Leaving it alone wasn't an option for this particular rifle, so your suggestion about waiting turned out to be the best solution.  After a few days and one light treatment of 13oz Plumb at each compass point, the screw came out "like butta".  Now I just need to handle some paint spots and some dirt, and I think I might  have a relatively honest, maybe, Indian owned piece.  I'm trying to fight the urge to use any stains, although the wood could certainly benefit from some sort of protection.