Rifle Scopes Base install, stripped screw... What to do?

[purduejay]

I hate to make this one of my very first posts, but I am looking for some advice on what to do about a bone-headed move I just made. I went to install my picatinny rail on my new rifle last night and stripped a screw. I mis-read the Borka torque driver and put the insert in the wrong side. I assumed you did it with the number facing you as you tighten, but it's the other way around - needs to face the screw. Anyway, the first screw - the short one on a rem 700 closest to the bolt - stripped. The other three are fine. My question is, how much am I sacrificing by having just 3? Is it worth having it fixed? (Either drill and tap for the next larger size screw or for a threaded insert. It "feels" absolutely solid with the 3 screws already in there, and that screw is very short anyway since its in the area where the bolt goes in, so I am hoping it's ok to leave well enough alone and I won't have a problem. I'd appreciate anyone's thoughts. Go easy on me please, I'm already beating myself up pretty good about it

 

[PDXGS]

Re: Base install, stripped screw... What to do?

Don't beat yourself up too much. We've all been there and the one's who haven't are on their way!
Drill and Tap the one stripped hole. From a #6 to a #8.
If you have the time and tools, then drill and tap the rest of them.
You may have to open up the holes in your rail to accommodate the larger screw head(s).
Clean the threads with a solvent like acetone, use blue locktite and bed the rail with Devcon epoxy or MarineTex if necessary.

And read the Borka instructions every time you use the tool!

 

[bward]

Re: Base install, stripped screw... What to do?

I would just mill the head off the little bolt. There's really no need to drill and tap it. You could probably have someone with a mill do it for $10. Takes longer to put the receiver in the vice than to actually do the work.

 

[dunes450r]

Re: Base install, stripped screw... What to do?

drill and tap for the next larger size. i bet you could get away with only having 3 though in reality

 

[UNCIVILIZED]

Re: Base install, stripped screw... What to do?

Unless you went crazy with the loctite, try a left handed drill bit at LOW speed, while pressing downwards on it pretty hard.
Or, carefully drill or dremel the head of the stuck bolt off, while it's in place. And once that's done, pull out the other bolts, & use some vice grips to pull out what's left of the offending bolt.
If you did go overboard with the loctite, try heating the stuck bolt good, prior to attempting to remove it.

When you're using the left handed drill bit on the offending bolt, leave the other bolts in place & torqued TIGHT. That way there's less tension on the stuck one, thus improving your chances of getting it out, stripped, but intact.

Of course prior to trying this trick, put a shot of Kroil onto the stuck bolt a couple of times a day, for several days in a row, first. This should aid in making it easier to remove.
And or, you might try Loctite's "Freeze & Release". Supposedly you can even use it in conjunction with penetration oils.

I haven't tried it yet personally, but the concept is sound. Spraying the stuck fastener with it so that it gets cold enough that you get differential contraction between the two pieces stuck together. Which would make it easier to unscrew things (in theory).

If you're seriously figuring to open up any of the base screw holes to 8-40, I'd recommend taking the rifle to a good smith. As when you're re-drilling for larger bolts, the new holes need to be pretty much dead nuts on, in terms of alignment with the bore. And of course perfectly in line with one another.

 

[EXTREMEPREJUDICE]

Re: Base install, stripped screw... What to do?

Just to clarify, you are receiving advice on two seperate problems:

1. The bolt head is stripped.
2. The threads in the action are stripped.

I believe you are identifying problem number 2. As mentioned the best option would be to drill and tap for a larger screw.

Another option would be to remove the base, put a simple release agent on a replacement screw and then fill the stripped hole about 1/3rd of the way with JB Weld. Put the base back on and then insert the replacement screw (the JB Weld will fill the hole, around the threads.) After it sets you can give it a 1/2 turn or so. In addition you could epoxy bed the base (google it)which I recommend anyway. Good luck!

 

[purduejay]

Re: Base install, stripped screw... What to do?

Sorry, to clarify, it's problem number 2 - the threads in the action are stripped. Sounds like my best bet is to drill/tap for a #8 and expand hole in the rail as necessary to get the screw to fit. If I'm feeling ambitious this weekend I'll give it a shot. My first thought was to leave it as is, since it feels rock solid with just the 3 screws, but they are there for a reason I suppose! Thanks all for the help!