Finally good Optilock screws - 01/10/12
It ended up being a pretty serious project but I got a mini-lathe and finally got a good source for a nice alloy screw that matches the threads for the sako optilock rings exactly.
I had to turn down the heads so they'd fit, then I had to re-blue them and put a protective oil coat on them but these suckers take plenty of torque without deforming like Sako's factory screws.
I did a bunch for my Sako's already - Cost... way too much if you count the lathe ! LOL....
Here's some pictures - sorry for the fuzziness -
Before anyone asks... I'll likely start making some for other folks who are interested but I need to buy more screws and make up a bunch first.
Here's the lathe with a screw rigged up
Pictures of the raw screws, plus the turned down heads
Here's how they look in a stainless ring after I blued one with OXO.
Spot