Greetings, today I was installing new bases / rings on a used mod 70 that I obtained. I noticed that one of the screws for the rear base - felt as thought it would've stripped if I would've tried to over tighten it. Not sure how else to describe it.

That led me to thinking, what could be done if the hole does strip?

I can only think of filling the hole and drilling and tapping new threads. Are there any other solutions?

Thanks.

gundog

You can tig it, redrill and tap 6-48 or open it up to #28 and tap 8-40.

Having a hard time understanding why one would WANT to exceed normal torque specs,....

If the threads will hold that, why go looking for trouble.

I think he meant that he felt the thread letting go. It was a used rifle.

crossfire,

kingston nailed it. It felt like the threads were letting go. They held, but I am going to be thinking about that every time I shoot this particular rifle. I will always wonder if the base is "shaking loose" under recoil.

Just thinking ahead a bit.

Thanks.

gundog

You could try the oversize #6 screws that Brownell's sells.

Link

They sell the taps separately but jeez they're expensive.

I've no experience with these screws, maybe someone who does will jump in.

I have a screw like that in the thin part of a Mauser receiver, tightens down but feels like it could go further, doesn't come to a hard stop when it sould. Blue Loc-Tite has its uses. De-grease the threads to get the full strength. Not the ideal solution but it's worked for me.

I have successfully the Brownell oversize 6-48, if that does not work you always have the option to tap 8-40.

nighthawk & gunswizard,

Thanks for the tip. I'll check out those oversize 6-48 screws.

This screw didn't come to a hard stop. Thanks again!

gundog

Without the somewhat pricey tap, those oversized 6-48s have been less than stellar, and can CREATE problems, as opposed to solving em' .

At this point I'd be taking a very long look at 8-40, for the most reliable and budget friendly solution.

Drill to # 28, and use a carbon steel tap, as opposed to HSS,...if things go south, easier to remediate. If the tap's in the least hard to start, go to a #29 hole,....understand that doing this PROPERLY calls out having a 3 tap set,....but MANY fine repairs have been achieved with but one. Don't sweat the counterbore size in your base(es),......spin the head of the 8-40 down in a drill chuck, cold blue it, and get back out in the field.

Compliments on your concern about reliable zero.

GTC

If it's not stripped, but suspicious, you could always bed the base and rock on.