How to Drill and Tap a Shotgun for a Scope – Easy Guide, Tips & More

People ask questions about scopes every day, one of their questions is…

How to Drill and Tap a Shotgun for a scope?

We are here to answer that.

How to Drill and Tap a Shotgun for a Scope?

A barrel is a long tube used to hold a projectile such as a bullet or a shell. The end of the barrel is called the muzzle. Barrels come in different lengths and diameters. Shotgun barrels are usually made out of steel or aluminum. The diameter of a shotgun barrel ranges from 3/4″ up to 1-1/8″.

The length of a shotgun barrel varies depending on what type of gun it is. Some shotguns use a rifled barrel while others use a smoothbore barrel.

Rifling is when spiral grooves are cut into the inside of the barrel. This allows the shot to spin faster and thus increase accuracy. Smoothbores are less accurate than riflings because there is nothing to spin the shot. In addition to the length and diameter of the barrel, the gauge of the shotgun also affects its accuracy. Gauges range from 12 to 20. The higher the number, the smaller the bore size. The larger the number, the bigger the bore size.

The most common gauges are 16, 18, 20, and 28.

You should always be careful when doing any kind of DIY project. There is a possibility that you may cause damage or injury to yourself or others. This is especially true if you are inexperienced. In addition, you might make mistakes that could cost you money.

Note: If you want to know a complete guide about scopes click HERE.

No Gunsmith nearby? Don’t worry we have the solution for you…

You should buy a cheap shotgun and drill holes into it. That way you’ll save money and won’t waste time.

Room for adjustments

You can customize your shotgun by drilling and tapping the holes in the receiver.

Steps on how to drill and tap a shotgun for a scope. Now that you understand some reasons why you should know about drilling and tapping holes for a scope in a shotgun, now is the right time to know what it requires. As with any other do-it-yourself project, there are a few things you need to follow. Those steps are not that hard to follow. You don’t need an advanced degree or certification to follow those steps to drill and tap a gun for a scope.

You can buy a new gun, or you can make one yourself. This is where you get to do what you want with your guns. You can also make modifications to them.

Note: If you want to gain information Where are Monstrum Scopes Made? Click HERE.

Steps

1. Gather all the tools you need and require…

There are some tools and equipment needed during the drilling and tapping procedure. Some of these tools may be in your workshop. If you do not possess them, then they should be acquired from a reliable store nearby. Some of the tools required include:

  1. High quality drill bits.
  2. Cutting oil
  3. Ruler
  4. Black pencil
  5. Center punch
  6. Duct tape.

Guarantee safety

After you’ve gathered and made certain of everything, you should be ready to start working on your shotgun. But there is more! Make sure you’re safe first, then check if you’re using proper eye protection. Empty your shotgun, and make sure it’s unloaded.

Note: If you want to know How To Look Through A Rifle Scope click HERE.

Mark the center of the receiver 

Marking the center of the receiver is very important. You should use a pencil and ruler to do this. A dark flat earth shotgun requires a black pen, while a light flat earth shotgun needs a white pen.

Frame the drill Target

Tape should be used to frame the drill target because it will protect surrounding areas and make it easier to place a center punch.

Drill your shotgun

After punching the mark, the receiver should be secured in place at the correct angle. Drill a hole through the mark.

Tap the hole 

A shotgun should be drilled and tapped before it is mounted on a gun rack. When mounting the shotgun on the gun rack, you should make sure the barrel is facing right. After drilling and tapping the shotgun, you should also check if there are any dents or scratches on the surface. Once you’ve done everything correctly, you should mount your gun rack on the wall.

Note: If you want to know How to Clean a Rifle Scope Lens click HERE.

How to Drill and Tap a Shotgun for a Scope

How to Drill and Tap a Shotgun for a Scope?

What are the types of taps? 

  • Hand tap is used for shallow holes.
  • Spiral tap is used for deeper holes.

Both types of taps are strong enough for deep drilling. Forming tap is used for any chips. These taps are strong enough for any type of hole.

Can you saw off a shotgun barrel?

Yes, it is very applicable! You can shorten the gun barrel by cutting off the extra length. This makes the gun easier to handle and more accurate.

Drilling and tapping a shotgun for scope mount

Average prices range from $200-$500 depending on the scope you choose. A reputable Gunsmith should be able to drill and tap your rifle for about $150.

Conclusion

We hope that this article helped you drill and tap a shotgun for a scope!

If you want to know more information about scopes click HERE.

Author

  • John Moses

    John is the Editor in Chief here at The Outdoor Stores. His area of expertise ensures that there is no one better to suggest which rifles are most suitable for your hunting experience. He is also available for you to contact him personally to discuss the types of animals you want to hunt and the terrain you will be hunting on. Feel free to read his posts for expert opinion on Rifles, Scopes, Rangefinders, Bonoculars and Monoculars.

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