Author Topic: "O" Rings (Read 2222 times)

Drollerindy · « **on:** September 29, 2009, 07:59:44 PM »

It was kind of amazing.
I put an "O" ring around each screw that holds the fore arm onto the barrel and my group size went from 4 inches to leass than 1 inch.

Now, as I get better at shooting, I'll find out what this baby can really do!

Doug

troy_mclure · « **Reply #1 on:** September 30, 2009, 01:07:16 PM »

what kinda O ring?

many people use small steel washers. and ajusting the in/lbs of torque helped me tighten up my .204 groups.

Drollerindy · « **Reply #2 on:** September 30, 2009, 05:40:50 PM »

Bought them at Lowe's Hardware. 1/4" Outside Diameter x 1/8" Inside Diameter x 1/16", Danco Part Number 96774 in the plumbing department.
I noticed today that the screws had loosened a bit. So, I will put some lock-tite (or nail polish) on the screws and tighten them to a slightly snug compression and let them sit overnight.

Doug

cwop · « **Reply #3 on:** October 01, 2009, 02:21:06 AM »

doug

what pressure are you tightning the screws up at?

thanks

bob

Drollerindy · « **Reply #4 on:** October 01, 2009, 05:09:54 AM »

No specific pressure, just until it feels like the "O" rings are starting to compress and the fore-end doesn't rattle. I'm trying to get both the same by feel.
I know it isn't scientific, but it seems to be working. I think it is because as the pressure wave goes down the barrel, the barrel has no contact with the fore-end. I can easily fit a dollar bill between the barrel and fore-end, so its like the barrel is free-floated. I don't think the "O" rings resist deformation enough to affect the barrel harmonics.

Doug

charles p · « **Reply #5 on:** October 02, 2009, 10:44:34 AM »

Believe I'd carry a screw driver and an extra screw with me on future range or hunting trips. Will be interested in future reports.

cwop · « **Reply #6 on:** October 06, 2009, 09:16:15 AM »

i have a torqe screwdriver im going to play around with some of these washers.

it sort of makes sense to me. i have a 22lr match that is pitiful.

bob

TomD · « **Reply #7 on:** October 15, 2009, 06:54:27 AM »

I recently purchased a torque screwdriver for both my Encore (7mm-08/50 cal ML) and my NEF Sporter (17 HMR/22 WMR). I'm very pleased with the results!!

Prior to the purchase, I would tighten my Encore forend just enough to be able to slide a bill between it and the bbl. I was 'winging it' as far as equal tension for each screw, each time I removed the forend. I found that 10 in/lbs of torque gives me consistent accuracy with my Encore. It also gives me more confidence when switching between bbls without going to the range before climbing into my stand.

I went to the range this morning before work and both rifles it put a smile on my face

Tom

Thebear_78 · « **Reply #8 on:** October 15, 2009, 02:17:45 PM »

I alwasy found that a neopreme washer would greatly increase accuratey with more barrels on my encore. I would just tighten them up good and snug and still got a free float.

Franklin7x57 · « **Reply #9 on:** October 16, 2009, 07:02:59 AM »

where are you placing the O ring, under the head or on the threads after you run it "threw" the forearm?

Thebear_78 · « **Reply #10 on:** October 16, 2009, 01:02:17 PM »

between the barrel and the forarm

Hopalong7 · « **Reply #11 on:** October 17, 2009, 04:35:27 AM »

I cut little 3/4" square washers out of 12ga shot shells, drill 1/4" holes in the center. Sometimes use one thickness, sometimes two. Keith and I agreed some time back that they were "magic".

Keith L · « **Reply #12 on:** October 17, 2009, 05:47:39 AM »

Oh yea. That's right. We did...

Varmint Hunter · « **Reply #13 on:** October 18, 2009, 02:53:38 AM »

I used the shotgun hull method too. After reading this thread I took a look at available "O" rings at the Ace hardware store. Not only did they have many different O rings in various thickness but they had a wide variety of rubber faucet washers that would also fit perfectly. All of the rings and washers sold for less than a buck.

Dezynco · « **Reply #14 on:** October 18, 2009, 03:01:04 AM »

On my G2 Contenders, I super glue a washer into each screw hole on the barrel side of the forearm. I can't say that it's "magic" but it doesn't hurt, that's for sure! By stacking an extra washer in there, it keeps the forearm from contacting the barrel, only the screw posts are touching in two places. You can dig through the washers at the hardware store to find a couple that will fit.

The washer trick will work on an Encore also, you just have to bend the washers into a curve to fit around the bottom of the barrel. Then only the washers contact the barrel. It's a shame that the Encores do not use the little dovetail screw posts like the Contenders. Sure does set the Encores up for problems later (stripped screws, etc).

Dezynco · « **Reply #15 on:** October 18, 2009, 03:02:20 AM »

I never thought about the faucet washers. Great idea! Those will be relatively large in diameter, but have small holes in the center.

Hopalong7 · « **Reply #16 on:** October 18, 2009, 04:26:00 AM »

Actually, in our previous disscussion, we were a little "tongue in cheek" about the magic shotshells. What Keith and I and several others pretty much agreed on was that most barrels shoot pretty well without any "magic" applied and we overplay the barrel floating deal a good bit. And that when improvment is needed most any of the many methods work about as good as any other.

GameHauler · « **Reply #17 on:** October 18, 2009, 04:57:42 AM »

I use washers on my Contenders and I
like the idea of O rings made of rubber.
May help more with harmonics and with
the right size ID should hold the screw in
the forend so you don't have to crawl under
the bench to find them and if the would come
loose in the field they should not get lost.

Drollerindy · « **Reply #18 on:** October 18, 2009, 02:26:26 PM »

The 1/8 inch inside diameter is perfect to slip over the screw and be tight enough to hold it in place.

Doug

Drollerindy · « **Reply #19 on:** November 04, 2009, 05:48:03 AM »

I took to heart the worries about screws coming loose, so I tightened the forearm screws until they felt like they bottomed. I got them good and snug and went to the range. No changes in group size with the tighter screws.
My conclusion: put the "O" rings on the screws, tighten them down, and you should be good to go. It not only floats your barrel, it keeps the screws from falling out of your forearm.

As Gunney would say. "Hoo-Rah!"

Doug