Stuck Receiver Screws - M700

I rubbed the receiver with oil and there is no discolouration left; I think what was on there was due to heating it, after I'd heated it previously, then hit it with brake cleaner to try to cool the screw.

The area that was discoloured was right where the brake cleaner had left a mark, on the hot receiver.

No marks. Nothing.
 
Oh the irony!

I bought a one-piece Leupold base, and the rear screw is not used... this base only requires the two front, and the forward, rear screw.

And just for the morbidly curious, brand new Leupold screws, will not thread into that buggered rear receiver screw hole.

Somebody is going to laugh and call me stupid, and I'm sure there's people going to chuckle at my stupidity; it's all good. Feel free. :runaway:
 
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An aircraft mechanic friend of mine showed me a trick. Heat both the screw and the action up good and hot, then shoot the screw head directly with electrical contact cleaner then screw it out. This cools the screw down (shrinking it) and leaves the action hot (expanded) and works fairly well. Might be tough at such a small scale.

Was waiting to read that before I suggested it. My buddy calls it "quenching".
 
I don't know of a manufacturer that has made every rifle perfect in every way... let alone when it is a mass produced cheapest rifle they can make trying to compete with all the cheaper crap out there...

It's such a minor problem that if you had taken your rifle to a gunsmith to have your scope mounted many would not have charged any extra to remove that screw and re-tap the hole...
 
I guess everybody has a good solution or suggestion and rightfully so but here is mine :

Pack the action in a box and send it to Guntech along with a signed blank cheque and in a few days the package will come back to you 100 % satisfaction guaranteed...
 
I just went through this with a 1911 grip screw bushing ... god damn it was a PITA ... so I know what you were dealing with Demoniacal.

Lots of penetrating oil, soldering iron, lots of downward pressure ... bit of foul language helped too. I will not be defeated !!
 
Ok, I also read another thread, where buddy said to remove the bolt, put the gun upside down, then squirt the penetrating oil in, so it comes in from the bottom of the screw... wish I'd read that first!

Good plan. Then insert the screwdriver into the slot onto said screw and give it a straight down, sharp rap with a light hammer. I've never had this method fail yet. I use Jet Lube 12/34 for penetrating oil & let it wick in for a movie or 2 time wise.

Ensure that the blade of the driver fits the screw tightly without any overhang on the sides and that yer dead vertical at the strike.;)
 
I am a rem 700 fan. I have owned plenty and have never had a problem with QC. Mind you I have only purchased BDL's and CDL's. Was interested in buying a new SPS at one time. Took one off the shelf and the action was so rough I asked for another, it was rough too. That was the last time purchasing an SPS ever crossed my mind.
 
Just to wrap up my thoughts on this whole deal:

1) I am a fan of the M700 platform. I bought this SPS Varmint rifle, knowing it is Remington's M700 'value' package. So I was prepared for a bit of roughness in the action.
Just didn't expect the screw issue. Which in hindsight, it was cross-threaded.

2) So even though I criticize the manufacturing/assembly quality control, I'm still excited about what this rifle can do. M700's are almost always tack-drivers, with some tweaking.

3) I bought a Bell & Carlson SA A2 Varmint stock, which I've mounted the action in. I put a Bushnell Legend HD 4.5-14x 44mm scope on it, and I expect it should do some good work for me.
I've also ordered a new bottom metal, hinged floor plate for it, made by Williams. When I get that, I will post some pics of it.

4) I'm a butthead!! If I had looked at the one-piece Leupold base, when I got it, I'd have never touched that screw (which of course then I'd never have learned there was an issue with it either...).
But the truth is, there was never a need to remove it... doh!!

5) As frustrated as I was with that screw issue, I bought the rifle to go coyote hunting. Turns out, I don't have the #6-84 tap, to chase the buggered threads, so to heck with it.
I mounted the scope last night; lapped the rings, and got about the most perfect scope ring contact I've ever gotten, when lapping.

6) Next step, the gun range to get her sighted in, and then I will take it and the Foxpro out this week.



Thanks to all the great suggestions also, on how to get that bloody screw out.


Cheers.
 
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