action screw tightening pressure

Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Get yourself a torque wrench and follow the manual specs for stocks, rings and bases. It can make a big difference, so can overtightening

In short, it's important, don't overlook it

Patrick
 
X2 on the sometimes yes, sometimes no.

I've had rifles that finger tight or gorilla strong made zero difference.

I've also had some that a 10 in/lb difference or tightening one before the other would drastically change things. I'm sure there was some other underlying issue (bedding?), but regardless they didn't stay around long.

I don't have time to deal with sensitive rifles.
 
If the action is properly bedded to that stock torquing doesn't make as much difference as just good and tight by hand... I think torquing to specific values is highly overrated, especially in a hunting rifle and caliber.
 
I've been shooting for quite a while and in all that time, I've never used a torque wrench on a rifle and can't imagine having to do so. The front screw gets pretty tight and the tang screw not quite as tight and that seems to have worked out ok. Bob Forslund claimed that if the bedding was good a person should be able to take a rifle out of the stock and replace it, between shots, and still shoot an acceptable group. He demonstrated this to me once and his rifle did shoot a pretty decent group, under .4, as I recall. No torque wrench; he just tightened as tight as he could with the short end of the allen wrench. The rifle was a 6x47 built on his own action in a glass stock.
Anyway, when it comes to torquing to a specific number, if it makes you feel good, go ahead. For myself, I don't think I'll bother.
 
guntech said:
If the action is properly bedded to that stock torquing doesn't make as much difference as just good and tight by hand... I think torquing to specific values is highly overrated, especially in a hunting rifle and caliber.
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Leeper said:
I've been shooting for quite a while and in all that time, I've never used a torque wrench on a rifle and can't imagine having to do so. The front screw gets pretty tight and the tang screw not quite as tight and that seems to have worked out ok. Bob Forslund claimed that if the bedding was good a person should be able to take a rifle out of the stock and replace it, between shots, and still shoot an acceptable group. He demonstrated this to me once and his rifle did shoot a pretty decent group, under .4, as I recall. No torque wrench; he just tightened as tight as he could with the short end of the allen wrench. The rifle was a 6x47 built on his own action in a glass stock.
Anyway, when it comes to torquing to a specific number, if it makes you feel good, go ahead. For myself, I don't think I'll bother.
Click to expand...

I like these answers, especially from competent gunsmiths.

Tom
 
I torque all screws, bases, rings, action, works for me.
If I didn't torque, it would be stripped, cracked or way over-tighten..
 
Exact torque specs for screws etc on firearms has never been a real item of concern for me either. However, after fairly recently acquiring a couple of Wby Vanguard S2's, my 'flame throwers:).
I decided to equip them with detachable magazine kits by Legacy. In the installation instructions, step #7, they state;
7.Using a torque wrench, torque action bolts to 50 to 55 in-lbs.
CAUTION
DO NOT EXCEED 55IN-LBS OR DAMAGE TO THE TRIGGER GUARD MAY RESULT.
DAMAGE TO OVER TORQUING WILL VOID THE WARRANTY.

Soooooo, ;) perhaps in this instance I'll pay heed :redface:.
 
Professionals that work with hand tools develop a 'feel' with time & experience. Most others should use a torque wrench and tighten to spec as recommended by the manufacture. That is my five cents worth.
 
StoneHorse said:
Professionals that work with hand tools develop a 'feel' with time & experience. Most others should use a torque wrench and tighten to spec as recommended by the manufacture. That is my five cents worth.
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True enough. I spent fifteen years 'on the tools' in an unrelated mechanical trade in the Pulp & Paper industry.
 
As an OCD amateur, a torque wrench keeps me from screwing around with things more than I should be. I like setting my wrench and stopping as soon as I hear that click, otherwise I'd over tighten everything to the point that I could be damaging things. I'm not a gentle person so a TW keeps my gorilla like ways in check,

Patrick
 
Well, there you have it.
Just follow the advice as given by the top professionals in the business!
 
StoneHorse said:
Reminds me of a old millwright I met decades ago and he told me "Tight is tight, too tight, its broke". Lol. I was not entirely sure if he was joking or not.
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The old oil rig saying was "Tight as you can get it, then another half a turn". The custom seems to have changed, most of the old oil riggers are dead and now everything leaks. :(
 
StoneHorse said:
Reminds me of a old millwright I met decades ago and he told me "Tight is tight, too tight, its broke". Lol. I was not entirely sure if he was joking or not.
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:) Brings back memories of 'quotes' I was given by an old Millwright I trained with on my apprenticeship. One of his torque factors, especially on some of the bigger stuff we worked on, that he quoted to me was "just pull on it 'til your a**hole starts to open" :p .
 
I don't know about most actions and stocks But with Savage Accustocks it seems to make a difference. There is a procedure of torqueing the screws in a given order and a given torque spec. It does make a difference. must be due to the imbedded alu. rail in the stock.
 
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