I finally broke down an bought a inch lb. torque wrench. I have sighted in the rifle and have obtained the results I have been looking for, however the stock to action torque is not known as it was done by hand without the aid of a wrench. Can I find out the existing torque so as to keep (the sweet spot ) intact, or should I start from scratch and apply recommended torque values for a bolt action?

To approximate the current setting, you can carefully mark the position of the screws as they are now, loosen them and retighten noting the torque it takes to return them to the same position.

Hutt,

Mark the heads as mentioned by TBob. Set your torque wrench to say 40 in lbs and try the screw. continue advancing the weight until you see the head move as the wrench breaks. Note the weight.

As you torque your guard screws be aware that any reference mark you make may not always align every time. Materials crush, things stretch and foreign objects and oil under screw heads will keep the marks from aligning. When dealing with different materials such as epoxy, aluminum and steel etc., it isn't necessary for any reference mark to align, it is only necessary that the wrench break at exactly the same torque setting time after time.

Malm