Torque value for scope rings

Status
Not open for further replies.

CopperFouling

Member
Joined
May 5, 2013
Messages
1,153
Location
Midwest
I recently upgraded a scope on a CZ 452, but I haven't yet tightened the screws on the top half of the rings (these are the screws that keep the rings together around the scope, not the screws that attach the scope to the rifle) because I haven't gotten the scope level yet. I am planning to do that this evening.

The scope rings are Millett Angle-Loc rings made of aluminum. I haven't been able to find a torque value for these screws on these rings. I've seen general guidance that suggests everything from 15 in-lbs. to 25 in-lbs. Should I just go with 15 in-lbs. and call it a day?
 
FWIW Burris says 20 on their alloys....

(copied)

Eliminator® / LRFP Base Clamps 40 inch-pounds
Signature / Zee Ring Tops 20 inch-pounds
Signature / Zee Base Screws 30 inch-pounds
Rear Windage Base Screws 40 inch-pounds
AR-P.E.P.R.™ / Tactical Ring Tops 20 inch-pounds
AR-P.E.P.R. / Tactical Ring Crossbolt 65 inch-pounds
Signature Rings™ Clamps 30 inch-pounds
Rimfire / Airgun Rings 20 inch-pounds
 
I'd go 15 and see how that goes.
My 455 has Burris alloy .22 rings, the tops are torqued at 20 and the clamp is at 30.
But that's because it's not an 11mm clamp and will slide at 20.
The steel signature .22 rings have a reversible clamp.
I said screw it and did 30. Worked on my Anschutz w zero prob/marking..........and does on my CZ.
Proly end up w a DIP base and Weaver type rings anyway.
 
So 15 sounds like a good starting point.

This sounds harsh but I don’t like anything about Millett rings. I’d get another brand of rings.

That's a fair point. I just ordered a Spuhr mount. :D Seriously, though, I'd love to buy some better ones, but I have a few other items that I need to purchase first.
 
What's being used to measure torque here? I see various devices, wondering which are accurate.

Russellc
 
What's being used to measure torque here? I see various devices, wondering which are accurate.

Russellc

I'm using one of the torque wrenches from Wheeler. I borrowed it from a friend because a lot of the commonly available torque wrenches don't go low enough.
 
I'm using one of the torque wrenches from Wheeler. I borrowed it from a friend because a lot of the commonly available torque wrenches don't go low enough.
Thanks, that is one I've seen but didn't know accuracy. Their stuff is supposed to be good.

Russellc
 
Craftsman (so... Sears) has a good in-lb adjustable torque wrench — or at least did when I got mine. $45.

I do mostly use my FixItSticks because the attachments are pre-set, so just pick the torque, no dialing.
 
The FixItSticks are excellent tools, but for $40 per one single torque limiter, I went with the Fat Wrench that has a range of torque settings for less than $65.
 
I use a roto-torq and a wheeler but I set them both with a precision torque wrench, a 1/4” socket and 1/4 Allen wrench bit are all that’s needed to mate the two for set up.

AF088268-9288-4B16-AC9B-36EFF6C52633.jpeg

The Wheeler is a good tool for the money just not much resolution, certainly better than, “that feels about right” unless you have a calibrated wrist.
 
Several on Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Wheeler-Accurizing-Measurement-Gunsmithing-Maintenance/dp/B0012AXR4S/ref=sr_1_4?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI3emlh4KI4wIVGKvsCh0-gwBDEAAYASAAEgKaofD_BwE&hvadid=177585386589&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9023221&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1t1&hvqmt=e&hvrand=10205086261627961367&hvtargid=aud-649564993678:kwd-2801477841&hydadcr=7514_9880905&keywords=inch+pounds+torque+wrench&qid=1561582243&s=gateway&sr=8-4

https://www.amazon.com/Vortex-Optics-Torque-Wrench-Mounting/dp/B01M0USC82/ref=sr_1_9?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI3emlh4KI4wIVGKvsCh0-gwBDEAAYASAAEgKaofD_BwE&hvadid=177585386589&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9023221&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1t1&hvqmt=e&hvrand=10205086261627961367&hvtargid=aud-649564993678:kwd-2801477841&hydadcr=7514_9880905&keywords=inch+pounds+torque+wrench&qid=1561582414&s=gateway&sr=8-9

https://www.amazon.com/Vortex-Optics-Torque-Wrench-Mounting/dp/B01M0USC82/ref=sr_1_9?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI3emlh4KI4wIVGKvsCh0-gwBDEAAYASAAEgKaofD_BwE&hvadid=177585386589&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9023221&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1t1&hvqmt=e&hvrand=10205086261627961367&hvtargid=aud-649564993678:kwd-2801477841&hydadcr=7514_9880905&keywords=inch+pounds+torque+wrench&qid=1561582414&s=gateway&sr=8-9

