Broken rail screw

308Loader · August 29, 2020, 10:51 AM

Was shooting yesterday and found the rail on my Savage model 10-T-SR was loose. When I got home I removed the scope and went to tighten down the rail when I noticed the forward most screw was missing its head! The other 3 were just loose enough to rattle the rail around a tiny bit. Not sure what happened here. Concerned about extracting the broken screw. Any advise?

RKG · August 29, 2020, 12:57 PM

First try: remove the other three screws and the rail. There may be enough of the shaft of the broken screw to grasp with vice grips and back out.

burrhead · August 29, 2020, 01:13 PM

If the screw is loose you may be able to back it out using a sharp center punch. Put the punch at a shallow angle at the outside edge of the screw and tap, tap, tap it around. Get it out enough to get some pliers on it.

stagpanther · August 29, 2020, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Was shooting yesterday and found the rail on my Savage model 10-T-SR was loose. When I got home I removed the scope and went to tighten down the rail when I noticed the forward most screw was missing its head! The other 3 were just loose enough to rattle the rail around a tiny bit. Not sure what happened here. Concerned about extracting the broken screw. Any advise?

Did the rail come with the rifle? I've never purchased a Savage that had the bases torqued down--no problem as I see it but something to be sure to do when you get it.

Pahoo · August 29, 2020, 07:01 PM

Quote:

If the screw is loose you may be able to back it out using a sharp center punch. Put the punch at a shallow angle at the outside edge of the screw and tap, tap, tap it around. Get it out enough to get some pliers on it.

This is usually my first run at it. I also use a very small pointed chisel and just try to get enough of bite to get it moving. I'm reading that it might not be all that tight. If so, determine the size of the fastener and buy the correct/drill bit combo and have a go at it. Man, make sure you get that hole perfectly centered. If it is tight a little bit of heat, goes a long way. Can you post picture?.....

Be Safe !!!

Scorch · August 29, 2020, 07:14 PM

Buy some 6-48 screws and replace them all.

308Loader · August 31, 2020, 06:21 PM

So I just removed the other 3 screws. Forward most screw is broken off flush with the receiver. Should I even attempt to do something here or just suck it up and bring it in to a listed gunsmith. If I do bring it into a smith what should I expect him to do? drill and tap?

Pahoo · August 31, 2020, 06:39 PM

Quote:

If I do bring it into a smith what should I expect him to do? drill and tap?

No, it's likely that, In the extreme, drill and "extract". From what I'm reading, if the other three were easy to remove, this one should not be that difficult to remove. If you have a good smith that you trust, take it to him if you are in doubt. Are you familiar with the drill/extractor bit that Ace Hardware, sells in a set? ....

By the way, how do you think it broke ??

Be Safe !!!

Nathan · August 31, 2020, 06:44 PM

I wouldn’t recommend most folks drill and tap. Generally the bolts are harder than the receiver....generally, only bad things happen in that case.

sako2 · August 31, 2020, 07:48 PM

Is there any kind of lip on it? If the other 3 were loose you should be able to back it out with a small screwdriver from a eye glass set.

ammo.crafter · August 31, 2020, 08:20 PM

If there is a bit of the screw shaft above the barrel, use a Dremel with a cutting disc CARFULLY, and cut a slot in the bolt for a screw drive.

Protect the surrounding area with metal to avoid damage.

You could as others have said, use a drill and extractor to remove the broken bolt.

308Loader · September 2, 2020, 04:36 PM

This is what I have to work with. The dimple in the middle of the screw is sticking up. A bit nervous about drilling a hole for the extractor. Might need to punch the center to keep the bit from drifting?

thats odd. their were pictures when i posted this

308Loader · September 2, 2020, 05:43 PM

extractor did not work, just dug a hole in the screw. 99% sure the screw was not steal. Im F-ed. So how bad would it be to shoot with 3 of 4 screws?

so disipointed...

stinkeypete · September 2, 2020, 06:03 PM

Don’t panic. A good gun smith with serious tools can get that little booger out of there for you.

Jim Watson · September 3, 2020, 10:48 PM

It can be done by EDM but you have to find a shop with the gear.

10-96 · September 4, 2020, 12:52 PM

If it didn't move with the extractor, it's probably had some flavor of Loc-tite put to it. Can you put a little heat on it? Also, can you feel the bottom of the hole from the inside of the receiver? With heat and penetrating oil, I'm wondering if you can walk it out the bottom of the hole?

Nathan · September 5, 2020, 06:35 AM

I can’t see your pictures, but there is a reason they call them gunsmiths. A good Smith will get that out, don’t fear.

