Scope Hole Issues

[Moose18]

So I had a lovely thing happen.

I have a Winchester Model 70 CRF model. I went to go install a set of Burris XTB 2 piece bases to the rifle the other day and I had the screw strip out in the front hole.

I used a torque wrench set to 25 inch pounds but pretty much right away I could tell things weren’t right the way it was threading in.

Screw striped in the threads but I was able to get the screw out. But there were some remnants of the screw left in the threads.

I’m pretty it wasn’t my technique that caused this, I think it was poor quality screw, or some gunk left in the threads (rifle was second hand). Either way it happened, so I’ll deal with it.

A screw will not thread into the front hole now. It looks like the remnants of the screw are in the first couple threads and the rest of the threads look ok.

The good news is the rifle is going to a smith to have a new barrel spun on it. Would you guys:
1. Have the hole tapped and cleaned out
Or
2. “Upgrade” all 4 hole sizes to 8-40 and get some nice new threads and a stronger mounting system.

Cheers!

 

[WeiserBucks]

2

 

[nm.otter]

Bigger screws for the win. Your smith should check/correct hole alignment as part of that work.

 

[Castle Rock]

A sharp pick will pull or unwind that bit of thread and you will be fine with a new and longer screw

 

[Ralphie]

2 and what otter said.

 

[Moose18]

#2 it will be!

Yeah I added a note to check the scope hole alignment and correct if needed, great minds think alike!

CR I tried the pick with no luck unfortunately, very stubborn.

 

[doverpack12]

I wouldn’t be afraid to run one screw and Loctite 380. However might as well have the smith fix and upsize.

I beat on a muzzle loader front peep sight with screw removed that had been put on with Loctite 380. 10-15 rubber mallet blows with everything I had per side and it finally let go.