Action Loose in Stock

[DanTheFarmer]

Good Afternoon,

I'm trying to work up some loads for my 7mm-08 T/C Icon. The results haven't been meeting my expectations for accuracy. I cleaned my rifle this afternoon and as I put the bolt back in I noticed the action and barrel wiggling in the stock. Upon further inspection the Allen head type screws holding the action to the stock were extremely loose. I could turn them with my fingers.

Here's a blinding flash of obvious type of question but I'm assuming that having the action that loose in the stock didn't do my accuracy any good. How much does a loose action affect accuracy?

Should I just tighten the screws snug or is this a trip to the gunsmith needed for super secret inch-pounds of torque and mystical incantations?

Should I repeat the loads I tried before I knew the action was loose or do the 8" groups (!) at 100 yards tell me to try a different load.

Thanks.

Dan

 

[cberge8]

Get the loose stock issue fixed then retest your loads. I would assume the loose action could lend its hand to all kind of accuracy problems.

To repair, back the screws out all the way, apply lock-tite to the threads (super glue can work in a pinch) and secure them down. I would wait overnight before shooting to ensure the lock-tite has cured. While waiting you could try some "mystical incantations", not a real gunsmith so I'm not in the loop when it comes to those.

 

[PecosRiverM]

(super glue can work in a pinch)

I'd rather borrow some clear nail polish.

 

[MtnCreek]

I'd rather borrow some clear nail polish.

Borrow?

Contact TC and ask them what the proper method for resetting the action to stock is. They are great folks; at least they were about 10 yrs ago when they mailed me some free replacement bolts.

 

[kingmt]

You can find torque specs if you Google the bolt size, thread pitch, & surface it is binding but it might be easier to call the company & ask them.

 

[Huckelberry75]

The removable lock tite is the cats pajamas on keeping things tight, while still allowing you to remove the bolts if you have to.

 

[popper]

Clean screws and holes with acetone (polish remover also works), use BLUE loc-tite, get torque specs from manufacturer. Keep a screw driver set in your shooting bag. I don't have or use an inch/# wrench, just snug up. Had the action screw fall out when I was shooting a new rifle once. Learned my lesson.

 

[gamestalker]

I've used nail polish with many locktite applications and have never had a failure or difficult removal when needed. I wouldn't personally consider using super glue, just saying. But I would make sure the screws are properely tightened to spec. inch pounds.
As for accuracy problems, yes, a loose stock is going to create all kinds of inconsistent groups.

 

[cfullgraf]

Clean screws and holes with acetone (polish remover also works), ...

Nail polish remover is basically acetone. It might have some other stuff mixed in that makes it easier on the hide than straight acetone.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

Alcohol works great as a degreaser before applying blue locktite. I torque all action screws (bolt actions)regardless of manufacturer to 65 pound inches. It is more critical that the screws are tightened equally and sequentually rather than to a specific torque spec.

 

[Skyshot]

I would retighten them and check and see if they come loose again. If they do, you might want to look at having the action bedded to keep it more snug.

 

[Seedtick]

Alcohol works great as a degreaser before applying blue locktite.

Reckon it would still work ok if you filter it through your kidneys first?


I was taking a Blackhawk apart the other day to do some trigger work and all 5 of the frame screws were loose. I'm not talking barely snug or finger tight they were completely loose.

Wonder when that happened??? And it was shooting purty durn good.


Seedtick