What attachment bolt on a Choate Varmint butt?

[wreckhog]

Bought one used. It appears that I need a 1/2" MALE hex head bolt (not socket) to tighten this. Am I missing something?

[quickdtoo]

Factory bolt is a standard socket head capscrew, about 2½-3" long.

Tim

[dieselten]

yes, the bolt on the Ultra stock is different, it is an allen head bolt.  I needed the biggest allen wrench in my tool box to fit it, I don't remember the size.

[arg2761]

wreckhog:

Coincidence?

3 days ago, I received a 22-250 Ultra Varmint Fluted with the "skeletonized" synthetic stock. It came with a 9/16 Hex head bolt, 3/8 x 24 TPI, 3.25" long (below the head). It looks out of place; I even had to blue it. I was expecting a socket head cap bolt (as shown in H&R and Chaote pictures). I'm looking to replace it with a proper socket head cap bolt.

Mine is supposed to be new, from 2005. Perhaps someone changed it along the way; maybe they were short at the time of assembly... works fine, though. 

[arg2761]

Bought one used. It appears that I need a 1/2" MALE hex head bolt (not socket) to tighten this. Am I missing something?

wreckhog:

I just called H&R. I explained I received the rifle with the "hex head" instead of the "socket head cap hex".
They took my info and said they would send it free of charge. H&R scored a point with me.
Maybe you want to give them a try; that is, If you want the socket head bolt.

Regards,

Argon

[wreckhog]

Got it tight sorta. Wiggles a bit. Will see what 30-06 does to it

[arg2761]

I just got the bolt from H&R. Unfortunately, they sent the exact type of "hex" bolt I already had (not a socket head cap).

[quickdtoo]

Pick a socket head cap screw up at your local hardware store, it's a standard 3/8"-24 thread.

Tim

[arg2761]

Here in Miami, the difficult part turned out to be finding the length. The bolt is 3.25". 2.75" is the longest I have found in these most southern parts. Go figure.
However, I found a 3.5" at boltdepot (internet). Ordered it.

argon

[quickdtoo]

You can cut a longer bolt to any length you need, just run a nut on it, cut to length and run the nut off to clean up the end, done it a gazillion times in the last 45yrs or so, always works. 

Tim

[arg2761]

Thanks for the tip quickdtoo!

I also checked on the frame and there is enough room for another 1/4".
Do you see a problem with using the longer bolt?

argon

[quickdtoo]

If the bolt is too long, it will prevent the hammer from being cocked, there's a warning in the FAQs on it.

Tim

[arg2761]

Just read it! (help needed - handi .357 won't cock)

I'll check function when I get the bolt and, if needed, shorten it as you suggested.

Thanks again, quick.

argon

PS.: we get great service 'round here.