Trying to put a picatinny base on a stainless Ruger 77/44. Tried the Weigand WEIG-A-TINNY but just don't like the way it mounts so ordered a Murphy Precision base. Very well made but requires drilling/tapping three 8-40 holes in receiver. I've opened up several R700 stainless & carbon receivers to 8-40 and never had any problems but this Ruger is giving me fits. Got the single front hole done without much issue but I've broken one tap (got it out) and can't get through on one rear hole and can barely even get the tap started on the other.
Anyone else ever try tapping a stainless Ruger 77 action? How dang hard are these things or did I work harden while drilling? Thought I was going slow and lubed starting with #38 and then 28. Also using quality 4-flute tap from McMaster Carr after my cheap Brownell's tap (that I've used for years) snapped.
Anyone else ever try tapping a stainless Ruger 77 action? How dang hard are these things or did I work harden while drilling? Thought I was going slow and lubed starting with #38 and then 28. Also using quality 4-flute tap from McMaster Carr after my cheap Brownell's tap (that I've used for years) snapped.
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