Does removing gun from stock to clean then putting it back change the poi?

[hometheaterman]

I was reading in a thread on another forum a guy claiming that anytime you removed a gun from it's stock and then put the gun back in the stock that the poi would change and you would have to re sight it in. I've never noticed then when I've removed stocks for cleaning and don't see how it would be possible since the scope is mounted on the receiver not the stock. I just wondered how true this was or if he was full of it.

 

[rizbunk77]

It is definitely possible. It the barrel is pressure point bedded and the rifle is put together with the barrel sitting slightly right or left, or if the screws are tightened down with radically different torque. Or if the magazine box is not properly reinstalled and the action binds up on it when you are tightening screws... Anything changing the way the action or barrel is bedded can change the point of impact. Now if you have a particular weapon with a floated barrel and short magazine box that is otherwise tightly bedded, it would be hard to cause a change in POI by taking apart and reassembling.

 

[Geno]

It is more likely to happen in stocks that do not have either pillar bedding, or an aluminum bedding block. My M700 Tactical maintains its zero within appx 0.25 inches at 100 yards when I remove the barreled action from the stock to clean and re-lube after a rainy hunt. It does have aluminum pillar bedding.

Geno

 

[hometheaterman]

So what about on rifles like the Savage model 10's? Or anything like that where the barrel is free floated and the magazine is built into the receiver? On those would it still do it? What about something like a 10/22?

 

[X-Rap]

Its not a certainty but probably a likely hood. For me this goes back to a thread about people swapping pretty stocks for working stocks like it made no difference.
If you have a bedded action and record the torque on all the screws I might believe you can maintain zero but if you are set up like that chances are you will verify zero anyway.

 

[Maverick223]

So what about on rifles like the Savage model 10's? Or anything like that where the barrel is free floated and the magazine is built into the receiver? On those would it still do it? What about something like a 10/22?

Probably will not to a noticeable degree on the Savage (especially if a newer model with AccuStock), but if the 10/22 is stock with a barrel band it is likely to shift when you remove the stock. I would recommend free floating the 10/22, as it makes a world of difference.

 

[amprecon]

It was definitely an issue with my SA M1A rifle. On a sandbag rest, changing where I'd grip, either forearm or the toe of the butt changed the poi with this rifle. After a bedding job, where I held it did not matter. I have the wood stocks, maybe the synthetic stocks don't shift so much (?).

 

[skidooman603]

Simply put...YES Garand especially

 

[Bart B.]

Unless the receiver's epoxy bedded (conventional or pillar, doesn't matter one darned bit) it doesn't take much difference in fit or stock screw torque to change point of impact. Round receivers (Remington) are more prone to zero changes after unstocking one than rectangular ones (Winchester). Not much difference and most folks may not see the difference. If, when restocking, you put the muzzle on a rug then push down on the stock when you make the last couple of turns on the stock screws, you'll force the receiver back to about where it ends up after firing a few shots. The least amout of zero change happens after doing this.

I've removed epoxy bedded barreled actions from Winchester 70's and M1 Garands many times and there's never been a change in zero when they're both torqued up the same amount. 60 inch-pounds on the Winnie's screws and just clamping in the trigger guard on the Garand (always stored with trigger guard unlocked but in place; it does act as a spring).

 

[jbech123]

It may or may not, lots of variables at play. If you use a torque wrench and ensure you torque it the same each time you remove, you will decrease the likelyhood or at least minimize the amount of shift. The bottom line is if you are doing anything important, like hunting or shooting a match, you absolutely must verify your zero every time you remove the stock.

 

[X-Rap]

you absolutely must verify your zero every time you remove the stock.

Exactly, that is why unless your gun took a good soaking and needs to be dried and lubed with the stock off I would not pull it for cleaning. If you don't mind wasting ammo to re-zero then have at it, but hunting with a gun after a stock switch or removal and not checking zero with a 3 or 5 round string to me is irresponsible.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

One trick with a bolt gun is putting the action back in the stock and -- with the action screws not quite tight -- hold it by the barrel and thump the butt smartly on the floor. Then snug up the action screws, tightening them little-by-little alternately.

You still have to fire a check shot, though.

 

[X-Rap]

That would probably suffice rather than multiple shoots to settle the action in the stock.
I would use caution though because you might take a chip out of the stock at the tang with the screws loose.