Remington 700 SPS scope base mounting problem

[Rick_W]

They are not 8-40 screws. The OP stated all 4 screws thread into the inner 2 mounting holes. It's just the outer holes. The holes probably just need a tap run into them to clean them up. I've had to do it to a few rifles. It's not a bad idea to have the tap anyway to help clean out loctite and other sealants people use when mounting bases.

If I don't hear from Remington by the time I get off tomorrow I'm going to take one of the screws to the hardware store, verify thread pitch and buy a tap.

 

[skipglo]

I recently purchased a 700 SPS Tactical, model 85538.

I received a Nightforce model # A292 base today and upon trying to mount, the cap screws will not thread into either of the two outside (end) holes. Any of the four supplied screws will screw into either of the two inside mounting holes but none will screw into the two outside holes.

I don't have a tap that small, and don't feel I should need one on a brand new rifle.

Opinions/ideas?

All four screws are the same length & diameter. This is a Nightforce Standard Duty 0 MOA rail.

The problem is, none of them will start to thread in the two outside holes without binding before two threads have entered the hole.

Bummer! If you or a buddy have a Dremel and a very fine zip disc for it you can cut a straight small line into one screw. That cut acts just like a tap and can chase the threads for you real well. I know it's small but it will work. Easy enough to get another screw.

 

[Rick_W]

Bummer! If you or a buddy have a Dremel and a very fine zip disc for it you can cut a straight small line into one screw. That cut acts just like a tap and can chase the threads for you real well. I know it's small but it will work. Easy enough to get another screw.

Browsing Brownell's now for replacement screws...

 

[cahunter805]

It is a 6-48 tpi and I'd get a bottoming tap so you can use it on the front hole that will have the barrel threads under it.

 

[skipglo]

Browsing Brownell's now for replacement screws...

Any and every guns should carry them

 

[skipglo]

Any and every guns should carry them

Gun shop...not guns...lol

 

[Rick_W]

Gun shop...not guns...lol

We don't have any locally that carry just screws. The few we have don't carry much of a selection of any accessories or optics.

These appear to be 1/4" shanks and they have T-15 heads.

 

[skipglo]

We don't have any locally that carry just screws. The few we have don't carry much of a selection of any accessories or optics.

These appear to be 1/4" shanks and they have T-15 heads.

Wow.... almost sounds like you live in Canada too. Nut & Bolt supply house?

 

[JAYgs8163]

Regardless of all the back and forth, it's a simple fix!

 

[Rick_W]

Wow.... almost sounds like you live in Canada too. Nut & Bolt supply house?

BFE, Mississippi

 

[skipglo]

Check the mounting holes and screws very carefully. . Are the threaded holes 6-48 or 8-40 size? What are the screw size? Is there actually threads in all 4 holes, Or were the problem holes drilled out and not threaded?
There is something about scope mounting screw size in the specifications for a police tactical rifle. I believe requires 8-40 scope screws.
If that rifle had to go through the custom shop to have the scope mounting holes enlarged to 8-40, Someone may have done 2 holes and did not do the other 2 holes properly. Just thoughts on what could have cause this SNAFU.

Sounds to me like you have it figured out... I think you are right...

 

[javman]

Rick W,

Have you tried screwing the 4 screws without the base? If so, do the screws all look like they squared and centered? It maybe that they aren't tapped perfectly straight!

 

[Rick_W]

Rick W,

Have you tried screwing the 4 screws without the base? If so, do the screws all look like they squared and centered? It maybe that they aren't tapped perfectly straight!

I've yet to try anything with the base except to sit it over the holes to see if it aligns properly - it does.

The holes appear to be straight. I can see threads in the two outside holes but the screws will not thread in - at all.

 

[javman]

They may appear straight but I'd screw on the screws w/o the base to check for alignment, check if they were actually square and true to the receiver and if the screws can be interchanged then they all are threaded correctly. Give it a try.