Removing broken scope ring screw

30 January 2010, 22:51

Gary T

Hey guys,
I decided to remount a scope on my original Ruger 10/22 I bought over 30 years ago. I wanted to compare its accuracy w/ a second Ruger 10/22. The loser gets a new barrel and stock. One of the screws attaching the bottom/top half of a scope ring broke.

The remnant is slightly recessed in the bottom ring. I've never had this happen before. Burris torx screws from a new Burris ring fit the old ring. How do I remove the broken remnant of the screw? I've got a Dremel tool w/ a number of small drills. Do I just drill a hole through the middle of what's left of the screw?

30 January 2010, 23:22

Westpac

quote:
Originally posted by Gary T:
Hey guys,
I decided to remount a scope on my original Ruger 10/22 I bought over 30 years ago. I wanted to compare its accuracy w/ a second Ruger 10/22. The loser gets a new barrel and stock. One of the screws attaching the bottom/top half of a scope ring broke. The remnant is slightly recessed in the bottom ring. I've never had this happen before. Burris torx screws from a new Burris ring fit the old ring. How do I remove the broken remnant of the screw? I've got a Dremel tool w/ a number of small drills. Do I just drill a hole through the middle of what's left of the screw?

At the very least you are going to have to drill a hole as near center as possible and use a very small EZ out to remove it. Alternate plan (B) will require you to drill the entire screw out and chase the threads. This will take some expensive equipment and a little skill. Alternate plan (C) is replace the rings. You might be able to find a small EZ out at Home Depot.

31 January 2010, 04:36

Gary T

Westpac,
Thanks for the help.

I looked closer at the problem screw and noticed that some of the screw protruded from the bottom of the ring. I applied some Kroil. There wasn't enough screw protruding to get a good grip w/ vice grips so I used the Dremel tool to cut a small slot. The broken screw came out easily w/ a screw driver.

Guess I should've looked closer at the beginning.

Sounds like I should still have screw extractor device around the shop, though.

31 January 2010, 04:59

ted thorn

Good Job there Gary, thats a slick fix.

31 January 2010, 07:33

Longshot

Is the ring bottom and aluminum?

If so you are in luck.

Drill out the center of the screw and soak in with alum for 24 hours.

The steel screw will disolve. The aluminum is non ferus and will be un harmed.

Longshot

01 February 2010, 21:32

Stonecreek

Glad you got your screw out.

In the future (and when you have no protruding screw shank to work with), just select a drill bit that is as close as possible (but still a tad smaller) to the inside diameter of the female threads in the ring. Drill out the screw and you'll find that the screw's remaining thread remanants will usually either come out with it or will fall out on their own.

01 February 2010, 21:35

butchloc

nothing luck plain old ingenuity

02 February 2010, 03:21

Fish30114

Gary, just out of curiousity, which 'bit' did you use on your Dremel to cut the slot and not get the ring too?

02 February 2010, 08:01

Gary T

Fish,
I used the "cutting wheel."
I've frequently been known to make a prolong a 10 min project to one hour, but this one went really well, prob. 5 minutes total, including setup AND cleanup! Cutting the slot took bout 15 seconds.