Bead installation

[NORTEXED]

I ordered a drill, tap, and set of beads from Brownells, and I have a drill press, now, 64 dollar stupid question, how do I determine exact top dead center of barrel to center punch and drill. Also, I have a couple that are tapped through, installed, and I assume filed to bottom out flush on the inside, and one apparently bottom tapped to less than full depth.

ps: this is on the 18 1/2" barrel of the 1897 I'm working on.

Thanks a bunch for the help.

 

[gunplumber]

I use the Top Dead bbl marker from Brownells. It rides the bbl with a level in it and when you get the level true there is a marking punch in it that you tap. Trick is to plumb the rec so it is sq beforehand.

 

[rcmodel]

Marking an index line from the old sight before the barrel is cut off is one good way.

Failing that, a machenest level to level the receiver flat side down on a bench top while you mark the barrel using a wood block and pencil. It doesn't have to be centered yet.
Just mark it eyeball close to center..

Then flip the gun over on the other side and mark it again the same exact way.

Halfway between the two marks is the center line of the barrel.

rc

 

[NORTEXED]

That makes sense.

 

[klutchless]

I have used somwhat a hillbilly method of putting the baarrel upside down in a padded vise using a box level to make it square then using the millimeters side of a ruler to find the width of the barrel then deviding that by two mark the ruler the put a plumb bob string on the mark then mark the top of the barrel directly behind where the bob says is dead virtical its alot more complicated then the other methods but if you have to use whats at hand.P.S. your wifes sewing tape measure works best just dont get caught.