Action Screw Torque

[Deadshot2]

I recently re-stocked my 5-R with a B&C "A-5" style stock.

B&C recommends about 60 in/lbs for the forward action screw and around 50-55 in/lbs for the rear. Remington, with the OEM H-S Precision stock stated 63 in/lbs for both.

Question:

What torque values are those with the Rem 700 5-R Milspec's using to torque their action screws. Does it yield benefits to torque the rear screw less, ostensibly to relieve any stress that might build up at the tang? Or just crank both down the same amount. The stock has the aluminum action block in it just as provided by B&C with no skim bedding.

Interested in what others are doing and why.

 

[jasonk]

Re: Action Screw Torque

Assuming you're using the stock aluminum BDL cast bottom metal I'd stick with around 35-40 in/lbs for both. Push the B/A back into the stock so the recoil lug makes good contact and hand snug to about 20# the front, then the rear, then torque the front to 40# then the rear.

That's how I'd roll it.

 

[YAOG]

Re: Action Screw Torque

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Deadshot2</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I recently re-stocked my 5-R with a B&C "A-5" style stock.

B&C recommends about 60 in/lbs for the forward action screw and around 50-55 in/lbs for the rear. Remington, with the OEM H-S Precision stock stated 63 in/lbs for both.

Question:

What torque values are those with the Rem 700 5-R Milspec's using to torque their action screws. Does it yield benefits to torque the rear screw less, ostensibly to relieve any stress that might build up at the tang? Or just crank both down the same amount. The stock has the aluminum action block in it just as provided by B&C with no skim bedding.

Interested in what others are doing and why. </div></div>

Deadshot2,

When I had my 40 year old Remington 700 BDL Varmint in a B&C A5 style stock I tested using different torque values and found that 35-40in/lb as is commonly used for wood stocks is not enough to lock the action into the composite and alloy stock reliably. I worked up to 60in/lb and the rifle came into its own accuracy wise at 55in/lb with no improvement over 55in/lb. to be seen on paper. I also think there may be some advantage to using about 5-10in.lb lower torque value on the rear tange but I did not get to follow up to verify it back to back at the range as the wind came up and my shooting day was over. But it did seem to show some change but I could not positively verify this.

I also cleaned up the alloy chassis in all areas where the action made contact with the ally chassis. My sample had a lot of overspray and I was trying to maximize overall contact area. This made a difference in consistency but I think skim bedding would work even better. I did not test the skim bedding idea because I sold the stock and sent the action off to TacOps for rebirth. But I'm pretty sure there is improvement to be had because the witness marks in the chassis showed minimal contact which would be eliminated with a light skim bedding job.

HTH!

 

[tommyc279]

Re: Action Screw Torque

Secure both screws lightly, then tighten the front til about 50-60 then the rear the same. Important is front first then torque the rear.

 

[Deadshot2]

Re: Action Screw Torque

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: YAOG</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
I also cleaned up the alloy chassis in all areas where the action made contact with the ally chassis. My sample had a lot of overspray and I was trying to maximize overall contact area. This made a difference in consistency but I think skim bedding would work even better. I did not test the skim bedding idea because I sold the stock and sent the action off to TacOps for rebirth. But I'm pretty sure there is improvement to be had because the witness marks in the chassis showed minimal contact which would be eliminated with a light skim bedding job.

HTH!


</div></div>
Since I retired I've got more time when I tackle a job. No more "hurry, hurry". When I installed the action in my new B&C stock I uses some Gold Spotting compound I got from Brownells that's normally used for inletting. A thinly brushed on coat on the action then setting it into the "block". Press the action into the block with even hand pressure and then remove without sliding or turning the action.

I then carefully scraped off all the excess plastic where they showed yellow marks. Repeated several times, each time removing the "high spots which were more prevalent on the tang area than near the forward action screw. As the high spots were removed the contact area increased. It's amazing how much a small burr around a screw hole can keep the action from contacting a wide part of the bedding block. B&C has designed the block as a v-block so I quit as soon as the contact area was maximized along the sides and down into the block where the center relief began. That job I had back when I was 19, where I had to scrape poured journal bearings until they fit properly helped out with this job. Hated the job then but it's amazing how what one learns comes in handy later.

I may not bother with skim bedding on this stock unless I start seeing some strange, possibly bedding related, issues.

Thanks to all for the info on torque values. Will probably follow B&C's recommendations for now as they seem to fit with what you all are recommending.