Stuck Receiver Screws - M700

[Demonical]

I was going to mount the scope on my M700 SPS and one of the bloody plug screws, in the receiver is stuck tight.

I put penetrating oil on it.

Destroyed a screwdriver, and it's refusing to budge.

Should I heat it, with a heat gun??

 

[chuck nelson]

It won't hurt anything. I'd let the oil sit for a bit though.

 

[Scotty454]

How long did you let the oil sit for?

You could also give it a light tap with a center punch/hammer. Might free up the threads. But be careful, lol.

 

[Slamfire]

Have seen that problem with a plug screw on the forward end of a receiver. Not one of the tapped blind holes but rather a tapped through hole. Had to remove the barrel and screw it through to get it dislodged.

Applying penetrating oil is start. Letting it soak in for a while is a good idea then try again. Risk of messing up the tapped hole if one isn't careful.


If the slot on the screw head is badly damaged then it might have to be drilled out.

 

[guntech]

You can heat it with a propane torch if you want, best out of the stock. Steaming hot... make sure the blade fits the screw well... hold the action in padded vise and lots of down pressure when twisting...

 

[madashell]

sometimes it will release if you tighten it just a tiny bit, then unscrew it.

Kroil... several applications. let it sit over night if need be.

 

[Demonical]

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!

 

[BwanaDave]

try a soldering iron applied to the screw if the kroil doesnt work

 

[Demonical]

^ Ok. We tried heating mildly, with a propane torch. Tapped it, while trying to turn the screw. No luck yet.
It's back sitting upside down, with the p-oil in the threads.

When we were heating it, the crazy thing is, you could see the oil, that was 'weeping' back out from around the screw!

Son of a #####... so frustrating!!

 

[blargon]

Soldering iron if you have one. My Weller at 700F works wonders on screws.

 

[H4831]

I bought a used, high quality bolt action rifle and found out the action screws were so tightly locked in with some type of locking gunk that it was impossible to remove them with an ordinary type of excellent quality screw driver.
I went to Canadian Tire, bought a hand held impact screw driver tool, came home and removed each screw, with one hit from a hammer, with no damage, whatsoever, to the screws or the rifle.

 

[Demonical]

H4831, you're talking action screws though, way bigger screw head.

Trying to work on those tiny little receiver screws is another deal altogether.

And there's a manufacturing issue here I believe. The screw that's causing me so much trouble was noticeably higher; the other three were screwed in flush.

I think the screw that is binding is oversized, and that's why it's binding, and I think that's why it wasn't threaded in as deeply as the other three.

Speculation of course.

 

[double gun]

I think the screw that is binding is oversized, and that's why it's binding, and I think that's why it wasn't threaded in as deeply as the other three.

Speculation of course.

Or crossed threaded, or galled, or both.

Maybe I missed it, but which hole is it?

 

[Demonical]

^ It's the back hole of the four.

FWIW, I bought a one-piece Leupold base. I probably don't even need that screw.

 

[double gun]

I would set it up in the mill and drill that little bugger out. I can't handle stuff like that.

Do you have a shop or access to some tools? Maybe there is a gunsmith near you?

 

[Demonical]

^ I don't really have the greatest tools for this. Just a bench-top drill press.

I figured on trying to let the p-oil work over-night, then heat the screw directly, with the soldering iron, and if that doesn't break it loose, then I was going to try to drill it out.

I had a screw that got stuck in a scope ring last year, and had success drilling that out. But it was much easier, as it was a torx head, so centering the drill bit was simple. Basically self-centering.

Any suggestions on the correct way to drill it out, if it comes to that?

 

[guido]

Put it in the freezer overnight, the metal will shrink slightly(smaller screw, bigger hole).

 

[double gun]

Any suggestions on the correct way to drill it out, if it comes to that?

Use a milling machine, perfectly locate the screw, center drill it, drill it a few sizes under the tap drill size, and use a extractor.
I personally would be worried to attempt it in a drill, but I'm sure it could be done with careful setup.

If you were close, I would do it while you wait.

 

[Demonical]

There's no gunsmiths in town but there is machine shops.

I think the heat & cold cycles with penetrating oil will eventually work.

 

[guntech]

If you can hold the action solidly in the drill press...

a correct fitting bit in the chuck...

and firm pressure down...

as you rotate the chuck backwards...

may do it...