Winchester 1885 scope mount will not sit flush.

[Thisisyourcaptin]

Some of y’all probobly saw my last post about new Winchester 1885 low wall in 223. I noted a day or so ago that the scope mount will not sit flush on the barrel. There is a small gap. I pulled the mount. It’s straight as an arrow. Any thoughts?

I know the barrel is tapered. I would have assumed Winchester would have machined their mounts and taken this into account.

I have access to a machine shop. However I have very little experience using an end mill in order to machine the receiver end down a few thou.

 

[1KPerDay]

the barrel is tapered.

 

[Thisisyourcaptin]

the barrel is tapered.

I would have assumed that Winchester compensated for this when making the scope mount.

 

[1KPerDay]

I would have assumed that as well.

 

[1KPerDay]

If it bothers you (it would me), you could make or ask a gunsmith to make a metal epoxy shim (glued to the mount, not the barrel) by putting release agent on the barrel and some epoxy on the mount (just a little) and clamp it up. Mind the screw holes. That's a bad design by Winchester though if the mount is the right one for that barrel.

 

[Legionnaire]

If you still have the mount off the gun, how about a picture of the bottom face of the mount, the face that should be flush with the barrel?

 

[JmacD]

“Bedding” mounts/pic rails isn’t uncommon. Not an expert, bit that’s probably what I might try…

 

[LoonWulf]

Are the high wall and low wall mounts different?..... Possibly you got a high wall?

The 1885 is one of the guns I've never actually got in my hands on.

 

[stringnut]

Are you sure that is even the correct mount? I remember , at least some , of the mounts for 1885 rifles being a separate front and rear block. Leupold bases for both the High wall and Low wall are 2 piece. That almost looks like someone found a bolt action mount that would fit and stuck it on.

What brand of mount is it?

 

[Show Me]

Are the high wall and low wall mounts different?..... Possibly you got a high wall?

The 1885 is one of the guns I've never actually got in my hands on.

Had to look. Win sells hi and lo wall mounts. Good lord

 

[eastbank]

the low wall and the high wall actions take different bases. left photo is of my browning low wall in .260 with browning bases and the right top photo is of my winchester high wall short rifle in 45-70 and it has weaver bases on it.

 

[illinoisburt]

Right now you only have one solid point f attachment at the rear and the entire base can move like a lever so wouldn't count on holding zero with recoil or an accidental bump/drop. I'd look at either shimming the front as others mentioned or reducing the rear mount to fit. I suspect taking a little metal off the bottom the base to get it flush would be the best solution, though you may also need to file the screws a little as well if the hole is bottomed out. Don't use power tools. Mask the gun with painters tape, lay a piece of Emory cloth to get the contour correct and sand the mount until your good good even contact front and rear.

 

[Hookeye]

Id buy a different make of base and check the diff.

 

[chicharrones]

Knowing my "gun-mechanic" self, this would be a situation of me getting out a file and changing the bottom profile of the mount to match the barrel (and/or receiver). Then hit the bottom of the mount with a bit of black paint to cover the bare metal exposed from the filing.

 

[Hookeye]

Its an 1885 Browning.
IMHO too nice a rifle for messing around.
Either try another base or go to a smith with a milling machine (to modify existing base).

Heck, my EGW base doesn't fit my beater Ruger #1, as the rear radius contacts to top front edge of receiver.
I have pretty good fine pitch motor skills (used to work under microscopes).
Even so, screw it, I'll pay 50 bucks to have it milled proper.

It will look factory when done.