Question about tightening my scope mount screws

[12Pump]

I just noticed that my scope base screws were very loose to the point that I'm surprised the scope didn't slide off. I first noticed that the scope was wiggling a bit, and that's what made me check the screws. I had originally tightened them what I thought was a good amount, but did it conservatively because I didn't want to strip the threads.

In the scope mount instructions, it says to tighten the screws 25-30 inch/lbs. Since I don't have a wrench that measures torque weight, I just used my fingers to do the tightening. Is it possible for an average adult male to tighten the base screws to 25-30 inch/lbs. just by using his fingers if he tightened it as much as possible that way? Or would it require a wrench to do that?

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

When i mount a scope. I make it as tight as i can make it. With the aluminum rings i don't go to crazy. But i do use some blue loctite. With the base make em' tight and loctite them.

 

[Howland937]

it possible for an average adult male to tighten the base screws to 25-30 inch/lbs. just by using his fingers if he tightened it as much as possible that way? Or would it require a wrench to do that?

Probably not, if you already tried that and it came loose. Part of the reason of torque specs is so things don't shake loose. The other part is to ensure an equal amount of tightness. Sometimes that matters, sometimes not.

If it's something you may do more than once, spend $20 on one of the bit driver sets and another $30 or so for a torque driver.
I'll use blue loctite on scope base to gun mounting screws but not on any other screws.

 

[sparkyv]

25 to 30 inch•lbs is pretty snug using a driver. Highly doubtful that that torque value can be achieved with just one's fingers and no tools...perhaps I misunderstand the OP?

 

[wiscoaster]

A torque driver such as this Weaver is not that expensive - cheaper than a scope - and without proper torque on the mounting screws a scope is going to be useless.

https://www.amazon.com/Weaver-84972...011&s=hi&sprefix=weaver+torque,aps,109&sr=1-3

 

[earlthegoat2]

Well if you can turn a torque screwdriver to any given in/lb torque, then why wouldn’t you be able to do it with a standard screwdriver.

For me, 20-30 in/lbs is on the lower half of my screw driving threshold.

Nonetheless, torque specs for any given application are mostly so a fastener does not get over torqued past its yield strength. Very important for small screws like scope ring and mount screws.

Even torquing of like fasteners holding down a single object, as in the case of engine head bolts and various other things can also be a requirement. Mainly things riding on the same plane.

A torque screwdriver can be purchased but they can get pricey.

An in/lb torque wrench may be a better option. I know Advance Auto sold a beam style one for $30 a bit back. A 1/4 drive T-15, T-20, and a hex or two and you can be in business for a few shekels less. A 1/4 drive bit driver set can run as low as $30.

 

[film495]

generally speaking, snug - and then no more than 1/4 turn. I broke a bit trying to tighen my scope mount screws, snapped the tip right off. from my experince with the little wrench that comes with rings and such, a lot of places will throw a torque wrench or allen wrench in to fit the hardware. just about right is when the long end of the wrench has a nice little flexy bend in it, and the resistance at that point gets much harder, so - done.

 

[3Crows]

I just noticed that my scope base screws were very loose to the point that I'm surprised the scope didn't slide off. I first noticed that the scope was wiggling a bit, and that's what made me check the screws. I had originally tightened them what I thought was a good amount, but did it conservatively because I didn't want to strip the threads.

In the scope mount instructions, it says to tighten the screws 25-30 inch/lbs. Since I don't have a wrench that measures torque weight, I just used my fingers to do the tightening. Is it possible for an average adult male to tighten the base screws to 25-30 inch/lbs. just by using his fingers if he tightened it as much as possible that way? Or would it require a wrench to do that?

Yes, using your fingers and the allen/hex tool you could easily over torque the screws. Or did you mean with your bare fingers in which case, probably not?

You need a torque tool. Anything else is just a guess. Some guesses are better than others, your guess it seems was not very good.

3C

 

[taliv]

Using a typical Allen style wrench, put the long end in the head and twist the small end with your fingers.
You could easily over tighten twisting the long end. But with only about a knuckle of purchase on the short end, you can crank on it a bit and be in the ballpark

 

[The Glockodile]

You can “feel” it if you use a good torque screwdriver frequently enough - just like an experienced tailor knows your ideal measurements just by eyeballing you.



Quite doable with these things, fingers only.

But I suspect you probably don’t

Loctite® 222 and 243, perhaps some Rosin, a good Torque Screwdriver and Bit Set are good to have...

 

[Mr. Hill]

Get a torque screwdriver. It’ll have a cam that prevents over-torquing.

 

[12Pump]

25 to 30 inch•lbs is pretty snug using a driver. Highly doubtful that that torque value can be achieved with just one's fingers and no tools...perhaps I misunderstand the OP?

Nope, you didn't. I just used my fingers to tighten it, but I did so conservatively so as not to do any damage. Since the screws ended up coming loose, I wanted to check to make sure I couldn't go too tight if I were to go ahead and tighten it as much as possible using my fingers. If it would take a wrench to get to 25 or 30 inch lbs, then I guess tightening it as much as possible with my fingers shouldn't cause a problem. I just wanted to ask about it here first to make sure I couldn't over-tighten the screws using my fingers alone.

