Stripped out action screw on a 10/22

[kentuckyMarksman]

A close family member of mine has a Ruger 10/22 that they put a Kidd barrel on and a KRG Bravo on (at my suggestion). I don't know why, but they clean it after every range trip (maybe 50 rounds when they go). I don't know what happened but they stripped out the action screw in the receiver... before they buy another receiver, is this one salvageable?

It seems to me the best option is to ream this out and tap it for the next size up, but I realize that would change the torque value needed when installing it in the Bravo. Does anyone know how to compute the new torque value needed? Also, what is the recommended torque value that KRG suggests? I don't own a 10/22 and this family member has lost the documentation.

They asked me about using a Helicoil, but I didn't think that was a great idea as this 10/22 is used for "precision" and didn't think a Helicoil was the best option for that.

Anyone have any thoughts on it before he buys another receiver?

I honestly think the best option is to buy another receiver and use that with the Kidd barrel and Bravo chassis, then tap this receiver out for the next size up, slap the factory barrel and stock on it and have a 2nd rifle (10/22 in stock form).

 

[kentuckyMarksman]

Here is a picture of the stripped out hole...

 

[jetjock07]

I’d say ream and retap. Torque value is torque value.

 

[Aqua Mark]

If that were mine I would do Time Sert.

https://time-sert.com/

 

[rdramsey8]

If it was me, I’d just get a new receiver. I’d probably use it as an excuse to get a Kidd receiver for $240, but he could also get the Brownells receiver for $130.

 

[kentuckyMarksman]

If it was me, I’d just get a new receiver. I’d probably use it as an excuse to get a Kidd receiver for $240, but he could also get the Brownells receiver for $130.

He's too cheap for a Kidd receiver (my suggestion). I found a factory receiver he can but for $80, he said he'll probably buy it next weekend, I'm just wondering if salvaging this for his rifle is worth while.

 

[AGrizz]

Check at your local hardware store, Lowes, Grainger and see if they have a thing called a " helicoil kit " for that particular size screw and thread. What it amounts to is a drill bit, tap and a few coils that look like twisted wire and a tool to insert them after you retap the hole.

Probably cost about half the price of his reciever to do this.

 

[kentuckyMarksman]

Check at your local hardware store, Lowes, Grainger and see if they have a thing called a " helicoil kit " for that particular size screw and thread. What it amounts to is a drill bit, tap and a few coils that look like twisted wire and a tool to insert them after you retap the hole.

Probably cost about half the price of his reciever to do this.

I mentioned in my first post that I wasn't sure a Helicoil was a great option for this. I've used them before in other applications, but not on a rifle. Would a helicoil, just basically being a spring holding the action screw, introduce any issues between the action and the chassis that might degrade accuracy of the rifle?

 

[XLR308]

I mentioned in my first post that I wasn't sure a Helicoil was a great option for this. I've used them before in other applications, but not on a rifle. Would a helicoil, just basically being a spring holding the action screw, introduce any issues between the action and the chassis that might degrade accuracy of the rifle?

The main issue I see is that the stripped action screw hole is between the two barrel clamp screws and that will decide what course of action going forward for any modification.
If there is enough material therei would just go up a size to 5/16-18 or 24.

 

[kentuckyMarksman]

The main issue I see is that the stripped action screw hole is between the two barrel clamp screws and that will decide what course of action going forward for any modification.

Gee, good point. Hadn't thought of that...

 

[kentuckyMarksman]

Update: was texting him, he's pretty set on a new receiver.

 

[rdramsey8]

Update: was texting him, he's pretty set on a new receiver.

Seems like the best move considering he invested in the Kidd barrel and KRG stock.

 

[kentuckyMarksman]

Seems like the best move considering he invested in the Kidd barrel and KRG stock.

Yep, my thoughts exactly. Could tap this receiver out to use a 1/4-20 screw, put it in a wood stock, and put the factory barrel in and have a cheap plinker...

 

[XLR308]

Yep, my thoughts exactly. Could tap this receiver out to use a 1/4-20 screw, put it in a wood stock, and put the factory barrel in and have a cheap plinker...

Shit I thought it was a 1/4" fastener already, shows how many times I have taken mine apart.
A grand total of once the day I bought it and changed the barrel, stock and trigger.

 

[kentuckyMarksman]

Shit I thought it was a 1/4" fastener already, shows how many times I have taken mine apart.
A grand total of once the day I bought it and changed the barrel, stock and trigger.

I Googled it, apparently it's a #12 screw with 24 TPI. Kind of an odd ball screw.

 

[vaguru]

Tap with 1/4-28 and good to go. No need to replace receiver, has been done many, many times previous without issue.

 

[502Chevelle]

When he gets the new receiver, he will need someone to "properly " dispose of the old one, if you get my drift.

 

[Baron23]

Sort of puzzled as to how he stripped an action screw from cleaning the rifle? Hammering a rod thru that was stuck with too large of a patch or....???

He wants a new receiver then that's what he should do but I think the suggestions of drilling/tapping for a larger screw is a good one.

 

[XLR308]

Sort of puzzled as to how he stripped an action screw from cleaning the rifle? Hammering a rod thru that was stuck with too large of a patch or....???

He wants a new receiver then that's what he should do but I think the suggestions of drilling/tapping for a larger screw is a good one.

