Torque Values for Action & Magazine screws

john singleton mosby

I am trying to find the suggested torque values in inch/pounds for bolt action rifles when re-installing the stock to the barreled action.
I understand that proper torquing can be critical to good accuracy and that there is also a sequence to be followed, i.e. action screw first, magazinwe screw next, etc.

Old Fool

These values are given in inch ounces rather than ft/lbs, and vary from rifle to rifle. In my experience they are generally not given, and trial and error is usually required. I usually start around 50 in/oz. YMMV[:)]

Welcome to the forum[:D]

nononsense

The torque values that you want are going to be few and far between from the manufacturers because of all of the variables. There are some pat answers but they don't hold up in all cases and not all of them are correct.

Is your stock made of wood, laminate, synthetic, carbon fiber, fiberglass or some composite combination? Each type of material will have a different 'crush' point when a screw or bolt is tightened. Is there a bedding block or is the action bedded on pillars? Either of these will have a unique torque value.

Wood and all of the other materials can be compressed when you tighten the action screws. How do you know when to stop? Tightening the screws too far will also put stress on the action and typically will put a small bend in it which will affect accuracy. You can crack the trigger guard by overtightening the screws when using the alloy or aluminum bottom metal.

The single best bedding for fixed torque values is pillars or a bedding block with skim bedding. These two methods of bedding allow you to tighten the screws to a stopping point, you can't compress the aluminum or steel bedding points. You tighten until the screw stops. Without these bedding styles it's nothing but a guess and trial by test.

The most frequent value quoted for Remington-style round actions is 45 inch/pound on the front and 40 inch/pound on the rear approximately. But you can also find as many different values as there are "experts". Lots of folks want to believe they have discovered the secret torque value. Every gunstock will be a variable. The technique is to tighten the front a little then the back, alternating until you achieve the value you want. If you have a 3-screw system like the Winchester, tighten the same as above then just snug the center screw. Overtightening the center can wreak havoc on the accuracy. Start tightening, make sure that the recoil lug is firmly seated against the stock, finish tightening and then go test shoot. If you lose accuracy, change the torque and test again. Now you see why I suggest using pillars or a bedding block.

Best.