How tight should the screws in rings be?

[KillerSquirrel]

Earlier this week I picked up a new scope and rings for my Ruger. The rings are B-Square low standard dovetail, on this page.

I was mounting them and my scope to the rifle according to the instructions when I think I may have started stripping the head on one of the screws. Are they just really soft screws or was I doing it a little too tight? I think I can loosen the screw but I don't want to try tightening it anymore. If the head is really stripped and I can't loosen do I just have to drill out the screw? Its only a $11 set of rings so I'm not going to lose sleep over it

 

[Levi Garrett]

It depends , if a high quality steel set on a magnum rig , I may torque a bit more, but with alluminum for a rimfire or light center fire , 9 lbs is lots.

 

[BC_Guy]

Here's what I go by:
http://www.badgerordnance.com/folders/downloads/3/Mounting rings and bases.pdf

'never more than 90degrees past finger tight.'

 

[JohnnyJ]

Check this link for Burris info
http://www.burrisoptics.com/faqrings.html

For that small of a fastener 12 to 22 inch-lbs (1-2 ft-lbs)is plenty and more than that will run the risk of stripping the threads.
Leupold recommends no more than 20 inch-lbs which is less than 2 ft-lbs.

Good Luck
John

 

[duke1]

One more bit of useful information:

http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/GunTech/NewsletterArchive.aspx?p=0&t=2&i=589

Have fun!

Duke1