Why is there a barrel tensioning screw on the SAGE EBR Stock?

[Retro]

Installed my SOCOM 16 onto a new "patented version" EBR stock. Certainly not a real "drop-in" installation, I am afraid to say... I had to use many tools to "fit" the op rod guide block onto the barrel, and then adjust it back and forth until it matches the holes on the EBR chasis, the whole installation took me 3 hrs total. But it was worth it... the rifle is now very sturdy and not too heavy. Should have paid $35 and asked my gunsmith to install it for me instead, because my wife is now pissed at me for making a mess in the living room. anyway...

So, I noticed two set of screws on the handguard chasis. The top screw will touch the barrel when screwed in, and the side screw will lock the top screw in place. This is obviously a barrel tensioning screw, which functions sorta like the barrel tensioner on a JAE 100 stock. However, the SAGE EBR stock is suppose to be a "free floating barrel" design starting from the op rod guide block. So my question is, why is there a barrel tensioning screw to counter-act this "free floating barrel" design? Seems very contradictory....

Thanks.

Retro

 

[Retro]

No one noticed it on their EBRs?

 

[lipadj46]

I doubt many people have ponied up the cash for a Sage stock. Maybe H2O Man knows.

 

[Retro]

But theoretically though, for a free-floating barrel design, there shouldn't be any contact points between the stock and the barrel, right? That is why the design greatly perplexed me.

P.S. actually the EBR stock is quite cheap, in comparison to the glass bedding jobs every 6 months. My gunsmith would charge $200 to $250 for a bedding job depending on whether you wanted the handguard bedded as well. In 1.5 year, the EBR stock would have paid for itself... The 3-point bedding on a EBR stock is quite solid and will last as long as the barrel itself. But it was a pain to install it though.

 

[Eightball]

Maybe H2O Man knows.

No kidding there.

Maybe if we're lucky, he'll post that crazy picture of his number of 'em again.

 

[H2O MAN]

The barrel is only semi free floated forward of the op rod guide block.
The barrel tension screw allows you to dial in some downward pressure, it is rarely used.
The TROY MCS has a similar adjustment at the bottom of the forearm that ulls the front band down.

All 4 of my SAGE stocks have the tension screw, but I am not using them.

 

[natescout]

How about some pics Retro, Ive been thinking of getting a sage ebr stock for my scout, any advice

 

[Retro]

Thanks H20 Man. I still don't understand the need to put downward pressure on the barrel in this design? Will post some pictures after I shot it at the range next week to give a range report on its accuracy. Without SAGE EBR stock, it shots 4 MOA at 100 yards with match ammo.

 

[virus8275]

I just bought a Sage EBR chassis and I am currently trying to fit the operating rod guide block onto the barrel of my socom 16. If anyone can give me some advice on an easy way to get it on i would appreciate it. I have been using a mallet to get it on but only have it halfway.

 

[JSC4248]

HELP!

Hey, I saw you installed one of these. How in the heck did you do it? I got a socom 16 and Im completely lost on installing the piece which fits in the stock. Can you help?

 

[H2O MAN]

JSC4248 Hey, I saw you installed one of these. How in the heck did you do it?
I got a socom 16 and Im completely lost on installing the piece which fits in the stock. Can you help?

Check in over at The M14HDW Forum for help and much more.

 

[Onmilo]

The interesting thing about the tension screw is that SAGE themselves mention nothing about it in their installation instructions.

I had to locate some information from the internet.

The correct procedure for utilizing the tension screw is to first tighten the top cover screws to a uniform 60 inch pounds.
Next, back off the lock screw located on the right forward side of the top cover.

Next, run the top tension screw down until it just begins to put pressure on the barrel then back the screw off 3/4 turn.
Lock the screw down using the right side lock screw.

From what I can gather, the tension screw reduces barrel whip during full auto fire which reduces the group dispersion.

 

[JSC4248]

Thanks H20 MAN. Pending approval on the board. Best, JC