A loose stock screw ... can it affect accuracy?

[Bullseye]

Maybe a dumb question? I am not embarrassed to say this but I should have known to look over the firearm closer before shooting.
Well, I am going to ask this anyway, but am betting that it would affect accuracy. Yesterday I went to the range and had some awesome bench rest shots at 100 and 200 yards but then others were completely off. Just using a couple sandbags and a rifle rest, for 21 shots of .270. I was disappointed, blamed it on the rifle since I did great with a 22-250 afterwards.


I did notice a little looseness in the stock when I was near done shooting the .270. When I got home to give the rifle a good cleaning it was a lot more loose than I thought. The forward screw underneath was so loose, I guess I am lucky I didn't lose it or crack the stock. The one closer to the trigger was a tad loose as well. I took it apart, cleaned the screws and used some loc-tite (blue permatex) and snugged them up. I bet this was the accuracy problem.

 

[Ankeny]

I'll bet you are right. The forward screw (most bolt guns) goes into the recoil lug. Proper torque goes a long way towards accuracy.

 

[morcey2]

Loose action screws are one of the first things to check on a formerly-accurate rifle that has suddenly become inaccurate. The first is the scope mounting hardware.

You didn't use red loctite, did you?

Matt

 

[Bullseye]

No I used blue permatex.

 

[30Cal]

Loose bedding screws can make an enormous difference.

 

[natman]

Yes.

 

[PowerG]

Very much so.

 

[Bullseye]

It's unanimous .... I wondered what was wrong with my shooting. Looking forward to a much better outing next time. Thank you all. My guess was right. Never had this issue before.

 

[Cee Zee]

I have a rifle that will shoot erratic if the action screw gets 5 inch/lbs. of torque out of it's sweet spot. That's not much. You can tighten a screw with your finger more than that.

 

[Art Eatman]

Question answered.