Gunsmithing Quick questions- installing a new Manners T5A...

[Ser Arthur Dayne]

Hi everyone,

I'm a longtime lurker and half a n00b at this, not the biggest idiot in the world but certainly not the most experienced in the world. I am hoping I could pick up a few quick pointers or get a few questions asked here...

Back on Election Day ( day after Election Day, couldn't get a NICS check on the "holiday" of Election Day) I bought myself a new Remington 700 AAC-SD .308 . Long long story short that I just typed out and deleted because you probably don't care, after much deliberation and many months of back n forth, I wound up finding a new Manners MCS T5A DBM in Forest Camo and I just bought it. Now it is coming in a few days and I need to install it..

It looks like all I am doing is putting my action in and "bolting it down" i.e. screwing two or so screws in. I watched a video on YouTube, coincidentially from Snipers Hide, and it looked extremely easy (I am thinking the Badger Ordnance Mini Chassis really makes a huge difference here?) ... but I don't have the hardware I need so I am looking to buy it. I want to make sure I got this right. Using the Search Function found me that it will be coming with Torx T30 screws? And I am going to be tightening them down to 65 in-lb with a torque wrench? So to make this right, what I need to do is go out and get me a torque wrench capable of in-lb ( with 65 being my target) and a Torx T30 bit for the wrench, and then all I will be doing is placing the action into the stock and tightening it down with a few of the Torx bolt/screws? Thank you for all your help and patience, it *seems* quite simple but I am wary when things look easier than they appeear.


And while I'm at it, I would just like to confirm I did good here with the Manners right? Seems to be a great choice and with the mini chassis there's no bedding or anything right, I'm all good right away from the install?

Ok thanks much hope it's not a big bother.

 

[biner626]

Get yourself a Borka tools MG4 set. It will do anything you need to maintain your rifle. Keep it in your gun case just in case you need it at the range. You have a great stock.
Borka Tools military grade (MG) torque driver, ATD-15x72-12FS-MG
They also sell it at Triad Tactical.

 

[Pinecone]

Yeap, it is as easy as that.

I have a Wheeler FAT torque wrench. Manners includes the bolts. With the MiniChassis, just drop the barreled action in and add the bolts.

Somewere on SH is the recommendations on torque levels. IIRC the rear bolt is something like 45 and the front 65.

 

[stoney15]

No, no, no. There is a sucker born everyday. That stock is junk. To help ease your pain you can send it to me and I will dispose of it properly.

J/k.
Yep, if its the mini cassis just torque to spec and go. I have heard of some doing a skim bedding or bedding the lug but that's it. My GAP with the mini chassis has the lug bedded.

 

[Ser Arthur Dayne]

Hey guys wanted to follow up. Thanks much when no one responded for over a day I took matters into my own hands and went shopping. Was able to get a 20-200 in-lb torque wrench from Harbor Freight for 15.99 and a Torx 6 bit combo pack for maybe 10... was easier than I thought. The snipers hide youtube video I watched helped me.

Here is an issue I have been "stressing"... the wrench I bought was difficult to set and use...and it was my first experience using a torque wrench, installation of a new stock, and oh yeah it was an extremely expensive set of stuff I was working with. When I hand tightened the two bolts, I had to then go back and tighten down the front to 65 and rear to 45 in-lb, respectively. I didnt know the wrench locking mechanism didnt set right so it was not stopping at 65 in lb. While slowly tightening the front "waiting for a sign", I said to my helping hand father, this is getting too tight, i feel like somethings wrong.... he says nono its okay, I say, no I want to redo this, so.... we back out the screw a tiny bit, resent the wrench to 65 in lb, and it instantly "goes off".... so I know im over the torque. I then back out the both , Redo everything properly and get it working exactly right and it clearly torque 'ed the front and back to 65 & 45 in-lb respectively, the wrench clicked and alerts cleanly when set properly.
My question is, am I all good? I was definitely over 65 in lb torque... not sure how much, NOT VERY LONG, the *ENTIRE*"beginning to end took less than maybe 5 mins, maybe was over torqued 1 MAYBE 2mins, then carefully relieved and fixed. But I have been extremely nervous I damaged the stock, mainly the mini chassis, or the receiver if thats possible. I have no reasons to suspect but I get nervous and would love some help from you righteous experts here. Ok thanks much. I am extremely happy to have the Manners... love the AICS and would own it if it was available when I had the dough early March. ?. But I am REALLY HAPPY I settled on the Manners and feel like my MCS T5A DBM is the best sniper rifle stock in the world. One of them anyway lol.

 

[Pinecone]

#1 get a better torque wrench.

I do not use HF for any type of precision tools.

 

[RobertB]

I'm sure your fine. I have never used a torque wrench much on any of my rifles. I have several Mini Chassis and I have torqued em down with a torque wrench and then reinstalled with out one. Maybe knowing what 65 in lbs feels like helps a bit. I have had great results with all mine. My .308 took a few more rounds to settle in from new than the other ones. I've tested re install consistency with great results.

BTW: I got 2 mini chassis that are still bedded in (lug bedded) and they seem to be rock solid.

Good Luck!