Action Screw Torque

[tunacan]

I recently built a 22-250 Imp on a Remington 700 Action. I have worked up a few loads for the rifle and found a couple that shoot great.

I took it out last week and shot several groups under .5" most of the groups were ragged little holes, the best group was in the .1s.

I ordered a Holland trigger spring and took the gun out of the stock in order to put in the new spring for the trigger and bolt stop.

I placed the gun back in the stock and torqued the screws back down. (stock is bedded)

I do not have a torque wrench but I think I have a good "feel" for how much it needs to be tightened.

I loaded up a few rounds today and went to the range....Groups were aweful (1.5") with no real pattern to them..(left, right, high and low)


My question is...Could the difference in torque on the action screws be the culprit of my shitty day at the range?

All of my equipment is sold, form is solid enough for repeatability of groups. Reloading is solid.

Thanks

 

[navyrad8r]

tuna,
big fan of your posts..
i think you are on the right track with the torque of the action screws. you can pick up a decent torque wrech pretty cheap at harbor freight or sears. i always end up borrowing my buddy's leupold t handle when i have to shoot the .300 winmag. i finally shoot bolt gun and will be buying one soon too. i have forgottent o torque the magnum after cleaning and between strings (not on the same day though!) i think your great numbers will come back as soon as you get your tourque settings back, and don't mix up your screws, i shoot remy's and have gotten that wrong too, but caught it before i shot it. i hope this helps... i shoot with the Navy team you can always borrow mine (my buddy's ;D) if we ever meet.
cheers,
doc

 

[clowdis]

If your rifle is that sensitive then something probably isn't right with the bedding. Take the action back out of the stock and check again for dirt or trash left in the bedding especially in the recoil lug recess. A rifle should not be that sensitive to stock bolt torque.

 

[TRECustom]

+ 1 Clowdis

The little Wheeler Fat Wrench works fine, and is handy. If you don't have socket head action screws, fit a pair. They're very easy to torque up.

If you're shooting a blind bottom magazine, ADL type, the middle screw can open groups, but in a bedded rifle, not that much.

Good luck, and let us know what you find.

Tom

Tom

 

[tunacan]

I highly doubt my bedding is the culprit.

I was just noticing that when I chambered a loaded round I had significant land marks on my bullet. I may have bumped my dies a little.

To the lands my round measures 2.625"

My actual rounds that I fired are 2.645

I may be jammed a little deep. I'll reseat them and see if that has anything to do with it