 

[12Pump]

Yes, using your fingers and the allen/hex tool you could easily over torque the screws. Or did you mean with your bare fingers in which case, probably not?

Yes, just my bare fingers. The base screws are like little knobs that are easy enough to get a grip on and turn with bare fingers, but they also have a slot in them to allow for a tool to be applied.

 

[Tilos]

Yes, just my bare fingers. The base screws are like little knobs that are easy enough to get a grip on and turn with bare fingers, but they also have a slot in them to allow for a tool to be applied.

Short of buying a inch/pound torque wrench, I'd just use a coin or washer in the slot, "hand tightened", and call that good.
Also, I used my wife's out of favor discarded nail polish, instead of Loctite.
jmo,
.

 

[Demi-human]

The torque values are for the rings. You aren’t going to hurt the receiver by using a wrench to be sure the nuts on the mount are secure. I have the same mounts on some of my scopes, let’s me tune loads and go back to irons easily. Use a wrench, get them tight, don’t go crazy.
The slots are for “field use” with what ever fits. Use a wrench.

For the rings, it is as @taliv says. Use the long end and turn with the short end. Don’t crush the scope tube with the rings. I was able to, easily. I bought a torque driver after the fact. Learn from my mistake.

 

[243winxb]

and inch to foot.

I hung lead weights on, no fish scale, to tighten a mower blade.

 

[Dave DeLaurant]

My method using a basic Allen L-wrench is to hold the long end + Loctite when tightening the base screws to the receiver, and hold the short end when tightening the ring screws and the cross bolts. I make the screws as tight as I can using this method.

 

[I6turbo]

LOL I'm now understanding why I've seen so many scopes with crushed tubes over the years.

 

[3Crows]

Yes, just my bare fingers. The base screws are like little knobs that are easy enough to get a grip on and turn with bare fingers, but they also have a slot in them to allow for a tool to be applied.

The bases came loose then because they were insufficiently tight. Do yourself a long term favor and just get something like this. It will pay for itself over and over.

https://www.amazon.com/Wheeler-Accu...ds=weaver+torque+wrench&qid=1649897215&sr=8-6

I turned wrenches for several years as a professional aviation (A&P) mechanic and despite considerable ability to judge a fastener torque, I use a torque driver/wrench on my motorcycles, cars, bicycles and guns and dang sure on an aircraft as appropriate to the use. That is the right way to do it. Even when torque is not given there are tables to derive a suitable torque, getting beyond the scope of this thread since a torque was given and it should be used.

3C

 

[55fairlane]

Buy a torque wrench! Don't guess....

 

[12Pump]

The torque values are for the rings. You aren’t going to hurt the receiver by using a wrench to be sure the nuts on the mount are secure. I have the same mounts on some of my scopes, let’s me tune loads and go back to irons easily. Use a wrench, get them tight, don’t go crazy.
The slots are for “field use” with what ever fits. Use a wrench.

For the rings, it is as @taliv says. Use the long end and turn with the short end. Don’t crush the scope tube with the rings. I was able to, easily. I bought a torque driver after the fact. Learn from my mistake.

Actually, the torque value of 25-30 inch/lbs. was for the base screws. For the ring nuts, the value given was 10-15 inch/lbs. These were given in the scope mount instructions.

 

[ACES&8S]

I have a back yard shooting range and I have seen every way there is to bugger up a scope mount
and even more scope rings. I was no exception until I woke up with piles of rings and mounts with
most of them cheap versions.
Now I have every tool for mounting them and a crisscross sign with my best friend's name on them.
He could strip the rifling out of a barrel let alone a helpless mount screw. I know for a fact, right now
his deer rifle has only 3 screws in the scope mount instead of the 4, it is supposed to have.
Get all the tools you need, but don't go overboard.
Make absolutely sure the star or allen wrench is the perfect size.
Don't let a bodyguard or wrestler do it for you.
Get quality mounts and rings, but don't go overboard.
Tighten to recommended pounds with Wheeler Fat Wrench or whatever.
Just use fingernail polish to secure them.
If you guess at it by hand, you will get it wrong sooner or later.
That's my 2 cents.

 

[Demi-human]

These were given in the scope mount instructions.

Yet they went unheeded.

 

[Skylerbone]

Using a typical Allen style wrench, put the long end in the head and twist the small end with your fingers.
You could easily over tighten twisting the long end. But with only about a knuckle of purchase on the short end, you can crank on it a bit and be in the ballpark

My method using a basic Allen L-wrench is to hold the long end + Loctite when tightening the base screws to the receiver, and hold the short end when tightening the ring screws and the cross bolts. I make the screws as tight as I can using this method.

This is the advice (above) my longtime smith gave me as a wannabe DIYer. It worked very well, holding may a scope from initial installation to trash bin, with some lasting decades. No notable damage to the tubes and no inexplicable accuracy issues.

I do wet a cleaning patch with alcohol and, using the correct bit installed in the screw head, turn the threads while pinching the cloth around them to remove oil. For the tapped holes, it’s a Q-tip with alcohol followed by a dry one after removing a portion of cotton from the tip. I LocTite all the screws with no issue.

 

[Atavar]

You can get a set of driver bits for your 1/4" torque wrench pretty cheaply.