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Increased action torque = increased accuracy?

lennyo3034

Gunny Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Apr 18, 2010
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USA
I'm running a 700 Varmint with standard Remington BDL bottom metal. I torque the action screws to 45 in/lb onto a HS precision stock with the aluminum bedding block. I'm thinking of switching to a PTG steel bottom metal and torqueing to 65 in/lbs or so. Can I expect an increase in accuracy (however small) since the action will be held onto the stock more rigidly, or is that not necessarily the case?
 
Re: Increased action torque = increased accuracy?

I would worry more about the added stress on the action and the aluminum bedding block. It can probably take it but is your wild guess more educated than the engineers who designed your rifle? Probably not...
 
Re: Increased action torque = increased accuracy?

From what I've been told by an armorer, the action can take 65 in/lbs no problem. HS precision recomends 65in/lbs on their stocks. Its the factory aluminum bottom metal that is they weak link, which is why I only used 45.

Crap, I meant to post this in the bolt action rifles section. Can anyone move it?
 
Re: Increased action torque = increased accuracy?

I have a Bell and Carlson stock on my 700. It seemed to help a lot when I started torquing it to 65 in/lbs rather than just hand tightening. I didn't try using less torque, though. I don't see how you could hurt anything as long as you're switching bottom metal. Even though mine never broke, I new I was taking a chance with the factory BM.
 
Re: Increased action torque = increased accuracy?

Its not going to have an effect. Spend the money on ammo for practice. Replacing parts so you can use higher torque values isn't going to give you an accuracy edge.

Aside from the extremes, sloppy loose or so tight you are stressing and binding the receiver, I doubt different torque values will have any effect at all.

Rich
 
Re: Increased action torque = increased accuracy?

I'd go ahead and get the upgrade is bottom metal for the purpose of switching to a DBM system. If you do, you probably will want to torque things up to around 60 in/lbs or so... I'd start at 45 and work up in 5 in/lbs increments firing groups as you go... You should find a sweet spot in accuracy somewhere... And don't be afraid to try different torques one the front and rear either. A lot of experimentation can lead you to finding a more accurate torque value, but do you really want to spend the time and large quantities of ammo to find what will most likely be a very small increase in accuracy? Most dont even think about it... but yes it can be done..
 
Re: Increased action torque = increased accuracy?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: lennyo3034</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm running a 700 Varmint with standard Remington BDL bottom metal.
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In that set up, if it's not already, a floated mag box will give you better accuracy.....in spades.
 
Re: Increased action torque = increased accuracy?

I think you'd be surprised what playing with the torque will do. I don't think any of my rifles are or have been torqued the same. There are some articles out there on the subject, in regards to savage, about action torque. It was recommended that a guy start at 35lbs, I think, and progress upwards, while stopping at different torque values and shooting groups, then proceeding. I read some threads/articles on savageshooters website, which you would probably have to search to find em. I'd say that it shouldn't really hurt to try it, as long as you're positive that it won't damage parts. Report back on what you find. My computer at home is down, but I think I saved some of the pages/urls for some of these threads/sites.
 
Re: Increased action torque = increased accuracy?

Read on the net (yeah, I know.......) that consistancy is more critical then the torque value. Both front and back are the same torque spec.

FWIW........