Tool for optilock ring screws

[.Skinner.]

Hi all,

Been years since I’ve had to mess with any optilocks, but recently bought a rifle with optilocks on top and I can’t get the screws out! Second hand rifle so didn’t come with the optilock tool.

I have a torque wrench with various ‘bits’, and I am SURE I used to use this for optilocks, but none of the bits now seem to fit. I don’t know whether or not the screw heads have changed, but basically whatever I tried I could only get a couple of looser screws out. Any tight ones and the head started stripping, so I definitely didn’t have the right ‘bit’.

Any advice? What size/type of bit is needed? I can’t actually make out whether it’s an Allen-key type thing or one of those star (torx?!) things. I would love to get my hands on the ‘bit’ I need, so that I can use my torque wrench for when I eventually put the rings back together with scope in.

thanks all!

 

[jcampbellsmith]

Use your phone camera to zoom in on any screw heads that you haven't chewed up.
Regards
JCS

 

[baguio]

They sound like the new type which aren't hex (Allen) heads. Your local gun shop has probably got a key for them. However, is you have already stripped them by using a hex key them use these https://www.amazon.co.uk/Damaged-Sc...ds=hex+head+removal+set&qid=1621282363&sr=8-7 Will remove them in a jiffy!

 

[.Skinner.]

Thanks both. I'll order a set of those removal bit thingys as they look like something useful to have anyway!
Does anyone know of anywhere you can purchase the key for scope ring screws on its own? Online there are sets with rings etc., but can't find the key tool on it's own.
Thanks

 

[bluesako]

try bushwear they do optilock screws so must have the allen tool bs

 

[Bavarianbrit]

Amazon are sold out but try to google Easyouts (LH threaded rough headed tapered taps) as they are designed to sort this problem out.
Scope screw heads are very small though so drilling off the screw head might get the upper half of the ring removed then you can mole grip the remaining shank that's left sticking up on the lower ring to remove them.

 

[Ttocs]

They may also have been Locktited before assembly. For ’delicate parts’, like mounts on your expensive scope, heat up your driver bit with a blow torch before inserting it into the cap head - let it sit for 20 seconds to heat up the cap head - then turn anti-clockwise firmly. The heat transfer from the driver bit is usually enough to soften the Locktite on the screws making removal relatively straightforward.
N

 

[Rafter]

You can also hold the tip of a soldering iron against the head of the screw to get heat into the loctite.

 

[mealiejimmy]

They are TORX screws and I think you'l find that the size used on the Optilock rings is T10

Cheers

Bruce

 

[Strongman]

In my experience easy outs, or their equivalents, are an oxymoron. They are not easy and don’t get things out!
You will need to drill the screw centrally to allow enough depth for the tool to grip, in an optiloc screw this will be 1-2mm. I find the stud extractor then usually won’t grip and just chews up the hole and limiting any further options. If it is indeed a torx head then it would take quite a lot of torque to round it off as there is quite a bit of surface area for the splines to grip. The correct tool will hopefully sort you out.

 

[sir-lamp-alot]

Mine are torx, last time I had to drill mine out but with them being made from a 50% butter and Palestine mix it was very easy to do

 

[7-08Ai]

when you manage to get them out ,get a replacement set from The Shooting Shed ,machined down quality screws made from proper steel not the usual toffee