Auto ejecting fore ends

[444encore]

As a T/C Encore bigbore shooter and hunter I do most of my testing from the bench with a heavy fore end and harris bi-pod. As a result of all that extra weight trying to recoil back on those scrawny 8x40 screws I have successfully ripped the threads out of my .444 Marlin barrel.  :cry:
  Any suggestions on how combat this problem without resorting back to sand bags? :cry:

[KN]

Bigger screws! I did the same thing with a 45/70 barrel that I was trying to tame down. Put a little weight in the forarm and bent the crap out of the screws. Replaced them with some #10s and didn't have any more problems. KN

[444encore]

Thanks for the advise KN, now how about some specs. Did you redrill a tap, to the same depth or did you get adventerous and drill deeper.
If so, how much.

[KN]

Drilled them out to the same depth. Theres not much depth left in a 45/70. I actually have a 15" 45/70 pistol barrel that I shortened to 10" as a project and noticed while cleaning it that I can see a slight "dimple" in the bore where one of the screw holes is. It looks more like a shadow when looking at it and its never caused a problem but if I had seen it before I cut the barrel off I probably would have sent it back.   KN

[gregdemars]

And when you do replace that #8 screw with a # 10 screw, make sure you use a grade #8 bolt. Hardware stores usually carry the softer grade#5 screws.

[gregdemars]

And when you do replace that #8 screw with a # 10 screw, make sure you use a grade #8 bolt. Hardware stores usually carry the softer grade#5 screws. Grade 8 screws are much stronger.