Stripped screw hole on Ruger 10-22, refinishing ?s

[Dezynco]

I picked up a nice used Ruger 10-22 a couple of weeks ago, has a few rough places on the reciever and a spot of rust on the barrel.  I decided to mount a scope and do a little other cleanup work on it.....

I picked up a nice Leupold scope base for it.  Naturally when I started tightening it down, one of the screw holes stripped out.  Is there a good way to fix this short of drilling and tapping a bigger hole?  I can still use the Weaver-type base and get three good screws in, but the Leupold only has 3.  Of course the one that stripped out is the "loner" rather than one of the 2 "together" screws.

Also, if I decide to "refinish" the reciever for a custom build, what is the best way for me to remove the old finish and put a new finish onto it?

I'm not a professional gunsmith, but I love to tinker, so any pointers will be appreciated.

[torpedoman]

it's alum. just get the next size up tap and run it through the hole number 8 i think.

[PowPow]

I have a stripped hole also.
Made a heli-coil out of a strand of lampcord wire.
Worked okay for a temporary fix, but I like to swap from scope for hunting to open sights for plinking.

If I re-tap, does it make sense to re-tap all the holes to 8-48?
Seems like the larger diameter would have more contact surface and be stronger.
Where do you get the slotted studs for a plain top? make them?

[parkergunshop]

You can retap the stripped screw hole  from 6/48 to the next larger size 8/40 which I use on drilling and tapping actions being converted to magnum calibers.   8/40 screws are much stronger for heavy recoil applications, Brownells sells a drill and counter bore to use to convert from 6/48  to 8/40.

[Antietamgw]

Brownell's sells an "oversize" 6X48 screw (.146X48) and the tap to go along with it.  Here's a link to their kit, you can search for the tap I think their search function stinks! Takes forever to find something I know exists... You may be able to just run one of these oversize screw into the stripped hole using the screw to chase the threads in the stripped hole.  If it doesn't work out, all you are out is the screw. On to the next size. If you go to 8X40 you will likely need a #8 counterbore to open up the scope base for the head of the larger screw. Brownell's has them for sight screws as well. Cheaper and cleaner to stay with the oversize screw if it works out for you.

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=795/Product/Brownells__146x48_Scope_Base_Shop_Kit

[Dezynco]

Ok Thanks for the help with the stripped screw hole.

Now how about refinishing the reciever, should I just sand it clean, or should I use some sort of chemical?

Spray it with a good acid based spray primer and then paint with good spay paint?  Maybe one of the "bake on" finishes?

[Antietamgw]

A friend of my son asked me to refinish his 10-22 "barn gun" Anything anodized is scratched, anything blued is rusty. Wood shows the same abuse. Bore might be OK as it looks like a mud dauber built a nest near the muzzle. I haven't decided whether to use Alumihyde or some other Brownell's spray-on finish. Flat Black Krylon from Walmart might do fine and I'll probably try it because it's cheap and easy to re-bead blast if I don't like it. The barrel, pins and screws will be reblued with the next batch I run. The prep is what matters. I'll bead blast with a very fine bead. It's quick and easy. If I had to do it by hand I believe I'd start with 320 sandpaper on a backer and only scuff or remove the scratches where necessary. Rub down everything with a fine scotchbrite, keep your paper and scotchbrite marks running even and in the right direction and spray it with whatever shake and bake finish you decide on. As long as it's clean and the finish is scuffed up and even, I don't think you need to be to bright metal as if you were prepping to blue. That's my thoughts. Anybody done the spray on finishes?

[gunnut69]

There are several options for painting the receiver. The baking lacquer assold by Brownells didn't work out well for me but has for others.. Other paints are available and seem fairly durable. For maximum durability try powder coat. It's not really a good DIY project but if majr prepwork is done a powder coater should be able to do that for you. They will use masking tape to cover holes and recesses where the powder should not go. The part will be heated to 400 degrees so I always strip out springs, just cautious I suppose. olors are almost limitless, several hundred shades/glosses of black! It can even be used to hide some pretty major pitting. Your other options would be to leave the receiver natural and clear coat to avoid oxidation(it gets dull). If nicely polished it looks pretty good. An edit hjere should produce more info concerning other painting options..