Whats the difference between a picatinny rail and a weaver

[Alpha1]

The rifle is a old target rifle. It was originally fitted with a parker hale aperture rear sight. The rear of the action is drilled and tapped to accommodate the sight. I have the rear sight. I have removed the base from the rear sight to use as a template. I showed it to one of the machinist at work and explained what I wanted to do. He had a measure and he assures me it can be reproduced with the correct profile in the configuration that I want. So he has set aside some time next week and I get access to the Bridgeport mill that is fitted with all the whistles and bells. But more importantly he will be making sure I don't mess it up. In truth he will probably end up doing most of the work and Ill get to learn a bit more about machining.

[bradaz11]

learn by doing, it's the best way IMHO

[huntervixen]

The "Picatinny" rail system was developed by the US military at The Picatinny Arsenal, a true innovation in firearms design and adopted the world over, except for us Brits that is, who devolped our very own specific rail for the L85 series ... how typically British ... Today we fit an adaptor to the L85 rail to fit a Picatinny rail over it !

[Alpha1]

Sounds about right.

[Explosive]

The rifle is a old target rifle. It was originally fitted with a parker hale aperture rear sight. The rear of the action is drilled and tapped to accommodate the sight. I have the rear sight. I have removed the base from the rear sight to use as a template. I showed it to one of the machinist at work and explained what I wanted to do. He had a measure and he assures me it can be reproduced with the correct profile in the configuration that I want. So he has set aside some time next week and I get access to the Bridgeport mill that is fitted with all the whistles and bells. But more importantly he will be making sure I don't mess it up. In truth he will probably end up doing most of the work and Ill get to learn a bit more about machining.

I have a mill with all the bells and whistles, bit in circumstances like you describe I have found my mig welder very useful.

[Alpha1]

If I have to resort to welding but I'm guessing I wont we have a welding and fabrication section that are well qualified to do the work.
Our welding equipment as is the machine shop is state of the art it has to be because of the type of work we do.
I'm sure machining and fitting a couple of scope rail mounts is well within our capabilities. But Ill keep you posted as to progress.