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pre 64 model 70; how tight should this screw be?

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02 February 2002, 13:45
<green 788>
pre 64 model 70; how tight should this screw be?
I have a pre 64 model 70 Winchester in 270 win. I don't know how tight to tighten the forearm tension screw. (The screw that threads into the bulge in the barrel which housed the rear sight).

Thanks for any info.

green 788

02 February 2002, 18:13
DavidReed
Green,

The beauty of this screw is that you can experiment with it to see how your gun shoots best. In effect it dampens barrel vibrations. Same concept as the horrid looking browning BOSS. My pre-64 .338 WM likes the screw to be tight, very tight. I have another in .257 Roberts that likes it snug. Not loose but not as tight as my .338. Do some experimenting and find the sweet spot for your rifle.

03 February 2002, 02:15
<green 788>
Thanks, David.

I hadn't even paid much attention to the screw until recently. (I've only had this rifle for a few weeks).
I had noticed that with 55 grains of IMR 4350 and the Sierra 130 grain Gameking bullet, it would shoot 3/4 or better MOA, but ALWAYS with one flyer. I found the screw very loose. I appreciated the information very much. Maybe I can eliminate the flyers by playing with it...

Another thing I'm noticing about this rifle is that it has a short throat, and a tight neck. Were these older Winchester 70's known for this?

green 788

03 February 2002, 05:02
<k wood>
I have pre 64 in 30-06 that does exactly what you are talking about. When the forearm screw is loose it will have a flyer. Like DavidReed said take a screwdriver to the range and experiment.
03 February 2002, 05:27
Santiam
On my pre 64 270 I tighten the screw down snug, then back off 2 turns..

It will shoots 3/4 inch groups...Not bad for a gun that turned 50 this year....

04 February 2002, 16:53
Atkinson
Normally I really snug down the front screw and snug down the rear then back off one or two...The center screw just enough to keep it in place...The center screw is the demon that warps the action...This is correct screw tension in a Mod. 70 PROVIDED it is properly bedded.....sometimes I glue in a dowell or piece of walnut for the center and replace the screw with a wood screw....

------------------
Ray Atkinson

ray@atkinsonhunting.com
atkinsonhunting.com

04 February 2002, 17:05
Holmes
quote:
Originally posted by Atkinson:
The center screw is the demon that warps the action...

I can attest to this! I overtightened mine and ended up fracturing an original pre-64 stock that was a 95% example.

Typical backyard gunsmith!

~Holmes