sako optilock ring screws snapping in 2

[canuck4570]

I have 2 Sako rifle
one is a kodiak and the other one a carbon lite

both of them have optilock rings and the screws keeps breaking

I torque them at 15 inch pounds as prescribed

buying them from Sako cost about 8 dollars a piece

made a search on the web and this seems to be a problem with sako screws

any body have a place where I could buy some stainless torx screw of good quality

 

[Slamfire]

Should be able to find equivalent screws at most any quality fastener supplier for a lot less. I have considered the OptiLock mounting system for my Sako rifles but continue to get good service from the simpler, lighter and less expensive Leupold ringmounts -

.375 H&H Magnum Sako 85 Kodiak

 

[canuck4570]

I see you have the same kodiak and same caliber

been trying to find a fastener supplier with no success….

like to stay with optilock for their plasting ring that adjust for any torque on the scope…..

 

[Slamfire]

I see the advantage -

"OPTILOCK™ scope mount rings feature a patented spherical fastening ring which
makes scope mounting considerably easier. This protective sleeve also ensures that
the scope body will not be scratched or damaged during mounting."
http://www.sako.fi/sites/default/files/Optilockring.pdf

A call to a local machine shop or gunsmith should provide some leads.

 

[canuck4570]

will do

 

[Slamfire]

I would be curious to know why the screws are breaking in the first place when torqued to the specified value?? Your torque wrench settings are off a bit maybe? Never seen ring screws do that before.

 

[canuck4570]

me to

made a search on the web and it seems to be the current problem

and mine snap in 2 when unscrewing in….. and I have a good torque wrench….. never had this problem with Leaupold Ruger and any other….. mmmmmmm

 

[Slamfire]

A quick search indicates both stripped heads and snapped off heads during installation at the specified torque setting. I apply oil to screw threads for easier installation and to achieve an accurate installation torque value.

http://www.eurooptic.com/PDF/Optilock-Tighting-Instructions.pdf

Sounds unusual. Maybe the holes aren't lining up properly which points to a QA issue in manufacturing??

 

[Mount Sweetness]

With the old Sako screws the slot heads would strip, I think they're soft.
Buy a few extras from Sako, not much else you can do.

 

[Hitzy]

I recently hit Stoeger Canada up for a cracked plastic optilock insert, they took a few days to respond but sent it to me free.

 

[canuck4570]

I recently hit Stoeger Canada up for a cracked plastic optilock insert, they took a few days to respond but sent it to me free.

gave them a phone call

out of stock
and if I take my experience with ordering a Tikko varmint in 338 winchester after a full year of waiting gave up on it…..
and they don't know when they will be in stock……


just tried on of my rugger ring screw and they fit perfectly but to short…. maybe sako when imperial with their torx!

 

[mnr]

I was in the same situation as you. The screws are an oddball metric size (especially the head diameter), none of the fastener suppliers I deal with had them. Online the choices are either paying ~$5.00 USD/ea plus shipping out of the USA, or buying in quantities of about 5000 from what I found.

Short answer though is from what I found the factory screws, at least on the ones I have, are junk. I stripped one with my calibrated torque driver set at 15 in-lbs with a proper sized bit. I have been waiting for Stoeger Canada to receive these magical screws for the past 3 or 4 months. This lead time (and the poor quality screws) has left a sour taste in my mouth so I bought some Leupold rings instead, as I am done pissing around with Sako Optilock's.

 

[canuck4570]

if it goes on to long

I will return to my last rifle that I sold winchester model 70 safari classic in 458
with this rifle I was a cast bullet shooter and had a lot of fun and hunting with this gun every game when down fast…..

if I do I will get NEAR alpha hunter base…..this one piece base is a piece of art…..

 

[AP]

I guess I have drunk the Sako 'koolaide' and have had very few annoyances....but certainly the Sako scope mount screws and the implementation of the optiloc inserts (while definitely a brilliant idea!) are not their most stellar accomplishments.
...but I should mention that Stoeger also were good enough to send me a free insert when one of mine snapped while being carefully slipped around a scope tube.