Checking my scope mounts....

The Raven · Post by **The Raven** » Tue Aug 13, 2013 11:29 am

Was cleaning some rifles last night and found another with a scope coming loose (on a 22LR no less). I can only blame myself for not checking this earlier. This has happened before so I now have a Wheeler FAT wrench to ensure they are torqued correctly.

Here's the big question: The instructions provide a rough guide to common torque settings (rings, bases etc) but I find they are a little too aggressive for my liking. I'm not one to overtighten fasteners (unlike most) and I don't want to damage the scope. So, can anyone provide some basic torque settings they find work on most rifles?

My rifles aren't exotic and don't have any wonder rings etc on them, so what's a good starting point that won't come loose or crush the scope tube

Yep, might break out that loctite again...

mick_762 · Post by **mick_762** » Tue Aug 13, 2013 1:29 pm

Mate to be honest I wouldnt have a clue on torque settings,
I just put a small dab of the misuss's nail polish on the threads, then do them up firmly.
Never had a drama so far.

Mick

chris.tyne · Post by **chris.tyne** » Tue Aug 13, 2013 1:31 pm

On a rimfire I use a normal allen key with the short end between my thumb and next finger and tighten it that way.
There is no need to tighten the shitter out of them,just my 2 cents worth,Ps I have never put loctite near a rifle yet..

The Raven · Post by **The Raven** » Tue Aug 13, 2013 1:37 pm

chris.tyne wrote:On a rimfire I use a normal allen key with the short end between my thumb and next finger and tighten it that way.
There is no need to tighten the shitter out of them,just my 2 cents worth,Ps I have never put loctite near a rifle yet..

I use the allen key the same way. There's nothing worse than an overtightened fastener.

Loctite has only been used it when things have come loose. For example, had a OEM rail come loose and applied loctite to stop that happening again.

Camel · Post by **Camel** » Tue Aug 13, 2013 3:04 pm

The ideal torque for these type of things is, tighten until something breaks and then back it off half a turn.

I use the allen key between the thumb and index finger as well, if slotted screws I tighten until my wrist clicks then stop, nice and tight but not too tight, one of the joys of having a limp stuffed wrist I spose

DSD · Post by **DSD** » Wed Aug 14, 2013 12:21 pm

Goes to show how wrong you can be, I would not have picked you for the limp wristed type Camel

chappo555 · Post by **chappo555** » Wed Aug 14, 2013 1:38 pm

I have a wheeler fat wrench. I use 35 inch pounds on rings and bases and 45-50 inch pounds on action screws.

AusVarmint