Savage Mark II - Scope Mount Base Screwheads Stripped

[hecomp]

Hello Everyone,

I recently bought a new Savage Mark II TR and decided to upgrade the factory scope mount bases. But when I went to remove them, I noticed that my Allen wrenches were spinning rather freely. All four screw heads are basically rounded out.

Should I try fixing this myself by using an extractor, or would it be better to contact Savage and have them fix this issue?

Thanks.

[alpha_romeo_XV]

You must have had a wrench that you thought fit but was just bit too small causing the round out in the socket. I'm a DIY kind of guy. Had to eazy out a 1911 grip screw a few months ago. If you have a set of torqz or or new age bits with the star head then get one a bit too big and pound it into the socket and may get lucky and enough grab hard enough to back the screws out. Otherwise drill and eazy out no is big deal just takes more time and tools.

[hecomp]

Thanks, that does give me some confidence in being able to do this. Ordered a set of screw extractors yesterday.

I actually tried all the Allen wrench sets I had on hand (apparently I've managed to collect a few over the years), and they all ended up spinning. I am careful enough that I wouldn't mess up all four. Just the lightest pressure, and then the next you know the wrench is spinning freely. Those screws seem to be so tight there is no moving them with anything.

I'll see if any of the star head or torx bits I have on hand will work. Hopefully pounding them in won't damage the receiver?

Thanks again.

[sofbak]

I'd try the smallest one of these first:

https://m.harborfreight.com/left-hand-drill-bit-set-13-pc-61686.html

[Bastard]

use a torch to heat it and use a torx bit

[russ69]

Look at it close,it may have been a Torx head. Seems to be popular lately.

[67Cuda]

If you need a torch because of loctite, this one from Harbor Freight is awesome and cheap.

https://www.harborfreight.com/butane-micro-torch-63170.html

[hecomp]

Hello Everyone,

Thank you all so much for the helpful tips and links.

I received my extractor kit from Amazon this morning. This is the one I used: Stripped Screw Extractor Set, Damaged Screw Remover, Made From H.S.S. 4341#, the Hardness Is 62-63hrc, Set of 4 Stripped Screw Remover.

I mistakenly used the smallest one first in the clockwise rotation, which didn't do anything. A quick search on Google showed my error, so I switched the drill to reverse. I ended up having to use three of the smallest bits to get the four screws out. I applied a small bit of cutting oil and took my time.

I am attaching pictures of the screws and tools for reference. The first two pictures show how rounded out the heads were. The third picture shows how they now look after using the extractor bits.

Thank you all again for the help. My new scope base is now installed and looking pretty.