Gunsmithing Scope Mount removal

[WyldeDime]

I recently bought a rifle that has Leupold mounts already on it. The mounts are on so tight, there must be some thread lock on the screws. One of the screw heads actually has the tip of a broken torx wrench in it where someone else already tried to remove them.

My question, how do I get these thing off? I've never run into anything like this before.

Thanks in advance.

 

[welfordnremt]

Apply heat

 

[walley2960]

Might be able to knock the broken tip loose with a small punch. As to the rest apply kroil or other penetrant to the screws also you could try inserting a bit in the screw and hitting it(the bit) with a hammer. A little heat on the action. Not too hot mind you. DON'T overheat it. I don't know any numbers on the temps that can cause damage to the action. Use the heat at your own risk. Good luck. Let us know how it turns out.

 

[WyldeDime]

Might be able to knock the broken tip loose with a small punch. As to the rest apply kroil or other penetrant to the screws also you could try inserting a bit in the screw and hitting it(the bit) with a hammer. A little heat on the action. Not too hot mind you. DON'T overheat it. I don't know any numbers on the temps that can cause damage to the action. Use the heat at your own risk. Good luck. Let us know how it turns out.

What would I use to apply heat?

 

[Badshot308]

What would I use to apply heat?

I've used a soldering gun held on the screw head to soften up Loctite. You have to hold it there a while, but you wont do any further damage like you might using a torch.

 

[Jethro3898]

If heat doesn't work, take something and put a drop of acetone at the base of the screw head. The acetone will flow down to the threads and dissolve the Loctite.

Notice I said acetone.....real acetone.....not to be confused with your wife's nail polish remover.

 

[WyldeDime]

Alright, I've got the screw head soaking in Kroil, I have my solder iron on stand by and acetone back up.

What do I do about the wrench tip that's in the screw head. I can't get it out.

 

[nso123]

Any chance you could get something in there to cut a slot in the screw head? Otherwise, you may have to drill the head off of the screw and then back the rest of the screw out after you get the base off.

Alright, I've got the screw head soaking in Kroil, I have my solder iron on stand by and acetone back up.

What do I do about the wrench tip that's in the screw head. I can't get it out.

 

[Badshot308]

Alright, I've got the screw head soaking in Kroil, I have my solder iron on stand by and acetone back up.

What do I do about the wrench tip that's in the screw head. I can't get it out.

If you have a Dremel tool with a cut off disk, you can try to cut a slot in the screw head. Use a standard screwdriver at that point. The disk will cut through the wrench tip as well. You will end up cutting a groove in the old scope mount as well in order to get deep enough into the screw head. Be careful not to let the cutting disk get away from you and damage the receiver.

 

[WyldeDime]

Well, so far, nothing has worked. I will have to borrow a Dremel tool. Those screws are in so tight, I'm not sure that a slot in the head of the screws will solve anything.

Any other suggestions? Take it to a gunsmith?

 

[walley2960]

If I were you I would talk to a smith. They deal with these problems more than most folks. Might not cost too much

 

[Badshot308]

Well, so far, nothing has worked. I will have to borrow a Dremel tool. Those screws are in so tight, I'm not sure that a slot in the head of the screws will solve anything.

Any other suggestions? Take it to a gunsmith?

Taking it to a gunsmith might be your best option. You would use the slot method after soaking the threads in acetone and then heating with a soldering gun. If you can manage to pop out the broken Torx tip and use a new Torx bit in it's place, that will have more gripping power than a slot. If the Torx recess is destroyed in the screw head, then slotting the screw is your next best bet before drilling it out. If the screw is cross threaded into the receiver, it'll be gunsmith time for you.

 

[WyldeDime]

Still no luck. I've spent hours trying to figure it out

And the gunsmith won't call me back