AR barrel nut torque & accuracy

[velocette]

Got a question for the mavens of building ARs.
The torque specs for the barrel nut, from what I have read, run from about 30 Lbs/ft to around 80 Lbs/ft.
On the low side is it a factor in AR accuracy? As long as the barrel is securely fastened to the upper receiver regardless of torque value will accuracy be as good as the barrel?

Or put another way, with YOUR match grade AR what did YOU torque your barrel nut to?

TIA
Roger

 

[hunttheevil]

I torque mine to 30 ft/lbs, then tighten further to allow for the gas tube to fit into the upper without exceeding 80 ft/lbs.

 

[rcmodel]

What he said.

The torque it takes to align a notch with the gas tube hole is what it is.

Whatever that is?

There ain't nothing you can do about it, whether it affects accuracy, or not.

Gas tube alignment is much more critical to a properly functioning and accurate AR-15 then whatever the actual torque is.

rc

 

[backbencher]

True, although it would be interesting to know what these folks torque their bbl nuts to. They don't mess about w/ gas tubes:

http://www.southern-gun.co.uk/

 

[rcmodel]

They don't need too mess with gas tubes.

Because legal AR-15's are manually operated bolt-actions in England the last I heard.

rc

 

[BBBBill]

I suspect that if you got much over 80 ft/pounds, you would be looking at some receiver damage. That is a steel barrel nut threading onto a very thin walled aluminum upper. Somethin' gotta give!