21 June 2013, 04:58
Ingwe623Action Screw Torque w/o Torque Wrench?
Is it possible to torque the action screws properly (or "almost" properly)to my Savage M12 LPV using only an allen key and tightening by feel??
The gun has a laminated stock and is pillar and action is glass-bedded.
Whatdaya think?
21 June 2013, 17:19
M PursellBefore the advent of using a torque wrench on action screws, it was done by feel. Many still do. Maybe I'm a dinosaur but I've always thought it was a high tech solution to a low tech task.
I'm sure someone will say I'm wrong but I don't see how a properly bedded rifle will shoot different if the screws are torqued 10% one way or the other. You obviously don't want them loose or farmer tight.
21 June 2013, 17:41
Glen71Another dinosaur here.

It's unlikely you could over-tighten a pillar-bedded rifle.
21 June 2013, 18:52
craigsterNever used a torque wrench. My general rule of thumb is nice and snug, and then a little bit more.
21 June 2013, 22:06
Ingwe623So you are NOT cranking down on the allen wrench that hard??
22 June 2013, 02:02
7mmfreakI only use torque wrenches on rings, bases, compensators, etc.
Unbedded guns I go hand tight using the Allen key like a screwdriver. I then turn it over so that the long portion of the key is in hand and give a quarter turn more (I have compared it to a torque wrench and it seems to get me 30-35in-lbs). Pillar bedded guns have a pretty positive stop when tightened (about 45in-lbs in my testing) and I have never seen any improvement in precision, accuracy, or repeatability by tightening them to 65in-lbs as some prescribe.
22 June 2013, 19:17
7mmfreakI do too but I don't use them for action screws. I also have a variable torque wrench in addition to the one you have (I find 65in-lbs to be excessive for most applications). I've just not found it to be necessary. With properly bedded guns I have even taken the tang screw out, only tightened the front receiver ring screw, and got much less effect than what I expected.