August 29, 2020, 10:51 AM	#1
308Loader Senior Member Join Date: August 24, 2014 Location: Minnesota Posts: 639	Broken rail screw Was shooting yesterday and found the rail on my Savage model 10-T-SR was loose. When I got home I removed the scope and went to tighten down the rail when I noticed the forward most screw was missing its head! The other 3 were just loose enough to rattle the rail around a tiny bit. Not sure what happened here. Concerned about extracting the broken screw. Any advise? __________________ Just a dude with stuff.

August 29, 2020, 01:13 PM	#3
burrhead Senior Member Join Date: July 6, 1999 Location: Chihuahuan desert, Texas Posts: 1,148	If the screw is loose you may be able to back it out using a sharp center punch. Put the punch at a shallow angle at the outside edge of the screw and tap, tap, tap it around. Get it out enough to get some pliers on it. __________________ Join the GOA, SAF and the TSRA I'm offended by people that are easily offended.

August 29, 2020, 07:14 PM	#6
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	Buy some 6-48 screws and replace them all. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

August 31, 2020, 06:21 PM	#7
308Loader Senior Member Join Date: August 24, 2014 Location: Minnesota Posts: 639	So I just removed the other 3 screws. Forward most screw is broken off flush with the receiver. Should I even attempt to do something here or just suck it up and bring it in to a listed gunsmith. If I do bring it into a smith what should I expect him to do? drill and tap? __________________ Just a dude with stuff.

August 31, 2020, 08:20 PM	#11
ammo.crafter Senior Member Join Date: June 25, 2006 Location: The Keystone State Posts: 1,970	extractor If there is a bit of the screw shaft above the barrel, use a Dremel with a cutting disc CARFULLY, and cut a slot in the bolt for a screw drive. Protect the surrounding area with metal to avoid damage. You could as others have said, use a drill and extractor to remove the broken bolt. __________________ "Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading". --Thomas Jefferson

August 29, 2020, 12:57 PM	#2
RKG Senior Member Join Date: June 18, 2009 Location: Boston Posts: 562	First try: remove the other three screws and the rail. There may be enough of the shaft of the broken screw to grasp with vice grips and back out.

August 31, 2020, 06:44 PM	#9
Nathan Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2001 Posts: 6,331	I wouldn’t recommend most folks drill and tap. Generally the bolts are harder than the receiver....generally, only bad things happen in that case.

August 31, 2020, 07:48 PM	#10
sako2 Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2009 Posts: 741	Is there any kind of lip on it? If the other 3 were loose you should be able to back it out with a small screwdriver from a eye glass set.

September 2, 2020, 04:36 PM	#12
308Loader Senior Member Join Date: August 24, 2014 Location: Minnesota Posts: 639	This is what I have to work with. The dimple in the middle of the screw is sticking up. A bit nervous about drilling a hole for the extractor. Might need to punch the center to keep the bit from drifting? thats odd. their were pictures when i posted this __________________ Just a dude with stuff. Last edited by 308Loader; September 3, 2020 at 04:29 PM.

September 2, 2020, 05:43 PM	#13
308Loader Senior Member Join Date: August 24, 2014 Location: Minnesota Posts: 639	extractor did not work, just dug a hole in the screw. 99% sure the screw was not steal. Im F-ed. So how bad would it be to shoot with 3 of 4 screws? so disipointed... __________________ Just a dude with stuff. Last edited by 308Loader; September 2, 2020 at 05:52 PM.

September 2, 2020, 06:03 PM	#14
stinkeypete Senior Member Join Date: July 22, 2010 Location: Madison, Wisconsin Posts: 1,293	Don’t panic. A good gun smith with serious tools can get that little booger out of there for you. __________________ My book "The Pheasant Hunter's Action Adventure Cookbook" is now on Amazon. Tall tales, hunting tips, butchering from bird to the freezer, and recipes.

September 3, 2020, 10:48 PM	#15
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,543	It can be done by EDM but you have to find a shop with the gear.

September 4, 2020, 12:52 PM	#16
10-96 Senior Member Join Date: October 19, 2005 Location: Tx Panhandle Territory Posts: 4,160	If it didn't move with the extractor, it's probably had some flavor of Loc-tite put to it. Can you put a little heat on it? Also, can you feel the bottom of the hole from the inside of the receiver? With heat and penetrating oil, I'm wondering if you can walk it out the bottom of the hole? __________________ Rednecks... Keeping the woods critter-free since March 2, 1836. (TX Independence Day) I suspect a thing or two... because I've seen a thing or two.

September 5, 2020, 06:35 AM	#17
Nathan Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2001 Posts: 6,331	I can’t see your pictures, but there is a reason they call them gunsmiths. A good Smith will get that out, don’t fear.