Stripped Screw in Buttstock

[Knightmare]

Hi, I am following the suggestions I have seen around here and am refinishing my Rio Grande's furniture. I noticed one of the screws holding the recoil pad was hard to remove, had to coax it out ever so gently. Turns out the hole (not the screw itself) is stripped. Can I fix this with wood putty? I am afraid also of splitting the stock when I reattach the recoil pad.

[rzavaleta]

The screws for my .45-70 stripped out on my first shooting session. I found that the screws only passed 1/4" through the recoil pad. I chose to go out and buy 1-1/4 stainless screws in the same size (#10?). I pre-drilled the holes with a 1/8" bit and had no trouble getting a secure fitting. No more problems!

One well-placed round is worth 20 spray-and-pray.

[Knightmare]

The screws for my .45-70 stripped out on my first shooting session. I found that the screws only passed 1/4" through the recoil pad. I chose to go out and buy 1-1/4 stainless screws in the same size (#10?). I pre-drilled the holes with a 1/8" bit and had no trouble getting a secure fitting. No more problems!

One well-placed round is worth 20 spray-and-pray.

Thank you so much! Yes, this is probably the route I will go as well. I can't imagine the screws holding on through use with only 1/4'' set into the wood!

[Ranch Dog]

Hi, I am following the suggestions I have seen around here and am refinishing my Rio Grande's furniture. I noticed one of the screws holding the recoil pad was hard to remove, had to coax it out ever so gently. Turns out the hole (not the screw itself) is stripped. Can I fix this with wood putty? I am afraid also of splitting the stock when I reattach the recoil pad.

An old remedy for fixing any wood screw that is stripped is to place a safety match into the hole strike end up and bust it off flush with the surface. It will tighten up like a champ.

[Knightmare]

Hi, I am following the suggestions I have seen around here and am refinishing my Rio Grande's furniture. I noticed one of the screws holding the recoil pad was hard to remove, had to coax it out ever so gently. Turns out the hole (not the screw itself) is stripped. Can I fix this with wood putty? I am afraid also of splitting the stock when I reattach the recoil pad.

An old remedy for fixing any wood screw that is stripped is to place a safety match into the hole strike end up and bust it off flush with the surface. It will tighten up like a champ.

I will try that as well, will get the longer screws tomorrow after work. Conveniently, there is a hardware store on my way home. Hopefully the two-pronged approach solves it, love this rifle.

[Tuco Ramirez]

I had the same issue with my RG. I just filled the holes with epoxy and re-drilled. This wood is soft IMO.

[donhuff]

I stripped the holes on one of mine and tried some glue in the holes and that did not work as well as I wanted, so. I had a piece of wooden dowel that I think was 3/8". I drilled the holes out , put a shot of titebond in the holes, then taped the dowel in and cut if off a little long. Next day, I sanded it flush and drilled a pilot hole. I think that home depot has hardwood dowels too....if that matters.

[Knightmare]

Alright, the rifle's good as new. Got a 2'' long stainless screw for the upper hole, kept the bottom screw factory original. I didn't take into account that the sling swivel is right there on the stock, a 2'' screw in the bottom hole will hit the swivel. Luckily, it was the top hole that stripped. Thanks to all for the info and tips given!

[johnreilly]

I have used the Gun Nut II from Recoil Less Engineering several times including on my own Rio Grande. You can get them here: www.recoil-less.com

I think they are the ultimate repair for this issue. A self-threading steel insert that includes the matching machine thread fasteners and Hex Wrench for installation. I like them.

[BeerHunter]

I have used the Gun Nut II from Recoil Less Engineering several times including on my own Rio Grande. You can get them here: http://www.recoil-less.com

I think they are the ultimate repair for this issue. A self-threading steel insert that includes the matching machine thread fasteners and Hex Wrench for installation. I like them.

Now you just cost me some more money. Mine aren't stripped [yet] but I'm going to order a set for my RG4570S, just in case! Great post Mr. Reilly!