Archive author
Norman E. Johnson
163 indexed articles · 2004–2021
Published work
Articles by Norman E. Johnson
New Tools For Old Hunting Arms
There are many good reasons why hunters use non-modern hunting arms. Here are two examples from custom builds of a customer’s crossbow and muzzleloader.
Bluing Browning Shotguns
Prepping and cold bluing a neglected Browning shotgun.
Modifying Gun Screws
How to modify a screw to fit your project’s needs.
Case Turning Fixture
How to make a cartridge case turning fixture.
Cartridge-based Headspace Gauge
A close look at how to make a custom Go headspace gauge from a cartridge—in this case using a 223 Remington cartridge.
Savage 112 Picatinny Base
Adapting a Picatinny base to the older Savage M112 receiver.
Machine Bolt Action Wrench
Shop-made tools allow customization and quality tools can be made cheaper than buying.
Chamfered Primer Flash Holes
In the modern realm of rifle shooting there would appear little remaining room for progress in the area of research and development… but we must keep on trying. Here’s how an internally chamfered primer flash hole affects shooting performance.
Competitive 504 Remington
More than ever before, today’s gunsmith is faced with both the need and ability to improve and to demonstrate the accuracy potential of the guns being worked on. Here’s how I set up a Remington Model 504 .22 LR to compete with the best.
Cartridge Case Rings
Making a ring from a cartridge case can be done, but it may require an arduous session of imagination and machining ability.
Improved Wildcat Cartridges
Gunsmiths should be prepared to test the rifles we build and offer sound advice on some of the lesser understood aspects involved. Working with Improved or Wildcat cartridges fits right in here.
Savage Trigger Guard Screw Fix
The rear trigger guard screw on the Savage Model 112 is poorly supported and often strips out, along with a chunk of walnut base wood that goes with it. Here’s how to make a permanent fix.
Accurizing Savage Model 112s
Selection of a non-custom rifle for serious target shooting can be a most difficult choice as inherent quality must be there or all may be for naught. Savage Model 112 rifles challenge the best of them.
Sporterizing Model 1896 Swedish Mausers
Finding anew life for an old Swedish military arm developed over a century ago and chambered for the 6.5x55mm Swedish cartridge would represent a formidable gunsmithing challenge.
Scoping .22 Semiautomatic Pistols
With a good measure of creativity, the shooter-gunsmith is often able to reach new heights in accuracy accomplishment… even with the little .22 semiautomatic handguns.
Rifle Grouping Problems, Perplexing Solution
Sometimes solving an isolated shooting problem with our rifles will demand all the study and analysis we can put into it.
Loading Ramp Bedding Pillar Combo Installation
Here’s how the Model 700 Remington rifle, converted to single shot with a special loading ramp and serving as a dual-purpose bedding pillar with added central action screw, shoots with the best of them.
M94 Winchester Vintage Peep Sight
When asked if I could install a cusomter’s older Redfield micrometer adjustable peep sight on his top eject Model 94 .30-30 WCF rifle, my answer was right there—Yup! Darn good choice.
Rechambering .222 Remington to .224 Valkyrie
Rechambering a Model 700 Remington action from .222 Remington to .224 Valkyrie entails going to a shorter and larger diameter cartridge. We’ll accomplish this by enlarging the chamber and utilizing the existing barrel threads while not giving up much barrel length.
Remington M700 Recoil Lug Alignment Jig
Using a special recoil lug alignment jig while installing a barrel on a Remington Model 700 rifle series receiver eliminates the guess work in proper barrel installation. Here’s how to make and use one.
The Weatherby Mark V Switch Barrel
The adaptability of a switch-barrel rifle can serve a shooter’s needs in many ways and for less cost than having a rifle for each chambering.
Enhancing Action Rigidity With A Scope Base
As we mount a heavy barrel to a rifle receiver, resultant suspension leverage can actually flex or spring the action. A good, one-piece scope base adds rigidity to action.
Savage Model 12 Extractor Retroit
Sometimes a new or modified part becomes necessary to improve the dependable and safe function of a firearm. Here’s a closer look on how I retrofitted a Savage Model 12 extractor.
Precision Bedding For Winchester Model 70 Stealth II Rifles
Few rifles bear close resemblance when it comes down to bedding for best accuracy and there are no real mysteries involved.