Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Gunsmithing Torque on action screws?

The best way is to experiment with a standard, or known accurate load. Here is a target fired to set the torque on a Savage Precision Target Action (three screw single shot action).



I used a precision torque gauge, increasing torque in 5 in lbs at a time front to back screw. Stock is a pillar bedded laminated varmint stock. Lower row read left to right, then final top left target. numbers at bottom of target is screw torque in in lbs front, middle and rear screw. Group moved between lower left and other targets as I adjusted the scope, torque changes moved the others. Go easy, depending on your action, tighten only enough to gain maximum accuracy, going above the 35-35-30 in lbs on my actions opens the groups. A Remington 700 or similar action including most bolt actions can actually bend with as little as 8 pounds of pressure and a poorly bedded stock.