Question Calling on precision rifle shooters. ADVICE NEEDED!

[Scubabugdiver]

I’ve got a dilemma on my hands. In short, I’ve built a 308 rifle, just for plinking with a Bergara premier action I had lying around. I threw a Shilen 24” M24 barrel on it and laid into a Foundation stock. Side note, huge thumbs up to Foundation, their stocks are fantastic. Here’s the problem, I’m running a Vortex Razor HD-3 for a scope (heavy) , and one of the 4 screws on the picatinny rail snapped off and I can’t get it out. I’ve tried to drill it out, ended up scratching the crap out of the action. Bergara says the screws on the Premier are 8-40 already, which is an upgrade from 6-48.

So, should i pay a gunsmith, maybe LRI, to fix this issue, plus re-cerakote or just abandon ship and buy a different custom action that has a machined rail as part of the action and this issue should never happen again?

 

[Deleted member 16735]

I've done this before and I ended up taking it to a gunsmith who fixed it for less than 100 bucks. Worst case scenario you just go one more size up and drill out the rail to fit a slightly larger screw. Another option is just run it with three screws, it's not like a pistol slide that moves under recoil it will likely be fine.

 

[Scubabugdiver]

I've done this before and I ended up taking it to a gunsmith who fixed it for less than 100 bucks. Worst case scenario you just go one more size up and drill out the rail to fit a slightly larger screw. Another option is just run it with three screws, it's not like a pistol slide that moves under recoil it will likely be fine.

Where did you end up taking it?

 

[Deleted member 16735]

Where did you end up taking it?

Sleepys in Sacramento but I think literally any gun smith would be able to do it. There's also some places that will do it with lasers to remove the screw

 

[joefrank64k]

OP, don’t know your location, but Randall at @AR15barrels will take care of that while you wait.

One of the best in the business.

 

[Scubabugdiver]

OP, don’t know your location, but Randall at @AR15barrels will take care of that while you wait.

One of the best in the business.

I’m down in San Diego. I use a place called Fine Firearms in La Mesa. Problem is, he gave me a 3 to 4 month wait time. I’m thinking about shipping it off to a place called LRI up in Sturgis. Anybody ever use them?

 

[Deleted member 16735]

No but it's a hour job tops, there's someone local to you for sure

 

[joefrank64k]

I’m down in San Diego. I use a place called Fine Firearms in La Mesa. Problem is, he gave me a 3 to 4 month wait time. I’m thinking about shipping the it off to a place called LRI up in Sturgis. Anybody ever use them?

He’s in the San Fernando Valley. Any where else you could go to make a trip out of it? He really is that good. And again, work done while you wait.

 

[Scubabugdiver]

So far, it sounds like it’s worth doing the repair. I’m loading some pretty hot loads, about 2850 fps. I hope this doesn’t happen again after the repair. Do have to say, a new Impact Precision 737r is looking pretty tempting right about now. Integrated lug, and rail.

 

[Gawernator]

Sounds like you should take it to a gunsmith

 

[Deleted member 16735]

So far, it sounds like it’s worth doing the repair. I’m loading some pretty hot loads, about 2850 fps. I hope this doesn’t happen again after the repair. Do have to say, a new Impact Precision 737r is looking pretty tempting right about now. Integrated lug, and rail.

I think it has more to do with a combination of poor quality screws and maybe the wrong torque, there's no reason it should have broke from 308 recoil and a 2.5 lb scope. Definitely not worth scrapping over one screw. The impacts are awesome but you definitely don't neeeeeed it. The only reason would be to get a second rifle in a better cartridge

 

[AR15barrels]

Here’s the problem, I’m running a Vortex Razor HD-3 for a scope (heavy) , and one of the 4 screws on the picatinny rail snapped off and I can’t get it out. I’ve tried to drill it out, ended up scratching the crap out of the action. View attachment 191616View attachment 191617View attachment 191618View attachment 191619

Schedule a time to come over and I can fix that while you wait.
That's often a $65 job.

 

[Scubabugdiver]

Schedule a time to come over and I can fix that while you wait.
That's often a $65 job.

You’re up in Van Nuys?

 

[AR15barrels]

You’re up in Van Nuys?

Yes.

 

[Scubabugdiver]

Yes.

Well, dammit. A $65 repair job and $465 in gas!

Unless, I can ship it.

 

[AR15barrels]

Well, dammit. A $65 repair job and $465 in gas!

Unless, I can ship it.

No shipping.
I only work on firearms by in-person appointment.

it's 143 miles drive from san diego to van nuys.
For $456, you can buy 81 gallons of gas at the Costco gas station that's 1/2 mile from my place.
Does your vehicle actually get 3.5mpg?
I suggest you get something with a little better efficiency.

My Venza gets 40mpg and it would cost me $43 of gas to do the round-trip.
Round-trip shipping with insurance will definitely cost at least double that.