Stuck Screw Removal????

[STUMPJMPR]

I have a Ruger 10/22 that the scope mounting plug screws are froze in.  The gun was given to me and when I got it the heads were messed up.  There is still some slot left but not much.  The receiver is aluminum.  So what is the best way to get these out?  I'm thinking of a propane torch.  The finish is already gone so I'm not worried about burning it off. 

[nicholst55]

First off, I am not a gunsmith, nor do I play one on TV.   If the screw slots are buggered up, you may or may not be successful in removing the plug screws yourself.  First, if the rifle isn't already stripped down to the stripped action, I would do that.  Next, I'd start with a 12-24 hour soak with a penetrating oil or ATF (automatic transmission fluid).  Then, I would use an impact driver with a properly fitting bit on the screws, with the receiver secured in a vise.  I'll bet that gets them out.  If not, a screw jack mounted in a drill press or a milling machine would be next on the list of things to try; you may need to seek the help of a machinist or gunsmith at this point.

Heating the receiver with a propane torch may or may not help; the dissimilar metals (steel screws and aluminum receiver) will expand and contract at different rates, which may break the screws loose.

My money is on the impact driver; I've removed a bunch of stuck screws (with partially stripped heads) from aluminum that way.

[STUMPJMPR]

Good advice.  I just don't want to sink a ton of money into this thing.  If I see it is going to cost too much to repair.  I may just buy a complete gun.  I am wanting to build a heavy barreled 10/22 out of it.

[SHOOTALL]

Soak in in KROIL , if that dosen't work go tp Lowes and get an easy out and bit ,

[SHOOTALL]

OH if you have a slot place a screw driver in it and tap with a hammer as you try to turn it after soaking in KROIL.

[STUMPJMPR]

I think I may have messed up already.  I tried heating with a propane torch to loosen the threads up the same way as was done at the boat shop I worked at.  I didn't realize that could have been enough temp. to anneal the receiver.  .  Was it even tempered to start with?

[nicholst55]

I think I may have messed up already.  I tried heating with a propane torch to loosen the threads up the same way as was done at the boat shop I worked at.  I didn't realize that could have been enough temp. to anneal the receiver.  .  Was it even tempered to start with?

Typically, aluminum is hard coat anodized, and that's about all the hardening you get.  Some aluminum alloys are 'tougher' than others, but I doubt you hurt anything.

[torpedoman]

Just drill them out and retap the holes.

[gunnut69]

Try a left hand cutting drill bit in a drill press. A hand drill won;t work.. Usually the offending screw turns out when the drill bites.. Over sizing is not a bad option and many 10/22's have the mount screws converted to 8-40 because they 6-48's were stripped.. I got one in the project pile to convert to a fancy rifle for a gift and it's got a mount screw hole stripped.. Easy fix.. Heat should loosen any loctite in the hole but you still have to get hold of the screw some how..

[STUMPJMPR]

Right now I have them soaking in PB Blaster.  I'm leaving it until the weekend then I'll try and get them out.  I don't have a drill press.  I'm debating on getting one.  I can buy a whole gun for what it would cost me to buy all the tooling.  So I may go that route and just leave this reciever for a rainy day project when I have nothing better to do.

[rraybo37]

I had a boogered up, stuck screw. I heated with a propane torch and placed the reciever in a vice and was able to gently tap it out with a brass punch and hammer.

But, from the sounds of your dilema, this procedure may not work as well.

[STUMPJMPR]

I probably killed it.  Last night I went home with the intention of killing it or getting it out.  So I drilled through the screw and put and easy out in it.  The easy out didn't work.  It reamed most of the screw out.  I'm waiting on a tap in the mail.  It may clean up now or it may not.

[gunnut69]

Don't recut the existing threads, just drill and tap for the 8x40 screw size. It's a fairly common fix among the 10-22 customizers.. The base you intend to use will have to be reamed but a drill bit can easily be made into a reamer to cut a proper sized, shaped counter bore and with aluminum of which most of these bases are made makes it easy to cut.. The larger screw size doesn't increase the strength of the mounting system in this case it makes it easier to remove the screws..... If the re-cut doesn't work, just change sizes..

[kid buckskin]

I my experience lubing then heating works but those screws are so small I don't think it whould be of much use. See the idea is to heat the steel tell red hot and allow to cool this let's the heat trasfer from the steel to the fixture the screw is in and heating the steel red hot also shrink the over all diameter in turn letting lube in
I think id tap to the next size up

[STUMPJMPR]

I got the holes re-tapped to the original size with most of the threads intact.