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Suggestions on how to remove a scope base
#6463373
09/22/16 03:01 PM
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 810
JESmith
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I have a Remington 700 with a two piece Burris scope base. I am trying to replace it with a pic. rail. Problem is that the screws are soft metal and are stripping out when I try to remove them. Any suggestion on how to get them out? They may have been put in with loctite by the previous owner.
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Re: Suggestions on how to remove a scope base
[Re: JESmith]
#6463384
09/22/16 03:08 PM
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 18,954
ChadTRG42
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Put a heat gun or propane torch to the screws to try to loosen up the loctite. Then try to unscrew them the best you can. If they strip out, you will have to drill/tap them out. I've had to do this multiple times. It's not fun, and is tedious. I've tried the reverse drill bits that remove stripped screws, but it often does not work. I normally have to drill the screw head off and then drill the threaded part stuck in the action out, very carefully. If you damage the action threading, you will have to tap them to a larger threading (like from a #6 to a #8) threading, which can be a better anyway.
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Re: Suggestions on how to remove a scope base
[Re: JESmith]
#6463576
09/22/16 05:03 PM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,394
booradley
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That is always my fear when mounting a scope on an older rifle. I think that back in the day some people used red loctite. I double cringe when the screws are Allen head.
Don’t roll those bloodshot eyes at me.
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Re: Suggestions on how to remove a scope base
[Re: JESmith]
#6463876
09/22/16 08:29 PM
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 5,561
Slow Drifter
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The tip of a soldering iron held to the screw head will also help if they're red lok-tited in. Good luck with it!
"I have no idea what WW-III will be fought with, but WW-IV will be fought with sticks and stones." A. Einstein
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Re: Suggestions on how to remove a scope base
[Re: JESmith]
#6463902
09/22/16 08:41 PM
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 32,601
sig226fan (Rguns.com)
duck & cover
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duck & cover
Joined: Nov 2005
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Using a very skinny base, make an L from steel wire, apply the heat through the wire to the inside based of the screws, this leaves the slot/torx intact, and applies the heat where the loctite or torque is holding.
You can also work the screw tighter/looser/tighter/looser in small increments.
Of course make sure the bit perfectly fits the head of the screw before starting
If trying the soldering iron, I'd use a screwdriver that matched the tip as the heat source rather than the screw
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Re: Suggestions on how to remove a scope base
[Re: JESmith]
#6463948
09/22/16 09:13 PM
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 18,954
ChadTRG42
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Vernon, can you expand on the soldering iron trick for me? Never heard of doing that.
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Re: Suggestions on how to remove a scope base
[Re: Slow Drifter]
#6463974
09/22/16 09:30 PM
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 22,260
Texas Dan
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The tip of a soldering iron held to the screw head will also help if they're red lok-tited in. Good luck with it! It would seem the trick here is knowing how long to keep the soldering iron in contact with the screw head so the heat doesn't expand too much to the area around the screw. I wonder if adding the step to cool the screw quickly with an ice cold screwdriver tip might help even more.
"Some people will never like you because your spirit irritates their demons."
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Re: Suggestions on how to remove a scope base
[Re: JESmith]
#6463994
09/22/16 09:46 PM
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,732
HorizonFirearms
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Drill the head off. then use a vice grip to get the shank of the screw and you should be able to turn it
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Re: Suggestions on how to remove a scope base
[Re: JESmith]
#6464019
09/22/16 10:02 PM
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 33,976
Buzzsaw
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have you soaked them in kroil penetrating oil a couple days first? this could do it before completely stripped or heated
SPACE FOR RENT
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Re: Suggestions on how to remove a scope base
[Re: JESmith]
#6464567
09/23/16 05:29 AM
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Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 4,439
TFF Caribou
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I've gotten stripped Allen screws out on more than one occasion with a torx driver. Find one you can wedge in the hole, and sometimes it will bite and work for you.
The very atmosphere of firearms anywhere and everywhere restrains evil interference. -George Washington
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Re: Suggestions on how to remove a scope base
[Re: JESmith]
#6464747
09/23/16 01:22 PM
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 11,657
colt45-90
Texas colt45
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when using heat or any penetrating oil, give the screw a soled tap, sometimes this will help
hold on Newt, we got a runaway
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Re: Suggestions on how to remove a scope base
[Re: HorizonFirearms]
#6464941
09/23/16 03:31 PM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,394
booradley
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Drill the head off. then use a vice grip to get the shank of the screw and you should be able to turn it Are you saying cut the base off first so you can get to the shank?
Don’t roll those bloodshot eyes at me.
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Re: Suggestions on how to remove a scope base
[Re: TFF Caribou]
#6465041
09/23/16 04:55 PM
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Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 6,335
onlysmith&wesson
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I've gotten stripped Allen screws out on more than one occasion with a torx driver. Find one you can wedge in the hole, and sometimes it will bite and work for you. I actually saw a gunsmith tap the driver with a hammer, so that it actually cut into the head. Hammering may have also cracked any loc-tite. He made it look easy.
An unethical shot is one you take, that you know you shouldn't.
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Re: Suggestions on how to remove a scope base
[Re: JESmith]
#6465310
09/23/16 07:59 PM
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 22,260
Texas Dan
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Whatever method you choose, if it works, be sure to share it.
"Some people will never like you because your spirit irritates their demons."
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Re: Suggestions on how to remove a scope base
[Re: booradley]
#6465472
09/23/16 10:25 PM
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 9,273
blackcoal
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Drill the head off. then use a vice grip to get the shank of the screw and you should be able to turn it Are you saying cut the base off first so you can get to the shank? No, when you drill the head off all you have left is the shank/stud. Nothing is holding the base. But there is not much to grip, 1/8" take or give.
The Greatest Enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge.--Stephen Hawking
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Re: Suggestions on how to remove a scope base
[Re: JESmith]
#6465475
09/23/16 10:27 PM
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 9,273
blackcoal
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Invest in impact driver and give it a good whack with a mallet, this should break it loose.
The Greatest Enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge.--Stephen Hawking
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Re: Suggestions on how to remove a scope base
[Re: HorizonFirearms]
#6465690
09/24/16 01:49 AM
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 5,872
GLC
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Drill the head off. then use a vice grip to get the shank of the screw and you should be able to turn it Thats how I have done it.
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Re: Suggestions on how to remove a scope base
[Re: Slow Drifter]
#6465735
09/24/16 02:20 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,771
fgdn
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The tip of a soldering iron held to the screw head will also help if they're red lok-tited in. Good luck with it! this works but knowing when is the trick, all your trying to do is break down the Loctite. and or soften it when soft, make sure your using the right screw driver or allen wrench. be patient
Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting.......holy kaka.....What a Ride!
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Re: Suggestions on how to remove a scope base
[Re: blackcoal]
#6465936
09/24/16 04:55 AM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,394
booradley
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Drill the head off. then use a vice grip to get the shank of the screw and you should be able to turn it Are you saying cut the base off first so you can get to the shank? No, when you drill the head off all you have left is the shank/stud. Nothing is holding the base. But there is not much to grip, 1/8" take or give. I wasn't thinking it through. Duh.
Don’t roll those bloodshot eyes at me.
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