https://www.amazon.com/Stanley-Proto-J6168F-4-Inch-6-30-Inch/dp/B000OL9NQ2/ref=sr_1_46?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI3emlh4KI4wIVGKvsCh0-gwBDEAAYASAAEgKaofD_BwE&hvadid=177585386589&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9023221&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1t1&hvqmt=e&hvrand=10205086261627961367&hvtargid=aud-649564993678:kwd-2801477841&hydadcr=7514_9880905&keywords=inch+pounds+torque+wrench&qid=1561582828&s=gateway&sr=8-46

https://www.amazon.com/RAK-Precision-Torque-Screwdriver-Wrench/dp/B0793D8M7N/ref=sxbs_sxwds-stvp?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI3emlh4KI4wIVGKvsCh0-gwBDEAAYASAAEgKaofD_BwE&hvadid=177585386589&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9023221&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1t1&hvqmt=e&hvrand=10205086261627961367&hvtargid=aud-649564993678:kwd-2801477841&hydadcr=7514_9880905&keywords=inch+pounds+torque+wrench&pd_rd_i=B0793D8M7N&pd_rd_r=beb62dcf-eca6-4221-be8b-8a5c40ded76d&pd_rd_w=1yzpG&pd_rd_wg=KouFH&pf_rd_p=a6d018ad-f20b-46c9-8920-433972c7d9b7&pf_rd_r=CHYKK3711QNS820R0M3A&qid=1561582870&s=gateway

https://www.amazon.com/TorQ-Armour-Miniature-Limiter-inch-lb-Overtighten/dp/B01N9WX3XD/ref=sr_1_91?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI3emlh4KI4wIVGKvsCh0-gwBDEAAYASAAEgKaofD_BwE&hvadid=177585386589&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9023221&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1t1&hvqmt=e&hvrand=10205086261627961367&hvtargid=aud-649564993678:kwd-2801477841&hydadcr=7514_9880905&keywords=inch+pounds+torque+wrench&qid=1561582978&s=gateway&sr=8-91

https://www.amazon.com/Sunex-11050-Drive-Torque-Wrench/dp/B079YSQPF5/ref=sr_1_103?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI3emlh4KI4wIVGKvsCh0-gwBDEAAYASAAEgKaofD_BwE&hvadid=177585386589&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9023221&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1t1&hvqmt=e&hvrand=10205086261627961367&hvtargid=aud-649564993678:kwd-2801477841&hydadcr=7514_9880905&keywords=inch+pounds+torque+wrench&qid=1561583132&s=gateway&sr=8-103

And, "Amazon's Choice"

https://www.amazon.com/TEKTON-TRQ21...QQJVDYKP9XZC3XS5H6RP&qid=1561583378&s=gateway
 
Last edited:

Like pressure gauges you would prefer to not have your tools at the edge of their measuring range. Like a 10-150 in/lb tool to measure 17 in/lb but if the tool is high quality it should be accurate throughout its range.

That one says +/- 4% accuracy but not where, if it’s at 150 that would be an error of 12 in/lbs (+/- 6 in/lbs). Less than 1lb at 10 though, just don’t know from the info they give.
 
The FixItSticks are excellent tools, but for $40 per one single torque limiter, I went with the Fat Wrench that has a range of torque settings for less than $65.
I got my set off a group buy on another forum, and didn't really look how much they were worth. I was thinking it was a good-but-affordable option, but now see at retail they are pretty proud of that stuff. I'll be more careful with my set now!
 
Like pressure gauges you would prefer to not have your tools at the edge of their measuring range. Like a 10-150 in/lb tool to measure 17 in/lb but if the tool is high quality it should be accurate throughout its range.

That one says +/- 4% accuracy but not where, if it’s at 150 that would be an error of 12 in/lbs (+/- 6 in/lbs). Less than 1lb at 10 though, just don’t know from the info they give.

I guess while one could check it with something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/TorQ-Armour-...orque+wrench&qid=1561582978&s=gateway&sr=8-91

I don't even know how accurate these things really are either. I'm just trying to find something more accurate than by hand obviously, but zeroing in at 15-25 maybe up to 40 inch pounds would be nice. Any suggestions? Well, I see some for low hundreds, but surely can be done reasonably? Maybe not...

Russellc
 
Vortex states not to exceed 18 in/lbs, and I have a Warne mount for an AR that says to torque to 25 in/lbs. Since I have been new to the scope arena (past 4 years really) I haven't gone above 20 in/lbs but usually do 15 to 18.
 
I use Vortex, Leupold, and Warne rails, bases and rings. All three have an insert in the packages specifying their recommended torque settings for proper function and secure mounting.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top