Need some advice

[eagle24]

Calling ALR experts.....HELP!  Seriously, I'm batting 1000 on front lock bolts interfering with the ramrod hole.  Did it again, and have one that is clipping the top of the ramrod hole.  I have room to enlarge the hole downward if I can figure out how to do that.  I saw a thread here where someone suggested scraping the rr hole, and posted some pics of a scraper.  Can't seem to find the thread or pics now.  Anyway, I need to make some sort of scraper to get some clearance for the ramrod.  Advice on this would be much appreciated.

tia, Greg

[A.Merrill]

First try tapering your ramrod. Then if you need more clearance, put your lockbolt in a drill and turn it down using a half round file. It will be easier than making a scraper to fit the rr hole.... Good luck.      AL.

[louieparker]

Greg its not uncommon to find original rifles with a groove cut in the front lock screw.. Tighten up the screw, put something on the end of your rod for stain transfer, insert the rod until it contacts the screw. Mark the screw head so you know what up is when the screw is removed. Then remove the screw and with a round file cut a shallow groove then repeat the process seeing where the contact is and removing that area..  I have seen screws cut half into for the lock screw...Louie

[chubby]

I have also done as Louie said to mark the bolt but i will put it in my drill press and use a round file to make it look like an hour glass shape, then taper the rod a little as needed no need to mark bolt position. works good that  way also, hope that helps?   Chubby

[louieparker]

Greg its whatever works for you. But if much needs to be removed from the screw and you remove that much all the way around, you may not have much screw left.

[chubby]

I did not mean he should go from a .125 dia. bolt down to .050 dia. I only ment that working with the bolt and tapering the rod together would achieve a nice fit in the channel!  Chubby.

[Kermit]

I have a very sweet and slender rifle that has index marks to locate the front lock screw. The screw has a "U" filed about half through the screw to allow the ramrod to pass. It's happened before, and seems to me it may happen often with very light and slender guns.

[eagle24]

Greg its whatever works for you. But if much needs to be removed from the screw and you remove that much all the way around, you may not have much screw left.

Thanks Louie!  The first rifle I built, same thing happened but it was very slight.  I was able to turn down the middle of the bolt and gain enough clearance.  This one (I think) is a little worse.  I can put a 5/16" cleaning rod in the ramrod hole and looking through the lock bolt hole it looks clear, but the bolt won't go through.  Evidently, it is barely kissing the 5/16" steel rod.  Also, if I put the lock bolt in, I cannot get the 5/16" cleaning rod past it.  I'm pretty sure I could manage this by indexing the front lock bolt and filing a notch in the bottom like you suggest.  It may be a pretty deep notch if that's all I do to remedy the problem.  The lock would be fine with just the bolt in the bolster, so the front bolt being filed thin shouldn't really be an issue.  I'm still thinking if I could gain just a little clearance by scraping the rr hole it would be better.  It may be a harder chore than I envision though.

[Majorjoel]

I have used Louie's method of notching the front screw on several builds. Works like a charm. Just remember to ALWAYS remove the ramrod BEFORE you remove the front lock bolt!  Don't ask me how I know about this!

[Eric Krewson]

Here is the bolt on my first build;



I tried the U shaped notch method but always forgot to take the ramrod out before removing the bolt and kept cutting divots out of my ramrod by turning the bolt with the ramrod in place.

[Dennis Glazener]

Greg,
Here is the post you mentioned. It was by Dan Phariss http://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=30687.msg294265#msg294265
Dennis