Torquing down the action ...

A

abintx

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When torquing down action bolts how much pressure should be applied ??? 5 lbs., 10 lbs ... ??? Thanks for your response.
 
One old dude told me to, "Tighten them 'till they strip, then back off a quarter turn. If that don't work, experiment."
 
I've heard 25 to 35 in lb, although the front (angled) guard screw on Ruger 77's is apparently torqued to 90 in lb which explains why they're so much fun to remove.
 
abintx said:
When torquing down action bolts how much pressure should be applied ??? 5 lbs., 10 lbs ... ??? Thanks for your response.
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Tightening the action screw depends on how the action is bedded. Factory inletted, your guess is as good as any, just don't go over about 60-70 in/lb or the action will start to distort. "Glass" bedded, properly, about 25-40 in/lb on the front and about 10-20 in/lb on the tang screw.

Aluminum block bedding, just clamping to the block, about the same as factory inletting, not a lot. Just enough to prevent movement. Aluminum block bedding with a bedding material to mate the two surfaces you can go more, about 50-65 or so.

Fiberglass stock with benchrest bedding and aluminum pillars, the the front screws about even at 30-50, the tang screw much less. Just enough to hold the trigger guard on without rattling.

There is no hard and fast amount. Tightening action screws is as much as experience as anything. If in doubt of your method, snug the front or middle screw (best-if the action has one), then fasten a dial indicator to here you can monitor movement between the barrel and stock forearm. Then play with torquing and see what movement you have, best none or near none.

Using the dial indicator method will also give you a good analysis of how your bedding is working.

Bad bedding and/or improper screw tightening can really effect how some guns shoot, even to the point of greatly changing point of impact.
 
panda

smith told me two days ago on a panda f class 84 inch pounds on all three. it is pillar bedded with some type of glass
 
I have a newly calibrated

Snap-On ft lb torque wrench I use and 5 Ft Lbs is what I use on My Pillar Bedded rifles. I don't think it is too much but I wouldn't go any lighter than 30 IN Lb on a Pillar bedded stock; just a FEELING THING.
 
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