Which size screwdriver?

[Milt1]

I have a Winchester Model 70 for which I've ordered an M*CARBO trigger spring in order to reduce the trigger pull. M*CARBO has a nice video about how to replace the spring and I'm not concerned about how to do it, my concern is which size screwdriver do I need to remove the front and rear trigger guard screws and the stock takedown screw? I do not want to mar these screws. My rifle was manufactured in 1978. Thanks in advance for your assistance!

 

[BBBBill]

Maybe someone will know from working on those. Or you can call Brownell's tech support and ask. Steve or one of the other guys would most likely know. Otherwise just be sure to use a proper gun type screwdriver blade (parallel sided blades) that fill the screw slot.

 

[GBExpat]

I do not know the specific size but I do know that it should be hollow-ground.

Google something like "hollow-ground screwdriver" to see some images of what that means.

Most of us here, I imagine, have one or more sets (I have 2 ... so far ) of hollow-ground screwdrivers, often in the form of a selection of tips to go with an included handle/holder.

 

[Col. Harrumph]

I can vouch for the Chapman and Wheeler sets. Brownell's store brand are also very good.

 

[wiscoaster]

I've removed dozens and dozens of action (and other rifle hardware) screws using regular screwdrivers without boogering the screw heads. Technique is your main friend. If you want, a little filing on a regular screwdriver tip to reduce the taper and square if off isn't that hard, and it helps. That being said, proper screwdrivers aren't that expensive and a set of two should do you for pretty much whatever rifles your're going to be working on. The screwdriver's blade width should be not larger than the screw slot, but not much smaller, either. You can get by with slightly smaller if the screw isn't frozen and its head isn't already boogered. Be sure the screw's slot is clean and empty of crud so you can get the blade in full-depth.

 

[Riomouse911]

As the guys said above, spring for a decent set of gunsmith screwdrivers before you start working on your Model 70 and you will not regret it. I only did it once or twice, but every gun screw I undid before I got such a set shows the markings of a traditional screwdriver on the edges of the screw slots.

I have a Brownells magna-tip set for home use and a Wheeler set for my portable range kit I made from a fishing tackle box. Neither are very expensive, and in the case of the Brownells set you can buy a variety of additional sets of bits to expand its versatility.

Good luck with the trigger spring swap.

Stay safe.

 

[Milt1]

Thanks guys for your response. I just ordered the Wheeler 89 piece set so I think I'm set!

 

[Bazoo]

I use a combination of cheap sets like winchester and DAC, and brownells magnatip. Magnatips are good bits, and the beauty of them is that you can repeatably get a spare size for whatever gun screw you need, to keep in your pack.

 

[BWS]

Good for you Milt! Am sure you're going to get lots of excellent use out of them.

From the,probably oversharing division;

Do a little digging on the web on how to proper grind and "dress", hollow ground drivers. Not saying to do it,but you never know when a complete oddball size slot shows up. Good luck,nothing better than new tool smell.