If I had to place a bet on what happened, my money is on cross threaded.

 

[Baron23]

If I had to place a bet on what happened, my money is on cross threaded.

That’s certainly a reasonable speculation as to cause, but the OP said something about it happening when cleaning and I’d be surprised if the pulled the BA out for just routine cleaning. But I may well be wrong about all of this.

I don't know why, but they clean it after every range trip (maybe 50 rounds when they go). I don't know what happened but they stripped out the action screw in the receiver.

 

[XLR308]

That’s certainly a reasonable speculation as to cause, but the OP said something about it happening when cleaning and I’d be surprised if the pulled the BA out for just routine cleaning. But I may well be wrong about all of this.

That's a valid point, since we are speculating he may have pulled it to remove the barrel to clean from the breach but I'm just guessing at this point.
All I have ever done with mine is pull a snake through it with solvent or the Gunslick cable cleaning kit I only use on my 10/22.
Maybe someday I will get one of the nice aftermarket recievers that a cleaning rod can be run through the back end.

 

[Aqua Mark]

Maybe someday I will get one of the nice aftermarket recievers that a cleaning rod can be run through the back end.

Drill a hole in the back, takes 10 min.
This book has some handy tips including drilling the maintenance hole.

https://theworks1022.com/

 

[XLR308]

Drill a hole in the back, takes 10 min.
This book has some handy tips including drilling the maintenance hole.

https://theworks1022.com/

I have thought about it, it is the 50th anniversary rifle with engraved bolt although nothing really special I didn't want to permanently modify it.
I would rather buy another reciever to tinker with.

 

[NewsShooter]

Drill a hole in the back, takes 10 min.
This book has some handy tips including drilling the maintenance hole.

https://theworks1022.com/

I used the cleaning hole on mine to make a second anchor point on a wood stock. Indexed it on a brass screw head. Action will not rock in the stock.

 

[lariat]

The receiver can be saved. If your bud doesn’t want to go that route there are those who will turn it into a working model. This sale will offset the cost of a Kidd. PM whoever you want regarding this. There will be buyers. It’s just a 10-22 receiver, but there is enough knowledge here to make it more than work.

 

[kentuckyMarksman]

If I had to place a bet on what happened, my money is on cross threaded.

When I was at his house he thought he had stripped out the hole in his chassis somehow (but I knew better)... when I looked at I looked at the action screw and all the aluminum from the receiver was in the screw threads. I looked at the receiver and it was smooth inside, threads had been pulled out...

 

[kentuckyMarksman]

That's a valid point, since we are speculating he may have pulled it to remove the barrel to clean from the breach but I'm just guessing at this point.
All I have ever done with mine is pull a snake through it with solvent or the Gunslick cable cleaning kit I only use on my 10/22.

Nope, he doesn't know how to pull the barrel (I previously helped him install the Kidd barrel). He had removed it to "clean the bolt". I suggested he use a snake on the barrel and only pull the bolt if he was starting to have reliability issues.

 

[hlee]

The ol’ “tighten it down until you hear a pop, then back off a quarter turn” method of torquing a screw…

 

[kentuckyMarksman]

He wants a new receiver then that's what he should do but I think the suggestions of drilling/tapping for a larger screw is a good onone.

I offered a couple times the drill and tap the hole for a larger screw, he doesn't want that and wants will be buying a new receiver... it's his money, not mine.

 

[kentuckyMarksman]

The ol’ “tighten it down until you hear a pop, then back off a quarter turn” method of torquing a screw…

I think the issue may have been him using a torque wrench. He claims to have tightened it to 18 inch pounds, but I think the torque wrench was either misadjusted (user error), or he tried 18 foot pounds (also user error).

 

[hlee]

I think the issue may have been him using a torque wrench. He claims to have tightened it to 18 inch pounds, but I think the torque wrench was either misadjusted (user error), or he tried 18 foot pounds (also user error).

You gotta be smarter than your tools…

 

[Die4toys]

I mentioned in my first post that I wasn't sure a Helicoil was a great option for this. I've used them before in other applications, but not on a rifle. Would a helicoil, just basically being a spring holding the action screw, introduce any issues between the action and the chassis that might degrade accuracy of the rifle?

Once you torque the bolt in the helicoil, it will be rock solid. I doubt it would affect accuracy at all.

 

[kentuckyMarksman]

Once you torque the bolt in the helicopter, it will be rock solid. I doubt it would affect accuracy at all.

Thanks. Already tapped it for 1/4-20 though.

 

[johnnyvw]

If that were mine I would do Time Sert.

https://time-sert.com/

I work on air cooled VWs, aluminum heads and magnesium engine cases. Time serts are always the way to go over helicoils, especially for spark plug threads where you're going to be installing and removing regularly

 

[lariat]

I work on air cooled VWs, aluminum heads and magnesium engine cases. Time serts are always the way to go over helicoils, especially for spark plug threads where you're going to be installing and removing regularly

Keen serts as well. Expensive but I haven’t had one fail.

 

[bobby1028]

I used the cleaning hole on mine to make a second anchor point on a wood stock. Indexed it on a brass screw head. Action will not rock in the stock.

Did the same to the rear block on a Victor Titan stock...rock solid difference