Gunsmithing stuck action screw from bedding

[BradfromND]

I bedded my friends A-bolt last night and used the front action screw to pull the action down into the stock. I normally don't do it this way, just use guide rods, but the tang on a Browning uses a spacer under the tang and I wanted to make sure the front of the action got pulled far enough down to line up with the tang and spacer.

Anyway, the front action screw is frozen in the Devcon. I've tried to get heat to it by torching a screwdriver in the screw, heat gun, torching a bolt held on the screw, etc. I'm afraid to eff up the stock paint by torching directly on the screw to get enough heat transfer, but this is looking like the only option. Any other ideas?

Thanks
Let the flaming begin.....

 

[wnroscoe]

Re: stuck action screw from bedding

Soldering iron tip on the screw head.

 

[wnroscoe]

Re: stuck action screw from bedding

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Brad from ND</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I bedded my friends A-bolt last night and used the front action screw to pull the action down into the stock. </div></div>

Lesson learned I hope.

Wax on screws is your friend

 

[BradfromND]

Re: stuck action screw from bedding

There is wax on the screw. That is what really is baffling me. I've bedded probably 50 rifles for my friends and have never had any issues. This is what is really driving me crazy. Worst case scenario, I guess I could drill the head off the bolt, pull it out of the stock and then replace the bolt. I'll try a few more things including the soldering iron tonight. I've got to head to an f class match right now.

Thanks William.

 

[tipper]

Re: stuck action screw from bedding

Drill screw head off then punch out with large hammer.

 

[wnroscoe]

Re: stuck action screw from bedding

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Brad from ND</div><div class="ubbcode-body">There is wax on the screw. That is what really is baffling me. I've bedded probably 50 rifles for my friends and have never had any issues. This is what is really driving me crazy. Worst case scenario, I guess I could drill the head off the bolt, pull it out of the stock and then replace the bolt. I'll try a few more things including the soldering iron tonight. I've got to head to an f class match right now.

Thanks William. </div></div>

Then it's just tight. When I use headless alingment screws they're always tight. Just be careful and keep working with it, it'll come out. The soldering iron trick will work but is a little slow. Dont rush it, dont drill the head off just yet either.

 

[wnroscoe]

Re: stuck action screw from bedding

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: tipper</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Drill screw head off then punch out with large hammer. </div></div>

No, dont ever do this. All the force will be on the threads and thats a bad deal.

 

[cooleyjc]

Re: stuck action screw from bedding

A drop of solder on the soldering iron will improve heat transfer from iron to screw head.

 

[LRI]

Re: stuck action screw from bedding

High wattage iron and patience. . .

 

[BradfromND]

Re: stuck action screw from bedding

I got it out. I had my wife through it in the deep freeze while I was up shooting my match. Came right out after I got home 7 hours later. Thanks for the help guys.

 

[andy52887]

Re: stuck action screw from bedding

Good deal.It is aggrevating when you know you have done it right and still it doesn't work.

 

[BradfromND]

Re: stuck action screw from bedding

I don't know if I would call it doing it right. Obviously something went awry. Oh well, won't do an Abolt like that again. Next time I'll use a guide rod and squeezy clamp to get it down to the block and then release the clamp. Lesson learned.

 

[dwtaylorpdx]

Re: stuck action screw from bedding

The Weller Pyro Pen is a butane soldering iron that works really well for this type of problem, it can get a really small tip REALLY REALLY hot...

I've used it on car body screws on visible painted areas.. Worked well.

Dave