ramrod hole drilling

[caliber45]

Do any of you gents who drill your own ramrod holes manage to direct the hole past the mainspring on the lockplate? Always? Sometimes? Seldom? I've managed to do so twice (only about 10 percent of the time), and on those occasions managed to have a ramrod long enough to actually have something to hold onto while loading. The other 90 percent of the time, the ramrod stops at the mainspring bend, leaving very little ramrod with which to load. Any advice? -- paulallen, tucson az

[Blacksmoke]

Cal.45:  I drill just 1/4" short of the front trigger guard lug.  This gives me plenty of length for the RR and lots to hold on to when loading and cleaning.      Hugh Toenjes

[Dphariss]

Do any of you gents who drill your own ramrod holes manage to direct the hole past the mainspring on the lockplate? Always? Sometimes? Seldom? I've managed to do so twice (only about 10 percent of the time), and on those occasions managed to have a ramrod long enough to actually have something to hold onto while loading. The other 90 percent of the time, the ramrod stops at the mainspring bend, leaving very little ramrod with which to load. Any advice? -- paulallen, tucson az

I ave never had one stop at the mainspring.
If you get the rod groove/underrib and pipes right, use a gun drill and use it right it will drill to the tang screw and hit it center, if the trigger is not in the way.

Dan

[caliber45]

I should have mentioned that I build half-stock (Hawken-style) rifles. I use the barrel/underrib as a guide, but there's precious little space between the mainspring and the center of the barrel. Another limitation: I'm using 3/4ths-inch barrels with some regularity. Maybe there's no way to avoid the problem with such close tolerances. Thanks for the responses. -- paulallen, tucson az

[Dphariss]

I should have mentioned that I build half-stock (Hawken-style) rifles. I use the barrel/underrib as a guide, but there's precious little space between the mainspring and the center of the barrel. Another limitation: I'm using 3/4ths-inch barrels with some regularity. Maybe there's no way to avoid the problem with such close tolerances. Thanks for the responses. -- paulallen, tucson az

Hey you make a problem you gotta live with it.

DAN

[Scott Semmel]

You can use a ramrod hole scraper, as described in shop made tools section, to move the hole laterally to get past the mainspring

[David Rase]

Paul,
Normally on a half stock I use the same method as you do.  What you can do in order to give yourself more room for the mainspring is make a set of blocks with a guide hole the same diameter as the ramrod and the same spacing as the under rib  that you can clamp to the underside of the barrel.  Clamp the block next to the fore end so it is centered.  Now offset the block at the muzzle towards the lock side of the gun.  Now drill the ramrod hole as you normally would.  When done, you will now have a ramrod hole the is angled toward the off lock side giving you room for your main spring.  Solder, screw or rivit you under rib the the barrel and you are good.
DMR   

[okieboy]

 Paul, I know that you were building Grandkid guns, and I would love to see a picture of one of your halfstocks.

[caliber45]

David, thanks much for the advice on the blocks to guide the drill bit a tad to the side opposite the lock. I'll give that a try. Okieboy, if you'll send your email address to me (eallen10@cox.net), I'll send you an image of my #21, just completed today. -- paulallen, tucson az

[Dave Faletti]

I made a jig for the drill.  I set it up for the hole is angled down a bit from the barrel and off center a bit opposite the lock.

[Dphariss]

Unless the kids are really small a 3/4" barrel is still pretty small and causes problems as noted.
If using a barrel this small NARROW THE MAINSPRING slightly. When using little bitty barrels other parts need to be reduced as well.

If the rib is installed at a slight angle to the bore the rod hole can be drilled away from the lock side 1/8" or so.
I do this on pistols when certain locks are used.


Though on a rifle the angle can be less.
Dan

[caliber45]

Dan, Dave -- Thanks for the advice. I'll put it to use. Appreciate it! -- paulallen, tucson az