Oval head or flat head

[Clark Badgett]

I know there is probably not a hard, fast rule here but... what are general preferences for the tang bolt on a longrifle?

Oval or flat

[rich pierce]

Oval early, flat later?

[Mauser06]

While we are on the topic...


Buttplate screws and side plate (lock bolts).


I've looked at pics of originals and it can be tough to see those details.

[bama]

This is just my personal preference, oval head for all of the screws. I have seen both on originals but unless the screws are hand made it would be hard to say that they are original to the gun. I have a rifle dated 1803 that has oval headed screws that are hand filed and I believe that they are original to the rifle.

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

If you insist on domed headed screws, dress them down to a very gentle dome...not the factory lump.  Especially on butt plate screws, nothing turns me off (when it comes to screw heads) like a gobby fat round headed screw head sticking up out of a butt plate.  I usually file buttplate screws flush with the buttplate, the slot on the same plane as the bore.  Patchbox screws are the exception...I still like a modest dome, but filed flat works too.  Escutcheon, and other inlays' screw heads - flush and flat.  My preferences, of course.

[Mark Elliott]

I use oval heads for most of my screws.   I use flat head screws for patchbox because I am going to file them off flush; then back them out and round them over slightly.