Gunsmithing CDI Bottom Metal Install

[Maverick3009]

Hey guys, just got my Rem700 H-S precision stock back from CDI after they inletted it for their bottom metal. Now I have to trim the action screws to make sure they fit correctly. My question is how would you guys recommend I figure out how much exactly needs to be trimmed off? My thought was to place washers on both old/new screws so I know exactly where the base is and then line up the bottom washers on either and mark the new screw for how much needs to be trimmed off. Any advice or recommendations that could help? Thanks guys.

 

[Hunt]

Go slow and grind away. You can easily peek into the receiver and see when enough is enough.

 

[knockemdown]

Yep.
Thread a 1/4-28 nut onto the screw, before you start grinding. When finished, backing the nut off will clean the threads back up...

 

[darrenk75b]

An easy way to check how much:
Rear screw - install the screw all the way in. Start backing the screw out, and record the number of revolutions it takes to get the rear screw flush at the tang. The number of revolutions is how many threads to take off.
Front screw - with the bolt in, tighten front screw just until it makes contact with the bolt.Back off 1/8 turn and remove bolt. Now, tighten the screw fully, counting how many revolutions was needed to fully tighten from the point of being backed off of the bolt. The number of revolutions is how many threads to take off.

 

[MarinePMI]

What Darren said.

With regards to taking the metal off, I'd highly recommend a file, not a grinder. A grinder can take metal off pretty fast, and it's really hard to put it back on.

As mentioned above, use a nut, but split the nut with a hack saw. This is so you can thread the screw/bolt into the nut, and then put it in vise (with the slit NOT facing either jaw of the vise). When the vise jaws compress the nut, it will securely hold the bolt while you file it (without it spinning around in the nut, or deforming the exsiting threads). As mentioned, when the nut is removed it'll help chase the threads of any burrs.

This same method can be used in a lathe or drill press, if you need to speed things up a bit. Controlling the file's contact with the bolt is much easier than trying to control a grinder, that is spinning/vibrating in your hand.

JMTCW...

P.S. Keep the split nut somewhere where you can find it in the future. Trust me, you'll need it again.

 

[Maverick3009]

Thanks for the input guys! I can't really do much right now as I'm still waiting to get my receiver/barrel back from the smith who's threading my barrel but hopefully I'll have that in the next few days.