ColdBore readers often appreciate the utility of compact rifles, whether bolt, lever, or single-shot actions. Rifleshooter.com recently detailed the process of shortening a Winchester Model 94 30-30, cutting the barrel to just over 18 inches. This modification necessitates careful work, including the replacement of the factory front sight and ramp. The reported project aimed for an 18-inch barrel, placing the muzzle just forward of the magazine tube, with overall length primarily a function of aesthetic preference, as marked by the customer.
The factory front sight ramp, typically soldered, presented a challenge. Rather than introduce significant heat and require refinishing to re-solder the original, the decision was made to install a screw-on Truglo one-piece ramp and front sight. This approach required a blind 6-48 hole to be drilled and tapped into the barrel. Crucially, as reported by rifleshooter.com, this intricate machining step was executed *before* the barrel was cut, utilizing the "waste" section of the barrel for secure fixturing in a milling machine vise with bronze jaws, ensuring optimal stability for precision work.
Achieving proper sight alignment is paramount, especially on lever actions where factory sights can often exhibit a degree of cant. To circumvent this, a machinist level was employed on the receiver across both X and Y axes, ensuring the new Truglo front sight would be installed precisely perpendicular to the receiver's true axis. This level of attention to detail prevents any inherent cant that might compromise sight picture, a common frustration for discerning shooters.
Drilling a blind hole that does not pass through the barrel requires a specific sequence and specialized tools. Rifleshooter.com detailed the use of a spotting drill to initiate the hole precisely on the barrel's curved surface, preventing the primary tap drill from "walking." Depth control was meticulously managed, utilizing a milling machine’s Digital Read Out (DRO) to ensure the hole was precisely .125" deep, leaving ample material in the barrel wall. Tapping the blind 6-48 hole was identified as the most critical and delicate step. A new bottom tap, specifically designed for shallow holes, was used in conjunction with tapping compound to displace chips. The tap was turned only with fingertips, avoiding a tap handle, to minimize the risk of breakage – an event that would render tap removal extraordinarily difficult.
With the mounting hole complete, the barrel was then rough-cut to length using a hacksaw. The final, critical step for accuracy involved crowning the muzzle. A Manson Muzzle Crown Resurfacing Kit was employed, which guides carbide cutters via arbors that expand concentrically within the bore. This system ensured a precise, clean crown, removing the saw marks and presenting a consistent, perpendicular face for bullet exit. The new Truglo front sight was then secured onto the newly tapped hole with Loctite, finalizing the project.
