SMLE Mk. III Stuck screw

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   A few days ago I got myself a 1917 production date SMLE MK.III and wanted to strip it down to check the inside for any bad rust or pitting. 

When I got to the screw of the front swivel that holds it into the swivel band on the forestock, I ran into my first issue. The screw appeared to be almost totally stripped, and wouldn't budge. I sprayed it with some Ballistol several times and let it sit, even tried a small bit of PB blaster, hoping to clear all of the grit out of it, still nothing. Tried the trick of putting a rubberband over the end of my bit to give it some more purchase in the screw, still no luck. 

This is my first milsurp rifle and first disassembly, so I'm still totally green at all of this. Hoping someone can give me tips on how to get this sucker loose.

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GoatsNeedGuns Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: December 22 2023 Location: Texas Status: Offline Points: 2	Post Options Post Reply Quote GoatsNeedGuns Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: SMLE Mk. III Stuck screw Posted: December 22 2023 at 5:19pm
	A few days ago I got myself a 1917 production date SMLE MK.III and wanted to strip it down to check the inside for any bad rust or pitting. When I got to the screw of the front swivel that holds it into the swivel band on the forestock, I ran into my first issue. The screw appeared to be almost totally stripped, and wouldn't budge. I sprayed it with some Ballistol several times and let it sit, even tried a small bit of PB blaster, hoping to clear all of the grit out of it, still nothing. Tried the trick of putting a rubberband over the end of my bit to give it some more purchase in the screw, still no luck. This is my first milsurp rifle and first disassembly, so I'm still totally green at all of this. Hoping someone can give me tips on how to get this sucker loose.
	GoatsNeedGuns