Drilling/tapping 1917 Enfield receiver?

[rockrat]

Will I need a carbide bit and tap to drill a new hole for the rear scope base? Whoever milled the rear of the receiver, unsymmetrically, also D&T'd the hole off center.

Thanks

[Bret4207]

IIRC they were case hardened like the Springfields. If the area you want to drill has been milled you should be okay with HSS.

[S.R.Custom]

Rather than tapping another hole in the receiver, you'd be better off to drill a matching, off-center hole in the scope mount.

[elk hunter]

Rockrat,

I've repaired several off center scope mount holes by drilling out the bad one and tapping to a larger size, say 10-32, depends on how bad the off set is and how big I want the base screw to be, then plugging the hole with a screw of that size with locktite on it. When the locktite is set, file off the excess screw then re-drill and tap to 6-48 or 8-40 if for a hard kicker. Not a hard job at all.

[rockrat]

Thought about the idea of plugging the hole and re-drilling. Might have to re-contour the top, as when you mount the base, it "leans" to the right about 15 degrees.

Thanks for the ideas