Well it seems more appropriate to post here than to start a new thread, since I have a very similar question.
I bought this tri-rail receiver scope mount and scope combo the other day (which took a good deal of filing to make fit):
http://www.combathunting.com/product.cgi?product=5686&group=
For a look at just the receiver cover without the scope:
http://www.combathunting.com/product.cgi?product=5649&group=
As I'm sure everyone is aware, it doesn't hold a zero very well, especially if I take it off to clean the rifle.
My thought (and I haven't seen this mentioned anywhere, but apologies if I missed it) was to drill the receiver itself, about halfway through, to make little holes for the screws to go into, as opposed to just trying to tighten them against the receiver. I also want to install a recoil buffer (any advice on the best one of those to get?).
If the holes are close to the size of the screws, wouldn't this add a good deal of stability when shooting, as well as making it easier to get the receiver mount back in the same position after cleaning?
I suppose tapping the holes as well would be even better, but I don't have the tools for that at the moment.
I realize that drilling the receiver will permanently alter the rifle, but I'm not concerned about that. However, if it isn't going to help at all, then there's no point in doing it.
However, after buying the receiver mount, I came across this:
http://milsurpstuff.com/proddetail.asp?prod=180802
Now this seems better. But on the other hand I already have the receiver mount and hate to waste it. Plus I don't see why there would be a lot of difference between the Choate mount being screwed into the receiver and the tri-rail receiver style mount being screwed into the receiver (especially when coupled with the buffer). In fact, the receiver mount method would be screwed into both sides of the receiver vs. just the one. Am I way off in my thinking here?
So my questions are:
Will it help any to drill the receiver for the tri-rail receiver mount?
How much difference would there be between just drilling and drilling and tapping?
Is the other style of mount (the Choate) still going to be so superior that I can justify buying it when I already have this one?
What's the best recoil buffer to buy?
I'd also thought of using JB Weld or something similar to permanently affix the tri-rail to the receiver mount (only two screws, on top, hold it on as it is), since I can't see any reason it will ever need to come off, and this would sturdy it up a bit I should think?
Also, how would 'Gorilla Glue' compare to lock-tight for use with the two screws that hold on the tri-rail (which I never plan to remove again from the receiver)?
Assuming I can get the mount stable, I would like to get a more powerful scope, and would thus need a shell deflector. Do those work nicely, or is sticking with the shorter scope (the shells do not hit this scope as is) the better choice? Can anyone recommend one brand over another?
Lastly, I realize that the SKS is never going to out shoot a top of the line (or perhaps bottom of the barrel) high power rifle, such as a good .270. I don't expect to shoot through the same hole every time at 500 yards. I just want to get a reasonably stable mount for a scope, that will hold a zero decent, after removing and cleaning as well as out shooting.
I'll worry about the accuracy of the rifle itself and the quality of the scope later. I should think that with a recoil buffer, where there is no metal on metal banging, and the receiver mount held in place with screws and holes, that the scope really shouldn't knock off zero too easily should it?
Thank you for any advice on this matter. I appreciate it.
*I had a memory lapse. The reason I wanted to ask about this, as opposed to just trying it out, is that it looks like the Choate mount would need a couple of the holes drilled in the same place, or close to, that I would have to drill for the receiver mount I have now. So I hate to get in a hurry with this one, find out it didn't help enough, and then have the holes conflicting to the point that I couldn't ever put the Choate mount on.