So I'm trying to disassemble this VZ 98/22 and clean below the wood line, but I'm having some trouble. This is my first and only rifle, so I don't have a lot of experience, but I'm pretty sure the end cap isn't supposed to be this hard to get off. I'm not sure if this dent/deformation is contributing to this, but I was wondering if anyone had any tricks for getting this thing off.

On another note, I don't think the retaining screw for the receiver is supposed to be eaten away like this. I can't seem to get the smaller screw out because it keeps getting the corner caught on the corner of the other screw. Is there any way to unfuck this short of drilling the things out?