Author Topic: action screw torque and bedding -got some good groups (Read 714 times)

bluebayou · « **on:** April 21, 2006, 02:00:35 PM »

After doing my first bedding job I am happy to say that group size shrank at least 25%. This is a 7mm-08 Remington 700 SPS that I put into Classic stock with the bedding job. Shooting 160gr SGK and Varget with one load and 120 Hornady SP with H4895 in the other load. The Sierra bullet was shooting .75 to 1.0 MOA. New group size went to .315 up to .560. These were 3 shot groups. The point of mentioning the group sizes is this:

With the bedding done, I never torqued the screws back to where I was before. Before bedding I used 28 ft-lbs on front and back. After bedding I just forgot to check them and they turned out to be 16 ft-lbs. Should I leave them as is? Should I just crank them down? Do you normally tighten more with bedding?

The groups were great, leaning toward leaving as is.

gunnut69 · « **Reply #1 on:** April 21, 2006, 08:12:34 PM »

I always say 'if it ain't broke don't fix it'. I never torque action screw.. perhaps it works but you couldn't prove it by me.

Nobade · « **Reply #2 on:** April 22, 2006, 02:39:58 AM »

If a rifle is bedded properly, action screw torque dosen't matter. The metal is not going to move in the wood no matter how tight you make the screws. Just for grins I once tried shooting a bedded gun without any action screws. It still shot the same. Convinced me!

bluebayou · « **Reply #3 on:** April 22, 2006, 05:15:48 PM »

Pretty much common sense.
Sometimes I lack the confidence in my own abilities. I figured that I should leave it as is, but I just start to second guess sometimes. Been wrong a lot on this rifle. But, in all fairness I have learned a lot. A lot like taking apart a Carter Quadrajet and reinstalling Windows (don't do it). Made some mistakes, but down the road I knew a lot more.

N. Michigan · « **Reply #4 on:** April 23, 2006, 10:46:47 AM »

Don't you mean inch/pounds, ft/pound sound excessive for screws. :shock:

bluebayou · « **Reply #5 on:** April 23, 2006, 03:54:03 PM »

HOW DARE YOU CORRECT ME, YANKEE!!!!! Of course I use foot-pounds. Needed a cheater bar and had to brace my foot on a cinder block.....

Yeah, you are right, I meant inch-pounds. Got to love a torque wrench.

N. Michigan · « **Reply #6 on:** April 25, 2006, 06:20:25 AM »

:-D, You scared me, making me think I've done something wrong over the years.

bluebayou · « **Reply #7 on:** April 25, 2006, 02:33:07 PM »

The first rifle that I got a few years ago was definately a learning tool. My only experience with torque measurements really was with chassis bolts on my Camaro. The local tactical shooter guru-guy said to torque the Rem 700 screws to 66 foot-lbs. I thought, HOLY SMOKES. The next day he corrected himself, apparently he thought about it overnight. Turned out that 66 inch-lbs is too much for a factory synthetic. I learned that by crushing the stock Remington ADL plastic triggerguard. 28 ft-lbs was plenty.