Front sight ramp reattaching

[LeftHandGuy]

Since the OP noted it was not aligned, this might well be the case - zastava aren’t known for, let’s say, world leading tolerances machining wise

To be fair, I think that the ramp was OK, just from the factory the blade was not centred. Possibly even as a result of being regulated at the factory. I did use the OEM irons with some cast loads a few years ago and they were on more or less. I just want to start setting up my new action mounted sights with front blade centred

I'm going to clean up with some acetone and try the JB Weld again.

Probably I will assemble the ramp, tape around it, remove the ramp, add a little more tape to just inside the "footprint", lightly scuff the exposed barrel surface and go from there....

 

[Klenchblaize]

Agreed, but if the barrel dovetail female slot isn’t sitting square to the top of the receiver, the screw hole will follow, esp if the bottom is flush. Unless you change the angle on the bottom of the dovetail insert for correct for any misalignment in the dovetail cut. Since the OP noted it was not aligned, this might well be the case - zastava aren’t known for, let’s say, world leading tolerances machining wise

Yes. I would take care of that when file sizing and profiling the enlarged insert. Easier to do than explain!

K

 

[LeftHandGuy]

Just a little update, cleaned with acetone, peened the dovetail onto the carrier, attached the base, taped around it and removed tape to give me a "beaten zone" to file:



Very lightly scuffed the exposed area with a file:



Applied a thicker bead of (warmed up - thanks for that!) JB Weld:



The squeezeout has been cleaned up since I took the pictures.

Now I'm just going to let it cure for 24-48 hours

 

[VSS]

Just a little update, cleaned with acetone, peened the dovetail onto the carrier, attached the base, taped around it and removed tape to give me a "beaten zone" to file:

View attachment 401831View attachment 401832

Very lightly scuffed the exposed area with a file:

View attachment 401833

Applied a thicker bead of (warmed up - thanks for that!) JB Weld:

View attachment 401834View attachment 401835

The squeezeout has been cleaned up since I took the pictures.

Now I'm just going to let it cure for 24-48 hours

Looking good!
I'm tempted to attempt the same to restore the aesthetics to my .243

 

[LeftHandGuy]

Looking good!
I'm tempted to attempt the same to restore the aesthetics to my .243

I would. And not just for looks either, even if you don't feel comfortable using the open sights for game, it's really satisfying to shoot with them.

 

[VSS]

I would. And not just for looks either, even if you don't feel comfortable using the open sights for game, it's really satisfying to shoot with them.

My .270 still has open sights. My .243 is the same make and model rifle, but has had the open sights removed at some point in the past. If you've followed my posts you'll know I'm on a bit of a mission to get the two rifles as near to identical in all respects as I can ( Same trigger pull weight, same scope, etc) so this would be another step on that road. I have sourced a suitable foresight, but I don't have a complete rearsight assembly, unfortunately

 

[LeftHandGuy]

My .270 still has open sights. My .243 is the same make and model rifle, but has had the open sights removed at some point in the past. If you've followed my posts you'll know I'm on a bit of a mission to get the two rifles as near to identical in all respects as I can ( Same trigger pull weight, same scope, etc) so this would be another step on that road. I have sourced a suitable foresight, but I don't have a complete rearsight assembly, unfortunately

I hadn't been following your noble quest, but if you become aware of any suitable parts knocking around North America then LMK. Not only will I be visiting the UK this summer, but will almost certainly be taking in North Wales, even if only briefly.

 

[VSS]

I hadn't been following your noble quest, but if you become aware of any suitable parts knocking around North America then LMK. Not only will I be visiting the UK this summer, but will almost certainly be taking in North Wales, even if only briefly.

Very kind
Regardless of whether I am able to source parts in North America, do please give me a shout when you're in North Wales. It would be good to meet up.

 

[LeftHandGuy]

Done, I think!

With two little rare earth magnets:

And what @Smellydog will recognize as a mainspring vice:



The front ramp is rebuilt:



I did put the sight hood back on, but it interferes with the sight picture so I took it off again!

FWIW the holes where the OEM rear sight base are 4-48 threaded, for which plug screws seem to be unobtainable, so I used set screws:


And, this was a bugger to get, but this is a fairly decent shot of the sight picture:

 

[LeftHandGuy]

Little update:

Got a spare hour at the range on Good Friday, this was literally just as installed, freehand, 50 yards, 5 rounds of ammo I marked "test":



I raised the stem 1 half turn and shot another 3 rounds:



The ammunition was a 235 grain Speer over about 76 grains of RL15. I say "about" because this is ammunition I assembled several years ago with Lee dippers and pull-down Federal cases with whatever the factory primer was (presumably Federal LR magnum).

Notwithstanding I would like to reduce the group size, I am pretty happy with the sight alignment.

 

[Heym SR20]

Little update:

Got a spare hour at the range on Good Friday, this was literally just as installed, freehand, 50 yards, 5 rounds of ammo I marked "test":

View attachment 417984

I raised the stem 1 half turn and shot another 3 rounds:

View attachment 417985

The ammunition was a 235 grain Speer over about 76 grains of RL15. I say "about" because this is ammunition I assembled several years ago with Lee dippers and pull-down Federal cases with whatever the factory primer was (presumably Federal LR magnum).

Notwithstanding I would like to reduce the group size, I am pretty happy with the sight alignment.

Off hand at 50 yards. That’s a dead deer all day long. A steadier bench rest or sticks etc and group size will come down. A wee bit of practice and relearning how we all used to shoot will also help.

I have been doing the same with a rifle I have been working on. First go with open sights was underwhelming. Further improvements and re awakening and much happier.