Leupold STD Base and Rings Torque Question

[Alex818]

Hi All,

I've been lurking the forum for advice for a while and I finally signed up to post a question.

I purchased the Leupold STD 2 piece base and rings for my Weatherby Vanguard that's chambered in .300 Win Mag. The local shop only had the Remington 700 bases which fit the Weatherby so I bought those.

The bases comes with two types of screws (two 6-48 and two 8-40 screws) and the rings come with four 8-40 Screws.

I tightened the base to the maximum torque value listed on the back of the package which were 22 in/lbs for the 6-48 screws and 28 in/lbs for the 8-40 screws. I used blue Loctite on the base screws.

After researching torque settings for the rings it seems that most people are recommending to tighten between 15 and 20 in/lbs. I know that over-tightening can damage the scope and under-tightening can cause the scope to slip (which I had happen with my previous rings/bases installed by a gunsmith whom I don't trust now which is why I'm doing it myself).

Now.. the package says the 8-40 ring screws can take a maximum torque level of 28 in/lbs. I called Leupold and the person I spoke with told me to tighten it all the way up to the 28 or 29 in/lbs range. Others have posted that when they called Leupold, they were told to go up to 20 in/lbs.

I'm confused now.. I have a hunting trip coming up in less than 2 weeks and its critical for me to get these rings on properly. Should I do what the Leupold tech told me and tighten the 8-40 ring screws all the way up to 28 in/lbs?

Thanks!

 

[Patocazador]

I've been installing my own scope mounts and rings for 35 years and have never used a torque-wrench or gauge to measure. I have always just tightened them "all-the-way" until they felt right. This applies to both Leupold STD and Redfield JR mounts. I have never had one come loose. I also always applied blue Loctite to all screws.

In guns with LOTS of recoil, I also have used Loctite under the scope rings where the scope contacts after lining everything up to my satisfaction.

Too much tightening will strip the screws so I have usually been judicious with the pressure for that reason.

 

[PocketRocket]

If the instructions say 28 in-lbs, then that's what I would do. I f there is any doubt in your mind call Leupold and ask, "Is there any reason why I shouldn't tighten the screws to your published instructions."

If there isn't any prohibition then do it. It would be a pretty good bet that the engineers that developed the rings and bases would have the the correct precedure put in the instructions -- excluding a typo of course and that's what the above question should resolve.

 

[NeuseRvrRat]

not enough difference between 28 and 20 inch-pounds to matter on an application like this. you can get that much variation just depending on whether or not loctite is used, if the threads are a little oily, etc. hell, i'd bet your torque wrench/screwdriver tolerance is close to +/-4 in-lbs.

what i'm saying is quit worrying about it and go shoot the thing.

 

[HankB]

I'm assuming you have a genuine torque wrench, rather than that toy Wheeler puts out.

I would split the difference, going about 24 in lbs, after a thorough degreasing, and I would use blue (not red!!!) Loctite on the screws, despite some advice to the contrary I've seen posted.

In guns with LOTS of recoil, I also have used Loctite under the scope rings where the scope contacts after lining everything up to my satisfaction.

When I 'scope something with heavy recoil, I lap the rings, too. I then dissolve some rosin in alcohol, and "paint" the insides of the rings with it - a couple of coats produces a very uniform, very thin layer of rosin which in my experience greatly reduces the likelihood of the 'scope moving within the rings.

 

[Alex818]

Wow, Wheeler is that bad huh? It has great reviews on Amazon.