Gunsmithing Whitworth thread.

[Munimula]

I've been doing a bit of work on my old Mauser 8mm. I want to replace the front action screw with a slightly longer one but couldn't find anything that matched up. I dug around and found that the bolt is 1/4-22 whitworth (55*).

I need to verify that I have the correct size and find a replacement for it somehow. I am a machinist in training and have the ability to make a new bolt if necessary but that would require grinding a 55* threading tool and would like to avoid that if possible.

If I do have to resort to making one. Will mild steel be of sufficient strength for the application? Or do i need to harden it or perhaps turn it from something stronger. The rifle is glass bedded including the recoil lug which has the original bolt in it.

 

[ACArms]

Re: Whitworth thread.

Here ya go,

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/sid=15932/pid=6642/sku/Fits_Mauser_non_locking__pair

or

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/sid=15944/pid=6642/sku/Fits_Mauser_locking__2_pair

Todd

 

[Munimula]

Re: Whitworth thread.

I had found those. My issue is i need a slightly longer one over the factory length.


Thank you though.

 

[Kells81]

Re: Whitworth thread.

I have used a couple of sets of the forster ones from Brownells and they needed to be cut down a smidge since they were a bit to long so the links listed might actually be what you are looking for. They were used on 1 milsurp rifle and one comercial actioned rifle.

 

[Munimula]

Re: Whitworth thread.

I'm gonna try to turn a replacement tomorrow. If that fails then i'll go with them. Thanks for the link.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: Whitworth thread.

Is there any situation that doesn't permit the old thread to be drilled larger and rethreaded with a more convention diameter and pitch? It seems there's way too much emphasis and energy being expended here, simply to perpetuate a manufacturing oddness. Screws are screws, use ones that are more easily found and replaced. Wham, bam, thank ya ma'am...!

Greg