To Torque or Not to Torque?

Me as well, It is just not needed! There could be issues with multiple unknowns with respect to mating surface quality/materials from barrel threads.

I’m certain that’s not it either.

If you go hand tight and start noticing spread in your groups, check those action screws. That happened to me once, and when I checked, my actions screws were finger loose. After that, I torqued them to 65 lb-ft.

Screwing on a barrel hand tight has to be one of the most idiotic things I've read here in a while, and that's saying something.

USMC8551 said:

If you go hand tight and start noticing spread in your groups, check those action screws. That happened to me once, and when I checked, my actions screws were finger loose. After that, I torqued them to 65 lb-ft.

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whoofta. Have to run through 6 or 7 before one would hold up?

FWIW for various testing situations where we're swapping calibers and aren't incredibly concerned with reliable accuracy we've run hand-tight barrels. But it's also bit us in the ass. The thread joint isn't stiff at all and you can easily knock MPOI around by impacting the barrel, and if the start walking loose you get headspace issues along with the wandering POI.

I usually do 45-60ft-lb myself. Enough that they'll never walk loose without me trying.

USMC8551 said:

If you go hand tight and start noticing spread in your groups, check those action screws. That happened to me once, and when I checked, my actions screws were finger loose. After that, I torqued them to 65 lb-ft.

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I think you meant 65 lb/in

oldrifleman said:

I think you meant 65 lb/in

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Whoops!

Yes. I did, indeed.

Ledzep said:

whoofta. Have to run through 6 or 7 before one would hold up?

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I meant inch pounds. **eats another crayon**

Keep tightening until the barrel gets loose again then back off 1/8 of a turn.

A number of posts in this thread, and quite a few others, reminds me of the old saying:

Not always right, but never in doubt.

Baron23 said:

A number of posts in this thread, and quite a few others, reminds me of the old saying:

Not always right, but never in doubt.

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Yup, just speak with authority and act if everyone else is a fool to question you......
Torque values are clearly irrelevant in a wide area of ranges. Pretty sure if tighter was ALWAYS better, it would be a little more known phenomenon.

Pete B said:

Yup, just speak with authority and act if everyone else is a fool to question you......
Torque values are clearly irrelevant in a wide area of ranges. Pretty sure if tighter was ALWAYS better, it would be a little more known phenomenon.

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It’s known by those who know it.

Pete B said:

Yup, just speak with authority and act if everyone else is a fool to question you......
Torque values are clearly irrelevant in a wide area of ranges. Pretty sure if tighter was ALWAYS better, it would be a little more known phenomenon.

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Personally, I don’t give it a second thought. Just go by the manf recommended value.

I have a barrel out being spun for a CDG. This is my first prefit action. Ted says 100 ft/lbs and not to exceed 150 ft/lbs and that’s exactly what I intend to do.

This sort of precludes any interest this hotly debated topic. lol.

Oh…and don’t be too sure you know which posts I was referring to! Hahaha.

Cheers.