Thread: How to remove stripped scope ring screw?

Hi team,

I bought a VX3i off Trademe a while ago, it came with a set of rings attached. I managed to remove 7 out of the 8 screws, but the last one has been impossible to remove.

It's a usual hex screw. It is extremely tight, and to make things worse, the screw head was already stripped.

I have tried the following without success:
1. Turn with hex key + fabric/rubber band inside the head slot
2. Turn screw from either ends (head and open thread) with a set of pliers
3. Hammer the screw from either ends with a nail punch in attempt to loosen it
4. Soak the connection in CRC in attempt to loosen it
5. Hammer in a torx screw driver inside the head in attempt to turn it

I can now only just rotate the scope within the rings. Not sure if that's going to help though.

Anyone got any ideas?
Would be much appreciated!

Bloody good scope but just can't use it yet.

Cut the screw with a 1mm cut off. Have done it more than once.


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Drill the head of the screw out to get the scope out the ring, then tackle the threaded part in the base after.

Drexel with a small cutting disc.

Try using a screw extractor if you've got access to one. Otherwise either drill the head off or cut through it with a dremel through the gap between the two halves of the scope ring. Depending on how careful you are depends if you scrap the rings or not. If you're not worried about the rings just cut through he screw.

Originally Posted by MSL

Cut the screw with a 1mm cut off. Have done it more than once.


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Thanks mate, don't quite understand what you meant. Do you mean cutting just under the screw head with one of these?
https://www.bunnings.co.nz/sia-125-x...wheel_p0200367

Silly me, should be cutting between the ring pieces.

Originally Posted by Synthetic

Thanks mate, don't quite understand what you meant. Do you mean cutting just under the screw head with one of these?
https://www.bunnings.co.nz/sia-125-x...wheel_p0200367

Yes, though it’s only really a solution if you’re not wanting to save the ring. Run the disc in the gap between the two halves.


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Those rings look like Chinese ones which come with cheese for screws. I found success in the past on several occasions, with the same type of scope rings tightened up to the point of no return by the same MR Ham Hand. First get a new drill (not Chinese)which will just fit inside the hole in the head of the screw and create a shallow starter hole with your trusty Makita. Then drill the head off the screw with a new drill (not Chinese) that is slightly smaller in diameter than the diameter of the screw, driven slowly with several pauses to check progress. It does not take very much work to drill into the head to the point that the head will fall off (because the screws are made from cheese). Total time, about 15 minutes.

If you want to save your rings take sika stags advice. Drill the head of like removing a rivet. Leaves plenty of shank to play with in the bottom half.

You could cut a slot in the head of the screw and then try again with a flat blade screwdriver.
Otherwise the above is good.

I wouldn't bother trying to save those rings. They look like junk.

lol Ive got it if you cut the scope in half it should just slide out you can save the screws then phew

Originally Posted by Synthetic

Thanks mate, don't quite understand what you meant. Do you mean cutting just under the screw head with one of these?
https://www.bunnings.co.nz/sia-125-x...wheel_p0200367

Silly me, should be cutting between the ring pieces.

I think something less aggressive...

Like this
https://www.bunnings.co.nz/ozito-rot...ories_p0313708

With one of these

Using a drill bit with a diameter equal to or slightly smaller than the screw head, drill very slowly to chip away at the screw head, so you can open the ring.
Then with a pair of pliers try to unscrew the part of the screw that was screwed in, to loosen pour a little water on it.
Execution to the one who invented the torx head screws

For an eazy option... Your in Hamilton, take it DPT machinists an they will sort you out if your a muppet with this stuff like myself