]

That'll make it somewhat tougher.....of course when folks are shooting at moving targets like clays, you don't use the bead - if this is for short distances, like HD, it might be easier. I suppose if you can find a way to perfectly level the gun and create several reference points from the back towards the front, it might work. You might also some of the folks in the gunsmithing section for ideas - you might need some type of jig for this

 

[451 Detonics]

get 3 feet of fine string or fishing line
tie a loop in one end and place the loop over the hammer
pull the string tight down the length of the barrel and center it looking down from the top
you should be able to eyeball it from there

 

[NORTEXED]

That makes sense, I kept thinking "pop a string line"

 

[451 Detonics]

I have used that method for years. Once I mark for the hole I also rough the center of the mark with a Dremel tool to help keep the drill bit from skidding.

 

[NORTEXED]

I thought maybe center punch the spot with a wooden dowel in the barrel. I have one pretty sharp.

 

[451 Detonics]

Anything to give the drill bit something to bite, slow speed and use tapping fluid.

 

[Virginian]

With the barrel mounted and the gun in a padded vice, I always used a machinist's level on the side of the receiver to get it completely vertical, and then use the level and find the tangent point on the top of the barrel and mark that. If you have a drill press you don't need much of a punch mark. I have a spring loaded center punch and you just push down until it clicks and it's marked.