Thread: Dovetail barrel cut

The easy way to put dovetails in is with a hacksaw, a 3-suqare file with one surface ground dead, and a good flat file. Put two hacksaw slots to the correct depth spaced just inside the narrow part of the dovetail, then file it out with edge of the flat file while taking care to keep it square to the sighting plane. Use the 3-square file with the dead edge down to open up the dovetail to the correct width, testing frequently with sight. Obviously some skill and care is required but the job can be done in 10 minutes with excellent results and no need for a milling machine. Practice on a bar of 16mm round steel to gain confidence. The secret is not to go too deep. 2.5mm is ample. Maybe only 2mm on the Rossi.

Originally Posted by gundoc

The easy way to put dovetails in is with a hacksaw, a 3-suqare file with one surface ground dead, and a good flat file. Put two hacksaw slots to the correct depth spaced just inside the narrow part of the dovetail, then file it out with edge of the flat file while taking care to keep it square to the sighting plane. Use the 3-square file with the dead edge down to open up the dovetail to the correct width, testing frequently with sight. Obviously some skill and care is required but the job can be done in 10 minutes with excellent results and no need for a milling machine. Practice on a bar of 16mm round steel to gain confidence. The secret is not to go too deep. 2.5mm is ample. Maybe only 2mm on the Rossi.

What he said
Grind one edge of the triangular file flat
Buy a good quality file and keep it just for doing dovetails
Use a candle or kerosene lantern to smoke some soot on the part to fit and look at the cleaned off parts to see where to file a little more
Always insert parts from right to left
And remove left to right
Mark the front of the part so you don't fit it wrong way around and file the wrong places
Always use a brass drift and direct hammer

Smoke and fit dozens of times of needs be
Better than rushing past the best fit

AND NEVER PUT THE BARREL OR ACTION IN A VICE WITHOUT JAW PROTECTORS AND A PIECE OF LEATHER !