Tiny dovetails for scope on Remington 550-1

[pak29]

Hi all. I'd like to mount a scope on a much-beloved Remington 550-1 semi-auto .22 in order to take it squirrel hunting this fall. The dovetail grooves on the receiver are quite shallow, and even having found the correct mounting rings, the scope won't sit still. I get it on and sighted in, but by the end of a range session, even the very modest recoil of the .22 causes the rings to slide in the dovetail grooves right up to the front of the receiver. I'm afraid of cranking down on the rings too much and either wrecking the rings, or worse, damaging the receiver.

Is it possible to have a gunsmith make some sort of very modest modification, such as tap the receiver for a set screw that will prevent the rings from sliding, so that I do not have to ration my shots before another adjustment and sight-in is required?

 

[slowr1der]

This is the problem with these rimfire style dovetail mounts. They are pretty much crap.

That said, your best bet would probably be one of the B Square mounts that get recommended that have several screws on the side to clamp down.

Another option is they make an adapter base that converts it to a Weaver style base, that you can screw into the receiver, if you want to drill into the gun. However if it was me, I'd not drill and tap anything on the gun. I'd keep it original.

The other thing to do with these dovetails is to peen the rails right before and after the rings, so that it can't slide. I'm also not a fan of this, but some people do it.

I've also heard of some others putting loctite in the grooves and it being strong enough to hold some rings, so that may be worth a shot.

Overall, these mounts just suck, and to me it's the biggest reason I'm not a Marlin 60 fan. I have no idea why anyone would build these things onto a rifle.

 

[451 Detonics]

Any decent gunsmith should be able to add a stop, it is an easy DIY project actually. You could also try this mount. With it's long clamping surface it should be less prone to walking.

http://www.venturamunitions.com/dovetail-to-weaver-converter-by-barska/

 

[Carl N. Brown]

In the 1950s and 1960s, the "Weaver Tip-off" style mount were the standard for mounting lightweight riflescopes with 3/4" diameter tubes to .22 rimfire rifles. The friction between the claws of the mount and the grooves in the receiver was all that was needed. In fact the Weaver mounts i have from that era are serrated and leave marks in the grooves (of a steel receiver) when removed. If the claws are smooth and the scope is a heavy 1" tube scope and the receiver is aluminum, the mass of the scope translates to enough momentum under recoil to overcome friction with some mounts and some grooved receivers.

 

[pak29]

Thanks for your input, folks. Seemed like a pretty poor design to me, so glad to hear it's antiquated. I'll look into the options you have suggested.

 

[JohnBT]

Sure it was poor, but so were almost all of the cheaper scopes back then. I didn't know anyone who even used a scope and all the scopes that came on the .22s my uncle traded for were broken or in the process of falling apart.

John

 

[rcmodel]

so glad to hear it's antiquated.

It really isn't antiquated to the extent of not being used anymore.

The Weaver 3/8" Tip-Off system has become the world standard for .22 scope mounts.

Your fears are groundless as far as damaging the receiver.

Degrease the ring clamps and receiver grooves with alcohol or lighter fluid.
Then tighten the clamp screws till your veins pop out and it won't slip.

If you want an added measure of security, add a drop of BLUE Lock-Tite to the grooves under each clamp too.
The next day, I GayRonTee you it won't slip again.

There is also a scope stop made for spring piston air-rifles that will work on your gun.
But it shouldn't be needed if you follow the above.
http://www.airgunsofarizona.com/Beeman Accessories.html

rc

 

[airedaleman]

What rcmodel said!