Quality ammo and torque setting relationship

[Kevin1]

I’m hearing all the time that some rifles prefer this ammo over the other. But I’m thinking that any quality rifle shoot well with any quality ammo the right torque is applied. The right torque would allow finding the sweet spot of the barrel harmony.

With my Savage G model, at 50 yards I was shooting 0.6” groups with a front torque of 25 inch/lbs with cheap $2/box of Federal American Eagle .22LR 38gr (not grouping well with Wolf). By increasing the torque to 27 inch/lbs I was able to group consistently at an average of .48”.

Next week I’ll be receiving 1 box of Lapua center X and 2 box of SK Match. So instead of trying different torque with expensive ammos, I would like to know your thoughts on the following: Would any quality rifle shoot well with ANY quality ammo if the right torque is applied.


WARNING: Don’t apply the torques I’m listing in this post to your rifle. I have replaced the bottom metal and I’m able to apply more torque

Post edit: Warning added

 

[1slow01z71]

Re: Quality ammo and torque setting relationship

Where quality ammo makes a differencr is consistency, the bulk ammo will shoot decent but fliers and FTFs are much more frequent than aguila, lapua, eley and sk. By changing tq on the action screw I imagine you can "tune" your gun to a given ammo. I plan on doing some playing around with the savage fv-sr once I get the boyds stock bed/pilar it. I see some sound thought in your process and am interested in what you find. When I do mine I'm going to run the various ammo through my chrono too just to see what kind of velocity range I get.

 

[Kevin1]

Re: Quality ammo and torque setting relationship

Original post updated with this warning.

WARNING: Don’t apply the torques I’m listing in this post to your rifle. I have replaced the bottom metal and I’m able to apply more torque.

 

[3wide]

Re: Quality ammo and torque setting relationship

In my GM barreled 10/22, if I switch brands it has to be season with 50 or so rounds to get a true representation of that ammo. For example, with the barrel seasoned with MT I can get Blazer to shoot lights out. But accuracy falls off quick. To simplify things I use Wolf MT and worry about technique. Yes black box and red box will do better I just don't have the cash to have that stuff in the quantity that I want to have.

I've never messed with torque settings but I've wanted a torque wrench mainly for consistent reassembly. Would be fun test out, but for me I would keep all other variable constant and shoot lots of groups to analyse

 

[justin amateur]

Re: Quality ammo and torque setting relationship

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">with the barrel seasoned with MT I can get Blazer to shoot lights out, but accuracy falls off quick</div></div>

That is because the lube from the Wolf MT still lines the barrel.
Each succeeding round from the Blazer removes the lubricant from the barrel.
Then, friction tears away lead from the Blazer round changing the shape/mass
of each round as it traverses the barrel. Inconsistent mass and shape
results in different ballistics for each round. I lubricate my bulk ammo
with a homemade mix of 4 ounces of melted Oatey Wax Ring
to a tablespoon of air-cooled 2 stroke oil.
Still not match grade results, but major improvement over the un-lubed bulk ammo.
Works on bulk Federal as well as Blazer.

(nothing improves bulk Winchester or Remington!

)

 

[BlastersAreCool]

Don't Hate, I'm resurrecting this Thread. I'de rather do this than create a new one. I have been wondering the same thing. Does anybody have new or more relevant info to add? Its been six years since this thread died and I cannot find much else out there...

 

[justin amateur]

If you have a stock that is subject to dimensional changes due to compressive torque,
then yes, you do need to determine which torque settings
will allow the most consistent results.
I pillar and bed my rifles so as not to have to deal with the variations.
One torque setting for both fore and aft screws.

I bed the barrel also...free floated is just a suggestion, not a rule.

I notice we have a new identifier along with our forum handles.
Used to be full member, now I'm a belligerent.
I like it.

 

[BlastersAreCool]

If you have a stock that is subject to dimensional changes due to compressive torque,
then yes, you do need to determine which torque settings
will allow the most consistent results.
I pillar and bed my rifles so as not to have to deal with the variations.
One torque setting for both fore and aft screws.

I bed the barrel also...free floated is just a suggestion, not a rule.

I notice we have a new identifier along with our forum handles.
Used to be full member, now I'm a belligerent.
I like it.

I noticed that and was going to ask a staff member lol

 

[BlastersAreCool]

My little cz 455 pt is FRONT pillar bedded and is glas bedded....I have yet to determine if I will have an issue. After more understanding from the general water cooler talk regarding general break in of 22s, ammo selection, and fine tuning I decided I need to put a couple hundred more rounds down the tube. It also appears folks will clean the bore, then foul it w/50 or so more rounds. This thread will hopefully shed some light on torque for fine tuning or accuracy in general.

 

[BlastersAreCool]

Well, since nobody appears to have much input on the subject matter I figured I would get after it myself. Heres what I got:
02-17-2019 @ 12:00 noon
CZ455 PT pimped out by Owens armory
CCI SV 40gr. 22lr
26* F
28.95 in/hg
67% Humidity
-1105ft DA
Wind 4 o'clock, 3-5mph
I started at 20in/lbs front 20in/lbs rear and worked up to 35in/lbs front 30 in/lbs rear. As you can see in the image, I stepped up incrementally, even between torque values of the front/rear. I loosened each before re-torquing them to the next walue...even if the rear was to remain the same as previous value, purely to minimize variables. I also tighened the front action screw then the rear each time. I also fired three 5-round groups left to right of each torque value. Fired L-R top to bottom. W/O Further adue, here are the results...

 

[BlastersAreCool]

 

[BlastersAreCool]

 

[t8500shx]

Excellent and very informative ??

Thanks for sharing

 

[BlastersAreCool]

No problem! It certainly appeared to make a difference. Once I find an ammo that the little guy really likes, Im hoping to conduct this test once more with it. This CCI SV I ordered off Midway isnt great. My older SV lot was cleaner in appearance and shot markedly better than this lot.