Rifle Scopes Mounting EGW 20 MOA base....screws seem VERY tight

[mjmcmahon]

Hi all -

I've gotten a new scope (Bushnell Elite 4200 FFP) and got an EGW 20 MOA base to go with it. When I started mounting the base tonight, the screws seemed pretty tight so I stopped. Is this normal? Should I proceed or get ahold of EGW in the morning? The odd part is that due to an error on my part, I wound up with another base (flat back instead of the needed round back) and the screws included with it seem to have the same problem.

Thanks in advance!

Mike

 

[Jrb572]

Re: Mounting EGW 20 MOA base....screws seem VERY tight

Have you tried running a thread tap in the receiver holes?

 

[mjmcmahon]

Re: Mounting EGW 20 MOA base....screws seem VERY tight

unfortunately I don't have a thread tap. The threads on the screws from the previous bases look identical, though. Any other ideas?

 

[Jrb572]

Re: Mounting EGW 20 MOA base....screws seem VERY tight

Go to Home Depot or your favorite hardware store. I think you can purchase just one at the store. Should not cost to much. Will save a headache in the long run. I am probably wrong but you should be able to purchase the one you need for around $10.00.

 

[ida83704]

Re: Mounting EGW 20 MOA base....screws seem VERY tight

Can you use the 'old' screws.

If they are the same length, I don't see why you couldn't use them.

 

[snufulufugus]

Re: Mounting EGW 20 MOA base....screws seem VERY tight

Hey ida83704, what rifle are you mounting this on? I have had a similar problem caused by the coating on the reciever being in the threads.

 

[mjmcmahon]

Re: Mounting EGW 20 MOA base....screws seem VERY tight

unfortunately the old screws are for standard bases, not 20 MOA so they won't fit.

 

[ida83704]

Re: Mounting EGW 20 MOA base....screws seem VERY tight

snuffy-not my rifle

MJM-If they are all #6 screws they should probably interchange.

 

[mjmcmahon]

Re: Mounting EGW 20 MOA base....screws seem VERY tight

ida -

the old screws are significantly shorter than the new ones. Even if they did fit in the front, they won't fit in the back.

 

[Glen Seekins]

Re: Mounting EGW 20 MOA base....screws seem VERY tight

You most likely need to clean out the holes in your receiver. Thats the first place to start. compressed air will go along ways.

Also, make sure you dont have a burr on the top of the threads. Some savages are horrible about it. If that burr gets pushed around it can do exactly what you are experiencing.

 

[AXEMAN]

Re: Mounting EGW 20 MOA base....screws seem VERY tight

what brand of rifle? savage im guessing? model 10? its the coating on the rifle. they clog up the threads. you may not find a 6/48 in the town that you live in. no hardware stores had it. try ebay. mine was $6 delivered. do us all a favor, call savage at 413-568-7001 and ask them why they didnt put some screws in there while coating the action.

 

[mjmcmahon]

Re: Mounting EGW 20 MOA base....screws seem VERY tight

Axeman -

yes, it's a Savage 10FCP-HS similar to yours. From the pics, it looks like you were able to clean yours out with a thread tap.

 

[AXEMAN]

Re: Mounting EGW 20 MOA base....screws seem VERY tight

yup. lotsa gunk in there. the barrel was off too. you may want a bottoming tap. its not tapered like the one you see in my pics. ebay. i called grainger in my town, and a few other places. never found one locally

 

[Brett_B]

Re: Mounting EGW 20 MOA base....screws seem VERY tight

McMaster-Carr will also have what you need and will ship quickly without having to deal with Ebay. Ground shipping to my location from McMaster arrives the next day.

 

[Glen Seekins]

Re: Mounting EGW 20 MOA base....screws seem VERY tight

brownels is about the only place i know of to get a 6*48 tap. they are special and no one else i have found has them.

 

[mjmcmahon]

Re: Mounting EGW 20 MOA base....screws seem VERY tight

In an effort to make sure I don't screw up my rifle, I'm gonna take it to a local gunsmith and have 'em check it out. Thanks for all the advice guys!

 

[AXEMAN]

Re: Mounting EGW 20 MOA base....screws seem VERY tight

$6, 3 days, a "buy it now" on ebay also had bottoming taps in the same pitch. im just saying...

 

[Brett_B]

Re: Mounting EGW 20 MOA base....screws seem VERY tight

They are a little pricey, but if you want to get one quickly the following part numbers are all 6-48 taps available from www.mcmaster.com:

Hand Taps:
Taper--2595A516--$22.63
Plug--2595A517--$22.63
Bottoming--2595A518--$22.63
Spiral Point Taps:
Plug--25705A51--$21.62

Just enter the part number into the "Find" box on their website.
The Ebay option looks to be much easier on your wallet.

 

[mjmcmahon]

Re: Mounting EGW 20 MOA base....screws seem VERY tight

I wound up taking the rifle to a local store this afternoon and their gunsmith re-tapped the holes for $12.50. The 20 MOA base is now mounted!

Thanks for all the help, guys!