How to Mount Dovetail Scope Rings on a Rifle

A Dovetail scope ring is a rifle sight that is mounted on the front of the barrel and has a small tab sticking up in the middle of the O-shaped frame of the sight. On most modern rifles the front sight is mounted to the barrel of the rifle by a single metal pin called a taper pin. The pin holds the Dovetail sight in place throughout the life of the rifle. To remove and replace the taper pin you are going to need a rifle tool kit complete with push rods the correct size for the taper pin.

Things You'll Need

• Rifle tool kit
• Dove Tail scope rings

Instructions

1. Open the breach on the rifle and remove any bullets that may be inside the chamber. Lock the breach in open position while you are installing the Dovetail sights.

2. Remove the taper pin that secures the front sight to the rifle's barrel using the pin's push rod in the rifle tool kit. Place the taper pin in a place where you will not lose it. Pull the front sight off the rifle's barrel.

3. Insert the Dovetail scope ring into the same place as the front sight and replace the taper pin. This will secure the scope ring to the front of the rifle's barrel.

Tips & Warnings

• When buying a Dovetail scope ring sight be sure to choose a model specific to your rifle.

• Always unload your rifle before you start to work on it. Otherwise you run the risk of shooting yourself or some one else.

References

• Gun Digest Book of Riflesmithing; Jack Mitchell; 1983
• Riflesmithing; Rh Value Publishing; 1986