Tighten the front or rear stock screw first on bolt rifles?

[geojap]

I have heard this indirectly mentioned twice and I think I heard conflicting suggestions, so I wanted to ask here and see if those who are more knowledgable than me will add their two cents.

On most bolt action rifles, there are two stock screws, one forward and one aft of the receiver. When reassembling the rifle, which should you tighten first with the most pressure to achieve the best accuracy?

I have a few dozen mil-surp Mausers and Mosin-Nagants, as well as a modern Winchester M-70. The Finn Mosins and Swedish/Persian Mausers are capable of truly amazing accuracy (10 shot groups all in 3/4" at 50 yards with the Persian), and I want to make sure I'm getting the most out of these rifles' current configuration.

I don't plan on bedding any of the mil-surps or altering the stock to float the barrel any more than it already is, so I'm just concerned about the effect of setting the screws properly.

Thanks.

 

[Art Eatman]

I disremember whether it was the booklet which came with my Weatherby or my Sako, but IIRC, it said to tighten the rear screw first. I don't recall any comment at all in the Remington booklet--but don't hold me to that.

I snug down both bolts fairly equally, and then put the final bit of torque on the rear screw first...

Whether gun-, scope- or car-work, I don't ever tighten one bolt "all the way" without partial tightening of all bolts involved.

Art

 

[Greg L]

Tighten the rear one first & then really crank down on the front screw. The front is right next to the barrel so you want the least amount of "play" right there.

Greg

 

[hksw]

Why don't you run an experiment and try it both ways to see for yourself which works best for your guns?

 

[geojap]

hksw, good idea. I'll have to bring a screwdriver to the raneg with me and try it out next time.